Bred to hunt animals, the adorable Dachshund from Germany is now one of the most famous dog breeds in the United States. On the other hand, known as the lion dog of China, the Shih Tzu has slowly captured the hearts of American dog owners. Someone thought of breeding these two fantastic dogs in the 1990s to produce the offspring with favorable traits and fewer diseases. Now you must be curious to know what this crossbreed is?
The Schweenie is the crossbreed between a Dachshund and a Shih Tzu. This mix has both the height of a Shih Tzu and an elongated body like a Dachshund. Its small physique and minimal shedding make this Dachshund Shih Tzu Mix an ideal family dog.
So, if you are considering getting a Schweenie, then keep on reading to know more about this rare toy breed. We shall cover not only the caring and grooming tips but also the dominant temperaments of this breed.
How Big Does A Schweenie Get?
A male Schweenie can weigh up to 15 to 20 lbs and get as tall as 15 inches. Meanwhile, the female Schweenie weighs up to 10 lbs with a height of 10.5 inches.
Let’s give you a proper insight into a Schweenie’s height and weight throughout its growth stages before diving into its appearance.
Height And Weight
Schweenie’s weight varies with his gender and age. So to give you a proper idea of how big a Dachshund Shih Tzu gets, here’s a proper list according to their age and gender.
- A 6-month-old male Schweenie can grow up to 6 inches and weigh around 7lbs. In contrast, a female pup will grow up to 6.5 inches with a weight of 7 lbs.
- A 12-month-old male Schweenie, has a height of 9.5 inches and weighs up to 11 lbs. On the other hand, a female Schweenie will weigh less than the male one, around 8 lbs with a height of 8.5 inches.
- An 18-month-old male Schweenie will weigh 15 lbs and have a height of 12.5 to 15 inches. In comparison, a female Schweenie will weigh 10 lbs and grow up to 10.5 inches.
Physical Appearance
The offspring of two distinct and diverse breeds, Dachshund and Shih Tzu, must have piqued your curiosity in wondering what a Schweenie is going to look like. As a hybrid dog, this canine looks like a mixture of his parents having slightly elongated bodies and tiny feet.
With floppy ears, big eyes and a button nose, this toy breed looks highly adorable.
Coat Colors And Patterns
Due to being a crossbreed of diverse breeds, Schweenies come in different coat colors and patterns. Some have a thick undercoat with a long topcoat that will be smooth in texture. At the same time, others come short but shiny and silky coats.
Some of these canine buddies have a blended coat of these two types. Here are some of the standard coats of Schweenies.
- Merle
- Black
- Black and white
- White and brown
- Light brown
- Gray
- Speckled brindle
Most Dachshund and Shih Tzu Mix have rust-brown as the main color with a white base.
How Long Do Dachshund Shih Tzu Mixes Live?
Dachshund Shih Tzu Mixes tend to live from 12 to a maximum of 17 years due to their highly diverse gene pool.
Even though these pups are healthier than most purebred dogs, they are still prone to some common health issues inherited from their parents. So, let’s list some of them down to help you detect the disease beforehand and get your Schweenie treated right away.
Intervertebral Disc Disease
Intervertebral Disc Disease (IVDD) leads to compressed intervertebral discs, mostly in small dogs with long backs and short legs, especially Schweenie. Your pup will suffer from weakness, and its hind end can get paralysed.
Some of the common symptoms of IVDD are mentioned below.
- Arched back
- Whine while being petted
- Limping or stumbling
- Won’t bend down the neck
- Weakness in the hind end
As a treatment, the vet will prescribe painkillers, but surgery is also an option in severe cases. Given that Schweenies are highly prone to IVDD, you can help your pooch with adequate exercise and a well-balanced diet, both of which will be discussed later in the article.
Patellar Luxation
Patellar luxation is the dislocation of the kneecap from the knee joint. It is a congenital and developmental disease that mainly affects toy breeds like Dachshund Shih Tzu Mix. So, your pup can either suffer from this disease at birth or later in life. But commonly, it is caused by some injury.
- Limping
- Won’t bend the knee
- Swelling
- Weakness in legs
- Refusal to physical activities
- Crying in pain when trying to use the injured leg
The symptoms vary according to the grade of luxation, which ranges from Grade 1 being mild to Grade 4 being severe.
Keratoconjunctivitis Sicca
Keratoconjunctivitis sicca, also known as dry eyes, dries up the membrane that covers the white of the eyes. As a result, there’s insufficient tear production, and your Schweenie’s eyes will dry up due to rapid tear evaporation.
Here are two symptoms that your pup will show if it has this disease.
- Irritated and itchy eyes
- Low or zero production of tears
Treatment of dry eyes is not that convenient as the vet will prescribe eye drops for your pup which will last its whole life.
How Do You Care For A Schweenie?
Schweenie requires adequate exercise, a high-quality diet and moderate maintenance to stay healthy and happy.
So, it’s not a tough job to care for this adorable toy breed. All you need to do is give him your time, attention and obviously love.
Well-Balanced Diet
To keep your Schweenie from getting obese and prone to diseases, you should feed him 1 cup of dry food daily. Also, make sure to divide the meal into smaller portions and give it to your pup at regular intervals.
To meet the nutritional needs of this canine, you can provide some multivitamins. But a better option is to get a monthly meal plan from Pet Plate, which provides highly nutritious dog food at affordable rates.
Daily Walks
Schweenie doesn’t require a strict exercise routine. Still, you must take him on daily walks for 30 minutes to help him stay active and avoid obesity. However, if you decide to take him to a park, then make sure to properly train him before letting him free to play around.
Due to this pup’s small and elongated physique, you shouldn’t let him overexert himself and keep him hydrated throughout.
Proper Hygiene
It is crucial to take proper care of your furry buddy’s hygiene to help prevent several bacterial diseases. Schweenie’s hygiene starts from cleaning his floppy ears with a damp cotton ball.
Also, check if there’s any odor or discoloration to detect an ear infection before it worsens. Other than this, you must brush your Schweenie’s teeth thrice a month to prevent any oral infection.
However, if your pup makes a fuss while brushing his teeth, then you should invest in dental water additives. These not only help control tooth decay and bad breath but also fights tartar buildup.
Do Schweenies Bark A Lot? Temperaments Of Dachshund Shih Tzu Mixes
Schweenie tends to bark at everything, so you must train him properly or else he will become noisy and won’t listen to you. However, this trait makes them a perfect watchdog.
Clingy
Schweenies are loyal and get highly attached to their owners. They will wag their tail, follow you all around the house and cuddle with you all the time.
Now, one may wonder if Schweenies can be left alone. Well, you shouldn’t leave Schweenies alone as they are likely to develop separation anxiety, leading them to cause a ruckus.
So, only consider getting this pup if you aren’t away from home often because you cannot even leave your Schweenie alone for more than 6 hours, let alone a whole day.
Hostile To Strangers
Schweenies tend to bark at strangers and are aggressive towards large dogs. However, you can do their early socialization and training to tame this pup.
They are known to be kid-friendly, but that too after proper training because, by nature, they are a bit anxious around everyone except their owner.
Stubborn
This canine is known to be stubborn and moody. Due to this, Schweenies are hard to potty train, especially if you don’t start training them when they are young. Plus, according to their build, these pups have a small bladder, so it is tough to train during the winter.
However, you can devise a proper schedule for potty training after noting down his regular pattern.
Are Schweenies Hypoallergenic? Grooming Tips For Dachshund Shih Tzu Mixes
Shih Tzu Dachshunds with short to medium-length coats are hypoallergenic dogs because they don’t shed much. So, if you are allergic to dog fur, then this pup will be a great addition to your family.
Even though Schweenies don’t shed, they still require some grooming. So to help you out, here are some grooming tips.
Properly Groom The Coat
The grooming of your Schweenie’s fur depends on its length and texture. So if you get a Schweenie with a short and silky coat, then you just have to brush it 1 to 3 times a week. But in the case of long and wavy coats, you will have to brush the coat daily to remove excess hair and mats.
For effortless grooming, you can get Furminator Undercoat Tool as it trims the coat without bruising your pup’s skin.
Bathe Your Pup
Bathing is excellent for maintaining proper hygiene, but frequent bathing will lead to drying up the fur of your pup. So, it is better to bathe your Schweenie once a month using Mighty Petz 2-In-1 Oatmeal Dog Shampoo And Conditioner as it is made up of natural oatmeal ingredients.
With this shampoo plus conditioner, you won’t have to worry about depriving your puppy’s fur of natural oils.
Trim His Nails
You must trim your puppy’s nails twice a month because dirt will tend to get stuck in his nails and promote bacterial growth. So, whenever you hear your Schweenie’s nails clicking on the floor, get your nail clippers ready to trim them off.
Related Questions
How Much Does A Schweenie Cost? Due to being a rare breed resulting from two purebred dogs, a Schweenie will cost you from $900 to $1,200. And including his medical expenses ranging from $400 to $500, this pup is going to cost you a total of $1,600.
Can Schweenies Swim? Yes, Schweenies can swim, but you will have to train your pup first. Plus, it is hard for Schweenies to swim for long periods due to their short legs. Even though he will have fun playing in the water, still you shouldn’t tire your pup by taking him out for swimming daily.
Do Dachshunds Get Along With Shih Tzus? Dachshunds don’t really get along with Shih Tzus, new dogs or even strangers without any form of socialization training. However, given time, they will eventually become friendly with other dog breeds having similar physiques as themselves.
