There is a massive market today for designer dog breeds; demand for dogs like Goldendoodles (Golden Retrievers and Poodles), Pomskies (Pomeranians and Siberian Huskies), and Puggles (Pugs and Beagles) has never been higher.
With these unique and seemingly endless combinations of new dog breeds developing, it’s natural to question whether a species like the Chihuahua Great Dane mix exists.
Would a Chihuahua Great Dane Mix be Possible?
To be fair, although it’s highly improbable, it’s not impossible. A Chihuahua parent and a Great Dane parent could technically produce offspring.
But I want to emphasize— it’s highly unlikely.
Chihuahuas and Great Danes are both clearly in the same species, but they’re wildly different breeds. The most significant factor they must overcome to reproduce is their considerable size difference.
On average, a Chihuahua is about six pounds and maybe eight inches tall at their adult size.
A Great Dane can be approximately 140 pounds and 30 inches tall (at their shoulder) as an adult. That means Great Danes are about four times the height and 23 times your typical adult Chihuahua’s weight.
Reproduction for the pair is extremely unlikely to happen naturally for that reason. Logistically, it would be difficult for these breeds of dogs to mate successfully. They would need significant outside help or influence to ensure insemination and healthy offspring. That isn’t to say that a Chihuahua cannot mate with a larger breed of dog or a Great Dane with a smaller one. It’s more that their extreme differences make it naturally unfeasible.
Artificial Insemination
While we mentioned it’s improbable for this breed to exist, it’s not impossible. Technology could play a hand in creating a Chihuahua Great Dane mix, otherwise often referred to as a Chi-Dane-Dane.
As natural breeding isn’t exactly an option for these two types of pups, artificial insemination could be the answer.
Artificial insemination is when a third party inserts the sperm of the male parent into the female parent’s reproductive organs. Several types of artificial insemination that could be used, according to the American Kennel Club.
Success rates for typical artificial insemination aren’t precisely a “sure” thing. In one study, researchers found that the overall conception rate for a group of 36 female dogs was only about two-thirds of the group; factors like when insemination occurred and if the dog had been pregnant previously played a big part in success rates. Different methods of insemination could produce very different results.
Possible Complications
With breeding these two contrasting dogs together, the big issue is the potential for health problems. You could try taking the sperm of a male Great Dane and using it to inseminate a female Chihuahua. But, as her pregnancy continues, her body may not be equipped to handle the fetus’s size safely. She would have a high-risk pregnancy and could even risk dying herself.
Successful insemination is more likely if you take the sperm of a male Chihuahua and insert it into a female Great Dane’s reproductive organs. Her body is definitely able to handle the size and force of giving birth to larger puppies. Although, even in this circumstance, there are many hurdles that Great Dane would have to overcome to produce a litter of pups.
This practice of insemination is still not a guarantee, and it could be very costly for a breeder. While crossbreeding “experimenting” frequently happens among designer dog breeders, this particular breed of dog has not seen significant success.
Breeding Background
A carefully bred dog, like a Chihuahua Great Dane mix, would likely be referred to as a mixed breed, hybrid dog, or designer dog. This type of specific breeding happens when two purebred dogs are purposefully bred together to create new offspring. The new breed is “designed” by selective breeding decisions.
This form of crossbreeding has become particularly popular within the last century and has led to hundreds of new dog breeds.
Usually, after the ongoing and successful breeding of that new type of dog, an authority organization will recognize it and document the official breed.
A Brief History of Breeding
Dog breeding has existed for centuries. While natural reproduction among different dog breeds has occurred often, it’s believed that humans also played a part in specifically breeding different types of dogs.
Officials say it’s difficult to note precisely when many breeds may have formed throughout history. Officials can trace some types of dogs back through thousands of years. For many others, though, their origins are lost to time.
It’s likely that humans stepped in and began crossbreeding dogs for health reasons. Many may have wanted to ensure that dogs’ specific breeds continued after they began exhibiting major health problems. Crossbreeding helps keep that breed alive and could even make their genes more robust.
Today, there are hundreds of dog breeds that are officially recognized. People often breed animals to continue a purebred lineage. There is significant demand for many of these designer animals, and a massive industry has since formed. It’s estimated that the dog breeding industry in the U.S. is worth about $2 billion.
Great Danes
Image by mtajmr Courtesy of Pixabay
To understand what their offspring may look and act like, you should consider both Great Danes and Chihuahuas’ personality types.
Great Danes are large, friendly creatures. They’re known for being eager-to-please and playful. This pup needs a significant amount of affection and contact from people and other dogs.
The typical coat coloring of a Great Dane can ultimately vary depending on the dog. A black and white mix of patchwork colors is usually pretty standard, though, and all Great Danes typically have short hair that sheds semi-frequently.
Great Danes are muscle-filled and surprisingly graceful. This breed is part of the “working group,” known for its intelligence and reliability in assisting humans. Great Danes may be intimidating because of their size and strength, but they are a loving and happy breed.
Chihuahuas
Image by ClaudiaWollesen Courtesy of Pixabay
The Chihuahua packs a lot of character in a teeny, tiny body.
According to the American Kennel Club, this sweet pup is in the “toy group,” and its ancestors could trace back to the Toltec and Aztec civilizations of Central America.
Chihuahuas could have short hair or long hair, depending on their coat type. A signature trait for the Chihuahua is its “apple-shaped” head.
Their personalities are a defining characteristic of the Chihuahua. Common traits include:
- Loyalty
- Stubbornness
- Intelligence
- Charming
- Confidence
- Faithfulness
- Feistiness
- High energy
The Chihuahua is a confident and bold dog. They are fiercely loyal to their pack and extremely intelligent. They can be a loving pet and thrive in smaller environments, like an apartment.
What Would a Chihuahua Great Dane Look Like?
Records documenting Chihuahua Great Danes are slim. The American Kennel Club and the International Designer Canine Registry don’t officially recognize the Chi-Dane-Dane as a type of breed.
That doesn’t mean it hasn’t happened before, though. If Chihuahua Great Dane mixes existed, they would likely resemble a large Corgi-type dog. They would have longer and thicker bodies, short legs, but also massive, stocky heads. This pup’s skull could resemble the “apple dome” shape of Chihuahuas, but it’s more likely they would have a crown similar to a Great Dane’s. Their bodies would probably be significantly larger than the typical Chihuahua and smaller than a Great Dane.
The Chi-Dane-Dane’s coat type could remarkably vary. While it would likely have short hair, if the Chihuahua parent was a long-haired Chihuahua, you could see longer coat hairs on the offspring. Because both breeds of dogs have a mix of coat colors, their puppies could be any color.
Care for a Chi-Dane-Dane
Potential Health Problems
As a tiny breed of dog, Chihuahuas face a series of potential health issues in their lifetime, including dislocating kneecaps or windpipe collapse. Despite those possible health problems, most Chihuahuas live to be about 14 to 16 years old. That is above average for the lifespan of most dogs.
On the other hand, Great Danes face both a shorter lifespan and a host of health issues due to their massive frame. Most live to be about 8 to 10 years old. Many of them experience enlarging hearts, joint and bone disease, thyroid issues, and more, which could prove to be fatal.
It’s possible that a Chi-Dane-Dane mix could experience fewer of these health issues because of their medium size. Their bodies may be able to bypass the common obstacles that small dogs face and the taxing health issues that larger breeds experience.
Day-to-Day Care
The Great Dane requires a significant amount of food and daily walks to stay healthy and prevent long-term health problems. Chihuahuas don’t require as much help with daily exercises to stay healthy because they can meet their needs even in a small space.
A Chi-Dane-Dane would more than likely require more attention than the average Chihuahua, just due to their larger size. Similar to the Great Dane, they would probably need at least two brisk walks every day to stay healthy.
Chihuahuas do not shed as frequently as Great Danes, but they both still need to be brushed and bathed occasionally. A Chi-Dane-Dane would be in the same boat.
When you’re establishing a food routine, a Chi-Dane-Dane would likely benefit from several small meals a day, similar to the Great Dane.
As we mentioned, Chihuahuas are highly intelligent dogs, and Great Danes are incredibly friendly pups. If the Chi-Dane-Dane receives both of those qualities from their parent pups, they would be highly trainable. They could be stubborn animals, but they would likely have an outgoing demeanor.
Final Thoughts
It’s an unusual and even comical duo: one of the largest and smallest dog-breeds in the world forming an unlikely couple.
Chihuahua Great Dane mixes may exist in the world right now; it’s entirely possible. Through outside help, advancements in technology, and high costs, a breeder could artificially inseminate a female Great Dane with a male Chihuahua’s sperm.
Like all dogs, that pup would require love, care, and careful attention from its owners. Daily walks, socialization, and regular meals would be beneficial for their schedule. They would likely be a loyal, intelligent, and friendly dog, although they could also be stubborn and alert. A firm, gentle hand as an owner would be best while caring for a Chihuahua Great Dane mix.
Recommending Reading:
1. Ten Things You Should Know About The Brindle Pitbull
2. Vizsla Mix: What To Know Before Getting Vizsla
3. Red Fox Lab: Here Is What You Need To Know
4. Dog Breeds Ultimate Guide
