I can’t imagine two breeds that are more different than the husky and the chihuahua. The size difference alone makes it seem impossible. However, thanks to today’s breeding technology, this strange mix now exists.
Does this breed inherit the best characteristics from both parents? Is this the dog for you? Let’s find out!
Contents
Quick Profile
Before we get into the details of the husky chihuahua mix, let’s take a look at the basic facts. Be sure to keep reading to learn more about this unique mixed breed.
- Other Names: Huskyhuahua, Chi Husky, Husky Chi
- Average Lifespan: 12 to 16 years
- Average Height: 5 to 15 inches
- Average Weight: 6 to 20pounds
- Coat appearance: thick, smooth short to medium, fawn, red, gray cream, chocolate, brown, white, and black
- Eye Colour: brown, blue, bi-color
- Activity Level: Medium
- Grooming Frequency: 2 to 3 times a week
- Typical Temperament: affectionate, energetic, playful, intelligent, stubborn, curious
- Daily Food Consumption: 3/4 to 1 1/3 cups
- New Owner Friendly: can be challenging
- Suitable to live with children? Yes, best with older children
- Suitable to live with other dogs? Yes
- Suitable to live with cats? Yes, if socialized with them
Appearance
When it comes to mixed-breed dogs, there’s a lot of unpredictability. They will inherit traits from both their parents.
Typically, they will resemble one parent more than the other, with aspects of both. In terms of the chi husky, they usually inherit the size and most features of the chihuahua, with the coloring of the husky (this does vary, however).
To understand what the chi husky will look like, let’s take a look at the parent breeds.
Siberian Husky Appearance
The Siberian husky is a medium to large-sized dog. They are slightly longer than they are tall. They have a graceful lean body. They are very strong and athletic, because they were used to pull sleds across the Arctic ice.
They have an elongated head, and a medium-length muzzle. They have medium-sized, erect ears. They sport a long bushy tail that they can curl around their body to keep them warm.
Their eyes are usually brown or blue. They can also have heterochromia, which means they have one eye of each color. Green eyes can occur, but they are rare.
They have a thick, medium-length, double coat. They can come in a variety of colors. Most are bi-color, which means they have two coat colors. They can also have a tri-color coat. Solid coats also occur, but they are rare.
Siberian husky coat colors include:
- White
- Gray
- Black
- Tan
- Sable (red with black-tipped hairs)
- Agouti (gray or wolf sable)
- Tan
Chihuahua Appearance
Chihuahuas are a small breed with a big personality. They have compact but graceful bodies. They have round, apple-shaped heads, and erect ears.
They have large eyes, which are expressive.
Their coat can be either long or short, with short hair being the most common. Their coat can be a wide variety of colours. Like the husky, they can be solid, bi-color, or tri-color, according to the AKC breed standard.
Chihuahua coat colors include:
- Fawn
- Red
- Cream
- Brown
- White
- Black
Average Size
Since the parent breeds vary so much in size, the size of a husky chihuahua can be difficult to predict. Most will be 5 to 15 inches tall, and weigh 6 to 20 pounds.
However, it is possible for them to be smaller or larger than this, depending on the traits they inherit from their parents. The husky chihuahua mix below, for example, is on the larger end of the spectrum in terms of size and takes after the husky more.
Chihuahuas are 5 to 8 inches tall, and weigh 6 pounds or less. Huskies reach 18-22 inches tall, and weigh 30 to 60 pounds. You can expect your chi husky to be somewhere in between these two size ranges.
Coat Appearance
Your chi husky can have a short to medium-length coat. When it comes to colors, they can inherit any coloring from their parents. Some will inherit a husky-style coat and pattern, while others will have a shorter, chihuahua-type coat.
Even pups from the same litter can look very different, based on the genes they inherit from their parents.
- White
- Black
- Fawn
- Red
- Tan/Cream
- Brown
- Gray/blue/silver
- Sable (red with black-tipped hairs)
- Agouti (gray or wolf sable)
Physical Features
Again, the husky chihuahua can inherit traits from either parent. Chihuahuas typically have black or brown eyes, but this pooch can also inherit blue eyes or heterochromia from their husky parent.
Their face shape can be inherited from either parent as well. They may look like a miniature husky, or a chihuahua with some husky features. They will have erect ears, and typically a medium-length tail.
They do tend to inherit the shorter legs and compact body of the chihuahua.
Grooming Guide
The chi husky is much easier to groom than a purebred husky, but they still require regular grooming.
Grooming Tools
Before we get into how to groom your pooch, let’s take a look at the tools you’ll need:
- Slicker or pin brush
- Bristle brush
- Undercoat rake
- Comb
- Nail Clippers
- Dog Shampoo
Brushing Your Husky Chihuahua Mix
You’ll need to brush your chi husky at least 2 to 3 times a week. Start with a slicker or pin brush to remove any mats and dead hair from their coat.
You may also need an undercoat rake to remove shed hair, if their coat is very thick.
Once you’ve brushed them well, you can use a bristle brush to finish. This will make their coat smooth and shiny. You may also need a comb to style their hair and give it a little lift.
If the chihuahua parent was long-haired, your pooch may need trimming, particularly around the eyes and paws. You can do this at home with trimmers, or visit the groomer a few times a year.
Bathing
Neither parent breed needs frequent bathing. Chihuahuas need bathing about once every 1 to 3 months. Huskies need bathing once every 3 to 4 months.
You can expect your chi husky to need a bath every 1 to 3 months. Bathing too often can strip the natural oils from their coat and skin, leading to dry skin and poor coat.
Be sure to use a shampoo designed for dogs when bathing. Using shampoos designed for humans can upset their ph balance.
Nail Trimming
Your husky chihuahua will need their nails trimmed. Huskies usually don’t need their nails trimmed, because they are so active they keep their nails worn down. Chihuahuas, on the other hand, need their nails trimmed about once a week.
Your chi husky will probably need their nails trimmed once every 2-3 weeks. If their nails are nearly touching the floor when they walk, it’s time to clip their nails.
You can use guillotine-style clippers, but scissor clippers are ideal. You can also use a nail grinder, which allows you to avoid cutting their nails.
Temperament
The husky chihuahua mix provides a huge personality in a small package. Like their parent breeds, these pooches are affectionate. They become extremely attached to their owners.
They inherit the husky’s ability to get attention through antics, and a tendency towards separation anxiety from both parents. This means they need a lot of attention.
They are often happy just sitting in your lap. However, you’ll need to spend time playing with them and training them as well.
If you are away from home for long periods, this pooch may not be a good choice. You’ll need to have someone stop by during the day if you can’t.
They are stubborn and can be difficult to train. You’ll need to establish yourself as the alpha early on. They are pretty willing to please their owners, particularly if you use lots of positive reinforcement.
They can inherit the chihuahua’s distrust of strangers or the husky’s gregarious nature. Socializing them with other people as puppies can help them get along well with strange humans.
They are good with children. However, due to their small size, small children shouldn’t be left unsupervised with them. Chihuahuas can bite if they are afraid or hurt, so your chi husky can inherit this tendency. This is another reason why they aren’t ideal for small children.
They are good with other dogs and cats, particularly if properly socialized as puppies. Their small size helps them get along well with cats, and they may even become playmates.
Huskies are highly pack oriented and need regular time with other dogs. Your chi husky can inherit this trait as well.
Health
Mixed-breed dogs are often considered healthier than purebred pooches. However, they are still at risk for health conditions, particularly those their parent breeds are prone to.
Heart disease
Heart disease is a concern for both parent breeds. Heart disease is the leading cause of death for chihuahuas. The most common issue is the weakening of the heart valves. This allows blood to leak back into the valve, which causes a heart murmur.
Huskies are susceptible to issues with the heart’s walls and vessels. They can also develop electrical heart problems, which affect their heartbeat.
Joint Issues
Joint issues are also common in the parent breeds. Both can develop hip or elbow dysplasia. This occurs when the hip or elbow joint doesn’t form correctly. This allows it to slip out of place easily.
Chihuahuas can also have patellar luxation. This occurs when the kneecap slips out of place. It can slip out of place and back in on its own, but in severe cases, the knee may stay out of place without veterinary care.
Joint issues can cause pain, particularly with movement. You may notice your pooch limping, avoiding exercise, or having difficulty moving.
Eye Disorders
Huskies and chihuahuas are prone to eye diseases. They can develop glaucoma, which causes increased eye pressure. Eventually, glaucoma can lead to pain and blindness.
Cataracts are another issue, particularly for older chi huskies. Cataracts occur when a film forms over the eye. This does impair vision, but it doesn’t cause pain.
Chihuahuas are also prone to dry eye. This can cause redness, irritation, squinting, and pawing at the eye.
Exercise Needs
Husky chihuahuas require about an hour of exercise each day, while huskies need 2 hours of exercise each day. This can be split into a few sessions. They love walks, and can also go on hikes. They need some playtime with their family as a part of their exercise as well.
This can include playing fetch, tug of war, or chase.
They also need mental stimulation. This can include teaching them tricks or commands, playing games like hide and seek, and puzzle toys.
It’s important to note that these pooches need time outside, but they are not outdoor dogs. They don’t do well with extreme heat, because of their thicker coat. They are typically sensitive to cold and struggle to keep their body temperature up.
When exercising your chi husky, try to bring them outside during the more moderate times of the day.
