One of the world’s rarest cross breeds – the Great Dane Chihuahua mix: made nearly impossible to create due to the sheer size involved in the natural mating process between these two animals, and when created via artificial insemination, the mother and her litter rarely make it. However, for those few who are alive and well, you get a curious-looking dog!
Any Great Dane Chihuahua mix will usually be about twice the size of a regular Chihuahua.
Great Dane Chihuahua Mix – At a Glance
| Weight: | 10–14 pounds |
| Height: | 10 inches tall |
| Lifespan: | 6–8 years |
| Coat colours: | Cream & white, harlequin colorations. |
| Temperament: | Loving, loyal, stubborn, affectionate, feisty & friendly. |
| Suitable for: | Families & single individuals. |
What Does a Great Dane Chihuahua Mix Look Like?
The Great Dane Chihuahua Mix may be one of the weirdest mixed-breed dogs you’re likely to come across, considering the size difference between the two. You can expect your Great Dane Chihuahua mix to look pretty much like the Great Dane, with short, pointy ears and a slightly more rounded snout. Their coats are smooth and short, borrowing from both sets of parent genes.
The History of the Great Dane Chihuahua Mix
Firstly, you should know that the designer breed of the Great Dane Chihuahua mix is incredibly rare because not many survive gestation or live particularly long afterwards because the natural birthing process is impossible. So, in order to get a better idea of the history of the Great Dane Chihuahua mix, we’re going to dive into the history of both parent breeds.
Great Dane History
The Great Dane was first bred by German aristocrats in the 1800s, descendants of Mastiff-type dogs used as hunting dogs centuries before. The Great Dane, or “Deutsche Dogge” as it’s known in German then became a huge favourite among Germany’s nobility as guardians of estates and hunting companions, owing mostly to their huge size and speed.
How Popular Are Great Danes?
Despite being one of the world’s largest dogs, the Great Dane is quite a popular dog throughout the United States, finishing between 15th and 20th over the last several years on the American Kennel Club’s rankings for most-popular dogs of 2021 – last year, they finished 17th.
Who Are Great Danes a Good Dog For?
Great Danes are the perfect dog for any outdoors person, whether you’re a hunter or a hiker, the Great Dane promises to be a loyal exercise companion – and is capable of fetching small downed fowl, like geese or duck. Being a ‘gentle giant’, the Great Dane is also a good family dog – aloof enough with kids and other dogs to be unfazed, but alert enough to be a good guard dog if trouble arises.
How Did Great Danes Come About?
Great Danes were bred in the 19th century by German nobility to act as hunting companions and protection dogs for their carriages and various country estates.
When Did First Cross-Breed Great Danes?
Great Danes are traditionally a tough dog to cross-breed, because of their enormous size – however, despite this the Great Dane has been cross-bred with dozens of different dogs throughout the years – they have been most popularly crossed with Saint Bernards, Dobermans, and English Mastiffs.
Chihuahua History
The Chihuahua was first bred in the 19th century in Mexico, both as a show dog and eventually a domesticated pet. Their lineage can be traced back to the 9th century CE. They come from a line of small, mute dogs known as Techichi. Imagine that – a Chihuahua, being descended from a dog that didn’t bark… Techichi dogs were kept by the Toltec people, an ancient Aztec tribe.
How Popular Are Chihuahuas?
Despite the Chihuahua’s reputation as being full of piss and vinegar and barking at anything that dares breathe the same air as it, they are fairly popular dogs in the United States. This is probably due to their loyal and lovable nature. They have a firm place in the family home, ranking 37th in the 2021 most popular dog breeds, according to the AKC.
Who Are Chihuahuas A Good Dog For?
Chihuahuas make a great family pet, and a great pet for the elderly, as they are relatively low maintenance and can also be relatively low-energy. They tend to age gracefully as well, sometimes living up to 20 years! So, they’re going to be a companion for a long time, no matter who they live with. If you can train the shrill bark out of them, they’re a great pet!
How Did Chihuahuas Come About?
The Chihuahua is the world’s smallest recognized dog breed, hailing from the Mexican state of Chihuahua, it is thought to share a lineage with an ancient Aztec dog, known as the Techichi.
When Did First Cross-Breed Chihuahuas?
Because of the Chihuahua’s size, they’re a very popular crossbreed with other small dogs (and evidently larger dogs as well).
While the exact history of crossbreeding of Chihuahuas is somewhat elusive, in 1952, it’s noted that Chihuahuas were first exhibited at dog shows as long-coated dogs (before this, they had been smooth-coated).
This could entail some type of crossbreeding, as most Chihuahuas are smooth-coated. This smooth-coated type of Chihuahua is preferred today as a household pet.
What is the Temperament of the Great Dane Chihuahua Mixes?
The Great Dane Chihuahua mix is a curious temperamental match – because they seem to have temperaments that are relatively opposed to one another. The Great Dane is aloof and cumbersome, while the Chihuahua can be hyperactive and stubborn. Therefore, you can expect a bit of both from any mix of the two.
Are Great Dane Chihuahua Mixes Friendly?
Despite the Chihuahua’s somewhat stubborn nature, both of these dogs exhibit friendliness, though perhaps are more reserved with strangers. So, you can expect any mixture of the two to be friendly as well.
Are Great Dane Chihuahua Mixes Easy to Train?
Given that the Chihuahua has learned obedience through show dog training, and the Great Dane has a history of obedience through breeding, you can expect your Great Dane Chihuahua mix to be relatively easy to train.
How Much Can Great Dane Chihuahua Mixes Weigh?
Most Chihuahua/Great Dane mixes weigh in at between 10 and 14 pounds.
How Tall Can Great Dane Chihuahua Mixes Get?
This mix won’t inherit anywhere near the height of the Great Dane, expect them to grow to around 10 inches tall.
Similar Sized Breeds
You can expect your Great Dane Chihuahua mix to closely resemble the size of a Corgi.
Does a Great Dane Chihuahua Mix Shed?
Yes. Despite being short-haired, the Great Dane Chihuahua mix will shed. While you don’t have a secondary coat to worry about, they do shed moderately throughout the year. Brush them regularly – once every other week and bathe them regularly as well.
How Much Exercise Does a Great Dane Chihuahua Mix Need?
A Great Dane Chihuahua mix will likely inherit a few exercise habits from both parents. This means that they don’t need an extreme amount of exercise, and too much won’t be good for their joints. Expect your Great Dane Chihuahua mix to require a moderate amount of exercise, a walk each day, followed by playtime on the weekends!
How Long Does a Great Dane Chihuahua Mix Live?
The lifespan of the Great Dane is between 8-10 years, while the Chihuahua is between 12-20 years.
Therefore we can assume the life expectancy of the Great Dane Chihuahua mix is anywhere between 6-8 years.
Like with any dog, there are a number of factors that will determine the number of years your specific Great Dane Chihuahua mix lives like diet and exercise.
What Health Conditions Could the Great Dane Chihuahua Mix Have?
- Cardiomyopathy
- Hip dysplasia
- Cataracts
- Skin Diseases
- Joint & Bone disorders/problems
How Can You Find a Great Dane Chihuahua Mix For Sale?
Generally, we advise that you seek adoption options for your Great Dane Chihuahua mix puppy, rather than buying them from a mill or breeder. Check out this website for more information on adopting this breed.
However, if you’ve struck out on the adoption front, then it’s imperative that you find a reputable breeder – preferably using the AKC’s reputable breeder list.
How Much Does a Great Dane Chihuahua Mix Cost?
If you’ve chosen to buy, rather than adopt, you can expect your Great Dane Chihuahua mix to cost anywhere from $750 to $2000 USD. This is because this particular cross-breed is such a rarity.
Is the Great Dane Chihuahua Mix the Right Breed For You?
If you’re looking to own a really unique breed of dog, then give some thought to adopting the Great Dane Chihuahua mix. You’ll certainly own the rarest dog on the block! The Great Dane and Chihuahuas temperaments balance each other out, giving you a unique family dog.