Rare and unique, the Chihuahua Doberman mix comprises two unlikely parent breeds. The result is a dog that is sure to raise eyebrows and become the perfect conversation starter.
This breed mixes the strong and athletic Doberman Pinscher with the tiny and – sometimes – ferocious Chihuahua. The result is a dog with an aggressive appearance and a dominant temperament.
This complete guide to the Chihuahua Doberman Mix will cover everything you need to know about this fantastic hybrid, including exercise requirements, how well they deal with kids and everything in between.
Before we get started, however, let’s figure out if this mix is right for you in the first place.
Reasons Why You Shouldn’t Get A Chihuahua Doberman Mix
The Chihuahua Doberman mix has many similarities to its parent breeds. This means it’s a dog breed that is clingy, loud, and aggressive towards strangers. Notably, this means a lot of barking as they fear confrontation – a trait passed on from their Chihuahua origins.
Although the Chihuahua Doberman mix is not a hypoallergenic breed, their fur is a potent allergen that can cause allergic reactions. Likewise, they shed quite a bit, and you shouldn’t be surprised to find a little fur falling off daily.
Chihuahua Doberman mix also has the potential to be quite expensive. Colors such as black, brown, or self-colored will typically be much more costly than others. You should also expect to pay a little extra if you want a healthy pup.
Reasons Why You Should Get A Chihuahua Doberman Mix
A Chihuahua Doberman mixed breed isn’t for everyone. However, when this breed is for you, you are in for a treat. As this is a very clingy breed, you can expect your new friends to be loyal and trusting companions once they warm up to you.
This is also a very easy breed to train. You can expect this puppy to do whatever you tell them with proper encouragement like treats or petting. Although not an excellent guard dog, their loud barking can serve as an early warning in the case of strangers.
The Chihuahua Doberman mix can vary quite vastly in size. Usually, it will be slightly taller than its Chihuahua parent or somewhat shorter than its Pinscher mother. Like height, their weight can be as little as 6 lbs to a whopping 60 lbs.
Appearance, Personality, Coat and colors, lifespan, and Traits of A Chihuahua Doberman Mix
Like most dogs, each individual is unique. Usually, however, you can expect a few common traits:
- Appearance – Most dogs of this mix will have a straight face, perky ears, and a long muzzle with a brown or black nose.
- Coat Color – The most common colors are:
- Cream
- Black
- Brown
- Fawn
- A combination of any of the above
- Lifespan – can vary widely, with proper healthcare playing a considerable role. This mix is prone to health issues like its counterpart, the Chipin. A well-cared-for puppy, however, can usually live between 10 to 12 years.
- Personality – Individual dogs can vary widely. A Chihuahua Doberman mix is, even more the case as it can inherit its character from either of its parents. In either case, you can expect a loyal and friendly friend who strongly distrusts strangers.
- Common Traits – With this breed, you can expect traits from both parent breeds to show up. As these are both aggressive breeds, you can expect a bossy, territorial, and protective dog. Without proper training and socialization, however, this can also lead to aggression.
Chihuahua Doberman Mix Puppies for Sale
Chihuahua Doberman mix is a rare breed, and finding a breeder or seller can be challenging. You may need to shop around and look in unlikely places. Online breeders, shelters, and rescue groups may all have this breed for sale.
Likewise, you can also expect the cost to be relatively high. Prices as high as $600 to $1000 are standard and what you should expect. Depending on the breeder, you could even wish to pay even more. The price is more than worth it, however, as you get an excellent companion in return for your hard-earned money.
More importantly, however, it’s a good idea to shop around and ensure that you only deal with respectable sellers. In some cases, it may be better to adopt or buy an adult Chihuahua Doberman mix rather than a puppy.
Grooming Your Chihuahua Doberman Mix
Chihuahua Doberman mix is easy to take care of when it comes to grooming. Their nails should be trimmed regularly – every two or three weeks. They should be brushed at least twice a week and have their teeth cleaned daily.
Unlike some other breeds, the Chihuahua Doberman has short hair and does not need to cut its hair. Although they may not like it much, this mix should also be bathed monthly. Likewise, they should have an ear cleaning done once a month too.
Chihuahua Doberman Mix Health Problems
Although most mixed dogs are healthier than average, that doesn’t mean they can’t inherit some health problems from their parents. It’s a good idea to talk with your dog’s breeder as they will know any potential health problems based on their parents.
Like its counterpart, the Chipin, the Chihuahua Doberman mix is more prone to some illnesses than others. The most common ones include:
- Patellar Luxation – A dog-related condition in which the kneecap dislocates. As the patella protects the legs from shock, Patellar Luxation means your dog will be in a lot of pain when moving. This condition can also develop into arthritis later on.
- Spina Bifida – This occurs when the vertebrae of the fetus do not close properly, leading to the spinal cord becoming exposed. When the puppy is born, this will cause it to have problems with mobility. Chihuahua Doberman mixes are especially susceptible to this condition.
- Hip Dysplasia – This genetic condition causes pain and stiffness in the hips. It’s hereditary and will never go away. Thankfully, medications and surgeries can help to give your pup a better life.
- Color Dilution Alopecia – A severe problem occurs when recessive genes are inherited from either parent. This causes irritated skin and the loss of a lot of furs. Fawn-colored dogs are more at risk from this too.
- Heart Disease – As Dobermans are prone to heart disease, any dog with a Doberman parent will also be at risk for it. Shortness of breath, coughing, or rapid heartbeats are all signs that it’s time to go to the vet.
Chihuahua Doberman mixes can be at risk for other ailments too. That’s why having regular check-ups with a trusted vet is a good idea.
Chihuahua Doberman Mix Food Requirements
This breed of dog does not have any special requirements regarding food. Your Chihuahua Doberman pup will thrive as long as it’s high quality. It’s, however, a good idea not to overfeed as that could easily lead to obesity, which is not good.
Chihuahuas are especially prone to becoming obese, and keeping track of your dog’s weight is essential. This is even more, the case if it’s on the smaller side. Most smaller dogs can get by with around a cup of dog feed. Bigger dogs can do well with two cups. Rarely will a dog need to eat 3 cups to stay healthy?
When in doubt, it’s always a good idea to talk with your dog’s vet. Most respectable vets will be happy to give you advice when it comes to keeping your dog in healthy shape.
Chihuahua Doberman Mix Exercise Requirements
Like most dogs, a Chihuahua Doberman mix needs regular exercise to stay healthy. Most dogs can get by with around an hour of exercise every day. Proper care lets your little friend thrive and live a happy life.
Depending on the dog’s size, they may need a little more exercise than the norm. Some dogs may enjoy playing outdoors more than others and want to spend even more time outside. Others, however, maybe the opposite and need to be coaxed outside to keep them healthy.
Exercise is also essential in preventing heart disease and obesity. Not just that, exercise can do wonders for a dog’s state of mind and keep them from getting fed up with being trapped inside. Dogs that do not exercise regularly can quickly become frustrated and take that frustration out on the furniture.
Chihuahua Doberman Mix Training
Unlike many breeds, Chihuahuas and Dobermans are both dogs that can get quite rowdy if not properly trained and socialized. Having both as parents means that a Chihuahua Doberman mix is even more at risk of becoming a bad dog if not trained early on.
Luckily, this breed is an easy one to train. With the proper encouragement and a few treats, it’s easy to make a Chihuahua Doberman and do whatever you want. The critical part, however, is to start as early as possible. Like most dogs, this breed is best trained as a puppy.
Proper rewards, clear commands, and avoiding punishment are the key to getting your dog to learn. Obedience and socialization are essential traits to ingrain, and the faster you can start, the faster your dog can become a successful member of doggy society.
Chihuahua Doberman Mix and Families
Like its parent breeds, the Chihuahua Doberman does well with families of any size. They are pretty clingy, however. This means they may bond closely with one family member and become easily jealous of others.
Similarly, this clinginess also means they can quickly become stressed when left alone at home. It’s a good idea not to leave your pup at home for too long. Your furniture will thank you too. Over time, you can start to spend more time away as they get used to being alone.
However, the Chihuahua Doberman mix is loyal to its family. They can be pretty protective and quick to bark at strangers. Being a playful breed, they can also do quite well with kids and will have no trouble playing all day long.
Chihuahua Doberman Mix and other pets
Chihuahuas are a clingy breed that will quickly bond with its owner. The downside is that they will also quickly become jealous of other pets. When it comes to the Chihuahua Doberman mix, they are no different.
Because of this trait, it’s essential to socialize your dog as early as possible properly. The faster it can get used to being around other animals, the lower the chances of any problems showing up.
Luckily, Chihuahuas are also quite afraid of confrontation and prefer to bark aggressively when given a chance.
Is Chihuahua Doberman mix right for you?
The Chihuahua Doberman mix is a beautiful breed of dog. They are loyal, protective, and quite active. However, they are a rare mix, and owning one can be expensive.
They can also be at risk from a variety of illnesses and diseases. Regular visits to the vet will become quite normal when owning one.
Despite this, this breed of dog is a joy to own. They are easy to take care of, require only a moderate amount of exercise, and do not require much space, thanks to their small size. If you can get over the small list of negatives, you will find a dog that is as much a joy to own as it is to interact with.
Is the Chihuahua Doberman the right breed of dog for you? That depends. Do you want a dog that will stay by your side, bring a smile to your face and brighten up your day? If so, this dog may be your type.
