The Shepherd Chihuahua Mix is a hybrid breed of the small-sized Chihuahua and energetic German Shepherd. They are attractive, protective, loyal, friendly and intelligent dogs.
This breed is known for its extremely volatile personality and diminutive size. Today in this article, we will study in detail about the temperament, training, diet and health issues of the Shepherd Chihuahua Mix.
Shepherd Chihuahua Mix
The Shepherd Chihuahua Mix is developed by the crossbreeding of German Shepherd and Chihuahua. Both of their parents are known for their intelligence, friendly, playful and protective nature. Shepherd Chihuahua Mix inherit some of their parent’s traits.
They are sweet, active, protective and intelligent, which make them an excellent pet for families. Their polite temperament sets them apart from other dog breeds. Here is a general overview of this breed:
7-26 inches
8-60 pounds
Black, brown, black and brown mix
homes with only one pet; households with older children;
owners who are active and knowledgeable
10 – 14 years
Yes
Yes
Yes
Devoted, territorial, highly trainable and smart, protective,
active and vocal
Origin Of Shepherd Chihuahua Mix
The origin of this breed is unknown. Its name came from its parent’s breed. This breed is created by IVF treatment. Let’s take a view of their parent’s breed:
History Of Chihuahua
Chihuahuas are an ancient dog breed. They originated in Mexico and get their name from the region of Mexico, Chihuahua. This toy breed was first in the mid 19-century. It is estimated by the researchers that the first dog in the world was like a Chihuahua.
In 1904, Chihuahuas were officially recognized by the American Kennel Club as a toy dog breed. They are popular because of their intelligence and appealing personality.
History Of German Shepherd
The German Shepherd first originated in Germany in the late 19 century. This breed is known for being loyal and obedient. A pure German Shepherd is intelligent and athletic.
In 1906, they were exported to the United States. In 1908, they were first recognized by the American Kennel Club. They are loyal, intelligent and protective. They are very polite towards children that make them an excellent pet for all families. They developed as a working dog and perfect for military or law enforcement operations.
Physical Appearance Of The Shepherd Chihuahua Mix
Shepherd Chihuahua Mix is a popular dog breed and known for their intelligence, active and friendly nature. They are small-to-medium in size. The male dogs are larger than female dogs. They have sturdy bodies with solid legs. They have large triangular ears and have an apple shaped head. They have small prominent eyes which are usually darker in color.
Their height is between 7 to 26 inches and weight is 8 to 60 pounds. The lifespan of Shepherd Chihuahua Mix is 10 to 14 years. They have a short coat that comes in a unique color like Black, brown, black and brown mix. The length of their coat depends on the traits of their parents that they inherit. They are great apartment dogs.
Temperament Of Shepherd Chihuahua Mix
Shepherd Chihuahua Mix is a world’s most popular dog breed and known for their charming personality. They are very loyal, affectionate, intelligent and active dogs. They do not adjust with strangers, so training is essential to make them socialize. They are hyper, dependable and intelligent, which makes them easy to train. They are not recommended for those families, who have small children at home.
They are vocal about strangers and are fantastic guard dogs. They are playful by nature and that makes a good pet for children. They don’t show aggressive behavior towards children that makes them an excellent option for all families.
Exercise Of Shepherd Chihuahua Mix
Every dog needs a daily dose of exercise to keep themselves happy and healthy. Regardless of their size, they require plenty of exercise. These dogs love being engaged with their owner. Taking them on a walk is a good type of exercise. They require 30 to 45 minutes of daily exercise for their physical health and mental stimulation.
If your pet inherits their trait from their German Shepherd parent then they may require up to 90 minutes of daily exercise, because the German Shepherd is a very active dog. There are many forms of exercise that you can give your Shepherd Chihuahua Mix such as jumping, Running, hiking and swimming.
Training Of Shepherd Chihuahua Mix
Because of their high level of intelligence, they are very easy to train. Early training is very essential for your pet, if you have Shepherd Chihuahua Mix in your home. They can be stubborn by nature, so proper training is essential from a young age. They don’t adjust with strangers, with proper training you can make your loving pooch socialize.
Positive reinforcement can help in potty and crate training. They are vocal, so training is essential from a young age to reduce the excessive barking. With proper training they make a good watchdog. You need to make a proper schedule of their training.
Grooming Of Shepherd Chihuahua Mix
A Shepherd Chihuahua Mix is not a high-maintenance dog. But like other dogs, they also need regular grooming to keep their look charming and beautiful. They are quiet shredders and shed more in the summer and autumn season, so regular brushing is very essential to manage their coat. Brush their coat at least 4 to 5 times a week with a Slicker Brush or a Pin Brush. Brushing can help to remove the loose hair from their coat.
Bathe your dog after every 6 to 8 weeks with a high quality dog shampoo like FURminator Sensitive Skin Ultra Premium Shampoo. After bathing, drying their coat immediately can prevent your dog from skin irritation.
Trim their nails if they become big, because with big nails they can not walk comfortably on the floor. Clean your dog’s teeth regularly with a dog toothpaste like Petsmile Professional Pet Toothpaste. It can avoid your dog from dental problems. Cleaning your dog’s ears regularly can help to prevent ear infection.
Food & Diet Requirements
The food and diet requirements of the Shepherd Chihuahua Mix depends on the size and activity level. Feed your dog high-quality dog food depending on its age. A smaller dog should receive about 1 to 1.5 cups of high quality dog food, and a larger dog will need 2 to 3 cups of food daily.
Don’t feed them high fat content food because they are prone to obesity. Stop your dog from overeating, otherwise it can cause stomach problems. For better information about their diet, meet with the vet.
Health Issues Of Shepherd Chihuahua Mix
Crossbreeds are healthier than purebreds, it means they have lower tendencies to develop hereditary diseases. Despite being a healthy breed, Shepherd Chihuahua Mix are prone to certain health issues. Some of the common health issues are given below:
As a responsible owner, you need to keep an eye on the daily activities of your pet. If you notice the symptoms of any of these diseases then immediate contact with the vet for the happy and healthy life of your Shepherd Chihuahua Mix.
Cost Of The Shepherd Chihuahua Mix
Since they are pretty companions, you can expect to pay $500 to $2,500 for the Shepherd Chihuahua Mix. On the other hand, their price can depend on the breeders reputation and location of the area. If you are thinking adopting a Shepherd Chihuahua Mix then you can use table that are given below for guide:
Types Of Expense | Cost |
---|---|
Food and Treats | $50 – $100 |
Food and Water Bowls | $10 – $30 |
Bed | $30 – $180 |
Crate | $30 – $370 |
Leashes and Collars | $15 – $50 |
Toys | $15 – $50 |
Grooming Essentials | $20 – $40 |
Deworming, Flea, and Tick Medications | $50 – $200 |
Initial Vet Visits | $100 – $300 |
Initial Vaccine Shots | $75 – $200 |
Neutering or Spaying | $50 – $500 |
Dog License | $10 – $20 |
Microchip | $40 – $60 |
Miscellaneous Supplies | $15 – $30 |
Total Initial Cost | $525 – $2,240 |
CONCLUSION
There are many dog breeds in the world, but the Shepherd Chihuahua Mix is the best. Beside their small-size they have a unique look that captures the attention of many dog lovers. They are very loyal, affectionate, friendly, intelligent and protective dogs.
The Shepherd Chihuahua Mix has a sturdy body with an apple shaped head. They have prominent eyes which are usually darker in color and have triangular ears. They have a short dense coat that come in unique colors such as Black, brown, black and brown mix. They require plenty of exercise for physical health and mental stimulation.
They are polite and don’t show aggression towards children, which makes them an excellent option for all families. They have certain health problems such as patellar luxation, hip dysplasia, elbow dysplasia, obesity, epilepsy, hydrocephalus and congenital heart defects. If you are searching for an active pet for your family then Shepherd Chihuahua Mix is the best option for you.
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