At a glance the quick version
One source gives 2.5-5.5 kg, another 5-12 lb (about 2.3-5.4 kg); size varies with the parents.
Coat and looks how to spot one
smooth, long-haired or wire-haired
A small dog that often has the Dachshund's longer body on shorter legs, topped with a Chihuahua-style head. The coat depends on the Dachshund parent: most are short and smooth, some are long-haired, and a few are wiry.12
Personality what they are like
Lively, playful and fiercely loyal, with plenty of confidence for its size. A well-bred Chiweenie is outgoing rather than shy, likes to keep watch over the home and forms a close bond with its owner. It can be chatty, and it likes company, so early training and not too much time alone help.21
Daily activity how busy a day looks
Moderate: about half an hour of walking a day on a harness, plus gentle play and time with its owner. Indoor games work well on busy days.21
Grooming and care the hands-on bits
Weekly brushing for smooth coats, two to three times a week for long or wire coats. Trim nails every few weeks, clean ears regularly and brush teeth often, ideally daily.12
Home where they are happiest
Well suited to flats and smaller homes, as long as it gets outside for walks and toilet breaks. Often happiest with a single owner or a couple.21
Food basics what goes in the bowl
A small-breed food with suitably small kibble, fed as two meals a day, with fresh water always available.21
Company who they like around
Bonds very closely with one person or a small household. Best with older, respectful children and gets on with other small dogs when socialised early; bigger dogs can feel a bit overwhelming for it.21
The story where it all began
Breeders in North America started crossing Chihuahuas and Dachshunds in the 1990s. The mix brings together two very different backgrounds: the Dachshund, a German badger-hunting dog, and the Chihuahua, the tiny companion breed named after a state in Mexico.21
Fun facts for the dinner table
- 1
Its playful nicknames include 'German Taco' and 'Mexican Hot Dog', nodding to the German and Mexican roots of its parents.1
- 2
The name Dachshund means 'badger dog' in German.3
- 3
A Dachshund named Waldi was the very first official Olympic mascot, at the 1972 Munich Summer Olympics.3
- 4
An Instagram-famous Chiweenie called Tuna has more than 2 million followers.2
Recognised by the official bits
- The Kennel Club (UK)
- Not recognised by the UK Kennel Club; it is a crossbreed.2
- Major kennel clubs
- Listed among designer crossbreeds rather than recognised breeds.4
The care rhythm Furry Diary remembers it for you
A typical home-care rhythm for a Chiweenie. It is our own starting plan, not a vet's advice, and you can change every line in the app.
- Brushingevery week
- Bathevery 8 weeks
- Nail trimSooner if you hear clicking on the floorevery month
- Ear checkevery 2 weeks
- Teeth brushingDaily brushing is idealevery 2 days
- ExerciseDaily walks and playevery day
- Flea, tick and worm protectionSchedule as your vet recommendsas your vet recommends
- Vet check-upevery year
Parents and lookalikes
Chihuahua
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Where this comes from
Every breed page shows where each fact comes from. If we got something wrong, sorry, we are pet people, not a science magazine. Tell us at [email protected] and we will fix it.
- DogTime: Chiweenie dogtime.comused for names, origin, size, coat, colours, grooming, diet, family life
- Purina New Zealand: Chiweenie purina.co.nzused for size, lifespan, origin, recognition, temperament, exercise, grooming, home, feeding, fun facts
- Wikipedia: Dachshund en.wikipedia.orgused for parent breed fun facts (secondary)
- Wikipedia: List of dog crossbreeds en.wikipedia.orgused for crossbreed status (secondary)
Checked 2026-10-01. Text is written in our own words from these sources.