The Husky Chihuahua mix is a rare mixed breed that, as the name suggests, combines the tiny Chihuahua and the Siberian Husky. This mix doesn’t occur naturally. It’s actually a product of AI (artificial insemination) or IVF (in vitro fertilization).
Due to the vast difference between Chihuahuas and Huskies, it’s pretty difficult to predict the crossbreed. What kind of personality do they have? Are they good family dogs? Are they easy to take care of?
In this article, we’ll answer these questions and more. So, if you’re thinking about adopting a Husky Chihuahua mix, read on.
History
Originating in Northeast Asia, the Siberian Husky is a medium-sized working dog that was used as a companion and sled dog by the Chukchi people of Siberia. To this day, huskies are used as show, sled, search and rescue dogs as well as pets.
Named after the state of Chihuahua in Mexico, the Chihuahua is one of the smallest dog breeds. It’s believed that Chihuahuas originated in Mexico in the mid-19th century.
However, according to other theories, the Chihuahua may have been brought from the Island of Malta by Spanish traders. Nowadays, the Chihuahua is a very popular toy breed.
The Husky Chihuahua mix, also known as the Husky-Chi, Huskyhuaha, and Chi-Husky, doesn’t occur naturally. It’s a product of using artificial methods (AI and IVF) to mix the two pure breeds.
Appearance
Like most mixed dog breeds, the appearance of a Husky Chihuahua mix varies depending on the dominant genes.
What’s more, the appearance of the two parent dogs is significantly different, making it more difficult to predict what the hybrid dog looks like.
For example, if your Chi-Husky takes after the Chihuahua, the mix will likely be small, agile, and alert with a round apple-like head. His eyes will probably be round and dark. The ears will be large and upright.
In case your Husky-Chi mix takes after the Siberian Husky, it will be larger with magnificent almond-shaped blue or brown eyes. His ears will be high and triangular just like a Husky.
Overall, the mix looks a lot like a miniature Husky as it usually has the short legs of the Chihuahua, and its size is smaller than the Husky.
The coat length would be anywhere from medium to long with a thick or smooth texture, and the coat colors might be black, white, tan, grey, brown, or multicolored.
Weight and Size
Regarding weight and size, Chihuahuas and Huskies are completely unlike. The Chihuahua is a small dog, weighing between 2.5-4.5 pounds and standing 6-9 inches tall.
The Husky, on the other hand, is a medium-sized dog that weighs between 45-60 pounds and stands 21-23.5 inches tall.
Similar to their appearance, the weight and size of a Husky Chihuahua mix depend on dominant genes, but in most cases, the mix weighs around 6-15 pounds and stands at 5-15 inches tall.
This crossbreed is expected to reach its full-grown size at 18 months old.
Lifespan
Healthy Husky Chihuahua mixes are expected to live around 12-15 years. Although, it depends on the health issues they inherit from their parents.
The most common health issues of the Husky-Chi mix are hip dysplasia, collapsing trachea, and ocular problems.
Personality
Predicting a mixed breed’s personality is difficult. Still, Huskies and Chihuahuas share some personality traits, which might be evident in their offspring.
For instance, both dogs have strong personalities and are highly energetic. Also, they’re too loud, making the mix even more vocal.
Chihuahuas are known for their bossy and stubborn nature. If your Husky Chihuahua mix takes after his Chihuahua parent, expect a dog with a larger-than-life persona. Moreover, the dog may not be the best with strangers and will probably only be devoted to a single person.
If your Husky Chihuahua mix takes after the Husky, he’ll be more friendly to strangers. Also, he’ll be an escape artist, and can be destructive when bored or left alone. So be ready to give him enough time for training and activity.
Overall, the Husky Chihuahua mix is an energetic, intelligent, curious, dominant, playful, and stubborn dog.
He likes your attention and cuddles, making him an excellent companion dog. What’s more, his compact and travel-friendly size makes him a perfect dog for the family.
However, this crossbreed isn’t the optimal choice for novice dog owners because of its high energy and strong character.
Training
Since it’s a mix between a bossy companion dog and a high-energy working dog, the Husky Chihuahua mix will put your training skills to the test.
The amount of training required depends on the dog’s energy level, and the Husky-Chi mix is more likely to be highly energetic.
Additionally, it’s not all about the time and effort you spend training your dog. The training technique and routine are also critical.
If your dog has the Chihuahua traits, he’ll be more of a toy breed, and toy breeds are pretty difficult to train, but positive reinforcement is usually the way. Conversely, if your dog takes after the Husky, you’ll need to give him a training routine as a working dog.
To explain more, a Chihuahua will be eager to welcome you home, waiting for cuddles and attention, but only for a short period of time. After that, he’ll settle down and sit on your lap, ready to give you attention when needed.
On the other hand, Huskies have much more energy, and they need long periods of exercise. They’ll always be ready for a game.
Despite all the challenges in training a Husky Chihuahua mix, they’re very intelligent, so proper socializing and an established training routine is usually enough to control their temper.
1. Socializing
Start with socializing your pup with other humans and pets. Your dog needs to know how to behave around strangers without biting or barking at them.
The Husky Chihuahua mix is tiny, cute, and attractive, so normally, many strangers would like to interact with him, making socialization more important.
Plus, you don’t want your dog pulling you left and right while walking him outside. It’s also worth noting that no matter how friendly your dog becomes, the Husky Chihuahua mix shouldn’t be left alone around kids.
2. Train Your Dog Away From Distractions
We recommend also staying away from distractions while teaching your dog new orders. That’s because Chihuahuas can easily get scared, and huskies often like to chase smaller pets.
So whoever parent your dog takes after, it won’t be easy to train him around distractions.
3. Use Positive Reinforcement
The stubborn and aggressive personality of the Husky Chihuahua requires patience and positive reinforcement while training.
They respond well to treats and indications of praise, so rewarding your dog for good behavior is an effective method to control their temper.
Also, it would be best to avoid harsh scolding. Chihuahuas are pretty sensitive and won’t respond well to that. Even if your dog inherits more Husky traits, he’ll still be sensitive to negative reinforcement or other scary discipline types.
4. Establish a Daily Exercise Routine
The best way to train a Husky Chihuahua mix is to establish a daily exercise routine and stick to it. Build trust with your dog by creating a pattern of behavior for them so they understand how they should act.
Depending on your dog’s energy level, they need around 30 to 45 minutes of daily exercise. If your dog takes after the Chihuahua he’ll get tired much earlier than if he has more Husky traits.
In all cases, you shouldn’t keep the physical activity going for more than one hour. The Husky Chihuahua has a short attention span with a ton of energy, so training for shorter periods without any distractions is the best option.
Grooming
Grooming highly depends on your dog’s coat length. If your Husky Chihuahua mix has a thick long coat like the Husky, be ready to sweep hair from everywhere in your house. In case your dog inherits the short coat of a Chihuahua, he’ll need less grooming.
Overall, this crossbreed has a moderate or long coat, so shedding is quite common, and investing in a high-quality vacuum is recommended.
Grooming 2-3 times a week is usually more than enough to minimize hair fall while keeping the coat clean, nice, and shiny.
You should also brush your dogs with a de-shedding tool every other day to prevent hair matting and tangling, which can be painful for your little furry friend.
Further, it would be best to bathe your Husky Chihuahua mix only twice a month or when needed. Frequent baths will damage your dog’s skin and drain his hair of natural oils.
Also, make sure you inspect your dog’s ears regularly and use an ear cleaner once a week to get rid of the extra wax and prevent ear infections. Nail trimming is also essential to prevent broken or split nails, which can be painful.
Health Problems
As with any mixed dog breed, the Husky Chihuahua mix may have health issues that stem from both parent breeds.
If either breed has genetic diseases such as joint problems or hip dysplasia, your Husky Chihuahua mix might be prone to these issues too.
Here are the most common health issues in the Husky Chihuahua mix:
- Collapsing Trachea
This is a common issue in toy breeds, and it’s highly related to dominant genes. The condition occurs when the rings in your dog’s trachea collapse for some reason, making it difficult for him to breathe.
- Hip Dysplasia
Hip dysplasia is a common health issue in many small breed dogs and the Husky Chihuahua mix is no exception. The condition affects the dog’s joints causing them to become malformed. As a result, the hips don’t line properly leading to hip pain, lameness, and difficulty walking.
The condition worsens if your pup is overweight or gets too much exercise while they’re still growing. The best way to prevent this from happening is to ensure your pup stays at a healthy weight by providing them with a balanced diet and getting them regular check-ups from a qualified vet.
- Eye Problems
Both Huskies and Chihuahuas are prone to ocular diseases, so it’s no surprise that a Husky Chihuahua mix is likely to develop cataracts, glaucoma, and progressive retinal atrophy.
If your dog’s eyes seem cloudy or red, or he’s having trouble seeing, you need to take him to a vet.
- Heart Diseases
The Husky Chihuahua mix is prone to heart diseases, as both parents are known to be at risk for heart conditions like heart stroke, arrhythmias, and congestive heart failure.
- Hypoglycemia
If your Husky Chi inherits the rapid metabolism of his Chihuahua parent, he’s more likely to be prone to hypoglycemia.
The condition causes your dog to run out of blood glucose instantly which might result in loss of consciousness.
- Zinc Deficiency
If your Husky Chi has zinc deficiency, you’ll probably notice hair loss on the lip area, chin, feet, and elbows. Moreover, zinc deficiency can increase the likelihood of infections.
That’s why it’s essential to take your dog to the vet for a check if you notice any hair loss or impaired wound healing.
Vets usually recommend giving your dog zinc-rich foods or supplements.
To Sum Up
As with any mixed dog breed, there are some pros and cons to adopting a Husky Chihuahua mix.
On the positive side, the Husky Chihuahua mix is one of the most unique mixed dog breeds in terms of appearance, personality, and behavior. Plus, they make excellent companion dogs thanks to their loyalty and compact size.
On the flip side, they can be high maintenance when it comes to training, exercise, and grooming. They’re also not the best option with kids and smaller pets due to their high prey drive and slightly aggressive nature.