How to Care for Your Chiweenie: The Ultimate Guide

chiweenie puppy laying on couch

Key Points

  • The chiweenie is a hybrid mix of a Chihuahua and dachshund.

  • Chiweenies’ appearance vary, but they are petite dogs with lots of energy that require ample play time and stimulating games.

  • This ultimate guide explains how to care for your chiweenie.

The chiweenie is a hybrid or mixed dog breed derived from the Chihuahua and the dachshund. Chiweenies vary in appearance, depending on the physical traits they take from their parent breeds. Different chiweenies have short or long legs, and long or short bodies. A full grown chiweenie has floppy or erect ears, bulging eyes, and overbites.

Regardless of which parent they resemble, the chiweenie is a petite breed, standing at just 6-10 inches tall and between 5-12 pounds. When first born, chiweenie puppies weigh a diminutive 2.5 ounces. Chiweenies are high-energy, so be prepared to spend a lot of time playing games and having fun with them.

Chihuahuas have two coat types: long-haired or smooth. Dachshunds have smooth or long hair in addition to wiry coats. Chiweenie puppies have any of the three. Smooth-haired chiweenies shed less but aren’t considered hypoallergenic.

Chiweenie coat colors include black, white, brown, and tan. A chiweenie also comes with a merle or brindle coat. The most common coat color for the chiweenie is tan. Chiweenies do shed and require regular grooming.

Though small, the chiweenie is not a lap dog and loves to play and be mentally stimulated. Play is central to a dog’s welfare. As veterinarian Dr. Rebecca Sommerville et al. report in Applied Animal Behavior Science, “Most types of play appear to improve social cohesion between humans and dogs, increasing their familiarity and reducing agonistic interactions.”

A chiweenie develops a strong bond and loyalty to one person and thrives in a home that understands their temperament. The chiweenie is portable and loves to travel with its owner.

Chiweenie’s Ideal Circumstances

Chiweenies are best suited for singles, couples, or families with older children. Due to their tiny size, the chiweenies are easily injured during play with overzealous or overly affectionate children. Chiweenies are often referred to as “yippy.” However, the chiweenie’s natural barking urge is tempered with proper training.

Daily walks are important for the chiweenie. While they don’t require the same level of activity as, say, a golden retriever, an adult chiweenie still needs regular walks and playtime. For such a small dog breed, the chiweenie enjoys strenuous physical activity. Chiweenies need between 30-60 minutes of activity a day. If this is neglected, behavioral issues arise in your chiweenie. Once they are tired out, chiweenies are happy to curl up on the lap of their favorite human and rest.

Chiweenies do best in warmer weather because of their small size and short coat. If you live in a colder climate, your chiweenie needs a coat or sweater. Chiweenie Puppies have a long life expectancy of 12-16 years. The Chiweenie is a relatively healthy breed but are prone to certain health issues inherited from its breed parents, such as luxating patellas and diabetes.

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History of the Chiweenie

Because the Chiweenie is a mixed breed dog, it is not recognized by the American Kennel Club. Both of the chiweenie’s parent breeds have a rich history, and we look to them to tell us a bit about the chiweenie ancestry.

The Chihuahua is originally from Mexico. When the Toltecs ruled Mexico, their dog breed of choice was the techichi, a larger ancestor of the Chihuahua. The Aztecs are credited with refining the Techichi into a smaller dog. By the 1500s after the Spanish toppled the Aztec empire, the Techichi was thought to be lost, but the breed lived on in small remote villages in Mexico.

By the 1800s, as Americans began to discover the breed many were found in the State of Chihuahua. It is from this region that the Chihuahua received its name. The AKC first recognized the Chihuahua in 1904. a

Dachshund is a German word meaning “badger dog”. The Dachshund’s history in Germany goes back 600 years. The dachshund was developed to dig its way into badger dens. The dachshund’s low, thin, wiry build was designed specifically for this task. Dachshunds are considered formidable dogs. The daschund was recognized by the AKC in 1885. Other names for the dachshund include the doxie, wiener-dog, and hot dog. Dachshunds are extremely popular in the United States.

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Breed Intelligence

Chiweenies are protective by nature and bark at the door or strangers they contact. Socialization of your Chiweenie is key. Introduce your chiweenie to as many different people, dogs, and other animals as possible while they are young. Be careful not to overwhelm chiweenies – no large groups of people or parties in the beginning.

Chiweenies are intelligent dogs, eager to learn and please their owners. They quickly pick up new commands using positive reinforcement training. Chiweenies respond well to praise and rewards. Their intelligence combined with positive reinforcement training leads to well-behaved and happy chiweenies.

The chiweenie thrives on mental stimulation. Finding ways to keep your chiweenie mentally stimulated has a long-term positive impact on their cognitive health. Going for long walks is not enough to stimulate a chiweenie. Walking is great exercise and physically tires your chiweenie, but they need additional mental challenges. Engaging your chiweenie’s mind is a vital part of play.

Games

A food-dispensing toy requires your chiweenie to work to figure out how to dispense the treats. These toys give your chiweenie a chance to use their natural hunting skills. Dog puzzles come in all shapes and sizes, and even a DIY one with a muffin tin and tennis balls.

Another easy and simple game to play is the “Which Hand Game”. To play this game all you need are treats. You allow your Chiweenie Puppy to see you place a treat in your hand. Close your hand, palms down, and ask your chiweenie “Which hand?” When your Chiweenie Puppy touches or signals to the right hand, you give them the treat and praise them.

Scent Walks

Take your chiweenie on a scent walk. Smell plays a huge role in mental stimulation for dogs. The focus is on allowing your dog to walk where they choose and sniff whatever they decide. Don’t worry about having a specific destination. Allow your chiweenie to take as much time as they want to sniff. Scent walks are slow and purposeful.

chiweenie laying on deck

Canine Cognitive Decline

As your chiweenie matures, these scent walks are vital in helping to reduce the risk of cognitive decline. Cognitive decline is a common issue for senior dogs of all breeds. As your chiweenie ages, you may notice signs of mental decline such as confusion, disorientation, increased anxiety, or forgetting commands they once knew. These are symptoms of Canine Cognitive Decline (CCD). If your chiweenie is exhibiting any of these behaviors, a visit to the vet is necessary.

Stress

Chiweenies increase their vocalizations, with your barky Chiweenie becoming very vocal. Your chiweenie may begin panting or suddenly urinate. All of these are signs of stress. Other signs are flattened ears, repeatedly licking their lips, tail down, and yawning. Your chiweenie may suddenly freeze. Dogs under an immense amount of stress sometimes simply shut down. This is a coping mechanism as well as a warning and is a sign your chiweenie is about to lash out in fear. If your chiweenie exhibits this behavior, remove them from the situation.

Fear-Based Aggression

Fear-based aggression is often a by-product of stress. A fearful Chiweenie will have a fight or flight response to stressful situations which sometimes leads to aggression. Your chiweenie quickly goes from fearful avoidance to defensive aggression in an effort to protect itself from a perceived threat. An important sign that your Chiweenie Puppy may be experiencing fear-based aggression is whale eyes, when your chiweenie widens their eyes, exposing the whites of the eyes. Whale eyes are usually accompanied by stiffness in your Chiweenie’s body and a closed mouth.

You may notice your Chiweenie giving whale eyes when it’s around new people. The Chiweenie is a small dog, and oftentimes people feel perfectly comfortable reaching down to pet or hug chiweenies. Your pup may not enjoy this and feel threatened or overwhelmed. If you know your chiweenie doesn’t enjoy being held or petted by strangers, calmly ask the person not to approach your dog. Make sure your chiweenie’s personal space is respected.

Management

There are simple things to manage stress in your chiweenie. Take your chiweenie for a long walk. Physical activity does wonders to relieve stress. Provide a safe space in your home that your chiweenie goes to if they are feeling stressed or overwhelmed. Training also helps with relieving stress. Starting early with socializing your chiweenie prevents stress for them in the future. Enroll your chiweenie in a training class or send them to doggy daycare a few days a week. All of this helps socialize your chiweenie as well as aids in training.

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Anxiety

A chiweenie dealing with separation anxiety is destructive and loud with excessive barking. This is especially difficult if you live in an apartment where others hear your distressed chiweenie. Because of their energetic nature, if the chiweenie is left unoccupied with nothing to do for long periods, they become bored. Put systems in place to prevent and heal separation anxiety in your chiweenie.

Begin training at a young age. Teaching a chiweenie is puppy right from the start sets them up for a successful and happy life. By training Chiweenie pups early, you reduce the risk of bad habits and behaviors, which are hard to change later.

Don’t make a big deal when you leave or return. If you treat leaving for work every day as an event, your chiweenie will see it that way as well. The same goes for when you return home. Don’t make a fuss when you leave in the morning, and greet your chiweenie with love, but stay calm.

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Give your chiweenie something to occupy them before you leave for work in the morning, like a stuffable toy with treats or peanut butter inside. If your chiweenie is engaged with an appropriate chew toy, they have an outlet to stay calm while you’re gone. If your chiweenie has an accident or damages something while you’re gone, don’t punish them. This only increases your chiweenie’s anxiety.

Along with training and conditioning, natural supplements help with anxiety. CBD oil, valerian root, and pheromone diffusers all help calm dogs battling anxiety.

If you have tried all the above methods and your pup is still stressed, see a veterinary behaviorist who works with you and your chiweenie to solve the anxiety.

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Allergies

Exposure to a specific allergen over time activates the immune system and create an overreaction. Allergies are common in many dog breeds and appear in chiweenie puppies after six months of age. The majority of Chiweenie Puppies show signs of allergies between 1-2 years of age. Your Chiweenie may exhibit allergies to everything from dust mites, mold, and pollen to flea saliva, insect proteins, and certain medications. Symptoms of allergies in chiweenies range from atopic dermatitis to gastrointestinal issues.

Food Allergies

Food allergies or food sensitivities are the most common form of allergies in the Chiweenie. Signs of food sensitivities range from itchy skin, vomiting, and diarrhea to weight loss, hyperactivity, and lack of appetite. Dog food is a common source for food allergies, with ingredients such as beef, lamb, chicken, chicken eggs, soy, and gluten being the usual culprits, though any ingredient has the potential to become an allergen. The chiweenie is especially susceptible to food and skin allergies. Food allergies are usually diagnosed by an 8-12 week hypoallergenic or food elimination diet.

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Flea Allergies

Flea allergy dermatitis (FAD) is the most common dermatologic disease in dogs in the United States. Although flea allergy dermatitis is worse in the summer months and warmer climates, it persists year-round. One flea bite causes a reaction that lasts days. Signs of FAD are your pup biting at its flanks and the base of its tail (the most common spots for flea bites). You may notice your chiweenie is missing hair from excessively scratching these areas. Licking and biting these areas potentially causes open sores to form and puts your chiweenie at risk of infection. If your chiweenie has fleas, a visit is in order for prevention and treatment.

Environmental Allergies

After food allergies, environmental allergies are the second most common form of allergy in dogs. Environmental allergens include dust, mold, pollen, and certain grass, weeds, and trees. Diagnosing environmental allergies in your chiweenie involves skin and blood tests. Intradermal allergy testing is similar to the test run on humans for allergen diagnosis. It involves small injections of different allergens under the skin on one side of your chiweenie’s body. Though intradermal testing is the gold standard for allergen testing in dogs, it isn’t 100% accurate. Blood allergy testing involves measuring the antibody levels your chiweenie has formed against specific allergens. The results vary, which is why some vets prefer intradermal testing.

Prevention and Care

Adjusting your chiweenie’s diet, lifestyle, and home space all help to alleviate allergy symptoms. Invest in an air purifier and keep your home dust-free. Make sure to keep your windows closed during seasons when the pollen count is high. Exercise boosts your chiweenie’s immune system. If your chiweenie suffers from seasonal allergies, try walking them earlier or later in the day.

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Gut Health

80% of your chiweenie’s immune system lives in the gut. Enhancing your canine’s well-being involves fostering optimal gut health, a pivotal factor in their vitality. The intricate community of microorganisms residing within their digestive tract, known as the microbiome, plays a fundamental role.

The microbiome aids digestion, nutrient absorption, and contributes to immune system modulation. Promoting a balanced diet and diverse microbiome through a nourishing diet and appropriate supplements empowers your dog’s digestive system to function optimally.

The immune response is intricately linked to the gut, where specialized cells constantly interact with the microbiome. A harmonious microbiome bolsters the immune system, aiding its ability to differentiate between harmful pathogens and beneficial microorganisms. This helps safeguard your dog against infections, allergies, and immune-related disorders.

To fortify your chiweenie’s gut health, prioritize pre- and probiotics. Prebiotics are nourishment for the beneficial gut bacteria, enabling them to flourish. Probiotics introduce live beneficial microorganisms directly, enriching the microbiome. This dynamic duo collaborates to maintain an equilibrium that supports digestion and immune function. Actively tending to your dog’s gut health contributes to their daily comfort and lays the foundation for a resilient and long life.

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Eye Health

The chiweenie is prone to eye infections and eye conditions such as cherry eye. These eye problems are common in both Chihuahuas and dachshunds, leaving chiweenies predisposed to the condition as well.

Cherry eye is the common term for prolapse of the third eyelid in the chiweenie. Dogs have a third eyelid that protects the eye. There is a special gland in the third eyelid that produces the eye’s protective tear film. When this gland pops out, or prolapses, it is known as cherry eye. A red and swollen mass on the lower eyelid appears. Cherry eye is either large and takes up a significant portion of the eye or small and only occasionally visible.

If left untreated, the condition gets worse over time and leads to permanent damage to the eye and the third eyelid. The third eyelid produces 50% of the tear production for your chiweenie, and if cherry eye is left untreated, it leads to dry eye, which impairs vision. Treatment for cherry eye nearly always requires surgery.

Some Chiweenies who develop cherry eye in one eye eventually develop it in their other eye as well. In severe cases, your vet has to remove the gland entirely, but this is considered a last resort. In most cases, the third eyelid returns to normal function a few weeks after surgical correction.

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Ear Health

Ear infections are common in many dog breeds, including the chiweenie. Dog breeds with floppy ears are especially prone to ear infections. Infection of the external ear canal is the most common form of ear infection. Ear infections are painful, and you may notice your chiweenie shaking its head or scratching at its ears to soothe the discomfort.

Your Chiweenie may have red or swollen ears that are hot to the touch. You may also notice a foul odor coming from your chiweenie’s ears, accompanied by discharge. The ears of your chiweenie are crusty or thickened, and the ear canal is narrowed from chronic inflammation.

If your chiweenie is showing signs of an ear infection, your vet does a physical exam and takes a medical history. An exam includes your vet checking your pup’s ears for swelling and discharge, as well as palpation of the ear to assess pain levels. Your vet uses an otoscope to look down the ear canal and take a swab sample of any debris in your chiweenie’s ears.

Most ear infections clear up within 1-2 weeks after treatment begins. Severe infections take months to resolve, and if the infection remains after treatment your vet has the option to perform a total ear canal ablation, or TECA, on your chiweenie. A TECA involves your vet removing the infected tissue with the goal of preventing future infections.

It is important to follow all of your vet’s instructions and be current with post-treatment vet visits. Lapses in treatment potentially cause a relapse of the infection in your chiweenie.

close up of chiweenie dogThere are ways to prevent ear infections in your chiweenie. Moisture is a breeding ground for bacteria, so be sure to keep your chiweenie’s ears dry. Clean your chiweenie’s ears regularly. Use an ear-cleaning solution formulated for dogs. Fill the ear canal with the solution and massage the ear canal from the outside. Wipe the canal out with gauze. Avoid using cotton swabs and paper towels as they leave fibers behind in the ear canals. Never use cotton balls to clean your chiweenie’s ears.

The signs and symptoms of ear mites mimic the signs of an ear infection. The most common sign of ear mites is a scab near the base of the ear from your Chiweenie Puppy scratching at it.

Diagnosis of ear mites is relatively straightforward and is done by your vet examining the ear discharge under a microscope. Ear mites are infectious and are spread to other animals in your household. It is important to eradicate them as soon as possible.

If your Chiweenie Puppy has been diagnosed with ear mites, all of your other dogs need to be treated as well. Mites are able to spread to humans, though this is rare. Work with your vet to come up with a care plan that works best for your chiweenie.

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Immune Health

Your chiweenie’s immune system is a complex system of cells and organs that defend your chiweenie from bacteria, viruses, toxins, and foreign materials that enter your chiweenie’s body. The major components of the immune system include the lymph nodes, the spleen, bone marrow, antibodies, white blood cells, and the thymus. Chiweenies are prone to diabetes, which negatively impacts the immune system.

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Joint Health

The most common joint issue found in the Chiweenie is intervertebral degenerative disc disease IVDD), a degenerative disease of the spinal column. The disease results in compression of your chiweenie’s spinal cord and the spinal nerves. Occasionally chiweenie puppies’ spinal discs begin degenerating in the first months of life.

A herniated, or ruptured, disc occurs suddenly in chiweenies as young as 1-2 years of age. Herniated disks are commonly in the middle of the back and the neck of chiweenies. Not all ruptured discs need to be corrected with surgery. The treatment plan will be based on the stage of the disease. There are five stages to degenerative disc disease. The stages sometimes overlap, and your chiweenie moves from one stage to the other in a matter of hours or days.

Chiweenies with stage II and III disease are usually treated medicinally and with exercise restriction. If the condition persists after treatment, surgery is considered. A chiweenie with Stage V needs surgery immediately. The sooner the surgery is done, the better the prognosis. The purpose of surgery is to remove pressure from the spinal cord. The success rate for surgery for disc degenerative is good with 80% of chiweenies being able to return to a normal lifestyle.

Because IVDD is primarily a hereditary condition, it is not completely preventable. Minimize the risk of your chiweenie developing the condition by keeping them at a trim body weight, limiting jumping up and down from beds and furniture, and staying up to date on yearly physicals. Early detection is key in slowing down the progression of IVDD in chiweenies

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Grooming

Chiweenies with short hair coats don’t require a lot of grooming. Brush your chiweenie once a week and bathe occasionally depending on their level of activity. Chiweenies with long hair need to be brushed and bathed more often. Brush your long hair chiweenie several times a week. Chiweenies are typically bathed once a month. Chiweenie’s nails should be trimmed monthly.

Pay attention to you chiweenie’s oral care, as chiweenies are prone to dental disease. Chiweenies also suffer from early tooth loss. Dental disease is catastrophic to the overall health and well-being of your adult chiweenie because dental disease is connected to heart, kidney, and liver disease.

The damage from dental disease is not always visible so it is important not to wait until there is visible damage to take your chiweenie for preventative maintenance. Chiweenies need their teeth examined during regular checkups.

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Though dental disease in the chiweenie is primarily genetic, there are ways to lessen the risk of your chiweenie developing the disease. Clean your Chiweenie’s teeth daily. in addition to regular professional teeth cleanings done by your vet. During cleaning, your vet scales your chiweenie’s teeth to remove any plaque or tartar, polishes the teeth, and checks each tooth for abnormal pocketing. Other ways to protect the health of your chiweenie’s teeth are dental chews, dental wipes, and oral rinses.

The Ultimate Power Pup

Like its parent breeds, chiweenies have strong personalities, though their temperaments differ. They may inherit the strong will of the dachshund or the feisty nature of the Chihuahua. Regardless of who they take after, the full grown chiweenie is a small dog with a big personality. Chiweenies are confident, spunky, energetic, and fearless to a fault.

Overall, the Chiweenie is a happy-go-lucky dog that offers the best of both its parent breeds. In January 2023 USA Today announced a Chihuahua mix as the world’s oldest dog. These intelligent, spunky, and long-lived dogs make wonderful family members.

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