You may consider German Shepherds and Chihuahuas to be just as opposite as you can get in the dog world. Of course, their size and appearance are obviously different, but their temperaments can be surprisingly similar as they are both intelligent and loyal breeds.
So what do you get when you mix a German Shepherd and a Chihuahua? The results can be pretty unpredictable from size to temperament. The German Shepherd Chihuahua mix can be intelligent, aggressive, stubborn, loyal, loving, small to medium-large, short-haired to medium-length hair. In short, it can be quite a mixed bag.
We will examine all the possibilities about this relatively new and interesting mix of dogs.
Table of Contents
What Is A German Shepherd Chihuahua Mix’ Temperament?
When you mix these two dog breeds, the results can be unpredictable. On the one hand, you have the German Shepherd, a large, serious working dog. On the other hand, you have the tiny Chihuahua, a timid, loyal companion with a penchant for stubbornness.
Together the results can be a loving, intelligent, loyal, and highly trainable dog. They may also be distrustful of strangers and possibly have an aggressive streak in them.
Because of the possibility that it may have some aggressive qualities, this mix may not be for the less experienced dog owner. They do make great companions for smaller homes and apartment dwellers due to smaller to medium sizes.
These dogs may not be ideal if you have small children.
How Much Does a German Shepherd Chihuahua Mix Cost?
It isn’t easy to determine the cost of this mix. German Shepherds cost between $800 to $2500, and purebred Chihuahuas can cost between $500 and $3000. Because not very many people breed this pairing, you would need to locate and ask a breeder.
You may wonder if it is even physically possible to breed this pair, and more importantly, is it safe for the dogs?
Yes, you can breed a male Chihuahua with a female German Shepherd. They may require some special assistance to make the magic happen, but it can happen.
How Can you Spot A German Shepherd Chihuahua Mix?
Like their temperament, spotting this mix may take some practice because it can vary widely in size and coat.
Size
The German Shepherd Chihuahua will be a small to medium dog. They will range from 8 to 60 pounds. Accordingly, their height will also range from 7 to 45 inches at the shoulders.
Coat
Their coat will predominantly follow the beautiful brown and black coloring of the German Shepherd. However, other colors and patterns are possible. Chihuahuas’ coat colors range from cream, fawn, red, gold, silver, brown, and more.
The coat might be short with minimal shedding. However, if crossing with a long-haired Chihuahua, you may see longer, softer coats that shed all year round.
Are German Shepherd Chihuahua Mixes Good With Children?
This breed isn’t considered to be a good mix for families with small children. Mainly because of the unpredictability of their temperament.
Chihuahuas tend to have a no-nonsense approach to life with a low tolerance for being poked and prodded by kids. Combine that with the larger size and protectiveness of the German Shepherd; it can lead to aggressive behavior around children.
Small children may grab and pull on a dog’s ears or tails, make loud unexpected noises, or approach dogs unexpectedly. All of these behaviors may evoke an aggressive response from a frightened or hurt German Shepherd Chihuahua mix.
Are German Shepherd Chihuahua Mixes Good With Cats?
The short answer is probably not. However, a puppy raised with a cat will be fine.
We wouldn’t recommend bringing an adult dog home if you have a cat or getting a kitten with an adult German Shepherd Chihuahua in the home.
Are German Shepherd Chihuahua Mixes Good With Other Dogs?
Their tendency towards aggression and deep loyalty to their humans makes this mix less chummy with other dogs. As a matter of fact, Chihuahuas can be downright snobbish towards other dogs and have no tolerance for unfamiliar dogs that want to make friends.
It’s best to keep this mix on a leash and away from overly friendly dogs.
If you already have a dog, make sure to do a gradual and contained introduction where both dogs feel safe and unthreatened until they have time to cozy up to one another.
Do German Shepherd Chihuahua Mixes Have Any Health Problems?
Yes, unfortunately, mixes are still vulnerable to the genetic diseases of their breeds.
Hip Dysplasia
Hip Dysplasia is when the ball and socket of the hip joint do not develop properly. This happens while a dog is a puppy but isn’t usually recognized until the dog is older. As it ages and with use, the ball and socket grind against each other.
19% of German Shepherds will develop Hip Dysplasia, and they can pass down this disease to their German Shepherd Chihuahua puppies.
Patellar Luxation
Patellar Luxation, also known as floating kneecap, is a condition where the kneecap moves outside of the femoral groove. Patellar Luxation is most commonly seen in smaller breeds like Chihuahuas.
This condition usually happens as a dog gets older. It is also quite painful and can result in loss of use.
Obesity
Obesity is unfortunately quite common in dogs. An estimated 25 to 30% of dogs become obese. German Shepherd Chihuahua mixes are no exception.
Obesity can impact your mixed dogs’ life span and also cause other diseases such as:
Urinary bladder stones
Osteoarthritis
Cancer
Diabetes
Heart disease
Hypertension
Because Chihuahuas do not always get enough exercise due to their smaller size, they can be prone to obesity. Your German Sheperd Chihuahua mix will require a healthy diet and plenty of exercise to avoid becoming obese.
Congenital Heart Defect
Congenital heart defects can present themselves in various forms, the most common being aortic stenosis and pulmonic stenosis. Symptoms of this may include trouble breathing when lying down, fatigue, and inability to exercise.
Hydrocephalus
Hydrocephalus is a condition that may occur in small dog breeds. The cerebrospinal fluid in their heads is unable to drain and creates excessive pressure. This can lead to trouble walking, seizures, and impaired vision, among other things.
Relatively rare, a dog can be born with hydrocephalus, or it can be acquired through inflammation or infections.
What Should You Feed A German Shepherd Chihuahua Mix?
Feed your German Shepherd Chihuahua mix high-quality dog food. The best dog foods should contain meat for protein, vegetables, and fruits for added vitamins and omega fatty acids.
Try to find dog foods with added calcium because it will provide extra support for both the German Shepherd Hip Dysplasia and the Chihuahua Patellar Luxation predisposition.
Also, look for foods that do not add too many grains as these aren’t a dog’s natural food source, and some dogs develop allergies to grains.
Depending on its age, you should feed it puppy, adult, or senior dog food. Each age group has its own specific nutritional requirements.
Because the size of the German Shepherd Chihuahua mix can range from small to medium size, you should choose a dog food that fits your dog’s needs.
Small sizes up to about 22 pounds
10 pounds = ¾ cup kibble per day
11-15 pounds = 1 cup kibble per day
16-22 pounds = 1 ⅔ cups kibble per day
Medium sizes from 23 to 50 pounds
23-30 pounds = 1 ¾ cups kibble per day
31-40 pounds = 2 ¼ cups kibble per day
41-50 pounds = 2 ⅔ cups kibble per day
Large sizes from 51 to 60 pounds
23-60 pounds = 3 cups kibble per day
Be mindful of how much your German Shepard Chihuahua mix eats. The Chihuahua side of your pup may be an overeater. So make sure you monitor food intake to avoid obesity issues.
How To Groom A German Shepherd Chihuahua Mix
Brushing
You should brush your dog’s coat every 2-3 days.
A slicker brush is probably best for your German Shepherd Chihuahua mix. Slicker brushes have fine, short wires that are perfect for medium-length coats and removing mats.
Starting gently on the head, slowly work your way down her neck and chest to the rest of the body. Always brush in the direction of her coat.
Bathing
It would be best if you bathe your dog about once a month. Of course, she may need more baths during the summer months or after a camping trip.
Getting ready for bathtime, you should run the water tepid (mildly warm) so as not to burn her. You should also have dog-safe shampoo and a couple of towels handy.
Keep the soap out of her eyes and thoroughly rinse the shampoo out of her coat. It’s helpful to have a bucket handy and have the water running during the rinse process to avoid using dirty bathwater for rinsing.
Nail trimming
You should trim your German Shepherd Chihuahua mix’ nails about once every two weeks. You can use nail clippers or a grinder for this. Try to be careful because cutting your Shepherd’s nail too short could be painful and cause your dog to bleed.
Teeth brushing
Your pup’s teeth should be brushed at least three times a week. There are special doggie toothbrushes and toothpaste for this. Avoid human toothpaste because it contains ingredients that are toxic to dogs.
Are German Shepherd Chihuahua Mixes Easy To Train?
Yes, they are easy to train. However, they can be somewhat stubborn, so it may take some patience.
This is a mix descended from two very intelligent breeds. Smart dogs tend to bore quickly, which is why training is even more essential for this mix because it will challenge their minds.
These dogs are devoted to their humans, which means they will happily soak up every drop of attention. Training is also quality bonding time for you and your pup; the more time you spend with her, the happier you will both be.
Socialization
An essential part of their training should be heavy socialization. Walk her, take her to the park, introduce her to your friends and, meet other dogs at the earliest age possible. Also, consider introducing your dog to people who wear uniforms and walk them in places with loud noises as well.
The more they become accustomed to meeting strangers, hearing strange noises, and meeting other dogs, the better behaved and less aggressive your dog will be overall.
Leader Of The Pack
Dogs are pack animals. Packs have leaders. You must teach her that you are the leader of your pack.
If your dog respects you as the leader, you will find that life with your dog pal is much easier. Try these tips to help you establish dominance in your pack.
Always be the first to go in and out of your front door. Do not allow your dog to lead or crowd you out. This is the entrance to your den. The pack member who goes in first is the leader.
Always eat first before feeding your dog. Leaders eat first.
Make your dog sit politely while putting food in her bowl. She should wait until given permission to eat.
Do not give love or treats unless your dog is acting calmly and submissively.
Crate Training
Finally, hailing back to their wolf ancestry days, your German Shepherd Chihuahua mix has an instinctive love of smaller enclosed spaces that feel like a cave.
Crate training can provide your dog with a nice quiet place all her own where she can feel safe. Not only does kennel training help with potty training, but it also gives them a place to rest where they can feel calm with no stress.
A stressed-out dog will have trouble sleeping and can develop bad habits like destroying furniture or excessive barking that won’t be fun for anyone.
Want To Train Your German Shepherd Chihuahua Mix With Peace Of Mind?
If you haven’t trained your German shepherd chihuahua mix properly, then this is the perfect time to start. Whatever bad behavior your Shepherd has, whether it’s barking at night or other bad behaviors, using the right training program is the key to having an obedient and happy pup.
With Brain Training For Dogs, you’ll save yourself a ton of time and effort. Instead of banging your head against the wall trying to figure out why your dog won’t listen, you’ll follow a path that has been tried, tested, and most importantly, that’s given proven results. Not to mention the fact, you’ll be able to fit the course around your schedule, not fit your schedule around a trainer or obedience class.
So instead of worrying about whether they’re going to be well-behaved or not, you’ll only have to worry about how much fun you’ll have with them!
And in most cases, it’s still going to be:
Cheaper than hiring a professional.
Cheaper than replacing everything they might break.
And definitely cheaper than a lawsuit against you, if they decide to bite someone.
Just imagine how great it will feel to finally be able to trust your German shepherd chihuahua mix completely and never worry whether they’ll be naughty or not. Instead, you’ll have the peace of mind that you have a well-behaved pup, and the boundaries you set for them will always be there, EVEN IF YOU’RE NOT.
And the best part is it also has a 60-day money-back guarantee! So there’s no reason not to give Brain Training For Dogs a try!
So if you’re tired of your dog’s bad behavior or how they react around other people and pooches, then give it a try! You’ll be amazed by the results!
(You can also check out a full review here to learn exactly what the course has to offer!)
German Shepherd Chihuahua Mix: What Are The Pros And Cons?
Pros
Intelligent: This mix can be off the charts smart, which means highly trainable.
Versatile: Their intelligence means that you can train them to do just about anything and take them with you on whatever adventures you have planned for the both of you.
Loyal: This dog will always be by your side. Both German Shepherds and Chihuahuas are deeply devoted to their humans.
Handsome: They often have the good looks of their German Shepherd heritage but in a smaller package.
Cons
Aggressive: This mix is prone to aggressive behavior and needs heavy socialization with other people and dogs to avoid conflict.
Easily bored: Because of their high intelligence, you will need to keep your dog busy and engaged, or she may develop undesirable habits.
Health issues: They may be at high risk to develop serious health issues from both sides of the family tree.
Shedding: Can shed all year round. Careful grooming essential to minimize dog hair dust bunnies running rampant in the home.
Unpredictable size: If size is an issue for you, and you don’t want a dog that will weigh over a certain amount, this puppy may not be suitable for you because it could grow to be an almost full-sized German Shepherd.
FAQ
Can A Chihuahua Mate With A German Shepherd?
Yes, it can. Although they generally need a little assistance from their human friends.
This will always be a pairing of a Chihuahua male with a female German Shepherd because it would be unsafe to almost impossible for a female Chihuahua to carry pups from a male German Shepherd.
How Big Will A German Shepherd Chihuahua Mix Get?
You can expect your mix to be from 8 to 60 pounds. That’s a lot of range, we know!
There is no good way to predict which end of the spectrum your pup will be. If size is an important factor to you, this puppy may not be a good choice.
How Much Exercise Will A German Shepherd Chihuahua Mix Need?
German Shepherds require a lot of exercise, while the Chihuahua needs very little in comparison. Most German Shepherd Chihuahua mixes will probably need a moderate amount of exercise.
Your dog will need regular walks and outside playtime every day to help keep her from being bored. They also like moderate hikes and playing fetch.
What Is The Life Span Of A German Shepherd Chihuahua Mix?
The Chihuahua life expectancy is from 10 to 20 years. German Shepherds are live from 7 to 10 years. So, you can expect your German Shepherd Chihuahua mix to live anywhere from 8 to 15 years.
Conclusion
A relatively new mix, the German Shepherd Chihuahua is not all that common. Not only because the physical pairing of the two breeds has some obvious hurdles, but also because it can have a volatile temperament.
Pulling the best from both breeds, this dog can be intelligent, loving, and loyal. It can also be aggressive and protective without proper training and socialization. Finding one can also be a challenge as not very many people are breeding for this mix.
If you think this might be the right dog for you, just make sure that you have the time to devote to training and exercise, and you will have yourself a devoted and loving companion.
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