Chiweenie Dog Breed Health, Grooming, Feeding ... - PetGuide

There are a ton of loveable character traits that make these pups so favored across the world. Loving, playful and energetic, the Chiweenie is dedicated to his family and will become your little shadow. He’ll want to play with you constantly (unless of course he’s napping in your lap). And even with his small size, he makes a wonderful watchdog. He’ll alert you with a series of sharp barks to let you know if someone is approaching the house. He doesn’t miss a thing and notices everything that goes on around him.

Chiweenies are great for single people, retirees and families with older children. And because of their compact size, you can travel with them just about anywhere. This hybrid isn’t the best choice for families with young children, as they can be easily irritated by noise. They ‘re also known to not get along with other animals, so he should be the only dog in your household. If raised alongside other dogs as a puppy, he should be fine to live in a multi dog household. Still, don’t forget that many of their best traits will have to be brought up to the surface – after all, all dogs are fun and affectionate, but only when raised properly.

Common Health Problems

Chiweenies are relatively healthy dogs, experiencing minor health issues throughout their lives. The most common issue is allergies. As this is a cross breed, it may inherit health issues that are associated with its parent breeds (but it doesn’t mean your dog will suffer from any of them). These can include hypothyroidism, hypoglycemia, diabetes, intervertebral degenerative disc disease, seizures, Luxating patellas, dental issues and hydrocephalus.

Additionally, like all small dog breeds, the Chiweenie is at risk for early tooth loss. To prevent plaque buildup, reward your pet with an occasional dental treat and make sure to incorporate brushing in your daily routine. Besides all this, there should not be any major health issues affecting these doggos. Of course, this is only true provided that you give them all the proper care and attention. Good health depends on many things, the most important being a balanced and healthy diet, plenty of exercise, regular veterinary checkups, and a ton of affection. Don’t neglect any of these essential needs.

Life Expectancy

The Chihuahua and Dachshund mix has an average lifespan of 12 to 15 years. That’s such a fantastic life expectancy for such a tiny-weenie doggo! Especially if you consider that the average maximum life expectancy for most dog breeds is around 15 years. This means that the Chiweenie really took the best aspects from both its parent breeds, combining the longevity of both the Chihuahua and the Dachshund. And, considering the fantastic traits of this designer breed, such as their friendly character, sociable traits, and goofy antics, it’s easy to see that this is a fantastic companion pet breed you’ll love to spend many years with.

Of course, you can’t expect that your pet reaches maximum lifespan all on its own – after all, it’s just an estimate. You will have to do some hard work as well: caring for and nurturing your pet at all times, which includes providing a healthy and balanced diet, plenty of exercise, affection, and regular vet visits.

Exercise Requirements

He may be small, but the Chiweenie has plenty of energy to burn. Of course, this energy is all in a little package, so to tire him out, a daily walk or vigorous play session will suit him just fine. Because of his small size, he doesn’t need a lot of room to run around in. He’s just as happy running inside of the house as he is out in the yard. Of course, it goes without saying, if you let your pet play in the yard, make sure that it’s supervised and that everything is securely fenced. Not only that these tiny doggos could find a spot to wiggle through and go off on an adventure, but they can be snatched by birds of prey, such as hawks or certain types of owls.

Loving, playful and energetic, the Chiweenie adores his family and will become your little shadow.

Recognized Clubs

The Chiweenie is not recognized by the American Kennel Club, as it is considered to be a hybrid breed. However, this breed is recognized by the American Canine Hybrid Club (ACHC), the Designer Dogs Kennel Club (DDKC), Dog Registry of America, Inc. (DRA), International Designer Canine Registry (IDCR) and Designer Breed Registry (DBR). These organizations and clubs are run solely by long-time owners and designer dog breed enthusiasts. And the Chiweenie is no exception. You can find smaller, local clubs that are dedicated solely to this breed, and they are a fantastic place to get all the important information: both if you are a first time owner, or a future one. Things like care, habits, health, and pedigree are all vital for a would-be owner to know. Joining one of these clubs can ensure that you get the best, first hand information that will give you an important advantage. No better way to learn the crucial information than from experienced owners!

Coat

Depending on what type of Dachshund and Chihuahua are bred, a Chiweenie’s coat can range from short to long. That means your dog could have a long, fluffy coat or a short, smooth coat. Coats range in colors, from solid white, red, brown, and black, as well as a combination of any of these hues. If your Chiweenie has longer hair, you should brush his coat a few times a week to avoid tangles and mats – brushing comes on top as a very important part of their care. Not only will it keep them looking cute and tidy, but will also ensure your pet is at ease when being groomed. Brush at least twice a week, and get your pet to the professional grooming salon at least once a month. This is a great way to keep your pet looking their best, and minimize the risk of skin issues, dandruff, lice, and bad odors.

This only means your best bet will be a steady routine! Get used to daily light brushing and a weekly grooming session in order to keep your pet’s looks at their best and most hygienic. Remember that a lot depends on good hygiene, so don’t neglect your pet. Poor hygiene and coat care can eventually create much more trouble for you and your pet.

Puppies

Because this dog is a mix of Chihuahua and Dachshund (both small dogs), the Chiweenie is also a small puppy. This means you’ll have to watch him carefully, especially around children. After all, the cuteness is hard to resist, and you will have to keep eager hands at bay. This is a friendly breed, so bring out this part of his personality early on – let him meet new people and animals as often as possible. Just avoid bringing this super tiny puppy amongst eager and careless children while they are still so small. This can cause injury and unneeded stress for the pup. But as soon as they are stronger, you need to ensure they are properly socialized, as it will help shape them into a sociable, loving dog.

Introduce your puppy to new friendly dogs, children, and adults, in order to provide them with enough social interaction early on. This will guarantee that they become happy and friendly adult dogs. Without this, you risk your pet developing a series of behavioral issues that can hamper them in the long run. These include anxiety, fear, and aggression. With the Chiweenie, you never know what can prevail, since the Chihuahua can have a bit of a temper, while the Dachshund is friendly and goofy.

In the end, socialization is the key part of every dog’s life, as it gives them the chance to grow up into healthy and normal adult puppers. If you do all this properly, and provide all the necessary care to your Chiweenie, you are guaranteed a friendly, fun, affectionate, goofy, and loyal dog to keep you company for a solid number of years. It is exactly this that makes them such popular dogs around the world, and loved by many.

Photo credit: Lauren Ayres; Vern Hart/Flickr; Chris Young/Flickr