Known for their small size and charming personality, the Chizer is considered to be one of the best mixed breed dogs out there.
A cross between the Miniature Schnauzer and the Chihuahua, the Chizer is considered to be a designer dog.
While they are generally loyal and affectionate, their mannerisms are highly influenced by their parents’ personality traits.
The Chizer combines the active nature of the Miniature Schnauzer with the courageous personality of the Chihuahua. This makes them sturdy and brave dogs.
But is the Chizer the right dog for you?
In this article, well, take a close at these traits as well as what to expect from your Schnauzer Chihuahua Mix.
This includes Schnauzer Chihuahua Mix pictures, physical characteristics, personality traits, exercise needs, and where to find a healthy puppy.
But first things first;
Table of Contents
What is a Chizer?
The Chizer results from mixing a purebred Miniature Schnauzer with a purebred Chihuahua. Both of these parent breeds are extremely popular and have long been used as companion dogs.
Purebred breeds generally have a story about their origin and history, but it isn’t possible to identify exactly when a mixed breed like the Chizer was first bred.
However, it is clear that this mixed breed originated in the USA sometime before 2009, when it was first registered with the Designer Canine Registry.
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Designer dogs like the Chizer have grown in popularity over the last 20 or so years, partly because there are many celebrities who have been spotted with this kind of dogs. And although everyone might agree that crossbreeds are cute and adorable dogs, not everyone can agree on their name.
Here are some of the other names that have been suggested for the Miniature Schnauzer Chihuahua Mix:
- Schnauchi
- Schnizer
- Miniature Schnauzer Chihuahua Mix
- Mini Schnauzer Chihuahua Mix
All of these nicknames continue to be used by Chizer breeders and fanciers of this dog. No matter what moniker you think is suitable for the Schnauzer Chihuahua Mix, they are lovable and charming and make great family pets.
Since there’s little information available about the history of the Chizer, let’s take at look at the origins of both parent breeds.
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Some Quick Facts About The Schnauzer Chihuahua Mix
| Breed Type: | Crossbreed/Mixed Breed |
| Size: | Small-sized dog |
| Other Names: | Chizer, Schnauchi, Schnizer, Schnauhuahua |
| Good Watch Dog: | Yes |
| Average Weight: | Around 4 to 15 pounds |
| Average Height: | 6 to 14 inches |
| Lifespan: | 12 to 18 years |
| Apartment Living: | Yes, only take to consideration that barking could be a problem |
| Space Requirements: | Do well in a home with or without a fenced yard and can live in urban or rural environments |
| Ideal for: | Active individuals and families with older children |
| Coat: | Wiry, Can be shorthaired or longhaired |
| Coat colors: | Black, white, tan, chocolate, dark brown, golden brown and grey (or combination of these colors) |
| Suitable for first time owners: | Yes |
| Trainability: | Quite easy to train, especially if you start training at an early age |
| Level of Shedding: | Low to Moderate |
| Grooming Needs: | Brushing should be done two times per week |
| Hypoallergenic: | No, not good fit for allergy sufferers |
| Energy Levels: | High |
| Exercise Needs: | At least 60 minutes of exercise every day is required |
| Feeding and Diet: | 0.5 to 1 cups of high quality dog food each day, divided into two meals |
| Possible Health Issues: | Liver Disease, Diabetes, Kidney Problems, Von Willebrand’s Disease, Progressive Retinal Atrophy, Cataracts, Pancreatitis Arthritis, Skin Diseases, Gastric Dilation Volvulus |
| Temperament: | Charming, loyal, affectionate, brave, loving, active, friendly, energetic, intelligent, wary of strangers, alert |
| Cat Friendly: | Not good, early socialization is required |
| Dog Friendly: | Moderate, early socialization is required |
| Kid Friendly: | Yes, best with older kids and early socialization is required |
| Family Friendly: | Yes |
| Barking: | Frequent |
| Price: | Anywhere from $300 to $600 |
The History of the Chizer
The History of the Miniature Schnauzer
The Miniature Schnauzer originated in Germany and is said to be a combination of the bigger standard Schnauzer, Poodle and Affenpinscher, with a few other breeds contributing to the gene pool.
Evidences of the breed can be traced back to around the 1400’s. The Miniature Schnauzer was commonly used as a farm dog, especially as a ratter.
The History of the Chihuahua
The Chihuahua originated in Mexico and evidences of the breed can be traced back to the 9th century.
It is believed that the Chihuahua was originally a combination of the Mexican Techichi and a small hairless breed that originated in China.
However, there is little evidence to support this. It is generally believed that the Chihuahua is a dwarf dog that was first bred in ancient Mexico.
The General Appearance of the Chizer
So what does a Schnauzer Chihuahua Mix look like?
The Chizer is a cute dog that seems to have combined the appearance of the Miniature Schnauzer and the Chihuahua.
They are very small in size and have long or short square-shaped legs and an elongated body with a docked tail.
They have an apple-shaped or rounded head, dark eyes that are large and round in shape.
Chizer Size, Height and Weight
And how big does a Chizer get?
This tiny Chizer dog is around 6 to 14 inches tall and weighs around 4 to 15 pounds when full grown.
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Coat and Coat Colors
The Chizer’s coat can be shorthaired or longhaired and tends to be smoother around the head.
Common coat colors are black, white, brown and grey.
Chizer Temperament and Personality
The Chihuahua and Schnauzer Mix is an active, energetic, spirited, brave and intelligent breed that has the combined personality of the parent breeds.
Although they look small and delicate, Chizers are actually hardy dogs who will easily adapt quickly in apartments, condos, townhomes and other smaller homes.
Their size also means that they are great lap dogs who enjoy being cuddled up. They are friendly, loving and loyal dogs.
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They are gentle and outgoing dogs but early socialization is important for the Chizer. They tend to be wary of strangers.
Their protective and watchful nature makes them great guard dogs. They are alert and have a great voice to notify their owners when they see something strange. They are excellent watchdogs who also make great companion dogs.
Are they tolerant to solitude?
Given the personality traits of these mixes, you should never leave them alone for long periods of time. These pups tend to form strong bonds with their families and they are vulnerable to separation anxiety.
If you are not at home for extended periods of time, your Chizer can get bored and frustrated.
Another important attribute that these pups possess is that they love being close to their family, and they will do everything in their power to get the attention of their owners.
Sometimes, they will do whatever it takes to get your attention. They may follow you around the house or cuddle close to you just to get your attention.
Behavior with Kids
The Chihuahua parent adds low tolerance to kids to the gene pool so extreme care and attention should be paid when the Chizer is near small kids who don’t know how to play with him.
Timely socialization can help minimize the intensity of this personality trait but might not completely eliminate it.
Make sure to introduce your Chizer puppy to small children and allow them to get used to each other.
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Behavior with Cats and Other Pets
The Chizer may not get along well with strangers, cats and other animals. To reduce the intensity of these traits, make sure to socialize him at a young age.
These pups are also quite shy and might be scared of meeting other dogs. Let your dog mix freely with other dogs early in life. Your friends and neighbors can help make this possible. Invite them over so that your puppy can get used to many new faces.
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Barking
The Chizer will bark occasionally or frequently to alert you to strange sounds or people. While he can live in an apartment, his barking could be a real nuisance, particularly for neighbors.
Taking Care of the Schnauzer Chihuahua Mix
There’s a lot you need to know about taking proper care of any pup, and the Chizer is no different. You’ll need to learn about training, grooming, feeding and health care.
Training Your Chizer
Every dog, regardless of breed, needs to be properly trained. Although some breeds are naturally well-mannered, no puppy naturally knows the house rules, or how he should behave in different situations.
So, is the Chizer easy to train?
Fortunately, the Chizer is quite easy to train. This mixed breed is very intelligent, and tends to pick up on commands quickly. This is particularly true if you begin training your puppy at an early stage when they are more willing to learn and less determined in their ways.
If you don’t start training your dog at a young age, they can easily become willful and difficult to control.
With a mix breed dog like the Chizer, it is recommended to start obedience training immediately you bring your puppy home. You should also consider housetraining your dog early because this is often a challenging task with small dogs.
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Always make sure to start the training process very early to prevent bad behavior. It is always easier to teach a puppy the right thing at the outset than trying to correct a bad behavior.
After that, you should socialize your dog. Given your Chizer’s natural desire to get attention, he should be quite easy to train and socialize.
Always start introducing your puppy to different kinds of people, animals and other pets early to build his confidence and help ensure he develops into a well mannered dog.
When training your Chizer puppy, make sure to use positive reinforcement methods. This is better than punishing dogs for unacceptable behavior.
Once your pup has got something right, give him treats and praises. Since this pup craves attention, he will always try to do his best in order to win your attention.
Exercise Needs
The Chizer is a very active and energetic mix, so he needs plenty of exercises to stay healthy. Daily walks are necessary for this dog and playing dog games will help meet their exercise needs.
They tend to jump above their tiny size and extreme care should be taken at fenced yards, windows and other unsecured places. Due to their tiny size, these dogs can be held quite easily.
Being an intelligent dog, the Chizer will also need interactive dog toys to help stimulate their mind and keep them engaged.
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Grooming
Chizers have low to moderate shedding and they are, therefore, not hypoallergenic.
Regular brushing and grooming can help prevent heavy shedding and keep your furniture and clothing from being covered in pet hair.
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The amount of shedding owners can expect with this dog will depend on their coat type, but you should expect some hair.
The best way to reduce shedding is to brush their coat several times per week. This will help prevent tangles and help keep them looking their best.
Bathing should also be done to remove any dirt from their coat when necessary. It is also recommended to use deodorizing wipes for dogs on a regular basis to ensure their coat stays clean and smooth.
You should also clean your dog’s ears, and eyes regularly to prevent infections. Moreover, their teeth should be brushed regularly and their nails clipped as needed.
Feeding and Diet
When you have a Chizer, it is best to buy high quality dog food that has been specially formulated for other small dogs of its energy levels. Of course, you want to ensure you are giving them food that is rich in protein and with no fillers.
Giving your dog certain fruits and vegetables occasionally and in moderate amounts is also acceptable.
Remember you need to choose high quality dog food to help prevent digestive issues. Giving your dog dry dog food is also acceptable.
This pup usually requires ½ to 1 cup of dry dog food per day. Make sure to divide this amount into two meals per day instead of leaving the food out all day long.
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Avoid giving your dog treats too frequently as this can elevate the risk of obesity. Your dog’s treats must not exceed 10 percent of his regular diet.
Make your pup look and feel great by adding fish oil and probiotics to his regular diet. These help to promote shiny coat, heart and brain health, and prevent a wide range of diseases.
In order for your Chizer to get enough water each day, you should also provide clean and fresh water along with a well balanced diet.
How Long Will a Chizer Dog Live?
Chizers have an average lifespan of around 12 to 18 years.
Some may live longer or shorter lives. However, you can generally approximate by taking the average of the life expectancy of the Chihuahua (12 – 20 years) and that of the Miniature Schnauzer (12 – 15 years).
These dogs can live longer under a healthy environment and proper care. Since they are prone to different heath problems, proper care and attention should be paid to the dog.
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The Health of Your Chizer
Another part that you should take proper care of is your dog’s health. Fortunately, this mixed breed is quite healthy and does not experience too many disorders.
Like any other dog, however, the Chizer can inherit various health problems from their parents. These include:
- Urinary stones
- Eye problems
- Von Willebrands
- Patellar Luxation
- Hypoglycemia
- Heart disorders
- Collapsed trachea
- Hydrocephalus
Ask to check parental health clearances from your breeder. Also, be sure to visit the breeder’s premises and check on the puppy’s conditions.
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Living Conditions
The Chizer is a good apartment dog and may be ideal for first time dog owners, as well.
They are most active indoors and will adapt well in any home. The exercise requirements of this crossbreed can be managed even in a home without a yard.
Chizers have moderate tolerance to heat and low tolerance to cold. They like to remain warm and extreme heat can also hurt them.
Litter Size
The Chizer has an average litter size of about 4 to 7 puppies.
Buying Schnauzer Chihuahua Mix Puppies for Sale
Looking for reputable Chizer breeders?
As a hybrid breed, Schnauzer Chihuahua Mix puppies may be quite difficult to find, but that doesn’t mean that you should buy from the first Chizer breeder that you come across.
Only do business with a reputable breeder who sustains their breeding stock in the best conditions possible and uses genetic testing to create healthy puppies.
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How Much Does A Chizer Puppy Cost?
Believe it or not, the Schnauzer and Chihuahua Mix puppies can be quite expensive.
The price will vary depending on the pedigree, size and age of the Chizer. Expect to pay anywhere between $300 and $500.
Miniature Schnauzer and Chihuahua Mix for Adoption
You can find a Chizer for adoption at an animal rescue or humane society. This can be a good place to start if you don’t want to buy from a breeder.
If you decide to go the adoption route, keep in mind that some of these rescue dogs might not have full health histories.
Therefore, it advisable to familiarize yourself with the various health issues so you can watch out for signs and symptoms.
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Conclusion
The Schnauzer and Chihuahua Mix may be a crossbreed, but that doesn’t mean that these dogs are less adorable.
In fact, it’s easy to instantly fall in love with them because they are so cute and adorable.
The Chizer is a wonderful dog, but he does have his cons so it is not the best choice for a family with small kids.
He needs early training and socialization and he will need plenty of attention. He will be very loyal, loving and amusing and can be a great companion dog.
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