Information about the German Shepherd Chihuahua Mix with Pictures
What happens when we cross the devoted and massive dogs with the world’s tiniest dog? What happens when you combine the huge and abrasive with the petite and feisty?
There are no two canine breeds that are more unlike the German Shepherd and the Chihuahua.
Some of these German Shepherd Chihuahua Mix puppies will be lovely, obedient, and affectionate. While other puppies will be an emotional disaster and wary of anybody besides their masters.
We’ll attempt to address these and other concerns in our in-depth look at the German Shepherd Chihuahua Mix.
How to Tell Whether your Dog is a German Shepherd Chihuahua Mix?
The appearance of your German Shepherd Chihuahua hybrid puppy is completely unpredictable, although it will be somewhere in between the German Shepherd and Chihuahua breeds.
This dog’s ears are huge and straight, and its body is robust and proportionate to its height. The head is not very huge and is shaped like an apple. The eyes are tiny but noticeable, always black in tone.
Legs will be long and robust. The tail will be medium in length, curling slightly upward near the end.
German Shepherd Chihuahua Mix: Appearance
Due to the uncertain nature of mixed breeds, their appearances might vary significantly.
Adult size can vary considerably — it will almost surely be smaller than a typical German Shepherd, but unquestionably larger than a Chihuahua.
It will most likely have a more normal German Shepherd coat, which is brown in hue. However, given the unpredictable nature of hybrid breeds, other outlines and coat colours are possible.
The German Shepherd Chihuahua mix’s hair will most likely be shorter and shed less than a purebred, although this too might vary. Fur length will vary depending on the parent of the Chihuahua.
This area may eventually vanish, and the head will gradually become to resemble a conventional Shepherd’s head.
What Is the Temperament of the German Shepherd Chihuahua Mix?
These dogs should be well-behaved. German Shepherds are recognized for their territorial nature, intense loyalty, and tremendous energy, but Chihuahuas are known for their devotion, vitality, alertness, courage, and aggression!
In the ideal world, the mixed breed will be attentive, clever, and devoted, making it an ideal family companion.
At worst, the German Shepherd Chihuahua mix can be excessively territorial, loud, and aggressive. As a result, it may be inappropriate for youngsters — continual training and socialization are recommended for these dogs.
Additionally, the adopting family must conduct due diligence on the parent dogs to ensure they are friendly and healthy.
This proclivity for violence can also be mitigated via early socialization. The German Shepherd Chihuahua Mix can be either cooperative or quite independent – it is up to you as the owner to teach your dog what actions are appropriate.
Extend Your German Shepherd Chihuahua Mix’s Exercises
The German Shepherd Chihuahua mix demands plenty of exercises. These dogs thrive on interaction with their humans, particularly during activities like treks and lengthy walks.
As a result, schedule a couple of moderate-length walks every day. Schedule an outside playtime as well, if feasible. To ensure that they get the necessary exercise, a large fenced yard can be much better.
However, do not stop there! This combination does not work well if left alone for long periods of time.
When a person is left alone for an extended time, detrimental behaviours might emerge. They want to be as close to their human counterparts as possible.
Diet of German Shepherd Chihuahua Mix
Chihuahuas are prone to obesity, therefore limit treat frequency and pick slimmer goodies.
Feed these mixed breed dogs appropriate dog food for their age. There are puppy, junior, adult, and senior formulations available that provide all the necessary nutrients for your dog. Consult your veterinarian if in doubt.
Avoid giving your dog chocolate, onions, garlic, grapes, and apple seeds, as well as anything else you are unsure about.
Adopting a German Shepherd and Chihuahua Mix
Again, considering the breed’s rarity, it will be difficult to locate a rescue dedicated only to this crossbreed.
The best course of action is to contact a local German Shepherd or Chihuahua rescue group. Additionally, you might examine your area shelters, bearing in mind the appearance of this blend, in order to discover one.
How To Train Your German Shepherd Chihuahua Mix?
Early training of your German Shepherd Chihuahua Mix is critical. While this breed is capable of cooperation, both breeds may be quite obstinate.
The Chihuahua Mix is a clever dog that is relatively easy to teach and is capable of picking up on a variety of instructions.
Potty training can be challenging for smaller German Shepherd Chihuahua Mix breeds. Because smaller dogs have smaller bladders, they will need to urinate more frequently.
As a result, training may be rather challenging, and we recommend beginning crate training as soon as possible.
Because the breed might be suspicious of strangers and large groups of people, it will be critical to socialize them early on.
Numerous Health Issues
Dysplasia of the Hip
This is a frequently occurring ailment in German Shepherds, so keep an eye out for it in your mixed breed.
Hip dysplasia occurs when your dog’s hip bone does not fit properly into the socket, which is one of the reasons you should avoid vigorous exercise, particularly throughout your dog’s development.
If your dog begins to exhibit indications of pain or limps, take him to the veterinarian.
Dysplasia of the Elbow
Similar to hip dysplasia, elbow dysplasia occurs when the elbow joint does not fit properly into the socket, resulting in discomfort and irritation. Take your dog to the veterinarian for x-rays if you notice any of these symptoms.
Luxation of the Patella
Patellar luxation, which is common in German Shepherd Chihuahua Mix, happens when the kneecap dislocates. This is more common in smaller and older canines. Consult your veterinarian if you notice any indications of discomfort or difficulty walking.
Obesity
German Shepherd Chihuahua Mix is prone to obesity, which exacerbates hip and elbow dysplasia.
Never feed your dog more than twice a day, including treats; never free-feed.
Congenital Cardiomyopathy
Puppies born with a congenital heart defect suffer from a serious condition. Any reputable breeder will properly check their parent dogs to eliminate concerns like these.
Hydrocephalus
This condition, which is more prevalent in tiny breeds, refers to the accumulation of cerebral fluid in the brain. This may result in brain damage or death. If the condition is modest, it can be cured.
Hydrocephalus can manifest itself in a variety of ways, including a domed skull, difficulties learning, dementia, lack of coordination, blindness, seizures, delayed development, and comas. Due to the severity of these symptoms, they should never be ignored.
Epilepsy
This is the most often seen neurological condition in dogs, and therapy is determined by the diagnosis and severity. As with people, dogs experiencing epileptic seizures will convulse.
If you believe your dog is having siezures, keep track of which body parts were affected, when they occurred, how frequently they occurred, and how long they lasted. This will assist your veterinarian in diagnosing the problem.
Conclusion
These canines are not suited for first-time dog owners because of their high training requirements and tendency to be obstinate. They require a tough, experienced handler to extract the most performance from the crossbreed.
As previously said, these dogs may be obstinate, and potty-training challenges are frequently encountered. Additionally, they are suspicious of strangers and are not suitable for kids.
Having said that, this breed is obedient when handled properly. They are extremely loyal, inquisitive, and intelligent.
FAQs
How big will a Chihuahua German Shepherd Mix get?
These are normally small-to-medium-sized dogs. A German Shepherd and Chihuahua Mix can stand between 7 and 45 inches at the shoulder.
Males, like the majority of canines, will be bigger than females. These pups, like their Chihuahua parents, are excellent apartment dogs, but you must offer plenty of exercises if this is the case.
How much does Chihuahua German Shepherd Mix puppy cost?
This is a difficult question to answer because there are very few breeders who specialize in Chihuahua German Shepherd Mix puppy. To be honest, you’re more likely to come across these canines at a shelter, rescue organization, or adoption agency.
However, this does not imply they should not receive the same level of affection and care as breeder dogs. Indeed, a shelter rescue dog may prove to be more devoted and caring than a purebred or designer dog.