life expectancy of mix chihuahua/dachsund

Question
I have a 1/4 chihuahua- 3/4 dachsund mix... She will be ten years old this year. She has always been healthy and active.  But I realize now that she is getting older.  I was wondering what her life expectancy should be if she remains healthy... and if the mix breed changes that expectancy by more or less...

Answer
Hi Colleen,

At 10 years old, your dog is probably still quite spry, compared to a larger dog of the same age. To give you a little perspective, her equivalent age in human years is around 55 years old.

Although figures often vary, the average lifespan of a Chihuahua is 11-18 years. (I knew one that lived to be 20!) The average lifespan of a dachshund is  9 -15 years.

A 2003 Danish study found that mixed-breed dogs on average live one year longer than their purebred counterparts.  A geneticist would refer to the concept as "hybrid vigor," or a survivability factor that toughens up an individual of mixed breeds. Nearly 3,000 dogs were included in this study, representing 20 breeds, 15 breed groups and a mixed-breed population. The purebreds found to have the longest life spans were the Shetland Sheep Dog,  Poodles of all sizes, the Chihuahua and the Dachshund!

So, assuming you continue to give your dog the preventative treatments she needs (such as Heartworm treatments and teeth cleaning) and see that she maintains a healthy weight (that's important with her elongated Dachshund back)  and that she gets prompt medical attention when needed, there's no reason why you shouldn't expect your dog to live to be a ripe old age.

I hope I've been a help.
Regards,
Patti