The Chihuahua Terrier Mix has many faces, comes in different shapes and sizes and each mix has a different personality.
Chihuahuas are small, affectionate, proud, and loveable. They may lack size but make up for it with their personality. Terriers are feisty, eager to be heard, and determined to make you work for their love! They can be a little bit stubborn and have high energy levels.
The Chihuahua Terrier Mix will have many layers to their personality, which will make you love them even more.
TABLE OF CONTENTS
What is a Chihuahua Terrier Mix?
A Chihuahua Terrier Mix is a Chihuahua that has been mixed with a Terrier.
What kind of Terrier? There’s plenty of options, however, the most popular Terrier breeds that are crossed with Chihuahuas are:
- Rat Terriers
- Jack Russell Terriers
- Fox Terriers
- Yorkshire Terriers
- Bull Terriers
Make sure you familiarize yourself with these terriers, as each of them have different traits and personalities, which may or may not suit you.
The Chihuahua is recognized by the American Kennel Club, and so are 31 different Terrier breeds!
Chihuahua Terrier Mix Appearance
As the Terrier parent breed can vary, the appearance of this mix is a lottery!
There is no standard size, color or coat for this mix, but if you are looking for a small and adorable dog then look no further.
This mix can look more like a Chihuahua or more like the Terrier breed, or a bit of both.
Height and Weight
Chihuahuas are known for being the one of the smallest dog breeds in the world, so it’s a given this mix will be small.
Their weight will depend mainly on the Terrier breed used for this mix. The smallest mix is the Yorkshire Terrier mix at 7lbs and the largest is the Bull Terrier mix at 15lbs.
In terms of their size you can expect them to grow anywhere between 10-25 inches.
Colors and Coat
Colors of this mix can vary, depending on the parents and what breed the Terrier is. This mix can be anything from black, brown, white, tan, chocolate to even a bi-color.
Their coat is dependent on the parent breeds coat type. Chihuahuas have either a short or long coat and Terriers can have a mixture:
- The Yorkshire Terrier has a double coat.
- The Fox Terrier has a wire-haired coat.
- The Rat Terrier has a short a smooth coat.
- The Jack Russell Terrier has a short coarse coat.
- The Bull Terrier has a short smooth coat.
Chihuahua Terrier Mix Personality and Temperament
Just like their appearance, there is no way to predict your dog’s personality. It all depends on what Terrier breed your Chihuahua is mixed with.
We need to look at the different parent breed traits to get a good idea about what your Mix will be like.
One thing is certain though- the Chihuahua genes will have a major role in how your mix will behave. They are small, but boisterous. They are not shy and are very prone to yapping. Just like other smaller dogs, they can also be anxious and will need more attention than other dogs.
Let’s look at each mix:
- The Chihuahua Rat Terrier is a typical working dog, friendly and eager to please. The Rat Terrier was bred to hunt and kill rats, so the Chi Rat Terrier will have a strong prey drive and will love to chase things! They are very confident and are great with older kids.
- The Chihuahua Jack Russell Terrier is very active, can be stubborn and is not very intelligent. They can only focus on one thing at once. They are very devoted to their family members and love their owners. Most of all the Jack Russell Chi needs a patient owner who will love this mix for their flaws.
- The next mix is the Chihuahua Fox Terrier. They are very bright, energetic and loyal. They will attach themselves to one owner in particular but will love every family member.
- Now the Chihuahua Yorkshire Terrier. They have a strong work ethic and love to chase mice, thanks to the Yorkshire Terrier genes. They won’t get along with small children though, so its best to get one if there are no kids in the house.
- The last and biggest mix is the Bull Terrier Chi. This dog can be intimidating but they have a soft heart and a big personality! The Bull Terrier was bred for fighting, so they have a bad reputation, but this couldn’t be further from the truth. If trained right, they are lovable and mischievous.
As this mix suffers from separation anxiety, make sure you spend a lot of time with them and give them lots of attention.
This mix will be either for or against being social with other dogs, depending on how the wind is blowing on a certain day. They are pretty unpredictable when it comes to how they will react to a certain dog or person, so socialization is vital.
Overall, they are energetic, friendly, and love being social, but every Terrier breed is different!
Is A Chihuahua Terrier Mix A Good Family Dog?
A Chihuahua Terrier is best suited to a family with older kids. Terriers have lots of energy and will play with children for hours on end.
Make sure to teach your kids the basics of dog body language and when to leave a dog alone.
How To Train A Chihuahua Terrier
The best dog training method for a Chihuahua Terrier is to use positive reinforcement, this includes giving them a treat, praise or a toy when they follow your command.
Chihuahuas are generally stubborn – so be mindful when training your Chihuahua terrier mix.
They key is to make sure you don’t baby or spoil them. You can buy them as many presents as you want, but make sure they don’t get away with bad behavior. They are known to suffer from ‘small dog syndrome’ so train this mix the way you would a big dog.
Yapping can be a common problem with these small dogs, so practicing the speak command can really help! Tell your Chi Terrier to speak and then say ‘quiet’ and give them a treat when they stop barking.
Socialization is a vital requirement when training a Chi Terrier. Expose them to all sorts of dogs, people and children when they are still a pup. It is also really important to introduce them to loud sounds at home like a washing machine.
All Chihuahua Terrier Mixes will need mental stimulation every day, especially the Rat Terrier. You could get a puzzle feeder, or you could hide a treat in a room and let your pooch search for it!
The most important thing with dog training is to remember to stay patient. They can be stubborn but you shouldn’t yell at your pooch – this can lead to unwanted problematic behaviors.
Caring for a Chihuahua Terrier Mix
The Chihuahua Terrier mix is a dog who needs a lot of care, attention and training.
They are fun loving, athletic and confident little dogs who need patient owners.
This dog thrives in an adult only home, but they don’t mind older children. They will be happy in any type of house, apartment or condo, providing you suit their active lifestyle.
Exercise Requirements
Terriers are known for being very active and energetic. They will start bouncing off the walls without the proper exercise.
Give them at least 60 minutes of activity a day. This can be anything from walking to playing fetch – the Terrier in them loves playing chase!
This pooch is probably best walked on a leash, as they can be unpredictable when encountering other people and dogs. Its best to train them and socialize them from an early age.
Let them know that encountering other dogs can be a fun experience!
Grooming and Shedding
Grooming will depend on their coat type.
The general rule is to brush their coat 2-3 times a week and more if they have thicker fur, like the Yorkshire Terrier Chi.
Brushing a dog’s coat regularly is very beneficial, as it promotes natural oils that makes your pooches coat shiny and healthy.
Mixes with a wiry haired coat will have more significant grooming requirements.
Make sure to keep your dogs ears clean, trim their nails and brush their teeth!
Feeding and Diet
Due to their small size, they don’t need that much food. They will only need around 1 cup of kibble a day.
Every dog needs a good quality dog food and a balanced diet.
They need protein for energy and amino acids that they can’t produce naturally. They prefer meals with lots of protein; so raw meat is always a favorite! They also need a healthy diet of fats and oils like omega-3 oils to give their coat a healthy look.
The type of food you give your pooch is a personal choice and completely up to you, as long as it is a healthy, balanced and high-quality meal.
Raw meat, commercial dog kibble or home cooked meals are all perfect for this mix.
Be wary of how many treats you are giving this small pooch – small dogs can put on weight easily. Give them low calorie treats specifically for small dogs.
Known Health Problems
Being a cross breed, they are genetically healthy than pure breeds, however there are still some common health issues with this mix.
If you’re like most dog parents (or parents to be), you care for your pet immensely. Having pet insurance could save you from potential headaches of going to the vets with reimbursement for every vet bill from now on! Save massively on your pet’s medical costs whether it’s an illness, injury, or wellness expense that needs taking care of.
Small dogs are prone to developing luxating patellas, this is where the kneecaps dislocate, causing pain and difficulty walking.
Hydrocephalus is also common in small breeds, this is when there is a build-up of fluid on the brain. This causes brain damage and is often fatal.
This mix can also suffer from heart problems due to their small heart. Heart problems lead to a limited amount of blood being pumped round the body, causing fatigue, respiratory distress and lethargy. To keep your pooch as healthy as can be you should give them a well rounded diet, plenty of exercise and regular vet visits.
How Long Does A Chihuahua Terrier Mix Live?
A healthy Chihuahua Terrier mix can live up to 12-15 years.
Buying A Chihuahua Terrier Mix
It doesn’t matter what type of Chihuahua Terrier you are buying, you should always buy from a reputable breeder.
As designer dogs, there are a lot of puppy farms out there to profit from the popularity of the Chihuahua Terrier mix, so you need to be careful.
There are a couple of ways you can tell which breeders are trustworthy and which are not.
One of the most straight forward tests is to meet mom. A breeders that lets you meet the mom and the litter at the same time is a good sign.
When you are with the breeder, ask them questions about the litter, what food they are feeding the pups, how many litters the mom has had or what socializations the pups have had.
Remember these mix puppies will be incredibly small and fragile, so its best to be gentle when handling your new pup. A puppy should be at least 8 weeks old to leave mom, but some breeders will wait until 12 weeks.
How Much Does A Chihuahua Terrier Mix Cost?
You should expect to pay between $400-$900 for a Chihuahua Terrier Mix puppy.
Quick Breed Summary Table
| Breed Characteristics | |
| Size: | 10 to 25 inches tall |
| Weight: | 7-15lbs |
| Lifespan: | 10-15 years |
| Coat: | Varies with each Terrier breed, mostly short coats |
| Color: | Black, brown, white, tan, chocolate and bi-color |
| Do They Shed: | Varies between Terrier breeds, but will be a low/medium amount |
| Temperament: | Energetic, stubborn, bright and needy |
| Intelligence: | Moderate intelligence depending on the Terrier breed |
| Socialization: | Moderate intelligence depending on the Terrier breed |
| Destructive Behavior: | Can ‘yap’ a lot |
| People Skills: | Okay with people, will need socialization |
| Good with Children: | Good with older children |
| Activity Levels: | Very high energy levels for a small dog – 60 minutes of exercise a day |
Summary
The Chihuahua Terrier Mix has many different breeds and many different personalities that will suit just about any pet parent. However, they are not for laid back people as they need a lot of activity.
These dogs are best suited for adult only homes. However, they can be great around older children. They can live in apartments or big homes, they are highly adaptable.
They might not be the easiest to train, but these dogs are worth the hassle.
Their grooming requirements will vary between the different Terrier breeds, but overall they are fairly low maintenance.
Each Chihuahua Terrier Mix will have a unique personality that you will instantly love.
More Chihuahua and Terrier Mixes
Want a Chihuahua mix or Terrier mix but aren’t keen on the Chihuahua Terrier mix? Check out these other hybrid dog breeds:
Chihuahua Mixes
- Chiweenie
- Jack Russel Chihuahua Mix
- Shih Tzu Chihuahua Mix
- Pomchi
- Pomeranian Chihuahua Mix
- Chihuahua Poodle Mix
- Chihuahua Great Dane
- Chorkie
- Chug Dog
I have a beautiful yorkie chihuahua named Tilly. She loves her jammies on cold nights and loves chasing my son around our pool. I also have a baby and she cant get enough of him! Always needs to give morning kisses to the baby. I have had her for about 3 weeks now and she uses the bathroom on command now in our yard. I definitely did the praise and treats to train her. I guess you could say that she is attached to me the most, but if I am not around, she will follow my oldest son. I have 4 children and she loves them all! I couldnt ask for a better pup!
We have a Border Terrier Chihuahua mix and we aren’t sure how big he will be yet but he is full of energy and takes a bit before he settles down but he is a quick learner