The Chihuahua Great Dane mix

Chihuahua Great Dane Mix: Important Facts And Tips To Know

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In recent years, more and more designer dogs have been created. Some of them are very peculiar mixes that might seem impossible. Such is the Chihuahua Great Dane mix.

The mix between the Chihuahua and the Great Dane is sometimes called the Chi-Dane-Dane. This seemingly impossible mix is larger than the Chihuahua but smaller than the Great Dane. And it has some very interesting characteristics.

The History Of The Chihuahua Great Dane Mix

Because this is a designer breed, there isn’t much information on its history. But its parent breeds have a long and interesting history.

The Chihuahua is an ancient dog mentioned by the Toltecs in the 9th century C.E. It was a dog used by the Aztecs as a ritual dog. Modern Chihuahuas come from Chihuahua, Mexico, where they were discovered by Americans and brought to the US. This breed was officially accepted by the AKC in 1904.

The Great Dane is a giant dog that originates from Germany. It was created around 400 years ago by German nobility. Its job was to protect their homes and hunt wild boar. Germans called this dog “Deutsche Dogge” meaning German Mastiff. It was officially accepted by the AKC in 1887.

How To Breed These Two Dogs?

Because the Chihuahua and Great Dane have such a big difference in their size, breeding these two dogs is impossible to do naturally. This can only be done artificially by a process called artificial insemination.

The first tests with breeding these dogs were done with a male Great Dane and a female Chihuahua. This ended disastrously as the small Chihuahua could not carry the large puppy to full term. Then, delivering by c-section was attempted, but the small puppy died shortly after birth.

After this, a breeding of a female Great Dane and a male Chihuahua was attempted by artificial insemination. Natural breeding of these dogs can be done with human help, but it isn’t ethical. A female Great Dane can carry and give birth to this mix. One problem is that the small puppies might not be able to fit on their mother’s breasts.

This practice is also used in purebred dogs that have problems mating. For example, Frenchies can not have sex naturally, so they require this procedure to create offspring.

Either way, because there are so many problems with breeding these dogs, many breeders object to the practice.

Appearance – A Variable-Looking Dog

The appearance of the Chihuahua Dane Mix will vary greatly depending on the inherited genes from the parent breeds. Usually, you will get a puppy that looks like a small Great Dane, or a big Chihuahua.

These mixed puppies are described to have long bodies and short legs. They have straight and pointy years, and a head shape resembling a Great Dane.

Dog Size Comparison

Chihuahuas can grow up to 5-8 inches in height, and less than 6 pounds in weight. Compared to them, Great Danes are around 28-32 inches tall and 110-175 pounds heavy. The Great Dane Chihuahua Hybrid will be larger than a Chihuahua, but smaller than a Great Dane. It can be described as a medium-sized dog breed.

Coat And Color

Great Danes have short and smooth coats, while Chihuahua coats can be small or medium-sized, but also smooth. So you can expect their puppy to have a shorter smooth coat as well.

These hybrid dogs can come in a huge variety of colors thanks to the parent breeds. You can see these dogs in black, chocolate, cream, fawn, red, blue, brindle, fawn, white, silver, and many other colors. These colors can be mixed with many different colored markings. Some common coat colors of these dogs include cream & white, and harlequin coats.

Temperament – A Gentle But Fierce Dog

Great Danes are known as gentle giants, while Chihuahuas are known for their fierce attitude referred to as small dog syndrome. So the Great Dane Chihuahua crossbreed will have a variable temperament. It will be a loyal and affectionate dog, but will often have periods where it will act feisty and stubborn.

These dogs are very playful and energetic. They need owners who like to stay active throughout the day. If the dog stays home for too long, it will become frustrated and destructive. These dogs will also be very protective and vigilant, often barking at strangers at the door. That makes them excellent guard dogs and watchdogs. Socialization is also important to do early on.

Taking Care Of A Great Dane And Chihuahua Mix

If you want to have one of these puppies for yourself, you need to know how to care for it properly. Giving it regular grooming and coat care, exercise, training, and proper nutrition are crucial in keeping the pet happy and healthy.

Lifespan And Health

The life expectancy of the Great Chi Dane will vary depending on the lifespan expectancy of its parents. Great Danes have a short lifespan of 7-10 years, while Chihuahuas live around 14-16 years. This mixed puppy will live anywhere between these two dogs, but it might also depend on its size. Usually, larger dogs live shorter than smaller dogs. There are some health issues common in these dogs.

  • Patellar Luxation – This is a musculoskeletal disease common in Chihuahuas. It happens when the kneecap dislocates leading to problems with walking in the dog. It might limp on its leg for a while before getting better suddenly. If not treated, it will lead to arthritis.
  • Bloat – This disease is also known as Gastric Dilatation Volvulus (GDV) and is considered the number-one killer of Danes. It happens when the stomach fills with gas and starts twisting upon itself. The dog will feel strong abdominal pain, vomiting, and constipation.
  • Heart Conditions – Both parent breeds are predisposed to heart disease. One common heart disease in dogs is mitral valve disease. This happens when the mitral valve starts dysfunctioning and eventually leads to signs of heart failure.

Nutrition Requirements

The amount of food you give your Chihuahua Great Dane cross will depend on its size and activity level. Usually, these dogs end up medium-sized, so the average is 2-2.5 cups of dog food daily. It’s better to consult with your vet about how much food your dog needs.

Make sure to always choose dog food from a reliable dog company. Companies like Pedigree and Purina offer many types of dog food. The food you choose should be rich in protein, vitamins, minerals, antioxidants, and healthy fatty acids. It should also be low in carbs and artificial ingredients.

For better nutrition, supplements should also be included in the diet. Things like fish oil supplements, chondroitin, and glucosamine are great to keep your dog healthy.

Grooming

The Chihuadane has a short and smooth coat, that might shed a lot, or not, depending on the inherited genes. Either way, you can expect to brush this dog’s fur at least twice a week to keep it clean. If it sheds more, you will need to increase this to more times during the week.

Bathing this dog will also be important and should be done once every month. Make sure you use a shampoo made for dogs as human shampoos can damage its coat and skin. Dogs should also get their nails trimmed and their ears cleaned regularly. They also need to get their teeth brushed daily to prevent any dental disease.

Exercise And Training

The Chidane is usually a high-energy dog that needs a lot of exercises to stay happy. On average, you should let the dog exercise for around 1-1.5 hours every day. This should be split into more sessions during the morning and evening. You can take the dog for a walk around the dog park, or take it running or hiking. You can also play some games like fetch to stay active.

These dogs are quite intelligent and will need enough mental stimulation to spend their mental energy. Training them will be good due to their intelligence, but they will also have stubborn streaks that will make it hard. These dogs need a persistent owner that knows how to use obedience training and positive reinforcement.

Getting Great Dane Chihuahua Mix Puppies 

If you like how these dogs sound and are thinking of buying one for yourself, you can get it by buying from a breeder or adopting it from a rescue shelter.

Where To Buy One

Getting one of these dogs for yourself will not be easy. Many breeders do not agree with breeding these dogs as there is a high likelihood of the puppies dying. Also, artificial insemination is expensive and makes the price much higher.

Usually, designer breeds go for around $1500. If the parents of the puppy are award-winning dogs, they might cost a bit more. Make sure you avoid puppy mills, as they only breed puppies for money. Your breeder should be reliable and give you all information you need about the dog. Because you won’t find breeders for these puppies specifically, you need to find ones for the parent breeds.

Where To Adopt One

If you want to get a Chihudane for yourself, you can also research some rescue shelters for this pup. Animal rescue shelters have all kinds of dogs, and sometimes these are mixed dogs without a home.

You might not always find a young puppy as the dogs in the shelters can be older. But there may be other interesting mixes like the half Chihuahua half Lab. Dogs at rescue shelters also cost much less than buying them from a breeder. Because there are no specific shelters for these dogs, you should find shelters specializing in the parent breeds.

Final Thoughts About The Chihuahua Great Dane Mix

Mixing a Chihuahua and a Great Dane is not something many people seem possible. But there are some breeders that managed to do this by a process called artificial insemination. That said, many breeders object to this practice as they deem it inhumane.

This interesting hybrid dog will look more like one or the other parent. It will usually be a medium-sized dog with a long body and shorter legs. The coat of this mix is smooth and short, and it comes in a variety of colors.

These designer dogs are loyal and loving, yet they can become fierce when they face a stranger. They are energetic and intelligent and have high training and exercise needs. Getting this dog will be hard, but you can search for some breeders or consider adoption.

FAQ

Are Chihuahua mixes good dogs?

Chihuahua mixes make for great lap dogs. For best results, they should be mixed with other small dog breeds. Such a dog is the Malchi, a mix between a Chihuahua and a Maltese.

Are Great Dane Chihuahua Mixes Hypoallergenic?

No, the Chihuahua Great Dane mix is not hypoallergenic. The Chihuahua parent is a low-shedding dog, however, Great Danes tend to shed a lot. Due to this, their puppy will also shed a lot.

Is There A Miniature Great Dane?

There are Mini Great Danes that can be created by breeding a Great Dane with dwarfism, or by mixing it with a smaller dog. These “Mini” dogs are not actually small, but they are smaller than the Standard Great Dane.

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