6-9 lbs
7-8"
United States
The Chiwoxy is a wonderful blend of the Chihuahua and the Wire Fox Terrier. This is a very small or toy-sized dog that was bred to be a family pet. The size of the breed and their spirited personality is not always suitable for small children. The Chiwoxy is about eight or nine inches tall and weighs about 10 pounds with big ears and eyes, a round head, and can have a short to medium length thick double coat of any color. Due to their small size, this feisty dog tends to be proud and will take over the household if you let them. Take your time to train your pup properly and be consistent so they know who is the boss of the house.
The Chihuahua has different histories, depending on who you talk to. Some believe they were first seen around 3,000 years ago in Egypt while others believe the breed started in China in the 1500s. Another theory is that the Chihuahua originated in South and Central America from a native breed called Techichi, which was a tiny dog that was sometimes sacrificed by those of the Toltec religion. At the time, the Aztecs believed that the small red dog would guide your soul to the underworld, and every wealthy family had one so the little dog could be cremated with the dead. Nobody knows for sure what the true story is, but the most common is that these dogs were abandoned after the Aztecs were conquered in the 16th century and found again 300 years later in Chihuahua, Mexico, which is where they got their name. The Chihuahua was registered with the American Kennel Club (AKC) in 1904. Coincidentally, the Wire Fox Terrier’s past is also a bit of a mystery. While some believe the breed came from the Rough-Coated Terrier of Durham, Derbyshire, and Wales; others say they also include Beagle and came from Shropshire and Cheshire in England. Either way, they were used for fox and vermin hunting during the 1800s and were not distinguished from Smooth Fox Terriers until 1984. It is thought that they were bred together with the Smooth Fox Terriers to decrease their size and whiten their coat. The Wire Fox Terrier joined the roster of the American Kennel Club in 1885. The Chiwoxy is a cute mix of these unique breeds.
The Chiwoxy is a tiny dog of about 10 pounds and is usually about 8 to 10 inches tall. They have a large, round head, big ears, short legs, a long tail, and a short muzzle. Their big eyes are dark and they generally have an eager expression. Their double coat is usually short but may be of medium length with a soft undercoat and tough, wiry outer coat. They can come in almost any color such as tan, yellow, black, brown, white, and red. However, they are most often reddish-gold. This little go-getter has small feet and legs and if they stay active they are usually well-muscled.
The Chiwoxy needs quite a bit of maintenance due to their wiry coat and should be brushed at least three times a week and hand-stripped. To hand-strip your dog, hold a few hairs between your thumb and index finger and then pull them straight out from the root. You can also use a stripping knife but hand-stripping is recommended. This is done every six months to keep their hair shiny, colorful, and doing so prevents shedding. You should also check your dog’s ears once a week for a buildup of wax or dirt and clean them as needed. Trim her toenails when necessary and brush her teeth a couple of times a week to prevent tooth decay.
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This breed is not really suitable for families with young children because the Chiwoxy can have a short temper to go along with their short stature. Some call this the small dog syndrome. If they are not socialized while young, they can be skittish and snap at other pets and strangers. In fact, if you do something they do not like, they may be snappy with you too. It is best to be firm and fairly strict with your Chiwoxy but use positive reinforcement rather than physical punishment. Affection goes a long way with this little canine, who will bond and learn to keep their feisty temperature in check if treated with kindness while still showing that you are the leader. This breed can be difficult to house train and many people choose to use mat-training until their pup gets it right.
The sprightly Chiwoxy has a lot of nervous energy and a high metabolism so they need at least 45 to 60 minutes of exercise every day. If they do not get enough activity, they tend to become destructive and can be more touchy than usual. They do like to curl up on the couch with you or sit in your lap but they definitely need exercise daily to prevent too much built up energy. The Chiwoxy gets bored easily and needs to be supervised around other animals because they are fearless enough to start a fight with a dog much bigger than themselves. A brisk walk, long game of fetch, or a hike at the park can prevent boredom and provide exercise.
Written by Darlene Stott
Published: 10/08/2017, edited: 01/21/2022
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