Chiweenies are cute crossbreeds. They are small fuzzballs that are highly energetic. It’s understandable for pet lovers to become more curious about chiweenies and why they are bred. I did some research and these are the things that I have found out.
So, what are chiweenies bred for? Chiweenies are bred primarily for companionship. They can work well as family dogs and as companions for single owners because they are both sociable and loyal. They are energetic dogs, but in the next minute, they can also be passive in the laps of their owners. They are also good watchdogs because they tend to bark quite a bit.
Chiweenies are what you get when you combine dachshunds and chihuahuas. And as the owner of 2 chiweenies, I can honestly tell you that the combination is very interesting.
Chiweenies mostly get their physical features from their dachshund parents and their temperament from their chihuahua parents. So, most chiweenies are small and loyal dogs like dachshunds and highly energetic and stubborn like chihuahuas. If you like this combination of traits, chiweenies are for you.
Chiweenies as family dogs
Whether you live with a family or alone, chiweenies are great choices for dogs. Chiweenies can be great family dogs because of a lot of reasons, such as the following.
Chiweenies like to play
Chiweenies may only be a few inches tall and wide. But don’t be fooled by their small stature. These dogs are full of energy, just like their chihuahua side of the family. This is one of the main reasons why chiweenies are such good family dogs. They can play with kids for a long time.
When playing with chiweenies, ask the kids to be mindful of the dogs’ backs. The backs of these crossbreeds can be very fragile, especially for those that have the elongated back of their dachshund parents. The kids may be too rowdy and end up hurting the dogs.
Chiweenies like to cuddle
Indeed, chiweenies are packed with energy. But they can flip the switch easily. They can be playing fetch the first minute and sitting on your lap the next. After playing with chiweenies, kids can still bond with their favorite pets while in the bed, sofa, or chair.
Kids are not the only ones who can benefit from this. Seniors, such as grandparents, can also enjoy the benefit of chiweenies being lap dogs.
Chiweenies are always alert
Kids and seniors are the most vulnerable members of the family. They may not be physically strong or mentally prepared for danger. But the good thing is, chiweenies are very observant and alert dogs. They don’t shy away from possible threats, such as intruders.
They may not be intimidating physically, but chiweenies can scare threats away through barking. At the very least, their barking will alert other members of the family. The alert and yappy nature of chiweenies make them good watch dogs.
Chiweenies as companions for single owners
Chiweenies are not just for those who are living with their family. They can also be the perfect dogs for those who live alone. Here are some of the reasons why.
Chiweenies are loyal dogs
Chiweenies are loving and loyal dogs. In fact, they can be so loving and loyal that they have a tendency to have favorite owners in the family. If you live alone, well, you automatically become their favorites, because there is not much competition.
The only downside is that chiweenies tend to have separation anxiety if you leave them alone for too long. As a person living alone and working in an office, this can become a problem. But it’s easier to deal with separation anxiety if you start training your dogs while they are still puppies.
Chiweenies don’t require much exercise
Yes, chiweenies are energetic dogs. But this doesn’t mean that they can play forever. Their bodies are still small. They can only store so much energy. The fact is, chiweenies don’t really require that much exercise.
You can put them in a playpen to let them tire out on their own. You can also walk with them for about 20 minutes a day for their daily exercise. That’s not much work. And that can easily be accomplished even by someone who lives alone and can only attend to their dogs at a limited time due to work.
Chiweenies don’t require much space
A person living alone also has a tendency to be in a limited space. Instead of being in a full-blown house, most single people prefer apartments, condominiums, and other tight residential spaces. There is simply no need for a bigger space.
This limited space can be a problem for bigger dogs, but it’s not for chiweenies. Chiweenies are small dogs, and small spaces can already be big in their little perspectives. They don’t need a big yard to have fun and tire themselves out. Even a small apartment unit or a tight playpen can appear like castles to them.
Chiweenies as watchdogs
Chiweenies tend to bark a lot, and there are a lot of reasons for this. They bark to discharge excess energy. They also bark to get your attention or to express their jealousy if you are being too affectionate with others.
Their tendency to bark a lot makes them good watchdogs. Being loving and loyal dogs, they will easily bark on those who feel like threats to their owners and themselves. And being small dogs, you can imagine how many things can be threats to these animals.
But the great thing about chiweenies is that they don’t bark on random stimuli like doorbells. They are actually smart enough to know the difference between real potential threats and random stimuli. Dachshunds and chihuahuas are good watchdogs too, so it’s not that surprising that chiweenies have inherited this trait.
Important chiweenie breed information
Chiweenies are bred to be companions for families and single owners. They are sociable and loyal. If you are interested in finally getting chiweenies as pets, here are other chiweenie breed information that can be useful.
They don’t need much maintenance
Like all kinds of dogs, chiweenies need regular bathing to keep themselves clean. But chiweenies are somewhat low maintenance dogs because their coats don’t really need that much attention. Most chiweenies have short or medium-length coats that you could brush one to three times a week.
But do give attention to their dental health. Like all small dogs, they are vulnerable to dental problems. Their teeth are packed in their small mouths, so plaque and tartar can thrive easily.
They are at risk of getting obese
Chiweenies are small but energetic dogs. They will require a lot of fats in their diets to keep up with their active lifestyle. But you have to balance these fats with lean meats so your chiweenies don’t get too fat.
Their small bodies can only store so much food, so they are at risk of obesity if you don’t balance their food proportions properly. Letting them be active and playful also helps in preventing obesity.
They are vulnerable to certain diseases
Dachshunds and chihuahuas are vulnerable to certain diseases, so it’s not surprising that they have passed this vulnerability to their chiweenie children.
Because of the dachshund side of the family, chiweenies are vulnerable to diabetes, hypothyroidism, and intervertebral degenerative disc disease. Because of the chihuahua side of the family, chiweenies are vulnerable to dental problems, hydrocephalus, and hypoglycemia.
They should be trained while they are young
Yes, chiweenies can be very sociable dogs. But they also like being the center of attention. This can be a problem if you have kids or other pets in your home. They can see them as competition for your affection.
This is why it’s important to train chiweenies while they are still young. Let them socialize and get accustomed to being around others. Chiweenies are also kind of stubborn, just like their chihuahua parents. So, you may have a harder time training them when they are already grown.
Summary
Chiweenies are such versatile companions. They are suitable to both families and single owners. This is because of their diverse traits that can benefit whatever kind of household. They like to play and cuddle, making them perfect for families. They can thrive even with minimal exercise and in tight spaces, making them great for single owners too.
And perhaps the best of all, chiweenies are great watchdogs. They are not just there to play and cuddle. They are also there to protect their owners from potential threats.