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Facts About the Rat Terrier Chihuahua Mix Dog Breed
Today we will introduce you to the rat terrier chihuahua mix, one of the cuter designer dog breeds for around 5 years. These tiny pups take all the best traits from their parents and combine them together to create a picture-perfect small dog with lots of dog-friendly energy. Let’s learn more about this quirky designer dog breed.
Rat Terrier Chihuahua Mix History
The Chihuahua Rat Terrier Mix is a first generation cross between the Rat Terrier and the Chihuahua purebreds. Although there is no information available about its origin, this small designer dog has become popular as a companion pet for many families. The coming to of this breed was by mixing two different pure breeds probably during the 1990s when people began to develop new designer dogs.
Although we cannot say with certainty when the first cross breeding between the Chihuahua and the Rat Terrier took place, most people assume that this breed came to being in the United States after people began creating designer dogs for their companionship. Both parent breeds have a long history of being wonderful companion pets for humans.
The Rat Terrier originated in England and Scotland in the early 19th century as a fox hunter and rat exterminator. The Rat Terrier breeding was down to size by breeding them with Beagles and Manchester Terriers, creating the Toy Manchester Terrier. In the early 20th century, breeders incorporated more breeds into the gene pool including Whippets, Italian Greyhounds, and Fox Terriers.
The breed as we know it today descends from President Teddy Roosevelt’s own dog, Skip. Skip’s owner was impressed with his intelligence, hunting abilities and loyal personality, so he encouraged others to breed them in honor of Skip. Despite its name, this dog was for hunting animals larger than rats such as otters, weasels and badgers.
The Chihuahua served as a companion dog in Mexico nearly 200 years ago. The names came from Mexican merchants who discovered them as they traveled through Nuevo Leon, Mexico near a village called Chihuahua. Today they are one of the most popular breeds in America since 1904 and around the world is the Chihuahua.
The 50% Chihuahua in this crossbreed
Your rat terrier chihuahua mix may be a tiny dog, but he is full of personality and spunk because the Chihuahua in your rat terrier will likely bring out the big-dog personality even more. But this personality comes with a price. You need to develop a relationship with your dog that will last for many years. You should also use this time to teach your puppy about the world around him.
Physical Characteristics:
The Rat Terrier Chihuahua mix is a small breed with a short coat that will require little to no grooming. The coat is a smooth, shiny coat that can come in any color or combination of colors. The coat can be short or medium in length They have a broad skull with a pointed muzzle, triangular ears, and a long tail that is set low They have large ears, long legs, and flat feet. The almond-shaped eyes are round and might be brown or other colors such as hazel and blue. Their muzzle is long, their chest is deep and wide, their tail is curly or straight, and their teeth meet in an underbite or scissor bite. They come in many different colors including black, white, red, brown, fawn and blue.
Size
” The Rat-Cha will weigh between 8 and 15 pounds, with some weighing up to 20 pounds or more. This breed will stand between 8 and 15 inches tall at the shoulders. “
Personality
If the Rat Terrier Chihuahua mix was a person, they would be a frisky and friendly little person with a big heart. They are smart, curious and brave. They are active and love to play but they also love to cuddle. Their loyalty and devotion to their humans is absolute, which makes them good watchdogs.
The Rat Terrier Chihuahua mix is alert, He is also stubborn and strong-willed which means they will not hesitate to bark at strangers. However, this does not mean that your dog will be aggressive towards people and toward other dogs unless raised with them from puppyhood. If anything, your Rat Terrier Chihuahua mix may try to play with people that he or she thinks of as strangers. So, if you have young kids or other dog pets in the house, make sure that you socialize your pooch as much as possible.
Rat Terrier Chihuahua Mix Grooming
Because of their short hair, the Rat Terrier Chihuahua mix is easy to groom. It’s recommended that you brush them once a week to avoid tangles and mats, as well as reduce shedding. You should also bathe them occasionally, but not too often since it can dry out their skin.
- Brush Their Teeth
To prevent cavities and tooth decay, brush your dog’s teeth at least two or three times a week. If you are having trouble getting them to cooperate, try using flavored toothpaste that they’ll enjoy. Also check their ears every week for dirt and debris, and clean them with a cotton ball dipped in ear-cleaning solution. Make sure they do not have an odor or excessive wax buildup; this could be a sign of an infection.
- Rat Terrier Chihuahua Mix Activity Requirements
This is an active little dog that needs daily exercise. A walk on leash is good, but a romp in the yard or dog park is better. These dogs can jump surprisingly high, and they love to play fetch. Meet their exercise needs through walks and play sessions in the house or yard, but they do not tolerate heat well, so keep their outdoor exercise to early morning and late evening hours if it’s warm out.
If you’re a couch potato looking for a quiet lapdog, this is not your breed. These are working dogs who need to run, play and work to be happy. If you don’t satisfy their energy requirements, they will find ways to entertain themselves that aren’t always acceptable to owners – like digging under fences, chewing up shoes and barking incessantly. The Rat-Cha is a good apartment dweller if he gets outside for exercise regularly.
Rat Terrier Chihuahua Mix Care and Keeping
The Rat Terrier Chihuahua mix is a smaller dog, with a compact body and a lot of energy. They love spending time outside and are quite happy to run around all day as they have plenty of stamina. With their short coat, you can keep them in just about any environment, but it’s better if you have a fenced yard for them to play in.
Because their Rat Terrier side can bring out an independent streak, it’s important to begin training early. To keep them healthy and happy, be sure to feed them a high-quality diet that meets their nutritional needs. With the proper care and training, your dog will be a wonderful addition to your family for years to come.
Is your rat terrier chihuahua mix the right weight?
Learn how to help keep him at a healthy weight with these nutrition tips:
Good dog food is important for your rat terrier chihuahua mix’s health. Look for dog food made with high-quality ingredients that are appropriate for your pet’s life stage and lifestyle.
The average dog needs about 30 calories per pound of body weight per day, so a 10-pound rat terrier chihuahua mix would need about 300 calories a day. The amount of food depends on the quality and type of food you feed your dog. For example, two cups of dry food a day might be enough for one dog, but three cups may also suit another.
But don’t worry — your vet can help you figure out what kind of diet is right for your rat terrier chihuahua mix. They can help you decide what kind of food to feed and how often. For example, puppies have different nutritional needs than senior dogs. Your vet may also recommend specific foods if your rat terrier chihuahua mix has any health issues.
Health
Rat-Chas are generally healthy dogs, but they can develop some of the health problems common to either parent breed. Always ask a breeder about the genetic history of the parents to ensure that the puppies have not inherited any serious health issues. There are several conditions that you should be aware of when considering a Rat-Cha puppy.
Patellar Luxation
This is a condition where the patella, or kneecap, becomes dislocated. This can range from mild to severe and you should treat it with pain medication or surgery.
Legg-Calve Perthes Disease
This disease affects the hip joints and results in degeneration of the hip joint. It can occur at any age, but it is most common between four and six months of age. Surgery can help repair this problem if caught early enough.
If you decide to adopt a Rat-Cha from a rescue organization, be sure to ask about their medical history. Most rescues will know if there are any conditions that you need to be aware of before bringing your dog home.
CONCLUSION
FAQs
How should I handle a rat terrier chihuahua mix puppy?
When you have a Rat Terrier Chihuahua mix puppy to deal with, you must remember that this dog is not like other mixed breeds. This dog is a mix between two dogs that are extremely high energy and extremely intelligent.
The first thing to do is to make sure your puppy is up-to-date on vaccinations. Let vets take care of the initial shots and deworming, and a thorough exam. If you want your dog to grow up well behaved, you need an early start on training. This is true for any dog, but it’s even more important for this breed. You need to make sure that you give your puppy the right kind of training and socialization as soon as possible.
What is the rat terrier chihuahua mix best chilling position?
They love attention and affection, and they hate staying alone. If you don’t want a rat terrier chihuahua in your lap all the time, this isn’t the breed for you. These little dogs also love jumping on laps and giving kisses, so if you can’t handle that kind of affection, you may want to steer clear of this breed.
