Chiweenie
The Chiweenie Dog
Chiweenie dogs are a hybrid breed dogs. They are a cross between a Dachshund and Chihuahua. Below along with a link to training a Chiweenie. When you cross breed you never know which characteristics will be dominate, but once your puppy has been properly socialized and trained, you will have a great family pet and companion.
Chiweenie training guide can be found here. Keep a close watch that even though your Chiweenie is cute, small, and cuddly that you establish your ‘alpha’ position and retain the attitude that you are in charge. Small dogs have a way of taking over without anyone realizing it. It is easier to establish and maintain the ‘alpha’ than it is to recapture it.
I have confidence that you will do well in training your Chiweenie.
Enjoy you Chiweenie dog!
Chiweenie
The Chihuahua – Half the Chiweenie
Chiweenies in part are half Chihuahua. Named after the Mexican state of Chihuahua and originating in Mexico, Chihuahuas’ history is a bit murky. Part historical data and part legend, spin this probable tale of where the Chihuahua may have manifested. The Chi is the smallest of dog breeds. The Techichi dog was a companion dog of the ancient Toltec peoples. Similar dogs to the Chihuahua are found depicted in the Great Pyramid of Cholula and the ruins of Chichen Itza on the Yucatan Peninsula located in South Eastern Mexico. Historians theorize that other older relics may be depictions of the Techichi dog in pottery that possibly date the breed back to 300 BC. Either way the Chihuahua’s ancestors are an ancient breed. Prior to the 9th century records, do not exist so an exact date is not possible to place upon the Techichi.
The ancestor Chi was a larger dog than the modern day breed. It is possible the Chinese Crested was bred with the Chi and was the cause of size reduction. Today’s Chi comes in short and long hair and plethora of colors. These little doggies average four to ten pounds, around six to ten inches in height, and live fifteen to twenty years of age. Chi’s have two different head shapes, the ‘apple’, and ‘deer’ head.
The personality of the owner usually is reflected in the Chi. Sometimes Chi can become aggressive or temperamental and are not suitable to be around small children. Tempered Chi’s can be easily provoked and possibly attack. This breed is extremely loyal to their guardian and become overly protective towards other animals and people. Proper socialization and training is imperative. As your dog’s guardian, you will wish to make sure he gets along with other people and animals. Older versus smaller children are suggested to be around Chi’s. Other pets need to be introduced when your Chi is a puppy so that he or she is socialized well, becoming part of the family. In summation, Chi’s prefer the company of their own breed, guardian, and older calmer children. Not a Chiweenie.
Chiweenies like Chihuahuas love to make dens by burrowing into blankets, pillows, and whatever else they can fashion into a warm, dark dwelling. Be aware that you may uncover them in the bottom of the bed covers or blanket. If your Chi is shaking, excited or cold, they will most likely tremble. They are more sensitive to cold than larger breeds, which is why you often see them adorning a sweater or other warm garments. Feeling chilled is another reason they seek the comfort and warmth of a den, humans, or other animals.
The long hair Chihuahua has a smooth, silky coat of hair that can take two, three, or more years to mature. Their soft hair sheds little and requires no trimming and minimal grooming. The short hair or smooth coat sheds a bit more and feel either soft or wiry to touch. You will find Chi in almost any color combination, ranging from solid, spotted, sable, or other patterns. Some common colors are fawn, cream, chocolate, brown, mixed, white, and black. Bathe both types about once a month.
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The Chihuahua like a Chiweenie needs high quality care in birthing and dental care. They are prone to neurological disorders such as epilepsy. Similar to other toy breeds Chi are prone to hydrocephalus. Due to health concerns, avoid over-feeding your Chihuahua. Chi’s are the only dog breed to be born with a soft spot in their skulls. This abnormality is normal in Chi and will fill in with age. During the first six months of your Chi’s life, take great care when handling their heads. Chi’s are also at risk for low blood sugar (hypoglycemia) that is dangerous enough to lead to death. Puppies, leaner, and smaller dogs are all at a higher risk. This can be avoided with frequent feedings. Signs to be aware of that your Chi may have hypoglycemia are sleepiness, low energy, uncoordinated walking, and spasms in neck muscles or head pulling back or to the side, fainting or seizures. To combat this you can keep honey or a sugar supplement on hand to rub into your Chi’s gums and roof of mouth. This will quickly increase their blood sugar level. Keep a close watch upon their eyes and keep clean. Same goes for your Chiweenie.
Due to their hypoglycemia, these little dogs love to eat often and can sometimes be particular about what they eat. Take care to not over-feed them and give them enough exercise. They do not need a lot of exercise, but still require daily walks. For some reason this breed has a terrible issue with their teeth and must get regular professional dental care.
When you first bring your Chihuahua (Chiweenie in this case) home, establish yourself in the ‘alpha’ role. Treat this breed as any other and maintain your place in the family hierarchy. Chi must know that it is unacceptable to be aggressive towards other humans and animals, thus proper socialization early on will assist in thwarting this type of aggressive behavior. Expose and introduce your Chiweenie to your household’s inhabitants (if other pets, and certainly all family members), environment, routine, and rules of conduct.
Chiweenie Training –
Click Here to Learn How to Train Your Chiweenie
Chiweenie Training Book
Click Here to Learn How to Train Your Chiweenie
Chiweenie’s Other Half: The Dachshund
There are three varieties and two sizes of Dachshund, shorthaired, wirehaired, and the longhaired, as well as the Standard and Miniature. Dach’s are known by the names, Wiener, Hot Dog, Badger, Long, Earth dog, and others. Their keen sense of smell and acute hearing make them great hunting dogs and places them into the Hound Group.
Originating in Germany at the beginning of the sixteen hundreds and bred for hunting, the Standard would scent chase and flush out Badgers and other burrowing critters. The Miniature is bred to hunt smaller prey such as rabbits. “Dachs” translates from German as ‘rabbit’. Fearless in the hunt, they have been known to take on larger game such as foxes and otters.
Dachshunds are bred for digging, digging out Badgers that is. If inclined they will dig into the ground and disappear in minutes. They simply enjoy digging, and will dig to bury bones, make a cool place to lounge, check out the other side of the fence, and of course, dig up pesky vermin. Then there is digging for the pure enjoyment of digging. It is advised to dig your fencing deep into the ground; if you have a digger on your hands, they will do the “Great Escape”.
Affectionate, brave, intelligent, curious, devoted, and good hunters they make great family dogs. They also travel well. Similar to other breeds, they need a strong leader to follow or they will take over the ‘alpha’ roll thinking that they are in charge.
Because small dogs sometimes receive less discipline from their owners, they recommend Dachshunds be with families having older children that will stick to the alpha role and help them understand their place inside the family hierarchy. A myriad of behavioral issues can come to the forefront if not properly trained, socialized, and led firmly. In most cases, they do well with other pets.
Alpha Dog Download
Dachshunds like Chiweenies and because of the Dachshund and Chihuahua both, come in many different solid colors, such as, black, red, chocolate, tan/fawn, cream, grey, and golden or platinum blonde (like movie stars). They also may have bicolor combinations of the above colors; in addition, there are piebald combinations. The wire haired Dach has some unique combinations that resemble wild boar. The shaft itself is bicolor red and black.
Taking care of the Dachshund coat depends upon the coat type. Short Haired Dachshunds require regular damp cloth rubdowns, longhaired, daily brushing, and combings, wirehaired need a bi-yearly professional trimming.
Check their ears regularly and keep their nails trimmed. Depending upon which type of Dachshund you bring home to your household research further care and maintenance so that you take care of your pal properly.
Life Expectancy is about 12-15 years in Dachshunds and Chiweenie dogs. They are prone to heart disease, diabetes, urinary tract, and spinal problems. Note that they have a tendency to become over-weight and lazy and this is a serious issue for their spines. To combat overweight issues keep up regular exercise and mental engagement. Note: Due to the combination of a Dachshund and a Chihuahua, It is rare that overweight issues will be experienced in a Chiweenie.
Chiweenie Exercise:
Walk your Chiweenie twice if not three times daily, play fetch, Frisbee and other games that get their hearts pumping, but be diligent to keep them from jumping because of their elongated spinal column and short legs. They are bred to burrow not jump. Also, beware in public places that they do not get stepped on.
Standard: Height 8 – 11 inches (20 – 27cm); Weight – over 11 pounds (4.9 kg)
Miniature: Height up to 5 – 7 inches (13 – 18 cm); Weight 11 pounds (4.9 kg)
Toy: Height up to 12 inches (30 cm); Weight 8 pounds (3.5 kg)
Stubborn, energetic, and intelligent can make training a patience test, but with a little fortitude, you will do just fine. Some behavioral issues Dachshunds can develop include digging, barking, and aggressiveness. All of these can be trained out, and if you start with great socialization and proper exercise, you can train these away or never see them develop.
Never use yelling, jerking, and other physical punishment when training your Dach. These types of training can lead to many serious behavioral problems, such as fear, anxiety, and aggression.
Once your dog is trained, you will have a gentle, loving well-mannered dog. Continue training throughout his lifetime and offer plenty of rewards for positive behavior. Always take care to be in charge so that the alpha in him or her does not try to take over the house.
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Help Combat Chiweenie Digging:
Some dogs are going to dig no matter what you do, it is bred into them, and they have the urge to keep on digging. A solution is to dig a pit specifically for him or her to dig to their little heart’s content. Pick out the location, turn over the soil a bit to loosen it up, mix in some sand to keep it loose and improve drainage, then surround it with stones or bricks to make it obvious for the dog by sight.
To begin digging training, bury bones, chews, or a favorite toy, and coax your dog on over to the pit to dig up some treasures. Keep a watchful eye on your dog each time you bring him out, and do not leave him unsupervised. Quickly halt any digging outside the pit. When he digs in the designated pit, be sure to reward him with treats and praise. If he digs elsewhere, direct him back to the pit, keep it full, and if necessary keep burying things your Chiweenie dog wants to dig up.
Chiweenie Training –
Click Here to Learn How to Train Your Chiweenie
