Chihuahua/Mini Dachshund Mix

[brandynq]

Hi,

I'm considering buy a Chihuahua/Mini Dachshund Mix. Does anyone have any experience with these dogs? Any tips on behavior, health problems, etc. would be appreciated. Thanks.

[RD]

Why buy one from a breeder? There are already a -lot- of Chi/Dachshund mixes out there. Have you considered adopting one from a shelter or rescue?

OK, Just realized I didn't answer your questions (Sorry!) I really don't have a ton of experience with this mix, and I imagine their temperaments would vary greatly, so I couldn't be of much help to you.

[Renee750il]

Rip's is right. The possibilities for different temperaments and physical characteristics and problems are endless with that mix.

[poeluvr]

yea, arn't mini dachshunds unhealthy dachshunds

[Ash47]

These two breeds, especially the Chi, take a good amount of work. The Doxie can be be snippy and the Chi will be snippy if not worked with a LOT! It may make a cute dog, but the temperament will all depend on you.
Are you buying form a breeder, shelter or getting one for free?

[brandynq]

i was considering buying one from a breeder but i've been looking around at shelters and a found a fox terrier mix. i don't know a whole lot about them but he's kinda small and i was wondering if they make decent apartment dogs. here's a link (http://www.petfinder.com/pet.cgi?action=2&pet=4740946&adTarget=&SessionID=42daed7736131627-app1&display=&preview=1&row=0&tmpl=&stat=)

[Renee750il]

He definitely looks promising. Why don't you send an e-mail to the addy given and check him out? Terriers need exercise, but a small one can actually get part of that exercise running around an apartment as long as you get some good walks in as he gets older. Ask if he's a big barker or if he's good about being quiet when left to his own devices.

And paying a "breeder" for a mix like that is highly suspect. People who do this sort of 'breeding' aren't usually the sort who are overly concerned with health and temperament assurances and the accompanying testing expenses!

[brandynq]

i've emailed her a couple of times and so far all i know is where she is and how many FTs she has. would you happen to know how big i should expect this breed to get?

[Renee750il]

A Foxy is a smallish dog.

Now I'm wondering about the person in the link . . . I think I'd be wanting more info on her organization. I'm wondering, especially if she's not being very free with information, adding a "donation" into the adoption price AND if she's not asking you questions to see if you're a suitable owner (not that you aren't, but most real rescue operations are concerned that the animals go to loving, responsible homes and ask for all sorts of info) if her HOPE organization actually exists or if she's just another BYB who's found a slick way to sell dogs.

Ask her what she knows about this dog's background . . . where it came from, how it came into her care, and ask the same about the other Fox Terriers she has, including what ages they are.

[brandynq]

i just got this reply back from her:

sure he is smaller than the others , busy yet can be held without trying to wiggle free. give in your face wet kisses . He has a differnt color eyes than the others . Of course he is neuter , micro chip , rabies vac. , vac., wormed and I use frontline flea product. these babies were dumped at a kill facility by the owner . He might weigh 6 pounds .
Brenda with H.O.P.E

what do u think?

[poeluvr]

hmmmm..in some cases she sounds real concerned, the whole kill factory bit, making sense since their mutts, but it could be a cover.
she kinda seems like shes trying to hard to please making the dog seem perfect and stick out. different colour eyes from others, micro chipped(which she probably think all owners would like because it is expensive), little then all the others. did she know you wanted a small dog before hand, because if so it would seem a bit fishy, because how shes making it seem so perfect. Is she close by is there a way you could visit it first.
I must admit i got my dog off the internet. I took a very dangerous chance. Though i knew it was a pup watched it grow background seemed to be a home,took a chance beleived her story that another dog vcame over or something and impregnated her dog, and i took a very risky chance, luckily i was lucky she met us half way. i got the pup, and through vet checks found out he was healthy. It wasnt till after i found out back yard breeders can produce unhealthy dogs, becaause they are not real breeders, and there are scammers.
What also made me beleive the lady that poe was a mistake dog and desperatley needed a HOME. was that she was upfront honest. No she hadn't taken him to the vet, he hadn't had his shots, she could have lied for all i know, i didnt know where she lived.
So hopefully about all the things she has done for it(microchip, deworm, shots, de-fleed) is true, and also all his rare qualities that would seem to please owners is true (smallest, different colour eyes)
All i am saying is make sure to the best of your ability she is not putting you on, for on this forum i have also heard alot of sad cases where people were waiting for a dog that never came, or when they got it they didnt know they would be paying for a 10,000$ hip repplacement or heart surgery.
Just be careful. He is beautiful, the terrier mix!:)

[brandynq]

she knew about the size thing because i asked her if it was good for an apartment. also, i know that the part about the eyes is true because i've seen the other two here (http://www.petfinder.org/pet.cgi?action=2&pet=4765156&adTarget=&SessionID=42db21dd1cb524a0-app3&display=&preview=0&row=25&tmpl=&stat=). i'm not too worried about the health of the dog because the price includes a vet check. she also invited me to come visit the dog and she gave me a # to call. i planned on calling her tonight, what kinds of questions should i ask?

[Renee750il]

That sounds better, Brandy. At some point you have to follow your heart when choosing a dog.

I would be curious, though, to learn a little more about H.O.P.E. And you'll want to ask about heartworm prevention.

[brandynq]

Yeah i've tried looking up H.O.P.E. but i'm not too sure where to start. Also, could you tell me a little bit about heartworms? Can't say I know much about them.

(P.S., it's Brandyn, not Brandy :) )

[poeluvr]

wow they are alot different(the two brothers from this brother that your getting). yea i thought the eye thing would be true cuz i saw the pic, but i was just trying to make a point.It seems like those other two dogs look alot different then the other. i understand their mutts and this stuff can happen, but hmmmm. Just make sure she doesnt have alot of different types of pups cuz if so that should tell shes not a good breeder(not saying she isn't).
Well when we phoned our dog person we asked:
1) If she knows about the parents?
a)if so what breed she thinks they are. If their healthy
b)Their background
2) What are you paying the cost of the dog for (I am guessing for microchip and stuff, just ask to make sure she doesnt say o i want some extra money for me, make surer it is for right reason)
3)ask how old?(if you don't know)
4)any behavioral problems you should be aware of
5)how is potty training going.
6)their personality
7)(optional)why she chose the internet (becuase usually people can find people who want a dog through friends and local ads, but it is a good possibility she couldnt find anyone
6)What experience she has had raising dogs (it is hard thats why people have liscenses make sure she knows what she's doing)
7)what food is he fed?
............
the main thing you want to know in your head is. how concerned is she that he is going to a good home. If she is ...good!, if she seems to just wanna get rid of him...could just mean she just wants to get rid of him, and will do it whatever way possible
hope the phone call goes good
these are just my opinions
good luck
.............its good she wants you to visit it:)

[brandynq]

i just spoke with her about 20 minutes ago and here are the things i managed to write down about her and the dogs while we talked:
4 and a half months
thinks they're half dachshund
not agressive
not housetrained
come with H.O.P.E contract
food: puppy pedigree
treats give diarrhea
she was concerned with young children
she seemed very upset with the people who got rid of the pups
suggested crate training (plastic suggested)

[bubbatd]

Please be careful ! Your commitment means at least 14 years of your love to this dog.

[Fran27]

LEA you're way too paranoid heh. They have quite a few other dogs and cats in that place, he's a rescue pup coming from a shelter, not a pup that people are trying to sell after breeding their dogs to make money.

I think you should go see him, and the others too. Think about it, ask yourself if you're sure you can spend 15 years with him, that you can afford his food/vet bills, that you have time to train him etc. I'm sure everyone will be happy to help if you ask any questions here.

[brandynq]

i'm going to visit him today. if things go well i'll probably adopt him then. i'm sure it seems like i'm rushing into it but this just seems like exactly what i'm looking for. i've talked with Brenda a lot about the dogs and I know pretty much everything about them. all that's left is to see him in person.

[mrose_s]

i was considering buying one from a breeder but i've been looking around at shelters and a found a fox terrier mix. i don't know a whole lot about them but he's kinda small and i was wondering if they make decent apartment dogs. here's a link (http://www.petfinder.com/pet.cgi?action=2&pet=4740946&adTarget=&SessionID=42daed7736131627-app1&display=&preview=1&row=0&tmpl=&stat=)

We have a ACD, BC, FT mix now. Crazy little dog. i don't think I would ever take on a Foxy but its ure choice, they need homes.


But god that pup is cute, lol. Not sure about the apartment thing, as I know they have a lot of ebergy, and being Terriers, if the excercise quota isnt filled they can easily become destructive.