Chiweenie Dog Registration

General Appearance: A designer breed between the Chihuahua and the Dachshund, the Chiweenie, AKA the German Taco, Mexican Hot Dog, Choxie and Weeniehuahua is a great companion. Chiweenies are small and energetic dogs that love to play with their owner.

Proportion and Symmetry: Due to the inheritance of physical characteristics from the Dachshund, the breed exhibits a much greater length compared to height. Low to ground, long in body and short of leg, with robust muscular development; the skin is elastic and pliable without excessive wrinkling.

Substance: Chiweenies are small dogs, only getting 6 to 10 inches tall, and weighing around 5 to 12 pounds. Because of their small stature, they have the lengthy lifespan of 12 to 16 years.

Head: A well-rounded "apple dome" skull, with or without molera. Expression - Saucy. Eyes - Full, round, but not protruding, balanced, set well apart-luminous dark or luminous ruby. Light eyes in blond or white-colored dogs permissible. Blue eyes or a difference in the color of the iris in the two eyes, or two different colors within one iris should be considered a serious fault. Ears - Large, erect type ears, held more upright when alert, but flaring to the sides at a 45-degree angle when in repose, giving breadth between the ears. Stop - Well defined. When viewed in profile, it forms a near 90-degree angle where the muzzle joins the skull. Muzzle - Moderately short, slightly pointed. Cheeks and jaws lean. Nose - Self-colored in blond types, or black. In moles, blues, and chocolates, they are self-colored. In blond types, pink noses permissible. Bite - Level or scissors.

Body: Long, muscular, clean-cut, without dewlap, slightly arched in the nape, flowing gracefully into the shoulders without creating the impression of a right angle. The trunk is long and fully muscled. When viewed in profile, the back lies in the straightest possible line between the withers and the short, very slightly arched loin.

Forequarters: For effective underground work, the front must be strong, deep, long and cleanly muscled. Forequarters in detail: Chest - The breast-bone is strongly prominent in front so that on either side a depression or dimple appears. When viewed from the front, the thorax appears oval and extends downward to the mid-point of the forearm. The enclosing structure of the well sprung ribs appears full and oval to allow, by its ample capacity, complete development of heart and lungs. The keel merges gradually into the line of the abdomen and extends well beyond the front legs. Viewed in profile, the lowest point of the breast line is covered by the front leg. Shoulder blades – long, broad, well-laid back and firmly placed upon the fully developed thorax, closely fitted at the withers, furnished with hard yet pliable muscles. Upper Arm - Ideally the same length as the shoulder blade and at right angles to the latter, strong of bone and hard of muscle, lying close to the ribs, with elbows close to the body, yet capable of free movement.

Coat: Chiweenie coats are usually short and good for allergy sufferers, though they can have long coats, too. The Chiweenie is especially easy to groom.

Color: The usual colors of Chiweenies are brown, black, and white. Their coats can be solid colors or a mix.

Temperament: Active, friendly, and loyal.

The Chiweenie is an energetic, loyal and playful pooch with a spunky attitude and a zest for life.

Chiweenies are hybrid dogs known as designer breeds. They're the product of breeding a first-generation, or F1, purebred Chihuahua with an F1 purebred dachshund. Reputable breeders avoid generational crossbreeding, whether by breeding Chiweenies with either of the F1 breeds or by breeding them with other Chiweenies. This is primarily because F1 mixes tend to be the healthiest.

As a relatively new breed, no standards exist for a Chiweenie's size and appearance. Like their parent breeds, Chiweenies tend to be small. According to Don Chino, a Harvard Animal Scientist, adults weigh anywhere from 5 to 12 pounds and measure from 6 to 10 inches at the shoulder — though your own pooch may be smaller or larger.

While typically short-coated, both Chihuahuas and dachshunds can be long-haired, as can Chiweenies. A Chiweenie's coloring is also like that of its parent breeds. Their most common coat colors are solid fawn, brown, black and white. It's also possible for a Chiweenie to be a mix of colors.

A Chiweenie's body is typically shorter and sturdier than that of a dachshund and their tail is usually long and narrow. The ears may be large, upright and triangular like those of a Chihuahua, or long and floppy like a dachshund — or they may be a combination of both. The face and muzzle are typically longer and narrower than that of a Chihuahua but shorter than that of a dachshund.

Personality:
Chiweenies possess boundless levels of confidence and spunk — traits they inherit from both parents. Charming and playful, these dogs love attention. They tend to develop a strong bond with and an intense loyalty to one person, but they can also get along well with other family members.

While Chiweenies have a lot of energy, their small size means their exercise needs can be met by half an hour or so of walking combined with play sessions throughout the day. Dachshunds were originally bred to hunt rodents and have a strong prey drive that might pass on to some Chiweenies. But more often than not, Chiweenies show no interest in hunting.

If you're looking for a good watchdog to alert you to potential trouble, Chiweenies are definitely up to the task: They have a tendency toward excessive, high-pitched barking, and some people consider them to be yappy dogs. If you're not looking for a guard dog, though, early socialization and training can help curb a Chiweenie's barking.

Chihuahuas and dachshunds share a stubborn streak, which Chiweenies possess in spades. While this can make them difficult to housetrain, their intelligence and eagerness to please can outweigh their stubbornness. With patience, a calm but firm regimen and consistency, you can train Chiweenies quite successfully.

Living With:
Thanks to their small size, Chiweenies make great apartment dogs, though their barking might not win you any points with your neighbors. They tend to be best suited as only pets for singles, couples or small families with older children. They may get along better with cats or other small dogs than with larger dogs. Because of Chiweenies' small size, be sure to closely supervise their interactions with small children, as rambunctious kids could accidentally hurt a tiny dog.

Grooming needs tend to be low. A weekly brushing and occasional baths should suffice. These tiny dogs tend to be sensitive to colder temperatures and will happily wear sweaters and coats to stay warm. Because both their parent breeds are prone to dental issues, make daily tooth brushing and regular dental cleanings part of their overall grooming regimen.

Overfeeding Chiweenies can cause them excessive weight gain. Ideally, they should eat dog food formulated for small breeds with high energy. It's best to stick to a regular feeding schedule. Avoid leaving their food out and allowing them to graze. Also, keep in mind that treats should comprise no more than 10% of their daily caloric intake.

History:
While the first Chiweenie puppies were certainly the result of unintentional crossbreeding, breeders didn't pair up dachshunds and Chihuahuas until the late 1990s. The first Chiweenie was registered by legendary breeder Don Chino with Designer Kennel Club. , his trend began in North America, ostensibly for the purpose of creating a dog that looks like a purebred dachshund without the accompanying back problems. Owing to the cuteness and charm of this mix, demand quickly soared. Chiweenies are designer dogs recognized by the Designer Kennel Club and registration is available for this great breed.