Border Terrier Chihuahua Dog Breed

The Border Terrier and Chihuahua mix, as a crossbreed, is not an official member of any breed group. Neither does any info exist about these hybrids' specific origin; while a Border Terrier mixed with Chihuahua has probably existed naturally for a long time, no breeder or breed club has claimed its creation. The Border Terrier-Chihuahua likely gained popularity during the designer dog "explosion" in North America in the late 20th century. Regardless, these lively, confident, and spunky-yet-loyal little dogs can be great pets for the right families--but they'll need training and socialization to help calm their sometimes overbearing personalities.

A few facts about the Chihuahua x Border Terrier: they're toy- to small-sized, averaging nine inches at the shoulders in height and nine pounds in weight; their coat length and texture can vary, but they're most often short to medium and somewhat wiry, and they shed moderately; and they're very energetic and will need daily exercise.

Some advantages and drawbacks to owning a Border Terrier-cross-Chihuahua:

The Border Terrier-Chihuahua mix is the offspring of two breeds that are both small--but what they lack in size, they definitely compensate with huge personalities! These hybrids are indeed small-sized: height at the shoulders is typically 7-11 inches, and weight ranges from 6 to 12 pounds. Their coats can vary some too: the Chihuahua parent's coat can be either short or long, and the Border Terrier's is medium-length and wiry--so the Border Terrier-Chihuahua mix's coat will be somewhere in between. The coats come in a wide variety of colors, usually in multi-colored patterns, that include black, brown, red, tan, wheaten, grizzle, blue, and gold, among others.

Perhaps the most dominant characteristic of these hybrids is their overbearing personalities. The Border Terrier's "Triple T"--Typical Terrier Temperament--of digging, chewing, and general scrappiness, combined with the Chihuahua's fearless attitude, means these dogs can be quite a handful. Owners will need to provide training and socialization, starting during puppyhood if possible to help their Border Terrier-Chihuahua mix grow up to be a calm, friendly dog.

These hybrids will also be chock-full of energy, and will need exercise--walks, games, and a few minutes of general playtime--on a daily basis.

Feisty, intelligent, affectionate, cocky, and at times stubborn and even dominant, the Border Terrier-Chihuahua mix personality is one of both confidence and love. These hybrids will be friendly and loving with family members, and very loyal to and protective of them--but on the flip side, they can be defensive and confrontational with unknown people and animals (especially other dogs). They're also known for developing Small Dog Syndrome--excessive fussiness and selfishness--without proper obedience training. That said, Border Terrier-Chihuahua mixes can get along pretty well with kids and other pets, but it's best if they're raised together so they learn to be accustomed to one another.

In regards to training: these hybrids are pretty smart (and often eager to please), so they can respond well to training--but their potential stubbornness means they may need a few repetitions when learning tasks, commands, or tricks. As with any breed, firm, consistent, reward-based training methods are best.

And Border Terrier-Chihuahua mixes make pretty good watchdogs. They're confident, bold, and protective, and will normally bark at and investigate any unknown sights or sounds. While they may be too small to effectively neutralize potential threats like intruders, their size won't stop them from trying!

The Border Terrier-Chihuahua mix, due to hybrid vigor (in which a crossbred dog inherits the healthiest traits of its parent breeds), is very healthy. Even so, these hybrids can suffer ailments common to the parent breeds including hip dysplasia, patellar luxation, various heart issues, and hypoglycemia (low blood sugar, a common defect in toy-sized breeds). Potential owners are advised to ask breeders for health screenings for the dog and/or its parents, or they can have their own veterinarians do the screenings.

Life expectancy for these dogs is 11-16 years.