The Chihuahua is famously known as the smallest dog in the canine world. Yet, despite its small size, it packs quite a lot of attitude and character. Mix it with a Rottweiler dog breed, and you have a small dog with even better-guarding instincts. What more do we know about the Rottweiler Chihuahua mix breed? Let’s take a look.
Today, we will provide a complete guide about the Chihuahua Rottweiler mix, talking about appearance, temperament and personality traits, training challenges, exercise needs, health issues, and everything in between. Hopefully, in the end, you can make an educated decision whether this puppy is the right one for you.
Meet The Breed
Sometimes, people refer to this Rottweiler mix Chihuahua puppy as the Chiweiler. But hey, almost every Chihuahua mix has its personal name. It is not a purebred dog. This mixed breed inherits some of the best personality traits and attributes from the parent breeds.
We have to say, mixing two dog breeds always brings up some uncertainties. But that is why we will take a look at the parent breeds as well.
There are always interesting outcomes. What color will the dog be? How big will it be? How much of each parent do they inherit?
With a Rottweiler Chihuahua mix, anything is possible. Now, because of the difference in size, it is almost impossible for these two to mate together. Usually, when we talk about a Chiweiler, it is a dog that was born thanks to in vitro fertilization. You cannot expect a small Chihuahua to mate with a large dog like Rottweiler, right?
Meet The Parents
Rottweiler
As we said before, this mixed breed is a unique one. On one side, you have the powerful, mighty, muscular, large dog breed, Rottweiler. And on the other, the smallest dog in the world.
First, we have to look at the bigger parent breed, right? You might be wondering how the big Rottweiler can mate with a Chihuahua. Well, it is all about IVF. But what are some personality traits of a Rottweiler puppy? Does the Chihuahua mix inherit them? Yes, some of them for sure.
To know what you can expect, we have to look at the common personality traits of a Rottie first. These traits make the Rottweiler a perfect guard dog. He still retains some of the traits that made him an ideal working dog back in the day.
- Incredibly loyal and devoted canine that forms an unbreakable bond with its family and owners
- Protective, these dogs have a natural instinct to protect their territory, loved ones, and everyone in between
- They have a strong sense of territoriality
- Confident and self-assured, Rotties show a strong presence when they are around
- This might surprise you, but these are highly intelligent dogs, among the smartest in the canine world
- They have a calm, composed, and gentle nature, they are not hyperactive or excitable. Because of their calm nature, they make excellent family pets
- Tend to be reserved with strangers because of their guarding instincts
- Strong-willed, Rottweilers need constant and firm training to make them follow you. If you do not establish yourself as a strong and confident leader, these dogs might try to outsmart you
- Famous for their affectionate nature towards the family
Chihuahua
We often say that there might be individual variations in any breed. But when it comes to a Chihuahua, things are often the same with all dogs. This small breed is famous for its spirited personality.
Chihuahuas are happy, excited, and courageous dogs that pack an immense amount of character in their small body.
If you thought a small Chihuahua would back down from something, think again. These dogs come in different shapes and sizes, but the general personality traits remain the same. Let’s take a look.
- One of the most vocal breeds, Chihuahuas bark at anything that moves and everyone that moves
- Always on alert, they are quick to notice the smallest changes in their environment
- Chihuahuas have a lively and energetic personality
- They enjoy playing games and participating in activities that keep them physically and mentally stimulated
- They are protective, and despite their small size, Chihuahuas have a strong protective instinct
- Usually, they form an inseparable bond with one member of the family, but they are affectionate to the whole family
- Independent, they are self-reliant and enjoy some alone time. But they also love to cuddle and sit on your lap
- They possess a confident demeanor, and when they are outside, they exhibit their self-assured nature
Appearance
As we said before, it is not easy to guess what a dog will look like when you have two parents on the opposite side of the spectrum. On one side, you have a big dog like the Rottweiler dog breed. And on the other, one of the smallest, if not the smallest dog in the canine world.
Your Rottweiler Chihuahua mix will have genes of both parent breeds, including those for physical growth. It is impossible to guess how big the puppy will grow. Yes, you can guess once it is born by the size of the paws.
But before that, it is almost impossible. Now, logic says it will fall somewhere in the middle between the two parents. In most cases, the Chihuahua Rottweiler mix is a small to medium size bred. The huge physique of the Rottweiler parent cancels out the nimbleness of the Chihuahua.
Yet, it is not uncommon for the puppy to grow as little as the Chihuahua. Here is something to keep in the back of your head. Mature Chihuahuas grow between 6 and 9 inches and weigh between 3 and 7 lbs. Mature Rottweiler, on the other hand, grows between 22 and 27 inches and measures between 80 and 130 lbs. As for facial features, these puppies inherit some parts of both parents.
You might get a Miniature Rottweiler in a way. Remember, Rotties have boxy facial features, while Chihuahuas have sharp facial features. There is no breed standard set by the American Kennel Club.
Now let’s talk about the coat. Both parents have short coats. Yes, there are long-haired Chihuahuas as well, but they are less common in the canine world.
Even if you have a long-haired Chihuahua parent, the offspring might have a short and smooth coat. In some rare cases, this mixed breed dog will be a fluffy puppy.
Temperament
The first thing most people ask when they think of Rottweiler Chihuahua mix puppy is whether these dogs are aggressive. Remember, Chihuahuas can be quite vocal, they bark at anything, and look like they are going to take on any dog. And then when you give them a bit more size due to Rottweiler genes, it might be a scary thought.
But this is not a type of aggression that will turn your puppy into a fighting dog. It is a type of aggression that makes the canine guard its territory. Remember, both parents have strong protective and guarding instincts. It is normal for them to guard their territory. After all, they were bred for that. Socialization can help a lot here. But more on training later on.
The Rottweiler mix Chihuahua puppy no longer suffers from the small dog syndrome, but it still has a big dog attitude. They are still courageous, brave, and confident. They will be gentler and calmer than a purebred Chihuahua, but still not as calm as the Rottie.
They do keep their barking tendencies. But because of the Rottweiler genes, they will be more on the quieter side.
This puppy is quite unpredictable, especially given the size difference. The temperament of both canines is similar. But that happens when you get the big dog attitude of the Chihuahua into a large body?
These dogs are extremely affectionate with their family, devoted, and loyal. But outside, that is where the challenges arise.
Training
The Rottweiler is one of the easiest dogs to train because of its purpose. Bred to be a working dog, the Rottweiler is eager to please and smart enough to pick up cues and commands easily.
But the challenge is the stubborn streak of the Chihuahua. This makes this puppy a bit more challenging. They still love to work and train with their owner. That inseparable bond is what helps.
The trick is to find out what motivates your puppy to train and work. Chihuahuas are more food-driven, while Rotties are toy-driven. No matter the motivation, use positive reinforcement to make this puppy an ideal family member.
Exercise Needs
When it comes to exercise needs, you have to remember that Chihuahuas can run and play all day long. Rotties are calmer and do not need as much exercise.
The offspring of these parents need between 45 and 60 minutes of physical exercise per day. But even more important, they need some mental stimulation and interactive games to keep their mind sharp.
Health Issues
This might surprise you, but the Rottweiler dog breed is among the shortest-living dogs. They are at risk of many health issues, including cancer and hip dysplasia. On the other hand, Chihuahuas live a long and prosperous life.
This is why the Chihuahua is a popular option for crossbreeding. They have some of the healthiest genes in the canine world.
So, while a purebred Rottie will live between 6 and 8 years, a Chihuahua lives between 14 and 18 years. Mixed breed dogs are generally healthier than purebred, so this Rottie mix will live between 10 and 12 years at least.
Some of the health risks include patellar luxation, Von Willebrand disease, hip dysplasia, hypothyroidism, and more.
Grooming
Grooming should be relatively easy. After all, in most cases, these puppies have a short coat. And even if you have a long-haired mix, you shouldn’t brush it more than once per week.
Do not bathe your dog more than once every six months. That short coat is sensitive, and bathing it too often might cause some irritation and sensitivity.
Price
Chihuahuas are some of the cheaper dogs around. Now, Rotties might go as high as $10,000. Especially if you have one with amazing genetics. You might not know this, but Rottweilers are among the most expensive dog breeds.
This mixed dog, however, is not that expensive. Yes, it is healthier than a purebred Rottweiler, but still, the price is between $400 and $600 in most cases.
Why Shouldn’t You Get One?
- Risking a Chihuahua attitude in a large body is a challenge
- These dogs can be quite vocal and bark at anything
- There is no way to predict the size, and this mix is not as suitable for an apartment like a purebred Chihuahua
Why Should You Get One?
- Healthier than purebred Rottweiler
- Has a calmer nature than purebred Chihuahua
- Relatively easy to groom
