Apartment-dwellers looking for a great companion dog will find a Chihuahua Terrier Mix as a fine option to consider. In addition to their miniature bodies, their fascinating temperament simply shines. So, what exactly is a Chihuahua Terrier Mix and why are they a popular mixed breed?
As the name implies, this dog breed is the combination of a Chihuahua and a Terrier. It is a Toy dog that offers you the best of both worlds – the comical and loyal nature of a Chihuahua and the boldness and high spirit of the Terrier. These qualities make this mix an outstanding pet, especially when space is an issue in your home.
What can you expect from owning a Chihuahua Terrier Mix? Are there health issues you need to be aware of? Most importantly, are there certain temperaments that you should watch out for prior to welcoming this pooch to your home? I will cover all of these topics in a bit but before that, let’s start with the basics…
What Is A Chihuahua Terrier Mix?
A Chihuahua Terrier Mix is a lap dog that is a cross between these two breeds – the Chihuahua and a Terrier breed.
Both breeds are small dogs; but their differences lie in their personalities. This is what makes them interesting pets – they possess the best traits of these two breeds of dog. As you keep reading in the next sections below, you will learn more about the temperament of the Chihuahua Terrier Mix.
How Big Does a Chihuahua Terrier Mix Get
A Chihuahua Mix does not grow too big. In fact, adult chihuahua terrier mixes can only get as tall as 12 to 18 inches. Newborns are half the size of an adult – sometimes up to 8 inches in height. From 1 to 3 months of age, these canines grow quickly until they reach their maximum height and length in the 6th month.
Since these dogs do not grow too big, they are relatively lightweight. A healthy adult Chihuahua Terrier Mix tips the scale at 12 to about 15 pounds. Some dogs tend to weigh more as this mixed breed is susceptible to obesity.
The right diet is essential to maintaining a desirable weight, which is also important to prevent various health conditions such as diabetes, joint issues, and heart disease, among a few others.
Health Problems Of A Chihuahua Terrier Mix
An average Chihuahua Terrier Mix can live up to 15 years of age. With proper care and diet, you can expect your pet to live long and avoid common life-threatening health issues.
Obesity In A Chihuahua Terrier Mix
Just as in humans, obesity is a health problem that some Chihuahua Terriers experience. This is the result of feeding your pet with table food and with an abundance of treats. Unfortunately, that cute and pudgy body is detrimental to your dog’s health.
Obesity is the gateway to various health issues such as diabetes, spinal problems, bone fracture, and heart diseases. A good way to determine if your pooch is obese is by rubbing your dog’s sides with your hands. If you can no longer feel the bones, it means your pooch has an excess of tissue and fat.
Legg-Perthes Disease
This is a genetic condition, which results in a poor development of the thigh bone at the hip joint. During the early stages, it causes pain and discomfort to your pooch while walking and moving around. Over time, Legg-Perthes disease can progress to lameness in the joint and arthritis in chihuahua terrier mixes.
The only way to treat this disease is through surgery. However, you can minimize the risk of this disease by choosing a reputable breeder. You need to make sure that the Chihuahua Terrier Mix in question was not bred from parents who suffer from this debilitating condition.
Heart Disease
Chihuahuas and Terriers are prone to suffering from structural heart defects since birth. Moreover, this is a common issue with purebred dogs, as compared to mixed breeds. This is why Chis and Terriers considered for breeding need to undergo medical tests to check for heart defects before the mating process.
Some cases of heart disease among Chihuahua Terriers are due to abdominal weight. Thus, a healthy, balanced diet is key to reducing the risk of heart problems that are not hereditary.
How Do You Take Care Of A Chihuahua Terrier Mix?
It is relatively easy to care for a Chihuahua Terrier. If you have a moderate-sized home, it should not be an issue owning this dog. In fact, they are excellent apartment pets because of their small size.
Chihuahua Mixes also do not mind staying indoors, as long as you give them some active playtime for at least an hour each day. Keep in mind that Terriers are energetic and active breeds. As a result, they tend to bounce off the walls and become anxious without ample exercise.
A Natural Calming Technique For Your Dog
Speaking of anxiety among Chihuahua Terriers, I find aromatherapy quite beneficial to agitated pets. The best oil to use is Lavender essential oil, as it is very soothing and calming to your beloved pooch. It is a pure and therapeutic-grade essential oil offering the finest results.
The perfect companion to this oil is the Anjou Essential Oil Diffuser, which fills my home with the soothing scent of lavender essential oil that is great not just for humans but for canines, too. Just a single fill allows the scent to last for up to 15 hours in the low setting for total relaxation.
How Much Should You Feed Your Chihuahua Terrier Mix?
These dogs do not need a lot of food. A cup of high-quality dry dog food a day should suffice. Their health will thrive on food rich in protein, amino acids, and essential fatty acids for energy, lean muscles and shiny coat.
The Royal Canin Chihuahua Dry Dog Food is made specifically for this dog breed in the adult stage (from 8 years onwards). It contains the right types and amounts of nutrients, DHA, EPA, and antioxidants for cellular health for a small Chihuahua Terrier mix. This ensures your pooch is fed specific to the needs of its breed, building up their immune system and avoiding weight problems. You can also mix the kibbles with warm water to make each kibble softer and easier to chew with their tiny mouths.
Keeping The Joints Healthy And Pain-Free
As mentioned earlier, Chihuahua Terriers are prone to joint issues like hip dysplasia and patellar luxation. For this, I recommend the PetHonesty Hemp Hip & Joint Supplement for Dogs to help reduce inflammation. This is a pure and natural hemp chew that helps address arthritis in the hips, as well as stiff joints.
Combining quality natural ingredients, such as organic hemp oil, glucosamine and tumeric, this supplement will reduce inflammation and boost mobility. Thus, your furbaby will be more active, healthier, and happier.
What Is The Temperament Of A Chihuahua Terrier Mix?
Let us talk about temperament.
Are Chihuahua Terriers good dogs?
For the most part, these pooches are loving and loyal canines. They enjoy being with their owners and spending ample time both indoors and outdoors.
It is worth noting that some chihuahuas tend to bark a lot, especially toward strangers. However, this reaction is not a sign of aggression. Instead, this is an act of fear each time they feel threatened by others whether dogs or humans.
As for Terriers, they are alert and bold dogs. These canines do not fear other dogs that may be bigger than them. Moreover, they are protective of their owners, which can be mistaken for aggression. But this innate nature makes them amazing companion dogs!
Overall, no two Chihuahua mixes are alike. Your pet’s temperament depends upon the parents’ personalities. Either the parents complement each other or simply clash in terms of their traits, which the offspring inherits.
Do Terrier Chihuahua Shed?
Shedding is an issue among all dogs unless it is a breed that has no coat at all.
With that being said, Chihuahua Terrier Mixes shed just like every other canine. But the good news is that they do not shed a lot. In fact, they only shed moderately for most of the year. Do take note, though, that during spring and summer time, these dogs naturally shed more hair.
Another thing to consider about shedding among Chihuahua Terriers is the type of coat they have. The amount of shedding depends on the length and texture of the coat. The smoother and shorter the coat, the less shedding there is.
Chihuahua Terrier mixes also change their coats as the seasons change. But because of the type of hair they have, their fur is far from being a nuisance in your home. You do not have to worry about your rug or furniture covered in long and thick hair. As a result, minimal cleaning is required to get the hair out of your home.
Canine lovers who suffer from allergies will find Chihuahua Terriers as a suitable choice for a pet. Although these dogs shed and produce dander, these are only minimal and will not cause significant allergy problems.
Related Questions
What Is A Terrier Chihuahua Mix Called? A Terrier Chihuahua Mix is called a Jack Chi (Jack Russell Terrier – Chihuahua), a Chiwoxy (Chihuahua – Wire Fox Terrier), Rat-Cha (Rat Terrier – Chihuahua), Chorkie (Chihuahua – Yorkie) or a Chipit (Chihuahua – Pitbull Terrier). The name depends on the Terrier breed mixed with the purebred Chihuahua.
How Much Do Chihuahua Terriers Cost? Chihuahua Terriers are designer dogs that can range from $400 to $900 in some cases. The price depends on the history or lineage of the parents or whether these are champion dogs. It is important that prior to buying a Chihuahua Mix, you should check with the breeder any predisposed illness or health issue of the parents. This way, you can be sure your pet will grow up to be healthy and free of inherited ailments.
What Is The Most Common Chihuahua Terrier Mix? There are different types of Chihuahua Terrier Mix. However, the most common Terrier breeds crossed with a purebred Chihuahua include the Fox Terrier, Bull Terrier, Jack Russell Terrier, Rat Terrier, and the Yorkshire Terrier.
