Chihuahua is a small breed and the German Shepherd is a big and tough breed.
The German shepherd is famous for its hardworking, intelligent, and loyal nature, on the other hand, Chihuahua is a cute tiny size dog with big round attractive eyes.
What happens when we mix both the dog breed together?
A German Shepherd Chihuahua mix breed is loyal, sweet, and loving. And, need lots of training and attention to be worthy of their master.
In most cases, a male Chihuahua is crossed with a female German Shepherd. Read this article to know more about this interesting breed.
Where did this German Shepherd Chihuahua Mix Come from?
The origin of the breed is unknown but this is a new breed. And, name of this breed comes from the parent breed German Shepherd and Chihuahua:
German Shepherd:
According to Wikipedia, during the 1990s, The German Shepherd Dog was also known as the Alsatian.
German Shepherd breed used to protect herding sheep and protecting their flocks from predators.
German Shepherd has those set of skills such as intelligence, speed, strength, and sense of smell.
The breed was developed by Max von Stephanitz using various traditional German herding dogs in 1899.
You will see these dogs in the police force serving society in search and rescue operations.
Chihuahua:
This breed’s origin is unknown but the name given to this breed of a Mexican state Chihuahua.
This is the most popular breed now and American Kennel Club register this breed after 1904.
This breed is also known as ‘purse dogs’ and a favorite breed for celebrities in America. Chihuahua is small size and brave that has a weight of not more than 6 pounds.
How Does German Shepherd Chihuahua Mix Breed Look?
The appearance of this breed is very different, they are bigger than normal Chihuahua dogs but smaller than German Shepherd.
This breed has a different pattern and fur colors but most likely this has a black/brown coat.
These dogs have somewhat longer fur but that depends on Chihuahua parents. Also, they have one or two colors of coat that depend on Chihuahua parents too.
This breed of dog has large and straight ears, shape of their head is not too large, its kind of an apple shape.
Let’s talk about the eyes, eyes color is dark in most cases but small and apparent. The legs are strong and long with a medium-sized tail.
The weight of this mixed breed is from 8-60 pounds somewhere and these are small-to-medium sizes.
As with all the breeds, males are longer than female dogs. Last but not least height from the shoulder is between 7-45 inches.
What is the German Shepherd Chihuahua Mix Personality?
These mix-breed dogs are a little afraid of strangers. This breed’s dog can be stubborn, before adopting the puppy make sure to talk to their parents and ask if the dog is friendly.
A proper introduction to the other pet like dogs, and cats is most important. Start socialization training of the canine at a very young age.
Chihuahua and German Shepherd mix are great learners and react to your command (also, depends on your training).
They are family dogs but early training is important to avoid anxiety and proper obedience. This breed is very cooperative and always tries to impress its master.
The Temperament of German Shepherd Chihuahua Mix
German Shepherd as we know are loyal, territorial on the other hand Chihuahua dogs are small in height and can bark or snap at people for who they don’t care.
German Shepherd Chihuahua mix pet is a great family pet as well as they are a loyal, intelligent breed.
At worst, they bark or can attack any outside person when they feel danger. And, they guard their food and can bark consistently, they can be very dangerous for children.
These dogs generally work for police or law enforcement and the military. The temperament of this breed is widely varied but this can be tricky to know because to some extent, it depends on how you train your canine.
Most important they have protection habits for their owner or close to them. But if you have not trained them well, they can be dangerous towards people or other dogs.
German Shepherd Chihuahua Mix Training
That is important to start early to train your German Shepherd Chihuahua dog. This breed is considered very intelligent and can pick up your command easily.
As a puppy, they are very cooperative but they can become stubborn at their adult age.
This cross breed has tiny bladders which means they have to go to the potty a lot and that can become a problem. In short, potty training is difficult for this breed.
As we discussed they are loyal and they can be attached to their owners. Socialization is most important for these dogs because they can attack strangers at any time.
Another reason for socializing for these dogs can help them to grow polite as well as well-behaved dogs.
Pro tip: You should be patience and understanding while training the dog. Also, always use positive reinforcement to train them.
German Shepherd Chihuahua Mix Exercise
Physical and mental exercise is important for dogs to stay fit and energetic. German Shepherd needs plenty of exercises every day to keep them from becoming hyper-energetic.
On the other hand, Chihuahua dogs only need 20-30 minutes to stay fit and perform well. It can be fun for both of you (dog and owner) to go for walks and play in the park toy fetch game.
A good amount of exercise every day keeps your dog healthy from common health issues such as hip and elbow dysplasia.
Two walks every day (morning & evening) is sufficient for your German Shepherd Chihuahua mix dog.
How to Groom and Clean German Shepherd Chihuahua Mix?
No matter how much you are busy with your work or meetings but you should invest at least 30 minutes every week in grooming and clearing your pupp.
To keep your dog stay away from ear infections and dental problems, you should clean their ear and brush their teeth twice a week.
You should groom and clean their coats to keep them shiny. Let’s talk about baths, I think once you feel your pet is smelly or dirty give him a bath because you can’t give him a bath every day that may dry his skin.
Clipping the nails of your dog frequently is important but here is some other important products:
- Shampoo and Conditioner
- Slicker brush
- Deshedding tool
- Nail grinder
German Shepherd Chihuahua Mix Health Issues:
This German Shepherd Chihuahua mix is a crossbreed that is the reason they are healthier than purebred dogs.
The mixed-breed has a lower number of chances of developing hereditary diseases in comparison to purebred.
But it does not mean they will not have health issues if they are hybrid. We always recommend you to speak with a veterinarian in case of any health issues.
Your dog breeder is also a good option to talk about any kind of health issue. The health condition of your pupp also depends on daily life routine just like what you give your dog to eat, health checkups, and other general care of your canine.
If we’re giving them food and they overfeed, they become obese which can bring many health-related issues or diseases.
Here are some common health problems inherent in this breed hip dysplasia, degenerative myelopathy, the bloat which comes from their Gemeran Sheperd parent and luxating patella or hydrocephalus comes from their Chihuahua parents.
So, let’s learn more about these dieses:
Hip Dysplasia:
There are many factors that cause hip dysplasia such as diet & exercise but this is also influenced by a genetic condition.
This is a common disease in German Shepherds. Hip dysplasia occurs when the dog’s hip bone is not fit into the socket of the pelvis.
The Head of the femur and socket of the pelvis does not grow at the same rate, these bones make up the joints and make the hip joint loose. If you see pain or limping, take your puppy to the vet.
Elbow Dysplasia:
This disease is the same as hip dysplasia and it occurs when elbow joints are not fit into the socket below causing pain and discomfort. Take your dog to the vet for an x-ray and treatment.
Luxating Patella:
This common disease is found in small breeds like Chihuahua and this disease occurs when the kneecap is dislocated but the dog does not feel pain.
They feel pain when the patella and femur both separate. Female dogs suffer from this condition.
When your dog walks abnormally and you found and discomfort, please consult with your vet.
Obesity:
As we discuss obesity and I think is the main reason for these numbers of diseases. The main two diseases are Elbow and Hip dysplasia because of the overweight.
Try to avoid high calories food in the puppy’s diet, and try to minimize the fat-related treats. Discuss the vet-related diet because this can help your canine avoid most of the diseases.
Hydrocephalus:
Hydrocephalus is generally experienced by the small breed and this can even result in death. This disease can be treated when it is mild.
In this condition, cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) builds inside the head of the dog and this can lead to brain damage, and also creates a lot of pressure on the brain. This condition may lead to:
- Blindness
- Coma
- Difficulty in learning.
- Seizures
Make sure you do not ignore these signs.
Is The German Shepherd Chihuahua Mix Family Dog?
These breed dogs are small to medium size dogs and are good for small families. They are family dogs because they are loyal and intelligent, and easily understand commands.
This breed can be dangerous for children in some cases because of its small size. But you should train your pet in order to avoid this kind of incident.
This breed is good for small families with smaller homes but make sure you have enough space for exercise.
These pets are not recommended for those who have small children in their families. They know how to defend the one they love.
German Shepherd Chihuahua Mix Puppy
This crossbreed puppy has quality from both the parent breed. This breed is a result of male Chihuahua and female German Shepherd. They are loyal, intelligent, brave, and willing to please their owner.
These puppies look like a German Shepherd but in height and weight, their appearance is like Chihuahua breed dogs.
They are stubborn in nature which means they need proper training and socialization to make familiar with other dogs and family members.
They become aggressive when any stranger around them or their owner. Also, they are not good for small children.
This breed carries a large part of the genes of the German Shepherd which means they are easily trainable.
They should be trained at an early age, so they can learn how to behave with people and other pets around them.
Leash training and advanced dog training are important for this breed’s puppy at an early age.
German Shepherd Chihuahua Mix Size
This is a small to medium size breed and weighs between 8-60 pounds. The height of this dog is between 7 to 26 inches and this height comes from the genes of Chihuahua dogs.
The lifespan of this breed is 10 to 18 years, sometimes it is more than that and in some cases, it’s less.
They are intelligent, loyal, and willing to please their owner means they are good family dogs.
But these are not recommended for small children families. They are usually found in two coats black and tan but this can be varied.
This small to medium size dog has a muscular back with up straight ears. Bushy tails with downward curves are easily recognizable for this breed of dog.
German Shepherd Chihuahua Mix Lifespan
The lifespan of this breed depends on health, genetic, and lifestyle factors. A healthy dog good lifestyle can live a long life between 10-18 years.
This breed is a mix of two breeds, Chihuahua’s lifespan is between 10-18 years and the German Shepherd breed can live between 10-14 years.
The most common reasons for death for Chihuahuas are heart failure and cancer in German Shepherd.
If you’re planning to bring a new puppy into your home then feeding him a good quality of food and a good amount of exercise should be his lifestyle.
Frequently Asked Questions
Most frequent questions and answers
How big will a German Shepherd Chihuahua mix get?
The height of this breed is between 7-26 inches and this is a small to medium size dog, their weight is between 8-60 pounds. This genetic comes from Chihuahua dogs, the lifespan of this breed is in between 10-18 years. These breed dogs are loyal, intelligent, and always willing to please their owners.
What would a Chihuahua and a German Shepherd make?
These dogs can differ in appearance because, in most cases, a male Chihuahua is crossed with a female German Shepherd. This can be a small to medium-breed German Shepherd Chihuahua mix have a black/brown coat but other color patterns are possible too. These dogs are smaller than German Shepherd but larger than Chihuahuas.
What is the rarest Chihuahua mix?
The rarest Chihuahua mix is white.
What two dogs make a Chihuahua?
Many people believe that Chihuahua is a mixture of two breeds first Techichi and another one is hairless Chinese Crested both the dogs are from the small breeds.
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