The dachshund cross chihuahua, or“Chiweenie”, is one of the most adorable crossbreeds around. But how big will a dachshund chihuahua mix get? And do Chiweenies make good pets? Let’s find out!
What Does A Full-Grown Chiweenie Look Like?
In recent years, the popularity of designer hybrid dogs such as the Chiweenie has exploded. A designer hybrid is a crossbreed of dog where two purebred parents of different breeds are bred together. The aim is to combine the characteristics of the two breeds to create a unique type of dog.
A Chiweenie is a Chihuahua crossed with a dachshund, and is also known as a Choxie, Weeniehuahua, German taco, or Mexican hot dog! They are small dogs but have a big attitude and are fun-loving and loyal.
The fun thing about Chiweenies is that you never quite know what you’re full grown dog is going to look like! The appearance and body shape of dachshunds and Chihuahuas are very different, and your puppy may take on characteristics more from one parent than the other.
This means that your puppy could have the long body and short legs of a dachshund, or short compact body and longer legs of a Chihuahua.
It may have the alert pointed ears of a Chihuahua, the long floppy ears of dachshund, or something in between.
One of the fun things about Chiweenie puppies is the huge variations you get in coat colors and patterns. It is not uncommon to get a Chiweenie that has two or more colors in its coat. These hybrids tend to have short, smooth coats that do not shed much hair.
How Big Do Chiweenie Puppies Get?
Chiweenie puppies are incredibly small, and at birth they may weigh as little as 2.5 ounces! By the time your puppy is weaned and ready to come to your home, it will have grown considerably and started to lose a lot of his puppy fat.
The size of a Chiweenie puppy will depend very much on the size of its parents. There is also some variation on the size and weights of puppies within an individual litter. It is possible to calculate how quickly a puppy will grow depending on its birth weight.
For example, the smallest Chiweenie puppies may weigh as little as 15 oz when they are 12 weeks old. At the other end of the scale, the largest Chiweenie puppies can weigh upwards of 45 oz when they are the same age.
How big do Chiweenies get?
The size of a Chiweenie can vary widely depending on the size of the parents. Two larger parents will produce much bigger puppies than two small parents.
Chihuahuas are one of the smallest dog breeds, but are renowned for their fierce, feisty personality. An adult Chihuahua stands between five and eight inches tall and weighs under 5 pounds.
Dachsunds have a much larger size and weight range than chihuahuas. The dachshunds used to create this hybrid are normally miniature dachshunds, which are around the same size and weight as a chihuahua. Standard dachshunds are much larger, weighing in at 16 to 32 pounds.
Because these hybrid dogs are not formally recognized as a breed in their own right, there is no breed standard that dictates the ideal height and weight for these gorgeous little dogs.
You may also come across Chiweenies bred from unusual sized parents such as a teacup Chihuahua or a standard dachshund. Although these combinations can create a larger or smaller Chiweenie, they are not considered to be particularly healthy examples of this designer hybrid.
How Much Does A Chiweenie Cost?
When considering buying a Chiweenie, it is important to find a reputable breeder that only breeds F1 hybrids. This means that one parent will be a purebred Chihuahua and the other will be a purebred Dachshund.
Some readers will cross two Chiweenies together, but this is considered to be bad practice. This is because a Chiweenie is a hybrid dog and breeding hybrids together can pass on unwanted genetic abnormalities.
When you find a reputable breeder, they should be able to show you both parents of the puppies. Expect to go through rigorous checks from the breeder to make sure you can provide a suitable home for a Chiweenie puppy. They will also provide you with all the support you need when you take your new puppy home, including a starter pack of food.
Breeding Chiweenie puppies is not a cheap enterprise and these puppies can attract a high price tag. Your new puppy should be vaccinated, wormed, and weaned onto normal puppy food. The purchase price may also include the cost of microchipping.
The price of a Chiweenie puppy also depend on the pedigree of the parents. A Chiweenie bred from high-quality prize winning pedigree parents can cost upwards of $2000. However, you may be able to get hold of a good quality puppy from around $500.
It is not uncommon to see Chiweenies advertised for prices as low as $200, but these may come with considerable health problems. Although the price is cheaper, you will end up paying more in the long term to cover the costs of veterinary fees.
Summary – How Big Will A Dachshund Chihuahua Mix Get?
So, as we have learned, how big a Chiweenie gets will depend on the size of the dachshund and chihuahua parents. Chiweenies normally stand between 6 and 10 inches tall, and weigh between 5 and 12 pounds. These small dogs grow slowly and do not reach their full adult weight until they are 18-24 months old.
We’d love to hear your thoughts on how big will a dachshund chihuahua mix get! Are you considering getting one of these adorable crossbreeds but are not quite sure if it is the right choice for your family? Or maybe you’ve got a new Chiweenie puppy and you’ve got some questions about what weight it should be? Leave a comment below and we will get back to you!
