This pup comes in many different shapes and appearances, but normally exhibits the behavioral characteristics of its purebred parents very well. They represent one of the smallest designer dogs ever bred, and are normally carried in purses. They adjust very well to apartment life. Many Chihuahua Terrier mix dogs tend to be reserved when meeting new people, and do not easily get along with other dogs, but these attributes normally depend on whether they have been socialised or not. They normally take personality and character traits from both the Chihuahua and their specific Terrier breed, which makes determining their temperament difficult without examining each of their different characteristics.
Chihuahuas
Chihuahuas get their names from their Mexican origins, and are noted as being some of the smallest pups in the dog world. They were first bred to be companions, and have now become one of the most sought after dogs worldwide. Chihuahuas can become a little feisty if disturbed or irritated, but are normally loving and kind hearted towards their owners, and although they are very small dogs, they have a bark that packs quite the punch.
Terriers
Terriers on the other hand come in a variety of shapes and sizes, and range from being as small toy dogs to being as big as the Airedale Terrier. Most Chihuahuas however are crossed with Rat Terriers, resulting in the same small demeanor but active personality. Rat Terriers were given their names because they were a working dog, chasing and getting rid of rats and vermins for their owners in the past. They are highly intelligent, smart and active, and make for an ideal pet to many. A combination of these two vibrant personalities in such a small dog create quite the character, but the Rat Terrier Chihuahua Mix is one of the most popular designer dogs because of this robust personality.
The Chihuahua Terrier Mix
With a Chihuahua Terrier hybrid, you may have an idea of what to expect, but you never fully know what kind of dog you’re gonna get, so here are some features that will make you more knowledgeable about the Chihuahua Terrier mixed dogs.
Rat Terrier Chihuahua Mix
Also called Rat-Chi’s and Rat-Cha’s, these dogs come in a variety of different colours, and may even be parti coloured and tricoloured more often than not. These colours include black, white, tan and brown, and are scattered over the body of the dog. Rat-Chi’s weigh between 12 – 25 pounds, and stand between 12 – 18 inches in height. Both their ears and coats vary depending on the dominant parental gene, ranging from floppy to erect and short-haired to long haired respectively.
Rat-Chi’s generally inherit the traits of both parents, and can be loud, rowdy and irritable, but all this can be adjusted through proper socialisation and training. Rat-Chi’s can normally be trained to exhibit only the best characteristics of their two parent breeds, resulting in a more sociable, calm and docile pup. They are very bright dogs, which makes training easier than normal, but they can become stubborn and easily irritable at times.
Jack Russell Terrier Chihuahua Mix
Referred to as the Jackchi or the Jackhuahua, this pup is known for its hunting instincts and happy go lucky personality. Jackchis normally stand taller and are more sturdier than Chihuahuas, ranging in height from 8 – 15 inches, and weighing on average between 5 – 20 pounds. These dogs are very energetic and playful, and enjoy running around in big open spaces. They love to please their owner, and enjoy activities that keep them mentally and physically engaged.
Though they are very active, they also love to snuggle up and spend time with their owners, making them lap dogs as well. Training a Jackchi may be difficult, as they tend to be very playful and active. They require patience and consistency in order to be trained and socialised properly. Jackchi’s live relatively healthy lives, with an average lifespan of 13 – 18 years, and they are normally very healthy pups. Because of their parenthood however, they are prone to certain congenital defects and diseases.
Boston Terrier Chihuahua Mix
This adorable little pet is also called the Boston Chihuahua, the Bo-Chi and the Boston Chi Party, and is suitable for both apartment living and big families. Most Bo-Chi’s tend to take their physical appearance from the Boston Terrier, and are normally muscular and stocky in shape. On average, they weigh about 10 and 13 pounds with a shiny short haired coat and small or nonexistent tail.
Bo-Chi’s are known for their stubbornness, but are actually very brilliant dogs that are relatively easy to train. Most tend to be sociable and friendly, and active socialisation will result in a very pleasurable companion. He requires daily exercise and enjoys long walks and playing, so ensure that he is in an environment where he can run around. Bo-Chi’s have an average lifespan of 15 years and have very little heath concerns, however routine checkups are necessary to keep your dog happy and healthy.
Maltese Chihuahua Mix
This is not a terrier mix, but an adorable dog breed nevertheless. Their small size makes them ideal for any purse adventure, but don’t be fooled, Malchis are very protective of their owners. These little hybrids are one of the most stubborn dogs, but with proper socialisation at an early age, they can become perfect little pets. Malchis are normally between 6 – 12 inches tall, and weigh anywhere from 7 – 11 pounds. Their long haired coats come in a variety of colours, and can be full white, or white with shades of brown or cream. They have either drooping or erect ears, based on the dominant parental gene, and tend to be thin in stature and built.
Their stubbornness makes them very difficult to train, especially if they are already grown, but training Malchi puppies may be a bit easier. They require lots and lots of training and socialisation at a young age, but once they go through this process, they’ll become some of the best companions to have around. Ear infections are the only major issue affecting this breed, and they normally live healthy lives with an average lifespan of 12 – 15 years.
The Chihuahua Terrier mix comes in a variety of different shapes, sizes and textures, but among this line of hybrids, you’re sure to find one that’s perfect for your home.
