Are Chiweenies Aggressive?

Chiweenies are a miniature cross breed between a Chihuahua and a Dachshund. Are Chiweenies aggressive? They can be, especially if they take after the Chihuahua side of the family. The Chihuahua tends to be a bit yappy and likes to make itself appear as big and tough as possible.

This is usually not a problem for adults because the chihuahua is small but can be more problematic for young children. They may be small, but they're not afraid to stand up for themselves. However, they're not aggressive by nature. If you're looking for a small, loyal, and loving companion, a Chiweenie is a perfect dog for you.

Chiweenies are petite toy breed dogs. They are very affectionate, loyal, and fiercely protective over their owners. They also love nothing more than cuddling beside you and make great lap dogs because of their size and temperament.

They have huge personalities and are fearless and gutsy, so they occasionally come across as bigger than they are, which is a characteristic of most small dog breeds. Generally, they are laid-back, affectionate dogs that make great companions.

What is a Chiweenie 

Chiweenies are designer toy dogs that have inherited the best traits from their purebred parent breeds. They were introduced during late1900 and possess a wonderful loving temperament with bounds of energy.

The Chiweenie name combines chihuahuas (Chi) with dachshunds (Weenie). Dachshunds are also known as wiener (sausage) dogs because of their long narrow body. 

Chihuahuas are one of the smallest dogs in the world. They were named after the Mexican state Chihuahua, where they were found in abundance. Chihuahuas are confident, independent, and loyal. They are known to bark when they are suspicious of any stranger or unusual activity and make excellent watchdogs. They are also snappy and not known to be friendly if they are not familiar with you and sometimes have a mind of their own.

Dachshunds originated from Germany. Dachs refers to badger, and hund refers to dog. Badger dog. They were able to hunt out animals by shuffling through the burrow due to their small legs and long bodies, hence the name.  Their short legs developed over many years by artificial selection. Their limb bones harden during development, stunting their growth and leading to chondrodysplasia, a type of dwarfism. There are also miniature dachshunds that were bred to hunt smaller burrowing animals.

Dachshunds are bold and outgoing, devoted, versatile, and good-tempered. Dachshunds also make excellent watch dogs reacting to unusual behavior. They are intelligent and obedient but can be stubborn. They can feel intimidated by large dogs.

Personality of a Chiweenie

The Chiweenie is a very loving and amiable dog. They tend to be quite yappy, having a sensitivity to noise. As with all dogs, they need to be trained early so they do not display unwanted traits. If they feel they are being threatened in any way, such as their territory being invaded or someone taking their toys, they will want to show dominance and may come across as being slightly aggressive.

That seems natural enough, especially if they are small and feel intimidated. They like to show their fearlessness and will bark at strangers, and are not afraid to show how protective they are. With this in mind, owners regard them as good house dogs giving them the reputation as miniature guard dogs because they quickly alert you to suspicious strangers or anyone the dog isn’t familiar with. 

They will love you unconditionally with their protectiveness and loyalty.  And will show abounding affection to friends and family members when they have learned to trust them.

Chiweenies have an energetic streak and love playing with their toys, but they are also laid back and are pretty happy burrowing up beside you or lying in your lap for a snuggle, making them the perfect lap dog.

Due to their size and loving nature, they also make perfect  apartment companions for single-dog parents and small families with older children.

Chiweenies have delicate backs as a consequence of their length and fragile paws, which are traits of the dachshund, so they don't like to be handled roughly. Because of this, they tend not to be good with small children and, if injured accidentally, can show aggressiveness by biting to communicate that they have been hurt. 

Chiweenies may show signs of jealousy with other dogs in the home with displays of aggression through growling, snapping, pawing, or whining for your attention. Jealousy is natural when introducing a new puppy. Make sure each has its own space and toys, as dogs love to chew and possess their valuables. Give them attention simultaneously, and either will not feel loved more than the other. 

Early socializing with family, strangers, and other animals will limit any potential Cheweenie aggression and enable him to get along with other animals. Puppy classes are a great way to socialize; they include free play helping your puppy learn how to interact with others in the group.  Go for walks in the neighborhood and introduce your puppy to unfamiliar noises and other animals. 

Cheweenies respond with praise when training and tend to be stubborn, so early training is necessary.  If a treat is included, he will eventually learn to respond to praise alone. They are not super intelligent but are quick to learn and are known to switch off quickly and ignore you. Keep lessons enjoyable, and end the session if your dog is not enjoying himself.  

Energetic breeds may have some pent-up energy that needs to be released, and puppies have short attention spans. Your puppy will be more inclined to cooperate with your needs and concentrate better after exercise. If your puppy is not enjoying himself and is ignoring you, which Chiweenies can do, it would be a good idea to end the training session.

Be consistent with the rules and reward your dog as soon as it complies with your command. 

Chiweenies do not like being left alone for long periods in the house and may become destructive. When leaving the home, placing your Chiweenie in a closed crate with food and water is preferable as this tends to make them feel more secure.

Don’t let your Chiweenie develop a habit that you do not want.  Remember that almost all bad habits can be corrected following basic training. Try to understand the reason for the behavior. Is it boredom, excitement, or aggression? These reasons are obvious to a dog but not to us.  

Keep a diary of what and when the unwanted habit is being displayed, and it may become obvious to you why it is happening. If you cannot understand why your Chiweenie has developed these unwanted habits, it is best to seek professional help. 

To Conclude

To enjoy a calmer experience with your pet, it’s worth looking at ways you can socialize with your canine companion. Common ways to do this include puppy classes, walks around your neighborhood or discovering dog off-leash areas that are safely enclosed.

Chiweenies are fast learners. They have a stubborn streak and can switch off to their training if you let them.

The Chiweenie, as a cross breed dog is not eligible for registration with American Kennel Club but you can register with the International Designer Canine Registry and they are recognized by the American Canine Hybrid Club, The Designer Breed Registry and The Mixed Breed Dog Clubs of America.