Husky Chihuahua Mix: Everything You Need To Know

What’s the oddest combination of two dogs you can think of? Did a husky chihuahua mix come to mind? Yes, they really do exist! And they’re pretty darn cute, to top it off.

With designer dogs on the rise, more people are turning to new and interesting combinations when looking for a furry companion. Two very different breeds in appearance and personality, every husky chihuahua dog is completely different than even its own brother and sister.

The key to understanding these new breeds is to take a look at both of their parents and figure out what overlaps and what is completely different between the two. It’s all about making educated guesses!

You probably have a lot of questions about this unique breed of dog. What do they look like? How do they act? And where can you get one? Let’s dive in and learn a little bit more about the husky chihuahua mix!

Husky Chihuahua Mix History

The Siberian husky was originally bred by the Chukchi people in eastern Siberia. Due to the arctic landscape, they were the perfect dogs to pull sleds and withstand the cold and harsh environment.

Named after the Mexican state of Chihuahua, chihuahuas are a very old breed with evidence dating back hundreds of years ago of their existence. The Aztecs bred them as companion dogs. Mix these two breeds together, and you get what’s known as a huskyhuahua and husky-chi. Neither really roll off the tongue, do they?

A relatively new mixed breed, a husky chihuahua mix cannot occur naturally. Due to the drastic size difference, a female chihuahua cannot mate and carry the puppies of a male husky. To breed this mix, they are born through in-vitro fertilization or artificial insemination. The mom is always a husky – this is the only acceptable and low-risk way of breeding them.

Husky Chihuahua Mix Appearance

When it comes to mixed breeds, you never really know what you’re going to get. Every trait can lean towards either parent resulting in very different-looking dogs, even in the same litter. While you can have a good idea of what their basic appearance will look like as a puppy, their coats can drastically change as they get older. The best way to predict the future appearance of your puppy is by taking a deep dive into the appearance of both parents.

Husky Appearance

Husky Chihuahua Mix: Everything You Need To Know

Huskies have a distinct, wolf-like appearance. They look like they belong huddled up in deep snow because that’s what they were bred for! As working dogs, they have strong and lean bodies. Their long tail, erect ears, and distinct coat make them very recognizable dogs.

In terms of coloring, the most common markings for huskies are sable markings. This is a white coat with black markings across the back, head, and sides. You can find them in solid colors, most notably white, but they can also be tan, grey, or black. However, these solid colors are rarer to find, and most huskies are a combination of them all.

Huskies have the most gorgeous eyes. Most will have those bright blue eyes that contrast against the snow and their coat beautifully. Others will have amber eyes or a combination of both. Eye color tends to be hereditary, so you can predict the probability of their eye color by looking at the parent.

Bred for the snow, huskies have a thick coat of hair. They have double coats, meaning they have an undercoat and an upper coat. The undercoat is dense and used to keep the husky warm during the cold months. Smoother than the undercoat, the upper coat helps to repel water and let the skin breathe during the warm weather.

Siberian huskies are considered medium-sized dogs, ranging from 25-60 pounds. They stand at 20-23 inches tall at the shoulder. Don’t confuse a husky with an Alaskan malamute – they come from different parts of the world and are smaller.

Chihuahua Appearance

On the complete opposite end of the spectrum, you have the chihuahua. One of the most notoriously tiny dogs that people carry around in purses, chihuahuas are considered a toy breed. They are very portable and easy to travel with, fitting under airplane seats and on laps.

There are two types of chihuahuas – the applehead and the deer head. The applehead chihuahua has a (you guessed it) apple-shaped head and a shorter muzzle. These types are the ones you would find in a show. The other kind, deer head chihuahua, have heads shaped like a young deer with wide eyes and large ears.

All chihuahuas will have upright ears that may droop when relaxed. Their eyes are dark and often a tad bulgy. You can find lighter-colored eyes for chihuahuas with lighter coats – but that is rarer. You can also find chihuahuas in all sorts of colors – from white to black and everything in between. Their coats can be solid, spotted, or even have black brindling and range from short to medium length, often smooth.

While lightweight, they also don’t stand far off the ground. They stand at 5-8 inches tall to the shoulder. With most weighing no more than 6 pounds, this means that a husky can be ten times the size of a chihuahua. This is why it is of the utmost importance that the husky mixed with a chihuahua has the husky as the mother.

What To Expect

So with such different-looking dogs, what can you expect with your chihuahua husky mix? They can inherit some traits from each, but there are some commonalities between the breed. You can expect a small to medium-sized dog. While huskies are large, most often, the size leans towards the chihuahua parent.

For their coat, most will have some sort of the husky’s signature markings, but they can also have none. Their coats can range from short to long hair. The husky coat is thick, and some of it will likely show. If you’re lucky, the puppy may have a smooth coat from a chihuahua parent and have a short-haired coat that is easier to take care of.

Husky Chihuahua Mix Personality

Just like their appearance, you have very opposite personalities when it comes to a husky mixed with a chihuahua. One is bred as a working dog, while the other is considered a companion dog. Chihuahuas have a tendency to be independent and bossy, while huskies are eager and ready to please. Both sure do love their humans, though.

Overall, you need to be flexible as you may end up with a lapdog or a high-energy dog. You throw the dice, and you get what you get with this mixed breed! To get an idea of their personality, you can look at the traits of their parents.

Husky Personality

Bred as work dogs meant to pull sleds, these dogs have lots of energy and are incredibly resilient. Huskies are not short on personality. They are known to be vocal and howl with their owners, often having a flair for the dramatics when they don’t get what they want.

Stubborn dogs, huskies do have a mischievous side to them. They are known as escape artists, often jumping over fences or digging their way out of the yard. And because of their sled past, they don’t make for the best walkers, pulling their owners on the leash ahead of them.

To keep your husky from getting out of hand, they like lots of mental stimulation. When bored, you can see some destructive behavior come out. Don’t leave them alone for too long, and make sure to get them out of the house as much as possible for a happy pup.

Huskies are very loving dogs that quickly create bonds with their owners and love to have a good time. They don’t like being on your bad side one bit and really do aim to please!

Chihuahua Personality

Bred in Mexico, the chihuahua is one of the oldest breeds of companion dogs in the world. Perhaps most known for their feisty attitudes, you never have a dull moment with a chihuahua in the house. They are known to make their owners laugh with their inherently funny reactions and attitudes.

Considered a low-maintenance dog, they are good for those who may not live a super active lifestyle. They are not hikers or meant for agility courses. They are fairly intelligent dogs but can be a little imposing. Most chihuahuas think they’re bigger than they are, not hesitating to bark at a dog ten times their size. But you have to admire their confidence!

How To Take Care Of Your Husky Chihuahua Mix

Caring for a Husky Chihuahua Mixed Breed

Grooming

All huskies will have a double coat. The upper coat has thick guard hairs that protect the skin and undercoat. Their undercoat holds the soft and insulating layer of hair. In the summer, they will shed the undercoat, and you will see a mountain of hair show up in the house. They may appear patchy or thinner during the shedding season.

Even though they will likely shed in the summer, you still need to be mindful of your pup in the hot temperatures. Their artic heritage prefers cooler weather, and you should make sure they are staying nice and cool when the sun is shining.

Your chihuahua husky mix will likely inherit some of that husky hair. Weekly brushing will help to collect a lot of the shedding and prevent any mats or tangles. If your dog has an undercoat, keep in mind that it takes longer for this hair to dry, and don’t let them outside in cold weather until fully dry.

If your dog inherits the coat of the chihuahua parent, the maintenance goes way down, and it is much more manageable. Keep up with brushing, but you won’t have to do it nearly as often.

Diet

Since chihuahuas are prone to obesity, you will want to keep a sharp eye on portion sizes for your dog. Take note of treat sizes while training and break them up if you need to. Your dog will be just as excited for the treat, no matter the size.

Huskies are a more active breed and require more protein. When searching for food, make sure the brand has real meat as one of the first few ingredients. Avoid any unnecessary additives and any grains used as filler for the food. Since husky chihuahua mixes can drastically vary in energy levels, adjust their diet based on their activity level.

Diet can change depending on the dog’s breed, preferences, age, and allergies. When determining the proper diet for your dog, always talk to your vet to come up with a plan best suited for their nutritional needs.

Exercise Requirements

What do you get when you combine a high-energy dog with a low-energy one? A husky chihuahua mix, of course! Likely, the dog will have more energy than their chihuahua parent but won’t need as much exercise as a husky.

While huskies are pullers, being large and powerful sled dogs, the good news is that a chihuahua mix won’t inherit this trait. Typically they are more of a chihuahua size, so you don’t have to worry as much about being strong enough to control your dog when on a walk. Of course, you still want them to be a good walker no matter what!

Your dog will need about 30-60 minutes of exercise. While huskies make for good exercise buddies, you will want to practice caution if your chihuahua is an applehead breed. They can be brachycephalic, making it difficult for them to breathe at times. If they have long hair, avoid exercising them in the heat.

A small yard will easily be enough for your dog. Make sure it is secure in case they inherit the mischievous nature of their husky parent. Your dog should get between 30-60 minutes of exercise a day. They can also adapt easily to apartment living, as long as they are meeting this exercise quota. Be mindful if you go to a dog park, as they can be bolters like huskies.

Health Concerns

Mixed breeds are considered healthier than their purebred parents. The goal is to inherit all of the good traits and none of the bad ones! That being said, your chihuahua husky mix may be susceptible to any of the same health concerns as their parents.

Husky Health Concerns

Siberian huskies are one of the healthiest purebreds out there. The biggest issues they face are their hips, experiencing hip dysplasia. This is when the ball and socket don’t fit well and rub and grind against each other.

They also experience retinol issues, including cataracts, corneal dystrophy, and progressive retinal atrophy. This can lead to a cloudy appearance in the eye and sometimes blindness.

Chihuahua Health Concerns

As mentioned earlier, chihuahuas are brachycephalic. Because the shape of their head is shorter and their muzzle is pushed further into their face, they have more difficulty breathing. Their airway can get clogged, and you may notice breathing problems, snorting, snoring, and maybe pain. It’s important not to overexert them, especially in high temperatures, as this can worsen the condition.

Since they’re small dogs, chihuahuas are prone to problems such as hypoglycemia, tracheal collapse, heart problems, and luxating patella. Like huskies, they also experience some eyes issues. Due to their bulging eyes, they are more susceptible to corneal ulcers and ocular scratches.

Life Expectancy

To determine the life expectancy of a mixed breed, you have to look at the average for their parents. As a small dog, chihuahuas have a longer lifespan ranging from 14-16 years. Huskies, working medium-sized dogs, can live anywhere from 12-14 years on average. So, you can then expect your husky chihuahua mix to live ideally from 12-16 years old.

Trainability

While your husky chihuahua mix will likely be on the smaller side, you still need to provide diligent training. People tend to let smaller dogs get away with more things as their size doesn’t make them as intimidating. Sure, you can pick them up when they bark at the Amazon driver, but wouldn’t it be better if they were taught not to run and jump?

Chihuahuas are feisty little guys who need extra patience when training. You will need a firm hand, or they will think they’re the boss. Likewise, huskies are pack animals, so you need to establish yourself as the leader for the dog to listen to you. They may try and test your position in “the pack” from time to time, so be diligent with your training and responses.

Positive reinforcement and redirection will work best for both breeds. Both of them are fairly intelligent and can pick up training easily by following a good regime. Since chihuahuas tend to be aggressive, get them started on obedience training and socialization at an early age, so they are well behaved. This will also help the attitude streak you can sometimes see with huskies.

Huskies need a lot of physical and mental stimulation while they are being trained. Use lots of toys when training and take them outside to practice. You may also want to consider crate training, as boredom for them leads to destructive behavior. While you’re out of the house for a couple of hours, knowing they are safely tucked away in their crate ensures the house stays in one piece.

Small dogs can be difficult to potty train, so consider getting some puppy pads while your dog is trained to go outside.

Lifestyle

If the dog inherits the feistiness of the chihuahua, it may not be suitable for homes with young kids. Chihuahuas don’t have the same patience as huskies and can be aggressive at times. They can snap and bite if provoked. Older kids should not have a problem with the mix, however.

Chihuahuas are very territorial and protective of their family. This makes them good alarm dogs, but also means they bark at just about everything (that’s where the training comes in!) Huskies are friendly and outgoing, happy to live with other pets. If properly socialized and introduced to other pets slowly as a puppy, they should get along just fine.

Since husky chihuahua mixes are fairly low maintenance, they work well in elderly homes. Depending on their coat, they will need brushing and a bit of daily exercise. Otherwise, they will be content to hang out inside with their human best friend. This means they also work well in smaller homes and apartments. If they have the husky energy, they can still be in an apartment but will need a fair amount of outside time. They also can’t be a guaranteed lapdog like their chihuahua parent.

Adopting a Husky Chihuahua Mix

Because a husky chihuahua mix cannot be bred naturally, finding a breeder in your area may be more difficult. It is of the utmost importance that you find a reputable breeder to not only ensure you get a healthy puppy but that both the parents are also in good care.

You can expect the dog to fall on the more expensive side due to its rarity and the special procedures required for the mother to get pregnant. Veterinary assistance will be needed.

You may be able to find a husky chihuahua mix at a shelter. While you won’t know their parents and health history, it’s always an amazing experience to give an older dog a second chance at life!

Follow Some Husky Chihuahua Mix Dogs!

Now you know just about all there is to know about a husky mixed with a chihuahua. If you’re excited about adopting one after reading this, that’s great news! To get you ready for ownership, check out some of these adorable husky chihuahua mixes over on Instagram and bask in their cuteness.

Husky Chihuahua Mix Photos
Husky Chihuahua Mix Photos
Husky Chihuahua Mix Photos
Husky Chihuahua Mix Photos
Husky Chihuahua Mix Photos

I hope you enjoyed the photos. Be sure to follow these cute Husky Chihuahuas for more content!

Curious about other husky mixes? Check out this post on the Gerberian Shepsky. You’ll love it!

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