The Chihuahua Terrier Mix is the result of breeding the Chihuahua with one of the Terrier Mix breeds. The most common breeds that the Chihuahua is bred with is the Rat Terrier, the Jack Russell Terrier, the Fox Terrier and the Yorkshire Terrier.
Of course, each different crossbreed gives a different breed of dog with unique personalities and traits. However, these dogs do often inherit very similar traits from their parent breeds, which is what we will be exploring below.
If you’re interested in learning more about this fascinating Mix and the possible combinations, keep reading.
History Of The Chihuahua Terrier Mix
The Chihuahua is most commonly crossed with the Rat Terrier, the Jack Russell Terrier, the Fox Terrier and the Yorkshire Terrier, to give different Terrier Mix breeds.
While many of the parent Terrier breeds are recognized by the American Kennel Club (AKC), the Chihuahua Terrier Mix is not because it is a crossbreed. However, some of these mixes are recognized by the International Designer Canine Registry.
Breed Origin
To understand where the Chihuahua Terrier Mix comes from, it is a good idea for us to look at where the different parent breeds come from and their origins.
Rat Terriers are not an old breed and only appeared in the United States between the 1920s and 1930s. They were often used as farm dogs and hunting dogs.
The Jack Russell Terrier was developed in the 19th century as another hunting dog. The Jack Russell breed then became very popular with lots of sportsmen, especially horse riders. By the 1930s, the breed was known in the United States too.
Fox Terriers first emerged in the late 18th century. They were originally used to help hunt foxes, hence their name. Fox Terriers were first imported into the US in 1879.
Yorkshire Terriers started out in pest control and were bred to be small enough to flush rats out of mines in Scotland and Northern England in the mid 1800s. They were recognized by the English Kennel Club in 1886.
The Chihuahua was discovered in the 1850s in the Mexican state of Chihuahua. American visitors to Mexico brought the dog home with them. They became registered with the AKC in 1904 and have been growing in popularity ever since.
Characteristics Of The Chihuahua Terrier Mix
Many Terrier breeds have similar traits and characteristics. These dogs are normally active, independent and intelligent. When we cross this with the liveliness from the Chihuahua parent, we get really interesting and fun dogs!
A Chihuahua Terrier Mix Puppy normally costs between $400 – $800. They are expensive because they can suffer health complications during birth. You must make sure you buy from a reputable breeder, even if there is a wait list.
Appearance
To understand what your Chihuahua Terrier Mix may look like, it is a good idea to take a look at the parent breeds. This will give you the best indication. Depending on which Terrier breed is their parent, their appearance can vary.
These dogs are normally small in size and can stand between 10 to 28 inches tall and will weigh anywhere between 6 to 25 lbs.
Coat
These dogs can have long or short coats, again depending on their parent breeds. Some are smooth coated and some are wire coated. Their grooming needs will also vary based on their coat type, although we will go into more detail about that later on.
Color
These Terrier Mixes can come in a range of colors. The most common coat colors for these dogs are white, black, brown and tan. They can also be bi or tri-colored.
Temperament
As we have mentioned above, because this dog is a mixed breed, we cannot be sure of the exact temperament that they are going to have. This is especially true of this breed because of the different breeds of Terrier that can parent the Chihuahua Terrier Mix.
Normally, the Chihuahua Terrier Mix is an energetic and active dog that loves to spend their time exercising. They like to be around people, but are certainly suited to adult only homes and will generally not tolerate children.
This dog will like to accompany you while you are out exercising too and their intelligence means that they like to be kept occupied.
Unfortunately, the Chihuahua Terrier Mix can often retain the stubborn trait from the Chihuahua, which can mean they are difficult to train. They can also struggle with socialization and develop small dog syndrome.
However, this can be fixed with socialization from a young age and the Chihuahua Terrier Mix can learn to tolerate other animals and humans that they meet.
Don’t let this put you off though — this dog is fun-loving and playful and is a friendly dog to have around the home!
Lifespan
The Chihuahua Terrier Mix can have a very long life expectancy! These dogs can live for between 12 to 20 years.
Known Health Issues
Unfortunately, as with any dog, the Chihuahua Mix is prone to some health problems. These are normally issues that their parent breeds have passed down to them through breeding. We have laid out the main health concerns below.
- Luxating Patella — this is a common condition in smaller dogs and is caused when the patella is not properly aligned. This can cause lameness in the leg or an abnormal gait, sort of like a skip or a hop.
- Hydrocephalus — this is also known as water on the brain. It can be common in smaller breeds of dog can cause increased pressure on the skull. The damage can often be fatal.
- Heart Disease — this can limit the heart’s ability to pump blood around the body. The most common symptoms of it are lethargy, fatigue, coughing or respiratory distress.
Regular vet checkups and keeping an eye on your dog will ensure you can catch any of these issues before they become untreatable.
Remember — buy from a reputable breeder and the chances your dog will suffer any health conditions will be greatly reduced. Trusted breeders will do health checks on both parent breeds and will not crossbreed if there is a chance of passing on any severe issues to offspring.
Daily Life
Now that we have learnt all about the different traits and characteristics that the Chihuahua Terrier Mix can inherit from their different parent breeds, it is time to take a look at what living with one of these designer dogs on a day to day basis is actually like. We will cover their food and diet, their exercise requirements and their grooming needs.
Food And Diet
Due to the fact that the Chihuahua Terrier Mix is a small breed, they do not require much food. They will need around 40 calories per pound of body weight a day. This normally equates to around 1 cup of food a day. Of course, you should always double check the back of the food packet to see the exact amount of a certain food you should be feeding your dog based on their weight.
You should always make sure that the food you feed your dog meets their nutritional requirements. The Chihuahua Terrier Mix is a very active dog and therefore requires a large amount of protein in their diet.
The Chihuahua Terrier Mix can be prone to gaining weight, so make sure you monitor their food closely. Do not let them free feed and try not to give them too many snacks.
Best Dog Food For The Chihuahua Terrier Mix
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We recommend the High Protein dog food from Taste of the Wild for the Chihuahua Terrier Mix. As an active dog, this breed needs a large amount of protein in their diet and this recipe contains 32% protein. This helps to keep your pup’s muscles lean and strong and also ensures an optimal amino acid profile.
Alongside the protein, there are also vitamins and minerals, fruits and vegetables as superfoods for hardworking antioxidants, and fatty acids that help to promote skin and coat health. Proprietary probiotics are also present, surviving and thriving in the GI tract. All the ingredients are highly digestible and there are no artificial colors, flavors or preservatives.
Exercise
We have mentioned above that the Chihuahua Terrier Mix is a very active dog and therefore they have quite high exercise needs. These dogs have a lot of energy and will benefit from at least 60 minutes of outside exercise a day, although more would be preferable.
They will like to go walking and will love to join you while you are out exercising, too. It is a good idea to keep them on a leash when you are exercising them in public spaces — they can bark at other dogs and have a tendency to chase things. Proper socialization from a young age will help with this, too.
Family Compatibility
Unfortunately, the Chihuahua Terrier Mix is not a dog that is suited to family homes with young children. This dog will do best in an active, adult-only household. Because of their size, they can struggle to get on with children and can often turn to nipping because of their Terrier hunting history.
However, they can make a good family pet in homes with older children.
The Chihuahua Terrier Mix can also struggle with other animals in the home, and will need proper socialization to learn that there is no threat from other dogs. If you do have other animals in the home, make sure they are not large animals and other breeds of dogs should be the same size as the Chihuahua Terrier Mix.
These hybrid dogs are very active and you must make sure that you are able to dedicate a large amount of time to exercising them every day before you buy. You will also have to spend time training them as they can be stubborn.
Training
As we said above, the Chihuahua Terrier Mix can be a stubborn little dog and therefore training is not always as easy as expected. However, these doggies are intelligent and will pick things up quickly.
These pups will respond best to positive reinforcement techniques and reward based training. This includes verbal praise and treats. You should never get angry or frustrated with your dog when training. They may not understand what is happening and this will cause them to not want to learn. You should ignore negative behavior and praise positive behavior so they learn which is more desirable.
Patience and perseverance is key when training the Chihuahua Terrier Mix. They will understand eventually!
Socializing
Chihuahua Terrier Mixes can be wary of strangers and other animals. They can get yappy and bark at those who they don’t trust, even going as far as nipping at humans or other animals. This is why socialization from an early age is so important.
You should introduce them to new sights, sounds, places, smells, people and animals in a safe and controlled way until they understand that there is nothing to be afraid of.
Grooming
The grooming requirements of the Chihuahua Terrier Mix will depend on what coat they have. Remember, they can have long, short, smooth or wire coats depending on their parent breeds.
Normally, you will need to brush these dogs two to three times a week. Their coats can shed, although not excessively. You can bathe them as often as needed and, because of their small size, this will not be difficult from home.
Remember to check their ears regularly and trim their nails as needed. You should also brush their teeth regularly to prevent dental decay and disease.
Chihuahua Terrier Mix FAQ’s
How much does a Chihuahua Terrier Mix cost?
A Chihuahua Terrier Mix can set you back around $400 – $800. They are an expensive breed because there can be a lot of complications within breeding due to the parent breed’s small size. This is also the reason that there is often a long waiting list with breeders.
If this is too far out of your price range, you can always check your local shelter. There may be a Chihuahua Terrier Mix out there who is looking for their forever home!
Which Terrier breeds parent the Chihuahua Terrier Mix?
Any one of the Terrier dog breeds can parent the Chihuahua Terrier Mix. This is why this mixed breed is so diverse — they can inherit lots of different traits from a wide range of dogs! However, these pups are normally the result of the Rat Terrier, the Jack Russell Terrier, the Fox Terrier and the Yorkshire Terrier.
These are the most common Terrier breeds and gives the Rat Terrier Chihuahua Mix, the Jack Russell Terrier Chihuahua Mix, the Fox Terrier Chihuahua Mix and the Yorkshire Terrier Chihuahua Mix (Chorkie).
Summary
The Chihuahua Terrier Mix can vary greatly depending on the different parent breeds this pooch has. However, these dogs are fun-loving and intelligent, with high energy levels and a love for exercising. Although they can be cautious around new people and animals, this dog loves their owners and likes to be by their side.
They will thrive in an adult-only home where they can spend lots of time outside burning off excess energy. If you’re looking for a feisty little dog with lots of personality, then a Chihuahua Terrier Mix might be the dog for you.