Breeders go beyond the lengths to create unthinkable designer dog breeds. One of such is The Great Dane Chihuahua mix, also known as the Chi-Dane-Dane, a crossbreed between the Great Dane and the Chihuahua. Has it ever occurred to you that a big giant dog can be crossed with a small loving breed to create just the perfect medium-sized dog? The size difference between the two breeds makes most people question if it is even possible to crossbreed the Great Dane and the Chihuahua.
This article provides information about the challenges and methods of creating the Great Dane chihuahua mix and how to take care of this dog.
Great Dane Chihuahua Mix and The Challenges of Creating Them
The natural breeding process of the Great Dane and the Chihuahua is somewhat impossible considering the huge size difference between the two breeds. Therefore, persistent breeders usually resorted to the Artificial Insemination process to create the offspring. Although this process made the female Chihuahua pregnant, unfortunately, many mothers could not handle the pregnancy as the babies were far too large to give them birth. This often resulted in the passing of babies and mothers followed soon after.
Another method that the breeders opted for was the Cesarian Section, but this too failed as the fetus grew too large too quickly and was underdeveloped at the time of the Cesarian Section.
With the persistent efforts of the breeders, there are only a few of these dogs that have survived the Artificial Insemination process, where the Great Dane is the mother. Their rareness is also the reason why the Chi-Dane-Dane is a scarce breed.
The difficulty doesn’t just stop at giving birth to this mixed breed. Nursing the Chi-Dane-Dane also becomes an issue, due to which, owners are required to hand-feed the babies. Moreover, there is also a high chance of genetic mutation, often resulting in congenital disabilities.
Controversy On the Chi-Dane-Dane Breed
As you may have already guessed, there are a lot of controversies surrounding this unique breed. Many people believe that it is unethical to produce the Great Dane Chihuahua mix through the artificial insemination process.
Some breeders also go too far to force a male Chihuahua to mount a female Great Dane. Forcing the dogs to produce truly unique offspring and to satisfy personal interests surely doesn’t check the ethical breeding procedure.
Considering the high mortality rate of both the mother and puppies, many animal rights activists are also against the crossbreeding of the Great Dane and Chihuahua.
What A Great Dane Chihuahua Mix Looks Like?
A handful of Chi-Dane-Danes who have survived tend to be smaller than their Great Dane parents and twice the size of the Standard Chihuahuas. This results in a medium-sized dog with a long body and short legs, resembling somewhat like a Daschund or a Corgi. They have a large head like the Great Dane but a slightly shorter nose, and straight, pointy ears like that of the Chihuahua.
The coat color of the Chi-Dane-Dane depends upon the parent breeds. The most common coat colors are a mix of cream and white and harlequin.
Chi-Dane-Dane Temperament
Chi-Dane-Danes have the fierce personality of the Chihuahua and the never-ending loyalty of the Great Dane. These dogs are affectionate enough to cuddle with you every day but they can also be vocal, especially when they see new faces. They can also become feisty when they do not get what they want.
Chi-Dane-Danes make great friends with kids and adults alike, which is why they are also considered perfect family pets. When socialized from an early age, these dogs tend to get along with other pets like cats and rabbits as well.
Chi-Dane-Dane Care
Great Dane Chihuahua mixes are low-maintenance dogs. They are mild shedders so they only require occasional brushing of their short coat. Make sure that you bathe your dog only when needed as their natural body oils might be stripped away with frequent baths. The Chi-Dane-Dane’s feeding requirement includes providing the dog with 25-30 calories per pound each day to maintain a healthy weight.
Given their small size and medium activity level, these dogs do not require much exercise. Daily walks in the dog park should be enough to stretch their bones and muscles and to keep them healthy and happy. When it comes to their living condition, Chi-Dane-Danes are suitable for living in small spaces. This also means that they are ideal for people who live in apartments.
Chi-Dane-Dane Health Issues
Great Dane Chihuahua mixes usually live 7 to 10 years, although most owners say that these dogs do not live long enough to reach 8 years. This is mainly because of many health complications that the breed may go through. Some health issues of the Chi-Dane-Dane are:
- Hip and elbow dysplasia
- Allergies
- Eye cataract
- Cancer
- Hypothyroidism
- Bloat
Pros And Cons of Getting a Chi-Dane-Dane
Confused about whether or not to get this truly unique breed? Here are some pros and cons of getting a Great Dane Chihuahua mix that we have listed to help you make the right decision:
Pros of Getting a Chi-Dane-Dane
- They make excellent family pets with their loyal and loving nature.
- They are low-maintenance dogs that require minimal grooming and exercise needs.
- They are suitable for apartment living.
- They truly stand out from most other designer dogs, which is why they are prized so much!
Cons of Getting a Chi-Dane-Dane
- They are difficult to breed, therefore hard to find.
- Their rareness makes them costly.
- Many animal rights activists are against the breeding of a Chi-Dane-Dane, considering the health complications and unethical breeding.
- They have a high mortality rate.
Conclusion
If you are in search of a designer dog breed that stands out from the crowd, then the Chi-Dane-Dane is the ideal choice for you. However, considering the health factors and other complications, you need to give all your time and effort to your dog is taking care of them.
Thank you for reading the article.
To explore more about the two parent breeds, here are some articles on the Great Dane and the Chihuahua that you might be interested in.
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