Are you curious about what a mix between a rottweiler and the world’s smallest dog would look like or whether this mix is well suited for you? Exactly what we are going to cover in this article.
As the name implies, the rottweiler chihuahua mix (also called chihuahua rottweiler mix or rotthuahua) is a mixed breed dog developed from a cross between a chihuahua parent and a rottweiler parent.
This hybrid comprises a combination of two loyal, confident and intelligent dog breeds. The contrast in size seen between both parents makes this mix a bit intriguing. We would expect a small to medium size offspring anyway.
As with any other mixed breeds, there is no way to predict for sure the outcome of this mix as they tend to inherit the traits of both parents and the best way to ascertain how the mix will turn out is to look at both the appearance and personality of their parents.
Rottweiler Chihuahua Mix History
When these two breeds were first crossed still is unknown. However, in recent years, mixed breeds have become increasingly common.
While there is no record of the history of the chihuahua rottweiler mix, we can get some insight into their past by looking at the histories of both parents.
Puppies from this cross may exhibit traits from either parent, such as height, coat, and personality.
Mating two separate purebred dog breeds, on the other hand, is fraught with controversy.
Although this has been around for a long time, many people believe they do not make great pets because you can never predict the result.
Others still argue that hybrids are better than purebreds due to a process known as hybrid vigor.
More or less, hybrids have a greater gene pool than purebreds.
Rottweiler History
What is currently ranking number 8 in the AKC list of the most popular dog breeds, dates back to the times of the Roman Empire.
Due to the great endurance and strong herding instincts rottweilers possess, the Roman soldiers employed them to drive cattle which they fed on between their lengthy travels.
Rottweilers also protected the cattle from invaders and prevented them from going in the wrong direction.
The name “Rottweiler” was derived from the Rottweil city in Germany, where this dog was known as “Rottweil butcher’s dog” because they were used to pull carts laden with meat.
In 1931, the Rottweilers officially gained recognition by AKC and was once the second most popular dog breed for two years.
Chihuahua History (Survival of Twain Conquests)
It is unclear where what we have as the modern-day chihuahua truly evolved from. But we know that in the late 1800s, US visitors to Mexico would purchase small dogs and bring them back home as pets.
Different groups of historians have proposed plausible theories concerning the origin of this dog breed.
Some believe that chihuahua is a descendant of Techichi, a small, quiet dog domesticated by the people of Toltec in Mexico and goes back to the 9th century AD. The Toltecs often sacrifice and bury this dog alongside their owners for spiritual purposes.
When the Aztecs overthrew the Toltec civilization, they absorbed their culture as well. Following this event, the Spanish conquered the Aztecs, and the Techichi dogs were thought to be extinct.
Carvings and skeletal remains of the dog have been discovered in the Aztec temple and gravesite, respectively.
Another theory concerning the origin of chihuahuas is that they were formed from a cross between Techichi and the Chinese crested.
Also, stunning canine actor, Bruiser Woods, who was a chihuahua played a commendable role in a movie titled, Legally Blonde.
Rottweiler Chihuahua Mix Appearance
What will your dog look like? Let’s find out.
An ideal rottweiler is compact and powerful with a medium-to-large size. They have a coarse and dense black coat with clear markings that are rust to mahogany.
Also, they have a substantial look that portrays their great strength, agility and endurance.
Chihuahua, on the other hand, is a tiny toy dog with an apple-shaped head, prominent eyes and erect ears.
Based on the length of their coats chihuahuas exist in two forms, the long-haired and the short-haired (smooth chihuahuas). Their coats can come in solid colors or a combination of different color markings.
So, a rottweiler chihuahua mix will either be a larger dog that has a black coat with rust markings if it takes after the rottweiler parent or a small dog that is either furry or smooth if it takes after the chihuahua parent.
However, it is all a matter of guessing when attempting to determine what the product of any cross would be.
How Big Will Rottweiler Chihuahua Mix Get? (Size, Height and Weight)
The size of this mixed breed is controlled by the genes they acquired from their parents. It also depends on the parent with more dominant genes.
Rottweiler stands about 22 to 27 inches and weighs between 90 to 120 pounds, whilst a chihuahua stands about 5 to 8 inches and weighs between 3 to 6 pounds.
So, you can expect a full-grown rottweiler chihuahua to be about 12 to 18 inches tall and weigh between 40 to 70 pounds. As a matter of fact, you can never predict the exact size of any cross as it varies but they should measure somewhere between their parents.
Rottweiler Chihuahua Mix Lifespan
The good news is that chihuahua is one of the dog breeds that live the longest, with an average lifespan of 15 to 20 years.
Rottweilers have a shorter lifespan ranging between 8 to 10 years.
Therefore, a rottweiler chihuahua mix will be expected to live between 12 to 16 years. This is a likely case where hybrid vigor comes to play conferring an increased lifespan on the disadvantaged breed. However, there is no guarantee as to what traits the resulting offering will inherit from their parents.
Rottweiler Chihuahua Mix Temperament and Training
Similarly to the appearance, it is almost impossible to predict the exact temperament that any cross breed will exhibit and the rottweiler chihuahua mix is no exception.
In general, both breeds are calm, confident, loving, adaptable and make excellent companions. They also exhibit a great deal of courage and adaptability.
Often displaying an attitude of self-reliant aloofness towards immediate and indiscriminate friendships, yet obedient and loyal to their owners.
Rottweilers belong to the group of working dogs with great willingness to engage in activities. Often, versatile in nature and provide all-around services including companionship for family alongside they are strong working dogs and also great guard dogs.
Also, they are intelligent and protective of their family and home but may be aggressive towards other dogs.
Rottweilers are alert, athletic dogs that are always eager to put a smile on the face of their owners.
Early socialization and mental exercises, such as obedience training and agility classes, are required to bring the best out of this dog, lest their territorial instincts will kick in. Also, they need a dependable and reliable leader, who they can trust to bring the best out of them.
Chihuahuas, however, have a terrier-like attitude, with boldness and a sense of self-importance. They are known to have a big personality in a small body.
Often, rude towards strangers and requires training otherwise they may want to dominate their owners. They do require more exercise than 20 to 30 minutes of daily walks. If treated with respect and care, they will make a submissive and friendly family dog.
Due to a combination of two confident and intelligent dog breeds, a rottweiler chihuahua mix is going to have a big personality but will likely be reserved towards strangers. This cross may also inherit the loyal, alert, and graceful nature of both parents.
Rottweiler Chihuahua Mix Health
Before you take any mixed breed home, do your due diligence to ask the breeder to provide a certification for the health screening performed on the parent dogs to ensure they are free of any genetic defects that can be inherited by their offspring.
Both breeds are predisposed to numerous health problems, just like any other dog, as a result of their genetic makeup, diet, or age. What are these problems? Let us find out.
Rottweiler Health Problems
Subaortic Stenosis
In this condition, the aorta of the heart narrows increasing the resistance to blood flow. This often begins as a mild heart murmur and later progresses to a fatal stage.
Hip Dysplasia
Hip Dysplasia is the most common disease of the joint in larger dogs. It occurs when result ligaments become weak leading to a loose connection between the thigh bone and the socket of the pelvic bone. This disorder is often exacerbated by obesity. Hence, excess calorie intake should be avoided.
Elbow Dysplasia
Recently, elbow dysplasia has become an increasingly common problem in many dog breeds. This refers to abnormalities in the formation of the elbow joints as a result of osteochondrosis, fragmentation and more.
Von Willebrand’s Disease
A hereditary bleeding disorder that involves the loss of the clotting function of the blood due to insufficient amounts of specific proteins responsible for blood clotting.
Progressive Retinal Atrophy (PRA)
PRA refers to an inherited disorder of the retina that leads to complete loss of vision in dogs. It has a gradual progression, which first begins with night blindness before cataracts eventually form leading to total blindness.
Hypothyroidism
Hyperthyroidism is a condition caused by the under secretion of the thyroid gland leading to deficiency of thyroid hormones. Symptoms of hypothyroidism include coat changes, weakness and increased weight.
Chihuahua Health Problems
Kneecap Dislocation
Also known as patella luxation, is a knee injury that occurs more frequently among small dog breeds. It is caused when the patella does not properly align with the hip bone(femur) and calf bone (tibia). This may cause chihuahuas to limp while walking or totally lose their walking ability.
Collapsed Trachea
When the trachea cartilages become weaker, rapid inhalation of air causes the trachea to flatten leading to difficulty in breathing, exercise intolerance and honking coughing.
Hypoglycemia
Hypoglycemia is a common condition amongst toy dogs. It occurs when the blood sugar levels become very low. For a purse-sized dog like a chihuahua, this is potentially fatal if left untreated.
Tooth and Gum Disease
Toy dogs such as chihuahuas are vulnerable to dental issues. Food, saliva and bacteria are often trapped in the gum line causing the formation of tartar. By brushing and cleaning your dog’s teeth daily, this can be prevented.
Heart Murmur
Just like in humans, heart murmurs in dogs involve the disruption of blood flow through the chambers of the heart. Though heart murmurs are harmless, they may provide clues to a more serious underlying cardiovascular disorder.
Pulmonary Stenosis
It is a congenital disorder where the malformation of the pulmonary valves causes abnormal blood flow through the heart. In order to make up for the extra workload, the heart has to work harder to pump blood out of the heart.
Hydrocephalus
In this condition, there is an accumulation of cerebrospinal fluid in the brain that causes the intracranial pressure to increase leading to permanent brain death.
Care and Grooming of a Rottweiler Chihuahua Mix
Both Rottweilers and chihuahuas need high-quality dog food that is rich in nutrients but at the same time not salty, this will help reduce the risk of heart or kidney problems.
Giving treats to your pooch can be helpful in their training. However, the consumption of too many treats has been a major cause of canine obesity.
Coat care is less demanding in rottweilers as they have a short and coarse double coat which requires brushing once a week.
However, chihuahuas can be either long-haired and short-haired (smooth). The former requires brushing more regularly while the latter may only need to be brushed every week.
Rottweilers alongside chihuahuas require regular bathing, nail trimming, ear cleaning and teeth brushing.
The care, feeding and grooming of a rottweiler chihuahua mix will depend on their size, the length or thickness of their coat, how often they shed and other traits they could inherit from their parents.
Do Rottweiler Chihuahua Mix Make Good Family Dogs?
Both rottweiler and chihuahua are loyal, courageous and protective of their family or home with eagerness to please their owners. Rotthuahua is no exception.
The only concern that may arise is when the mix inherits most of its traits from the chihuahua parent. In such a case, the mix could acquire longevity but may not be suited for a household with care-free or rambunctious older kids given how delicate and fragile their bones may be.
Rottweiler chihuahua mix makes an excellent family pet but proper socialization and training are needed so they can stay calm and obedient.
Rottweiler Chihuahua Mix Puppy Price and Breeders
On average, the price of a rottweiler chihuahua mix puppy will range anywhere from 1000 to 1500 dollars.
However, different factors can influence the price including the reputation of the breeder, and the demand within a specific location.
When buying pups, it is wise to avoid puppy mills and pet stores for the well-being of the breed and others.
If you are not willing to spend hundreds or thousands buying a puppy, you can consider adopting as this practice is humane and tends to reduce the number of dogs in shelters giving them a family of their own. They are still fees attached when adopting to cover for the time they spent at the center.
Final Thoughts (Is a Rottweiler Chihuahua Mix Right for you?)
There is too much information to assimilate when trying to decide whether a rottweiler chihuahua mix is right for you or your family.
This mixed breed is often calm, intelligent and affectionate with a long life expectancy but is fragile and highly genetically predisposed to various health issues. However, this may not be the case for some either.
So, if you want a medium-sized dog that is brave, fun-loving and protective, look no further than the rottweiler chihuahua mix.
Also Read : Catahoula Blue Heeler Mix: All About This Unique Mix
