Mini Toy Puppies: The Chiweenie

The Chiweenie; perhaps one of the cutest and intelligent miniature puppies you can find when searching for a crossbreed canine friend. A cross between a Chihuahua and a Dachshund, the Chiweenie can display the characteristics such as coat, shape of nose and sizes of either miniature or standard breed. As hybrid breeds are not purebreds but a crossing of them, a variety of different traits can appear from sire or dam in crossbreed litters.

A Chiweenie's body is typically long like a Dachshund, and fairly short-legged since Chihuahuas are typically rectangular overall. This will vary depending on what kind of Dachshund, standard or a miniature, was used in the breeding. Standards commonly weigh about 24 pounds, and minis around 10 pounds. Obviously, the Chihuahua's small size factors in, so you can reasonably expect a pretty small dog.

The head is typically small and the face may either have the long thin snout of a Dachshund or a slightly shorter, more domed head like a Chihuahua. Ears may also vary as some pups have pointed ears like a Chihuahua while others have the floppy ears of a Dachshund. Of course they have small feet, but the tail is moderately long.

Chihuahuas have either long or short coats, and Dachshunds have either long, short or wire-haired coats, so a Chiweenie's fur ranges from short and wiry to long and silky. It really depends on the combination of coat characteristics each Chiweenie pup inherits from their parents' unique coat types, but typically no two look alike.

Just like their parent breeds, Chiweenies come in a variety of colors, most commonly black, tan and brown, but you can also find a dog that is red, blond or multicolored.

As for behavior in general, you can expect Chiweenie Miniature Puppies to be friendly around people, especially someones they see on a regular basis. They are smart animals and learn very well as puppies, however, they can also be somewhat stubborn, so training must be reinforced in a consistent, calm and positive manner if you want your new friend to obey. Since these little pups have a high-energy level, playfulness and barking is common, so keep your pal occupied by playing games or taking them for daily walks to prevent boredom and possible mischief. These dogs make loyal companions, and they will often favor one owner and follow that person around. They also make a good companion for older children who understand how important it is to be gentle with them to avoid injuring them, especially their back which is susceptible to disc problems.

Overall, these pups are smart, kind, and pretty good watch dogs with excellent hearing that will alert you whenever someone comes around. They love their walks and tons of attention. Be careful of dust and debris, inside and out, as they can develop problems from breathing so close to the ground. Keep them warm or cool as needed and wash them about once a week, but not too often as they can lose the luster of their coat.

Most of all, love and enjoy time with your new friend as Miniature Puppies thrive on healthy attention every day.