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Doxie-Chin Dog Breed: Info, Pictures, Care Guide & More

Doxie-Chin - Dachshund Japanese Chin Mix

Hybrid dogs allow us to get the best characteristics from two different breeds and welcome them into our families. The Doxie Chin has a distinctive look and is a newer breed in the dog world. However, we wouldn’t be surprised if their popularity took off because they are truly delightful.

Breed Overview

Height:

7 – 10 inches

Weight:

10 – 25 pounds

Lifespan:

11 – 14 years

Colors:

Brown, white, black, gray

Suitable for:

Patient owners and families willing to spend time with them

Temperament:

Sassy, affectionate, stubborn

With their intelligence and loving personalities, these little dogs are a fun addition to your home. As a mix between a Dachshund and Japanese Chin, you’ll soon learn how amazing some of these newer hybrid dogs can be.

Doxie Chin Characteristics

Energy
+
High-energy dogs will need a lot of mental and physical stimulation to stay happy and healthy, while low-energy dogs require minimal physical activity. It’s important when choosing a dog to make sure their energy levels match your lifestyle or vice versa.
Trainability
+
Easy-to-train dogs are more skilled at learning prompts and actions quickly with minimal training. Dogs that are harder to train will require a bit more patience and practice.
Health
+
Some breeds, due to their size or their breeds potential genetic health issues, have shorter lifespans than others. Proper exercise, nutrition, and hygiene also play an important role in the lifespan of your pet.
Lifespan
+
Some dog breeds are prone to certain genetic health problems, and some more than others. This doesn’t mean that every dog will have these issues, but they have an increased risk, so it’s important to understand and prepare for any additional needs they may require.
Sociability
+
Some dog breeds are more social than others, both towards humans and other dogs. More social dogs have a tendency to run up to strangers for pets and scratches, while less social dogs shy away and are more cautious, even potentially aggressive. No matter the breed, it’s important to socialize your dog and expose them to lots of different situations.

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Doxie Chin Puppies

Doxie Chins have specific characteristics like every other dog on the planet. Owning one means that you should do your research and make sure that you two are going to fit nicely into each other’s lives. The first thing you should be aware of is that these dogs aren’t laid back. They have sassy attitudes and demand a lot of your attention. All they want in life is to please their owner, and they’ll sulk around if you aren’t happy with them. For small dogs, they have a whole lot of attitude!

Because these dogs are so devoted to you, they are prone to separation anxiety, and they have to be homed to someone willing to spend a large majority of the day with them. If you spend hours at work, they’ll be more likely to act out because their needs aren’t getting met.

With that said, the Doxie chin is an overall healthy breed with a good lifespan. Their social skills are hit or miss, depending on how early they were exposed to other dogs, pets, and children. That doesn’t mean they won’t do well, but they’ll do much better with more practice.

Parent Breeds of the Doxie-Chin
Images By: Left- David Pecheux, Shutterstock | Right – Olga Aniven, Shutterstock

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Temperament & Intelligence of the Doxie Chin

There is a lot to love about the Doxie Chin, one of the best being that they are highly affectionate breeds and love to cuddle up with you at night. He won’t only show his love to one person, either, but expresses it to the entire family. However, they do tend to have favorites and the person who gives him the most attention is going to get the same amount reciprocated.

Even though their appearance makes them look like dainty, pampered dogs, they aren’t afraid to play, run, and get dirty wherever you plant to lead them. They are fairly smart and do okay with picking up commands, but their stubborn nature tends to hold them back a bit.

Are These Dogs Good for Families?

Doxie Chins make wonderful family pets, but they do better when they have found the right fit. Early socialization is key to them getting along with smaller children. Always do your best to teach all of your kids how to properly handle a dog and treat them with respect. Because of their smaller size, these dogs fit nicely into apartment and city life or larger homes with acres of land to run on. As long as they have you by their side, they don’t have much to complain about.

Does This Dog Breed Get Along With Other Pets?

As mentioned before, early socialization will help your Doxie Chin get along well with other dogs and pets. The more exposure they have at a young age, the better off they will be. Not all of us are able to buy puppies, so older dogs might not have good social skills, and it might not be a good idea to bring one home to a house full of other animals. Because of their experience with hunting vermin, it might not be best to have these dogs around unique pets like ferrets or bunnies.

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Things to Know About Owning a Doxie Chin:

Understanding the Doxie Chin’s personality is only one piece of the puzzle. In order for them to fit perfectly into your lifestyle, you have to provide them with some basic needs.

Food & Diet Requirements

Doxie Chins are small breeds and don’t require a ton of food during the day. A full cup of food every day is usually enough to give them plenty of energy. The packaging on your dog food is always a good source of information if you’re unsure about how much to feed them.

Just because they don’t need a lot of food doesn’t mean they won’t beg for it. Try your very best not to give in to their puppy dog eyes and refrain from too many treats, or they will look more like an overstuffed sausage. Extra weight on their frame also means they put more pressure on their joints and could make some of their predisposed health conditions flare up.

Exercise

You don’t have to fret about being super fit if bringing home a Doxie Chin. This breed only needs about 30 minutes of exercise per day. This could be from a walk or a vigorous play session. It is also wise to keep them interested in different tasks around the house to stimulate their minds.

Training

Doxie Chins are intelligent but stubborn. It is entirely possible to have an easy time training them, but this is going to vary based on the personality of each dog. Do not let them take control of the situation. Instead, use positive reinforcement and encourage the behaviors you approve of. Patience is key when training a Doxie Chin.

Grooming ✂️

This dog usually has short or medium-length hair and they benefit from being brushed a couple of times per week. Thankfully, these dogs are similar to a cat and like to keep clean all on their own. Don’t forget to add in some regular tooth brushing to avoid some dental diseases and keep their nails trimmed whenever they get too long.

Health and Conditions

The Doxie Chin is a newer mixed breed, so we don’t know all of the conditions that they are prone to just yet. There are still some that you want to look out for and you should take them to the vet if they have any unusual changes in behavior.

Minor Conditions
  • Hip and Elbow Dysplasia
  • Hypothyroidism
Serious Conditions
  • Patellar Luxation
  • Cataracts
  • Intervertebral Disc Disease

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3 Little-Known Facts About the Doxie Chin

1. They are natural hunters.

The Dachshund side of this dog was bred to hunt vermin, and the Doxie Chin breed has continued to carry this trait on. Because of this, it isn’t always wise to let them free roam because they’ll be running off the second they spot their prey.


2. They adapt their personalities.

The personality of a Doxie Chin is somewhat unpredictable. Many people have noticed that they have a tendency to take on the personalities of their owners. Owners who are a bit more reserved have shy, mild-mannered dogs. Those who are outgoing see a lot more of their spunky personalities.


3. They are extremely sensitive.

Doxie Chins are always looking to make their owner happy, and the moment they sense unease, they start to sulk. These dogs won’t do well in a home with a lot of yelling or harsh discipline. Gentle guidance is the best approach when training this breed.

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Conclusion

So, you’ve reached the end and now have a better understanding of what the Doxie Chin breed is all about. At the end of the day, all these dogs want is an owner who loves them and is willing to spend as much personal time with them as possible. They make wonderful family pets, and if you put in the effort, they’ll show you just how well-behaved they can be.

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