Chihuahua Terrier Mix: All About Chihuahua and Terrier Breeds Mix

When some people are in the market for a dog to add to their family, their hearts are set on a purebred. However, mixed breed dogs have many amazing qualities as well and deserve a part of the spotlight! 

A Chihuahua Terrier mix, or Chi Terrier, is just one of many mixed breed dogs. Several Terrier breeds are often crossbred with Chihuahuas, which we will address later on in this article. The most common ones are Rat Terriers, Jack Russell Terriers, Boston Terriers, Fox Terriers, and Yorkshire Terriers.

This adorable mix is considered a small dog breed and typically does not weigh more than 15 pounds. They have spunky personalities, are very vocal, and form deep bonds with their owners. 

There is a lot to know about any dog breed before you bring one home, so read on to learn all about the Chihuahua Terrier mix. 

Chihuahua Terrier Mix Characteristics 

Weight	10 to 15 pounds
Height	9 to 18 inches (depending on the Terrier breed it is crossed with)
Colors and Patterns	black, black and white, black and tan, black and brown, chocolate, gray, black and gray, fawn, brown and white, white
Lifespan	12 to 20 years
Suitable for	families with older children, single adults, apartment living, homes where they are the only pet

Breed History

It is important to note that many mixed dogs, with the exception of some designer dogs, are not recognized by the American Kennel Club (AKC), including this mix breed. 

It is unclear exactly when Chihuahuas were first bred with a Terrier breed or if said breeding was intentional. Regardless, the parent breeds are very well-known, so here is a bit of history about them.

The Chihuahua originated in Mexico and is named after the Mexican state of Chihuahua. It is believed that Chihuahuas are descendants of the Techichi Dog, an ancient dog of Mexico’s indigenous Toltec tribe. These dogs are extinct today but their lineage can be traced back many centuries. 

Along with their Teichichi ancestors, Chihuahuas were commonly used in ancient religious ceremonies. The Toltec people viewed this small dog as sacred. ^[1]

Today, Chihuahuas remain a very significant symbol to Mexican culture, yet they are popular worldwide. They are only bred as companion dogs now. 

There are many Terrier variations of dog breeds, but most of them all served the same purpose. They were bred to be hunting dogs as well as farming dogs. Terriers are known for their high prey drive for this reason. They will chase any pesky animal intruder off of their property or help hunters find their kill!

Many Terrier breeds were developed in the 19th century and some became well-known in the United States decades later. Terriers are also known for being very vocal dogs and are not afraid to alert their owners when someone is approaching their home, making them great guard dogs. 

Interesting Facts About the Chihuahua Terrier Mix

Although they may be small, this mix breed often don’t act like they are. They tend to have “big dog syndrome,” meaning that they like to be the boss and don’t realize their small stature. This is a trait widely seen amongst Chihuahuas, and it is sometimes passed to offspring that is also crossed with another breed.

Terriers are a bit more friendly by nature. However, their constant alertness may make them appear standoffish. They enjoy mental stimulation so they can exercise their natural prey instincts. 

Both Chihuahuas and Terriers can have various colors, patterns, and textures when it comes to their coats. Chihuahuas can have long or short hair and a Terrier’s coat can be either smooth or wiry. Both breeds are available in a wide range of colors. 

READ MORE: 16 Small White Dogs

Most Popular Chihuahua Terrier Mix Breeds

Several Terrier dog breeds can be crossed with Chihuahuas, but there are five that are the most popular. ^[2] Each of them has unique physical features, but many of the personalities may remain the same. Their coats come in a wide variety of colors and patterns, their ears may be pointed or floppy, and they vary in height and weight. 

Chihuahua Jack Russell Terrier Mix

The Jack Russell Terrier was bred to be a hunting dog, like many other mix breed. They have English roots and were developed in the 19th century. They became well-known in the United States sometime in the 1930s.  

A Chihuahua Jack Russell mix may be called a “Jack Chi” for short. On average, most of them weigh between 8 and 18 pounds and generally do not get any taller than 12 inches. If the Chihuahua’s size traits are more dominant, then the dog will be smaller. Their coat may either be smooth or wiry.

READ MORE: All About Jack Chi – Chihuahua Jack Russell Terrier Mix

Chihuahua Rat Terrier Mix

Like the Jack Russell Terrier, the Rat Terrier also hails from England. They became known in the United States around the same time as well. Their ears are naturally pointy, so a this mix may sometimes resemble a large Chihuahua.

This breed’s nickname is “Rat Chi” or “Rat Cha.” These dogs typically stand between 12 and 14 inches and do not exceed 15 pounds. 

Chihuahua Boston Terrier Mix

Boston Terriers are known for their signature tuxedo (black and white) coloring and smooth, shiny coat. They are very friendly and often do well with young children. Their flat faces and bat-like ears mean that they sometimes get confused with French Bulldogs. However, this breeds are leaner and have ears that are more pointy rather than rounded.

Chihuahuas and Boston Terriers have some similar facial features. Their heads are round and their eyes are very large. Their nickname is called a “Bochi” or a “Chibo.” These dogs rarely stand taller than 15 inches and are often much shorter. They typically weigh between 10 and 15 pounds. 

Chihuahua Fox Terrier Mix

Fox Terriers also hails from England and come in two varieties- the Smooth and the Wire Fox Terriers. These are determined by the texture of their coat. These dogs originated in the 19th century and arrived in the United States in the late 1870s, or so it is estimated. Like their name states, they were meant to help fox hunters track and fetch their prey. 

When Chihuahuas are bred with Fox Terriers, it is often with the Toy Fox Terrier. It makes breeding them with a dog as small as a Chihuahua a bit smoother since they are close to the same size. Sometimes Chihuahua Fox Terrier mixes are called the “Taco Terrier.” The offspring of a Chihuahua and a Toy Fox Terrier is no taller than 10 inches and typically weigh no more than 10 pounds. 

Chihuahua Yorkshire Terrier Mix

The final dog on the “most popular Terriers that are bred with Chihuahuas” list is the Yorkshire Terrier. Like their name says, they originated in Yorkshire, England in the 19th century. They are one of the smallest dog breeds and typically do not weigh more than 7 pounds. Their coats can grow to where they reach the ground, but many owners choose to keep their hair shorter due to their extensive grooming needs.

When you mate a Yorkshire with a Chihuahua, the result is a “Chorkie.” Since both parent breeds are so small, it is fair to expect the offspring to be the same. On average, Chorkies weigh around 7 or 8 pounds. 

READ FULL ARTICLE: All About Chorkie

Temperament and Personality of a Chihuahua Terrier Mix 

It can sometimes be hard to judge how a dog’s personality will be. Considering the parent breeds, it is fair to assume that a mix will have the sassiness of a Chihuahua mixed with a bit of friendliness and a high prey drive from the Terrier side. 

These dogs tend to be a bit stubborn at times, they like to do things their way. However, their hunting nature makes them highly intelligent. If you are patient and persistent with training them, they will learn to listen to you. 

These dogs would do best in a home with older children or only adults. They prefer to be the only pet in the household. However, with proper training and socialization from a very young age, they may not mind living with young children or other pets. Just remember to teach small children to be respectful of dogs and handle them with care. 

Adaptability	4 out of 5
Adapts to apartment living	4 out of 5
Adapts to being alone	3 out of 5
Energy level	3 out of 5
Tolerates cold weather	1 out of 5
Tolerates hot weather	2 out of 5
All-around friendliness	3 out of 5
Affectionate with family	4 out of 5
Kid-friendly	2 out of 5
Dog friendly	3 out of 5
Cat friendly	2 out of 5
Friendly with strangers	3 out of 5
Health and grooming	3 out of 5
Shedding	3 out of 5
Drooling	1 out of 5
Easy to groom	4 out of 5

Activity Levels 

Chihuahuas are known for being lapdogs, but when they are crossed with a Terrier they develop more active tendencies. Since Terriers were bred to be hunting dogs, they thrive in environments where they can get out and exercise, especially if that includes chasing small critters. 

It can be difficult to determine how active or inactive, a dog will be. Regardless, a this mix will love a daily walk and playing with their toys. They may also enjoy trying to solve puzzle games, especially since Terriers like activities that keep their minds sharp.

Puppies and younger dogs will naturally be more energetic, so that is something to be aware of. They will need a higher volume of exercise for a longer duration. 

If you enjoy going for hikes, you could try bringing your Chihuahua Terrier mix along with you and see if they enjoy it, too. If so, it could become an excellent bonding activity to do and it is a great form of exercise. 

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Adopting a Chihuahua Terrier Mix 

Unfortunately, many mixed breed dogs are the ones that end up in animal shelters. However, that means that there are many to choose from when bringing one into your family. 

It is not guaranteed that your local shelter will have any this mix available for adoption, but there is a good chance. New dogs are often brought into shelters almost daily, so one may end up appearing later on. You’ll never know until you go take a look! There is also an option to search online. 

Dogs that are adopted from shelters are less expensive than buying one from a breeder. The shelter staff is also able to assess some health problems that the dog may have, so you are aware of them before they are adopted. They also take note of the dog’s personality so they can match them with the perfect family. 

Shelter dogs should be considered if you are looking to add this mix breed to your family. There are also dog rescue organizations that sometimes specialize in the rescue of a specific breed, so that is also an option to look into. You may even end up saving a dog’s life!

Here some organization that helps with rescue and adoption of Mixed Chihuahuas:

• Chihuahua Rescue & Transport
• Adoptapet – Chihuahua Puppies and Dogs
• RESCUE ME! ― Chihuahua Rescue

Breeders 

If you decide to purchase your mix puppy from a breeder, you should expect to pay between $400 and $800. It may be more or less, but this range is fairly accurate. The price will depend on the bloodline of the parents.

It is vital to do extensive research on various breeders to ensure that they are up to high standards. A reputable breeder will be completely transparent. They will allow you to see the paperwork of the parents’ and puppies’ genetic information, meet the parents, and see where the puppies are kept. If a breeder refuses to do any of this, do not buy a puppy from them. 

If possible, please do not purchase a mix breed from a pet store. Dogs there are often from puppy mills and come from horrific conditions. Find a reputable and trustworthy breeder or visit your local animal shelter. Also, remember that a Chihuahua Terrier mix has a long lifespan. The perfect dog for you and your family is out there somewhere! 

Conclusion

The Chihuahua Terrier mix is a lively dog that would be perfect in a home where there are no other pets or small children. Although they are small, they are known for their feisty “big dog” personalities and are not afraid to show that they are the boss. 

They double as the perfect lapdog and adventure partner. They will form a very deep bond with their owners and they like to be included in family activities. As long as they receive adequate daily exercise, they will do great living in an apartment. 

Mutts are sometimes overlooked, but they are just as lovable as purebred dogs. When you adopt a Chihuahua Terrier, they will give you many years of love and happiness. 

FAQs

Article Sources:

1. Jeng, Richard. “What Were Chihuahuas Originally Bred For?- The Trust About The Chihuahua’s Origins.” The Smart Canine. 5 November 2021. https://thesmartcanine.com/what-chihuahuas-bred-for/
2. “The Chihuahua Terrier Mix- Breed Guide & Top Facts.” Animal Corner.  https://animalcorner.org/dog-breeds/chihuahua-terrier-mix/