There’s a new dog breed slowly taking over the cuteness page of the internet — the Chihuahua Husky mix. Want to know more about this adorable mix? Keep reading!
A Chihuahua Husky mix is a manufactured hybrid breed. These are considered either small or medium dogs. These dogs can be anywhere from 6-15” (15-38cm) tall and often weigh between 7-15lbs (3-6.8kg).
Both the height and the weight will differ depending on which parent’s genes are more dominant in this breed! Generally, they have short or medium-length coats and can be white, black, tan, or grey. Most are low shedders.
Their eyes are often blue or brown but can be multicolored. They live to be 12-16 years old and are energetic, intelligent, stubborn, and aggressive at times.
There’s more on all that you need to know below!
What is a Chihuahua Husky mix called?
One of the best things about a designer breed — such as this one — is the name to go along with it.
While a Chihuahua Husky mix is a rare breed, it does have three nicknames: Husky Chi, Chi Husky and Huskyhuahua.
You can also choose to simply refer to it as a Chihuahua Husky mix!
Can a Chihuahua mix with Husky?
If you’re having trouble thinking about the actual process of how a litter of Chi Husky puppies comes to be due to their size difference, you aren’t alone.
The mating process isn’t done the “old-fashioned way,” much like many hybrid dog breeds that you learn about today. The breeding process of these rare and distinctive puppies is through artificial insemination!
What does a Chihuahua Husky Mix look like?
These are fascinating dogs to look at, as they can be small or medium, depending on genetics.
They range from 6-15” (15-38cm) in height and weigh between 7-15lbs (3-6.8kg). They can also be smaller and larger. Keep this in mind if you have particular size requirements!
As far as their overall appearance, they have short or medium coats, as introduced above. The complete list of coat colors include:
- Tan
- White
- Black
- Grey
- Brown
- Silver
- Chocolate
- Red
- Fawn
With their Siberian Husky genetics, they can blend these colors, too. It’s common to see a black and white Huskyhuahua, for example, or a tan and white one.
Part of the fun in this hybrid is that you never really know what you’re going to get for color combinations, even if you pay attention to their parents’ colorations.
They have blue or brown eyes, for the most part. If their Siberian Husky genes win out, they could have distinctive bright blue eyes or multicolored eyes! The most common combination of multicolored eyes is one brown and one blue.
Typically, their ears are stand-up, like classic Siberian Husky ears. They will also have a distinctive fluffy, curled tail, too!
From one detail to the next, these are distinctive and charismatic dogs full of unique character traits in their physique! Their personality traits are just as unique, but we’ll get into that in a bit!
What is the smallest Husky mix?
Realistically speaking, most people will consider getting a Chi Husky puppy because they’re mini Huskies, right?
The smallest possible mix puppy is going to be 6” (15cm) and weighs between 7lbs (3kg) by the time they reach adulthood.
It’s important to remember that there is no such thing as a sure thing for dog breeding! Even if your chosen puppy is taking on more of their Chihuahua parent’s traits, there is still a chance that it may take on its Siberian Husky parent’s sizing.
Your sweet, tiny puppy could still very well grow into a medium-sized dog! Make sure you think about the size minimums and maximums carefully when deciding on whether or not this is the right mix-breed dog for you and your family!
The lifespan of a Chihuahua Husky mix
A Chihuahua Husky mix blends the long lifespan of a tiny Chihuahua with a shorter lifespan of a medium Husky. This results in an average of 12-16 years.
This is an excellent detail for those looking to bring a family dog into the picture that is still going to have a long life.
However, keep in mind that you also must be prepared to care for your dog in their later years, as far as possible health conditions (more on that later).
The temperament of a Chihuahua Husky mix
So, we’ve talked about look and lifespan. Now it’s time to get to the fun stuff — their temperament! These are really unique dogs that will differ quite a bit from one another, depending on how their genetics shake out.
Most of these will take on their Chihuahua parent’s bossy, curious, and potentially aggressive tendencies. Most will also take on their Siberian Husky parent’s tendencies of being intelligent, stubborn, and hard to train.
These traits meld together to create a mixed breed dog that will need a firm and dedicated pet parent that is ready for a challenge.
However, you’ll also enjoy their goofy personalities (thanks to the Husky). You’ll also enjoy their affectionate and protective tendencies (thanks to the Chihuahua).
Sassy and opinionated at times, these adorable and hilarious dogs can often make for some great laughs and photos.
They are lovely dogs for those who want something truly unique and memorable from one day to the next!
Thanks to their shared genes, these are high-energy dogs. They’ll constantly want to be doing something, even if you’re trying to sleep. They will need a lot of stimulation and attention, so they are great for active families.
Common Health Issues of a Chihuahua Husky Mix
Since this is a rare hybrid, there isn’t much long-term data available. The common health problems to expect are mainly based on those of both parent dog breeds. These include:
- Patellar Luxation
- Hypoglycemia
- Hip and elbow dysplasia
- Hypothyroidism
- Cataracts
- Heart disease
Patellar Luxation
This is from the Chihuahua parent. This condition is when the knee joint and leg aren’t properly aligned, causing dislocation at times.
This is most often occasional, but it can be frequent at times. It can cause pain in your dog if it happens a lot. It’ll often cause a changed gait if it happens a lot, too.
While there is no “cure” for this, a specialized vet and physiotherapist can help your dog enjoy life and easy movement through specialized exercises!
Hypoglycemia
Most commonly found in Chihuahuas, this is when your dog has low blood sugar levels. This can cause lethargy and even loss of consciousness or seizures in extreme cases.
You can mostly avoid this with proper focus on a healthy and balanced diet and proper timing between exercise and meals!
In severe cases, your vet can recommend supplements to help keep their blood sugar levels at a healthy number, too.
Hip Dysplasia and elbow dysplasia
This is a common concern with Huskies. Medium and large dogs are prone to this special form of arthritis.
Mostly happening in their hips and elbows, the joint starts to wear to the point where movement becomes difficult.
This will be common as your dog ages, but it can happen early if your dog exercises too much or is overweight.
Hip dysplasia develops slowly, but symptoms are prominent. They’ll be less inclined to play and overly-active dogs will show it the most.
Hip dysplasia and elbow dysplasia can be screened for and then moderated with pain medication or omega-3 supplements if needed.
Hypothyroidism
This can happen with both parent breeds, but it’s most common with Huskies.
This condition is when a dog’s thyroid is underperforming, leading to weight and metabolism issues. You can ask your vet for medication to help moderate it!
Cataracts
This is typical in many aging dogs, but your mix’s Chihuahua genes make it especially likely.
When cataracts set in with age, the coloration of your dog’s eye lens means that their vision will start to decrease. This eventually will lead to partial, if not total, blindness.
Drops are available readily from your vet, and you should also seriously consider surgery to help your dog’s quality of life!
Heart disease
Heart disease is common with both Chihuahuas and Huskies. This means, logically, that your mix might be more susceptible to heart diseases!
If vets know that your dog is predisposed to it. In that case, they’ll make sure that they monitor their cardiovascular health much closer than your average dog.
Preventative care is essential, too! For example, proper weight control, exercise, and so on.
If you’re curious about mixed-breed specific health conditions, the best person to ask would be the breeder you are considering buying from.
Since they are in the business of responsibly breeding Huskyhuahuas, they’ll have seen these dogs long-term better than other professionals.
If you can find a vet with experience in this hybrid breed, those are great professionals to ask, too!
Chihuahua Husky mix exercise needs
As we mentioned already, a Huskyhuahua is an energetic dog. So, how much exercise can you expect your dog to need?
Approximately 1 hour a day is often the recommendation for these mixes. Chihuahuas won’t need this much, and Huskies will need more.
However, the blend of both means that 1 hour will be the best compromise.
The best exercise for your mix is a walk. Try to pick an even walking terrain (this minimizes stress on their joints) and keep them at a consistent pace.
Your dog is fine to run around and play and jump! Just don’t make them do a marathon every single day. Most pet parents will split this up into two half-hour walks, once in the morning and evening. Why? To help “work out that energy.”
Their high energy level may not be satisfied with an hour of exercise. So, leave some time to play with them with toys and other stimulating exercises.
These dogs are high-energy mentally and physically, so you’ll need to factor in mental exercise to keep them getting into trouble.
How to take care of a Chihuahua Husky mix?
Taking proper care of your new dog will be a combination of several different needs. For your Siberian Husky Chihuahua mix, these are:
- Diet and nutrition needs
- Grooming
- Eyes and ears
- Obedience training
- Socialization
Diet and nutrition needs
A healthy dog starts with a healthy diet. When you pick up your puppy, ask your breeder for suggestions on dog food brands. They’ll be using top-quality dog food since their dogs are earning them money.
You can then make sure that you are giving your dog top nutrition! Your vet is also a great professional to ask, too.
Their nutrition is preventative and for a healthy daily life. Their dog food should be rich in omega-3s (for their joints) and lean protein (for their general health). It should be low-fat (for their heart health) and served in the right portions to keep their weight healthy, too.
Your vet will be a great professional to keep an eye on all of those things long-term.
Grooming
Thanks to their Siberian Husky genes, this mixed breed dog will need to be groomed properly and regularly. They’ll have the thick undercoat and the coarse topcoat of a Husky in most cases.
Throughout the year, you’ll need to brush your dog at least once a week. If you brush them twice a week, that’s even better! This will help keep their fur from forming mats, and it also disperses their oils throughout their fur for extra strength, gloss, and health. As a bonus, grooming your dog is a great bonding activity!
When they are blowing their coat, you’ll need to groom your dog at least once a day to help keep them comfortable. It also will help keep your home from filling up with clumps of fur!
About every quarter year, you’ll want to take them to a professional groomer. These will bathe them and give them thorough grooming that will help protect your dog’s coat and general health.
While you can bathe your dog at home, if you wish, you’ll find that a professional groomer will do a better job, and it also saves you the hassle.
Eyes and ears
Chihuahuas often have eye issues, and both Chihuahuas and Huskies can have issues with their ears.
The best way to prevent staining and infections is a package of wipes! You can buy eye and ear wipes that will be safe to use on their eyes and ears, respectively.
You can wipe away tear stains to help keep their fur from discoloring. It also helps wipe away any bacteria that could lead to an infection or other complications.
Since your Chi Husky has stand-up ears, they are more prone to infection. Use the ear wipes to safely and gently remove build-up and bacteria before it has a chance of causing an infection.
Using these wipes several times a week will help stop a problem before it begins, saving you vet visits and prescription products. Plus, it enhances your dog’s quality of life!
Obedience training
Remember how we talked about your dog as being stubborn? Well, you’re still going to have to work on obedience training.
These dogs are so intelligent that they think they can outsmart us, humans, by simply refusing to do as they’re told.
Do they understand what a command means? Yes, definitely. Are they going to listen to that command? Nope.
Frustrating, to be sure, but it is a reality of any dog with Siberian Husky genes in it!
You’ll need to start and be very consistent in your obedience training method. This includes the commands, tone of voice, body language used, and even in the person who gives the commands.
The better control you have over your dog at an early age, the better they will listen to you as they grow up…mostly.
All joking aside, dealing with the stubborn streak is partially managed by consistent obedience training so that your dog can listen to you. It’s also important to make sure that you can control your dog with a command should you ever need to!
Socialization
Socialization of your Chi Husky is going to be essential, too. Chihuahuas are known for being aggressive at times, meaning that you’ll need to help your dog learn proper social habits early on. This won’t overcome their tendency to be aggressive, but it will help manage it as carefully and safely.
You’ll need to teach your dog how to interact (socialize) with both humans and other dogs and animals. The earlier you do this, the easier it’ll be for your dog to understand when to be aggressive and when not (most importantly, the “not” part).
How to groom a Chihuahua Husky mix
Effectively grooming your Chihuahua Husky mix isn’t necessarily hard. Their short or medium fur will require a proper brush. Your breeder, groomer, and the vet can all recommend the size and type for you. Get your dog used to proper grooming from an early age so that they won’t learn to resist it or fear it.
However, grooming your Huskyhuahua doesn’t mean that you can skip the professional groomer. It just helps in the interim!
How to train a Chihuahua Husky mix
As mentioned above, you need to keep a firm hand on your dog’s training. Since they are both intelligent and stubborn, they will find any kind of loophole that they can to obey you!
Focus on consistency, and don’t let their stubbornness deter you! That’s what they want, after all. Stay on your training regime, and don’t let them away with it!
To be clear, this doesn’t mean that you can ever try to use fear or harm tactics to get your dog to obey you. Training should always be a positive experience rather than harmful or fear-inducing.
Using a negative sentiment for training will only make your dog resent you fear you. This can worsen their aggressive tendencies and could end in harm for yourself or your loved ones.
Professional training classes are a great idea if you need some support and advice when starting out. A Siberian Husky Chihuahua mix is best recommended for experienced and dedicated pet parents specifically for this reason. They will need a firm hand, metaphorically speaking.
How much does a Husky Chihuahua mix cost?
Since these are rare hybrid dogs, they have a higher price tag. This is a combination of the scarcity of breeders, and they can be challenging to breed successfully.
The price for most breeders is between $1 000-$2 000. There are also extra charges on this, such as vet bills, dog food, spay or neuter, etc.
Their rarity also means that they don’t often end up in shelters. However, you can save yourself some money if you call around and happen to find one that has been surrendered! However, they won’t come with the same certification or paperwork if that’s important.
Pros and cons of a Chihuahua Husky mix
As with any dog, there will be pros and cons to think about seriously when you are narrowing in on your choice of dog breed! Here they are for you to keep in mind:
PROS
- Long life expectancy
- Full of personality and sassy
- Entertaining
CONS
- Not always great with kids
- Need firm training
- Can be aggressive at times
- Many unknown health problems (rare hybrid)
The verdict on pros and cons
At first glance, the pros look to be less than the cons. However, the reality is that it depends on what you’re going for and what your situation is!
As rare as they are, Chi huskies are well-loved family members and great long-term companion dogs, too. Their smaller size makes them more convenient than a full Husky. The Siberian Husky genes help even out some of the aggressive tendencies known in Chihuahuas.
That being said, the cons need to be carefully considered, too. An informed decision on pros and cons will help you know whether you’re focusing on the best match for a dog breed — or not. Part of being a responsible pet parent is doing what’s best for your dog, after all!
All in all
A Husky Chihuahua mix is also known as a Chi Husky and/or a Huskyhuahua. They are often small but can be medium-sized, depending on genetics. Generally, they’ll fall between 6-15” (15-38cm) tall and between 7-15lbs (3-6.8kg).
They’ll have short to medium fur that is most often white, black, tan, or gray. Combination colors exist too. They are low to medium shedders, making professional grooming essential.
Their eyes tend to be blue or brown, but they can have multicolored eyes. These hyperactive and intelligent, stubborn dogs tend to live 12-16 years, on average.
You’ll need to know how to protect their health preventatively and as-needed, as they are prone to some genetic health conditions!
Love the idea of a Husky Chihuahua mix even more? These loveable and charismatic dogs are great family choices for the most part — as long as you’re prepared for their stubborn tendencies and long lifespan, amongst other details.
Know someone who’d be a perfect match for these hybrid dogs? Share this with them!
