Affectionately, known as the Schweenie, the Shih Tzu Dachshund Mix is a mixed breed dog that is popular with dog owners who prefer small canines.
Here, you’ll learn about their history, temperament, appearance and any health issues to watch out for.
These Schweenie facts will help you to decide whether the Shih Tzu Dachshund Mix is the right dog for you and your family.
Table of Contents
What is a Schweenie?
A Schweenie is a cross between a Shih Tzu and a Dachshund. Therefore, this dog has a combination of the appearance and characteristics of his parents.
A Schweenie is a mixed dog or designer dog breed that was intentionally bred.
To understand where the Schweenie dog gets his cute looks, it’s important to know his origin.
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The History of the Shih Tzu Dachshund Mix
The Shih Tzu Dachshund Mix is believed to have been first developed in the 1990s; so, not much is known about his history.
Let’s take a look at the history of the parents breeds, the Shih Tzu and the Dachshund:
The History of the Shih Tzu:
The Shih Tzu breed is believed to have originated from China and Tibet. This is a very old breed of dogs that is known for being an excellent companion.
The breed arrived in England in the 20th century and was officially recognized as a unique breed by UK’s Kennel Club in 1928 with the American Kennel Club following suit in 1969.
Commonly referred to as little lion dogs, Shih Tzus are known to be calm, lively and intelligent. They are friendly and very affectionate.
They are also eager to please and love being around their owners. They also love attention and affection. A cheerful and good-natured dog, a Shih Tzu will be one happy dog as long as you give them plenty of attention and shower them with affection.
The History of the Dachshund:
On the other hand, the Dachshund was developed for a particular purpose: hunting badgers. “Dachshund” is a German word meaning “badger dog’.
Therefore, it is easy to see that this dog was named for what it was good at. Dachshunds have short yet strong legs and a powerful sense of smell.
The size of the animal helped with classifying the dog further. The Normalgrossteckel (the normal Dachshund) is the largest one, while the miniature Dachshund is also classified into two:
the Kaninchenteckel (the rabbit Dachshund) measured around 13.8 inches around its chest while the Zwergteckel (the dwarf Dachshund) had a chest that reached about 11.6 inches in circumference. These dogs were first bred as pets in the 19th century.
Dachshunds arrived in America during the late 1800s and were officially recognized as a unique breed by the AKC in 1935.
The present-day Dachshunds are intelligent, cheerful and brave, but can also be stubborn.
They have three types of coat, which may be suggestive of the dog’s overall temperament. Longhaired Dachshunds are gentle and friendly while the wirehaired ones are bold and adventurous. Those with shiny, smooth coats are generally a combination of both.
What Does a Shih Tzu Dachshund Mix Look Like?
Schweenie dogs are normally small and short, and tend to inherit their squat legs from their Dachshund parents.
Their coat is normally a mix between the Dachshund and the Shih Tzu. Common coat colors include white, black, brown, gold, cream or orange. The Black Schweenie is the most common.
Schweenie dogs have broad shoulders, floppy ears and large dark eyes. Their sweet distinctive face adds to their cute looks.
Nonetheless, the appearance of your Shih Tzu Dachshund Mix puppy will vary based on the parent breed he takes after.
Read Also: Facts About The Jack Russell Shih Tzu Mix
Schweenie – Image Source
How Big Do Dachshund Shih Tzu Mix Get?
The Dachshund Shih Tzu Mix size, height and weight will vary from one pup to another.
These creatures are small in size and the average height is approximately 11 to 20 inches when full grown. Their average weight is around 9 to 20 pounds.
The Shih Tzu Dachshund Mix Temperament
The Shih Tzu Dachshund Mix dog is a loving and very devoted pet and for such a small dog, he has a huge personality.
Since the Schweenies are very loyal to their masters, they can be aggressive towards strangers, usually barking at the first sight of anyone who’s not familiar to them.
If a Schweenie Weiner Mix puppy takes after his Dachshund parent dog, he may develop a habit of chasing after small animals.
Schweenies are intelligent, calm and sweet companions. They love attention and being around their owners. They are curious, but they can also be reserved at times.
If left alone for an extended period of time, they can get bored and show obvious signs of separation anxiety.
Keep in mind that with any crossbreed, the personality traits of the parent dogs may be manifested in the puppies or they may be a good blend of the two.
Training
As stated earlier, Schweenie dogs are very intelligent and able to learn new tricks and commands within a short period of time.
However, these dogs need a firm hand and encouragement during training. They should be rewarded and praised; positive reinforcement training, as opposed to scolding and shouting at your dog, is strongly recommended.
As with any small dog, housetraining a Schweenie can be a challenging task, so consistency and patience is necessary in the early stages.
With his cheerful personality, endearing features and charming looks, this dog is ideal for growing families, singles and seniors alike. He will get along with just about anyone.
Moreover, this dog is gentle with other animals and brings a lot of joy and fun to any home, making him an ideal companion dog.
Exercise Requirements
These dogs are very adaptable and will be happy to stay in small spaces, making them suitable for apartment living.
However, they still need at least 30 minutes of daily exercises. Although they enjoy various outdoor activities, indoor play and short walks each day is recommended for these dogs.
They will always be happy to play around with their owners. Schweenie dogs also enjoy a nap from time to time, they are the ultimate lap dogs.
These dogs generally get along with other dogs and can be quite social, so taking them out to a nearby dog park is a good idea.
Grooming
Schweenies are generally not hypoallergenic and don’t need much grooming.
Depending on your pup’s coat, his shedding may be anywhere between light and moderate.
If your dog has a long coat, he will need daily brushing to prevent mats from forming. On the other hand, you may not need to worry a lot if he has a short, smooth coat.
Give your dog a bath only if absolutely necessary, as bathing him too frequently can damage his natural skin oils.
Clean and check his ears at least once a week. Then brush his teeth two to three times every week. His nails should also be clipped when necessary.
Further Reading: What Is The Best Brush For Shedding Dogs? (Top 15)
Shih Tzu Dachshund Mix Health Problems
Just like other mixed breed dogs, Schweenies are at risk for or may inherit various health problems from their parents.
These health concerns include eye problems, epilepsy, Cushing’s disease, kidney complications, deafness, patellar luxation and liver problems.
If possible, when choosing a puppy from a Schweenie breeder, pay them a visit to find out the environment the puppies are kept in, and also verify health condition of the puppies. Ask for the health clearances of both parents.
Remember all mixed breed dogs may inherit certain health conditions from each parent dog.
Knowing what health issues your new puppy is vulnerable to makes it easy to detect and treat them early. It also allows you to be proactive in lowering or preventing his potential health risks.
The Embark Dog DNA Test Kit is very comprehensive and delivers helpful health information based on the genetic makeup of your dog.
With this dog DNA test, you’ll learn so much about your dog’s pedigree, information that will let you know him better and also enable you to keep him healthier and happier.
Schweenie Feeding Information
Schweenie food should be selected depending on the dietary needs of the Shih Tzu and the Dachshund.
This is because all mixed breed dogs or the so-called hybrids inherit their parent dogs’ genetic composition, which includes their unique dietary needs.
The best dog food for your lively Schweenie is one that is rich in protein, contains no fillers and has a flavor that can satisfy even the smallest canines.
Schweenies only need to eat about one cup of high quality dry dog food each day. For the heavier ones, you may need to increase the amount to around one and a half cup.
Be sure to get an automatic dog feeder for this purpose. Also, ensure your dog has access to clean drinking water at all times.
Experts also recommend giving your Schweenie fish oil supplements to help improve his skin and coat.
Shih Tzu Dachshund Mix Life Expectancy
Schweenies are capable of living very long lives because both the Shih Tzu and the Dachshund are known to live up to 16 years old.
Their offspring, the Schweenie has a lifespan of around 16 years provided they get enough exercises and proper nutrition.
Further Reading: How to Exercise Your Senior Dog (5 Simple Tips)
Finding Shih Tzu Dachshund Puppies for Sale
Make sure to do your homework before making your purchase. Talk to various dog breeders, and meet both the Dachshund and Shih Tzu parents.
The average price of one of Schweenie puppies for sale is around $1200. While Dachshunds are known to be inexpensive, the price of Shih Tzu puppies can reach up to $2000.
On the other hand, you may want to contact various rescue groups and ask if they have any Shih Tzu Dachshund Mix puppies available for adoption.
Overall, the Shih Tzu Dachshund Mix is an excellent pet that can bring a lot of joy and fun to your daily life.
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