The Surprising But Beautiful Lab Chihuahua Mix

The Labrador Retriever and the Chihuahua are two very popular dogs. But not many people know that a Lab chihuahua mix exists.

A smaller female Labrador and a larger male Chihuahua can create the Labrahuahua. This lovely puppy has a small to medium size and a cute appearance resembling its parent breeds. It also has a variable temperament depending on the inherited genes. But there is more to know about this mixed breed.

• The Labrahuahua – History And Origin
• Appearance – An Unexpectedly Beautiful Breed
• Temperament – Clingy And Protective Dog
• Taking Care Of A Chihuahua Lab mix
• Getting A Labrahuahua

The Labrahuahua – History And Origin

This mixed breed is relatively new and doesn’t have a notable history. However, its parent breeds have a very long and interesting history.

The Labrador Retriever is a dog breed originating from Newfoundland, Canada. They became very popular around the early 19th century when they were used by fishermen and hunters to hunt fish and birds. The breed was officially accepted by the AKC in 1917 and is currently the most popular dog in the world.

The Chihuahua is a descendant of the Techichi dog described by the Toltecs in the 9th century C.E. The dog was later used by the Aztecs as a ritual dog. The modern Chihuahua history starts in Chihuahua, Mexico where it was found by the Americans and brought to the US. It was officially accepted by the AKC in 1904.

Appearance – An Unexpectedly Beautiful Breed

The appearance of the Labrador Retriever Chihuahua mix is hard to predict due to the difference between both parent breeds. The size difference of the two breeds is quite different making it confusing as to how this breed is made. Usually, a larger Chihuahua male and a smaller Lab female are involved, sometimes using artificial insemination.

This results in a dog that looks more like a Chihuahua or a Labrador respectively. It has an athletic build with a rounder head and triangular ears that can be eight upright or floppy. Its tail is long and thick like the Lab and its eyes are big and brown like the Chihuahua.

Size

Because its parents have very different sizes, the puppy ends up having a small to medium size, which is between both parents.

Chihuahuas are around 5-8 inches tall and up to 6 pounds heavy. Labradors are around 21.5-24.5 inches tall and 55-80 pounds heavy. 

The half Lab half Chihuahua will have a size in between these numbers. It is expected to be around 10-12 inches tall and 25-50 pounds heavy. 

Coat And Color

Labs have a short, double coat, while Chihuahuas have a smooth, short or medium sized coat. Their hybrid puppy can vary, even between puppies in the same litter. Typically, it will have a thick coat with a short to medium length. It will be straight and smooth with a bit more feathering around its ears and neck.

The color of the coat will also be very variable. It can have white, yellow, black, chocolate, blue, cream, and red color. A tricolor variation or different colored spots around the body are also possible.

Temperament – Clingy And Protective Dog

The temperament of the Retriever Chihuahua mix will be variable and consist of traits inherited from both parents. This crossbreed is known to be very clingy and needy of attention. It is great for families that can afford to spend more time with their dogs. If it stays alone for too long, it may develop separation anxiety.

This dog is very energetic and needs to be physically and mentally stimulated during the day. If it gets to spend its energy, it will be calm and ask to cuddle with its owner.

Chihuahuas tend to be aggressive and may transfer this trait to their mixed pup. Luckily, Labs are not aggressive dogs and will transfer their friendly traits to the pup as well. This will result in a puppy that is suspicious and barky at first, but very friendly after it meets a new person.

Taking Care Of A Chihuahua Lab mix

This mixed breed will have similar requirements to the ones its parent breeds have. But there may be some differences.

Health And Lifespan

The lifespan of this breed is averaged around 10-15 years. They are generally healthy dogs but they can inherit some health issues from their parent breeds.

• Eye problems – A common eye problem in these dogs is entropion. This eye disease causes the eyelids to roll inward and irritate the eye causing excessive tearing and pain. Other common eye problems include progressive retinal atrophy and cataracts.
• Heart problems – Cardiomyopathy is this hybrid breed’s most common heart problem. It causes breathing problems, weakness, weight loss, and fainting among other symptoms. Another common health problem is mitral valve disease.
• Patellar luxation – A luxating patella, or a dislocated kneecap, is a condition where the kneecap pops out of place. The owner of the dog will notice it skipping or running on three legs, before getting back to its normal gait.

Food

The average Chihuahua Yellow Lab mix will need around 1 and a half to 2 and a half cups of dog food every day. Labradors are known for their chewing, so their mixed descendent might show this behavior when hungry. This dog is also prone to overfeeding, so you should be careful of the food you give. 

Be sure to give only high-quality dog food to the dog. It should contain a lot of protein, vitamins, minerals, antioxidants, and healthy fatty acids. It should exclude unneeded carbs and artificial ingredients. You should also choose food from a more popular and trusted company.

Grooming

Taking care of the coat of this mixed breed dog is not hard. It will need to be brushed once a week to keep the skin and coat healthy and clean. The dog should be bathed once a month. If bathed too often, you risk overbathing the dog and ruining its skin and coat. You should also make sure to use a shampoo meant for dogs and avoid human shampoos.

Chihuahua Lab puppies will also need their ears checked and cleaned regularly due to them being floppy. Their teeth should be cleaned at least 2-3 times a week. Their nails will need trimming every 2 weeks – 1 month.

Exercise And Training

Because both of its parent breeds have a high energy level, this mixed puppy will also be high-energy. On average, it will need around 1 hour of exercise every day. You can split this exercise into two sessions in the day. Take it for a walk, go jogging or hiking, or play some games to spend the energy. Labradors are great swimmers, so its mixed puppy will also enjoy the activity.

Training this pup will be unpredictable. It is a very intelligent dog but it is also stubborn so training will require persistence. Obedience training and socialization should start from a young age. Using positive reinforcement works wonders.

Getting A Labrahuahua

Finding a mixed breed is not always easy as it is not a common breed. But there are some breeders and shelters that might have one for you.

Where To Buy One

The price of this mixed breed will range around $1000 or more. The price is higher due to the fact that artificial insemination is needed to create this pup. Another thing that can make the price higher is the achievements of the parent breeds. 

If they are award-winning dogs, their puppy will be more expensive. The color of the puppy will also affect the price. A yellow Labrahuahua is usually more expensive compared to the other colors. The breeder you choose should give you all the information you need about the breed.

There are no specific breeders for these dogs, but you can ask some breeders of Chihuahuas or Labradors. We recommend the Terlingua Chihuahuas or the Firewater Labradors.

Where To Adopt One

Another option to get this mix is to search for it in rescue shelters. It is also a much cheaper option compared to buying one. 

The dogs in the shelters need a home and will be happy if you could provide one for them. They might not be puppies and need more attention at first, but you will still end up with a loyal friend. If you can not find this exact mix, you might find some other that you will fall in love with. Your best option would be to find shelters for Chihuahua and Labrador dogs.

Some shelters we would recommend are the Chihuahua Rescue and Transport and the Labrador Retriever Rescue.

Did You Like The Lab Chihuahua Mix?

The mixed breed from the Labrador Retriever and the Chihuahua is an interesting dog called a Labrahuahua. This is a relatively new and uncommon hybrid breed.

It is a small to medium sized dog with a strong build and an appearance that is a mix of its parent breeds. Its coat is also variable as it can be shorter or longer with a higher or lower shedding level.

The personality of this breed is a variable mix of the two parent breeds. It ends up with an affectionate but very needy dog that can’t stay alone for long. It is intelligent but also very stubborn and friendly but also very suspicious and protective.

Either way, this is a great and healthy mix that will fit any family. Even if it is not that easy to find, some breeders and shelters might have one just for you.

FAQ

How much does a Labrahuahua shed?

The shedding of this mix depends on the coat it inherits. You can expect it to be a moderately shedding dog throughout the whole year. A Chihuahua Black Lab mix might shed more than its lighter coat counterparts.

Can a Lab mate with a Chihuahua?

Due to their size difference, these two breeds can not breed naturally. Artificial insemination is used using material from a male Chihuahua and a female Lab. A larger Chihuahua and a smaller Lab have a chance of natural breeding though.

Is the Lab Chihuahua mix high maintenance?

This mixed dog is considered a relatively high-maintenance breed. It doesn’t require too much maintenance for its coat, however, it needs a lot of exercise and attention during the day.