Have you ever heard of the mix between the Great Dane and Chihuahua? Sounds bizarre, right? Considering the size of these two Dog breeds this cross seems quite out of this world, but it exists!
The existence of the Great Dane Chihuahua mix is prime evidence of the great extent Dog breeders have gone to create new breeds. There is a high chance you wouldn’t know that such a breed exists as it is extremely rare. In this article, we will explore all there is to know about this unimaginable yet adorable mix breed.
German vs American Rottweiler: How Are They Different?
What is the Great Dane Chihuahua Mix?
Great Dane Chihuahua mix is also commonly known as Chi-Dane-Dane or the Great Mexican Dog. It is a designer dog that breeders have created by mixing a Great Dane with a Chihuahua.
These dogs are very rare and very few exist in the world due to the nearly impossible process of producing them.
Origin Of The Great Dane Chihuahua Mix
Chi-Dane-Dane is a mixed breed and like most mixed breeds there is no clear documentation regarding when this breed was created. However, it is known that initial breeding attempts were unsuccessful due to the massive size difference between the parent breeds.
French Bulldog VS English Bulldog: How Are They Different?
The parent breeds Great Dane and Chihuahua are both K-9 dogs and can interbreed. To learn about the Great Dane Chihuahua mix let’s first take a brief look at the parent breeds.
The Great Dane
As the name suggests, the Great Danes are known for their massive size. Due to their intimidating size, they are also called “The Appollo Of Dogs”. They are very loyal and dependable Dogs. They were initially bred by Germans to safeguard their royalties while they slept. They weigh around 100- 175 pounds and their average height is 28-34 inches. Given their friendly temperament and huge size they make excellent pets as well as guard Dogs.
Chihuahua
In terms of size, Chihuahua is the exact opposite of the Great Dane. It is the smallest Dog breed. Their sociable nature and eager-to-please personalities tend to overshadow their small size. Chihuahua’s most notable feature is their pointed bat-like ears and large expressive eyes. These little monsters are known to suffer from Small Dog Syndrome, which means they are always eager to protect their owner despite their tiny size.
Do Rottweilers Shed: What to Do About It?
How is a Great Dane Chihuahua Mix Created?
A cross between a Great Dane and a Chihuahua seems impossible given the size difference between the two parent Dogs. But breeders have made it possible. Natural breeding is not possible due to the size difference so artificial insemination is employed. But the task is still quite challenging and risky.
Making use of artificial insemination, a female Chihuahua is impregnated. This process in itself is extremely expensive. Then it is very difficult for the tiny Chihuahua to carry the great Dane puppies in her body till term and this takes a great toll on her health. Moreover, the puppies born are also at risk, and often both the mom and pups die.
Even if miraculously the pups survive they cannot be nursed by the Chihuahua and have to be hand fed. Apart from all these struggles, there is a high chance for such puppies to suffer from genetic abnormalities.
How Does a Great Dane Chihuahua Mix Look Like?
In terms of appearance, the parents of the Chi-Dane-Dane are poles apart. The offspring inherits characteristics from both parents. They have long bodies and short legs that resemble a Dachshund. Their heads are large and shaped like a Greyhound. They mostly have straight, pointed ears with slightly rounded features and shorter snouts. The coat is usually short and smooth like its parents. It will have a long coat if its Chihuahua parent was long-haired.
How Big Is A Great Dane Chihuahua Mix?
A cross between a Great Dane and Chihuahua results in a Dog that is smaller than a Great Dane but twice the size of a Chihuahua. This makes them medium-sized Dogs that are perfectly suitable as apartment Dogs.
6 Best Harness for French Bulldogs in 2022
What is The Coat Color Of A Great Dane Chihuahua Mix?
The coat color of the great Mexican Dog is decided by the coat colors of its parents. There is a wide range of coat colors, this unique dog breed can come in. The most common coat color for the Great Dane Chihuahua mix is cream and white. They can either be cream or white or a blend of both colors. Moreover, harlequin Great Dane and Chihuahua mix are also very common. This coat color appears if both or either of the parents had speckled coats.
Temperament: Do Chi-Dane-Dane’s Make Good Pets?
These cute designer dogs inherit bits and pieces of their parent’s personalities. The good news is that since both the Great Dane and Chihuahua are loyal, friendly Dogs their offspring turn out to be great pets. They are very affectionate and love cuddling their owner. However owing to the slightly stubborn nature of the Chihuahua parent, they can sometimes get fierce and skittish especially to get what they want.
Grooming Needs Of The Great Dane Chihuahua Mix
The Great Dane Chihuahua mix is a relatively low-maintenance dog. As both parents are mild shedders, shedding in Chi-Dane-Dane is not a major problem too. They are short-haired, and brushing once or twice a week shedding is not a problem with this breed. However, with a long-haired Great Dane Chihuahua mix, daily brushing with a long-toothed brush is required. Apart from this, they need the occasional bath, nail trimming, and teeth cleaning like other dogs.
Top 10 Dog Harness for Small Dogs
Diet varies according to the size, weight, health, and activity level of the Chi-Dane-Dane. It is recommended to feed them regular Dog food with additional supplements to keep them in good health. Also, they are naturally lean like their parents so don’t overfeed them as it could lead to a variety of health problems.
Exercise Needs Of Chi-Dane-Dane
The Great Dane Chihuahua mix is not very keen on exercising and a 20-minute run or walk once a day is enough for them. However, exercise needs vary according to the size and activity level of each Chi-Dane-Dane.
Trainability
Due to their great Dane genes, These designer dogs are pretty easy to train. They are great at learning and eager to obey their owner. However, if your Chi-Dane-Dane shows stubborn traits like the Chihuahua parent then you need to be more consistent with the training. Training using positive reinforcement works pretty well.
Health Concerns Of Great Dane Chihuahua Mix
If these Great Mexican Dogs are lucky enough to survive and escape from genetic diseases, they live fairly healthy lives. However, they are prone to health problems that the parents are predisposed to. This includes elbow and hip dysplasia and cardiovascular diseases. But with a balanced and properly supplemented diet, they are able to avoid most of these problems. Moreover, to ensure good health regular health checkups and vaccinations are vital.
Seven Interesting French Bulldog Facts
The great Dane Chihuahua mix normally enjoys an average lifespan that is within the parents’ life expectancy range. Normally Great Dane has an average lifespan of 7 to 10 years while Chihuahua has a lifespan of around 12 to 20 years. So Chi-Dane-Dane’s are expected to have a lifespan in between these.
Final Thoughts
No matter how unbelievable it may sound, the Great Dane Chihuahua mix is a reality. Although their breeding raises many ethical questions, breeders still produce this breed. The arduous and expensive breeding process means this mix breed is exorbitantly priced. Despite all this, there is a rising demand for this adorable designer Dog, and breeders are busy trying to create more. It is very important that you buy your Great Dane Chihuahua mix from a reliable and authorized breeder to eliminate the chances of health issues.
Six Common French Bulldog Health Issues