Schweenie (Dachshund & Shih Tzu Mix): Info, Pictures, Care & More

Although they've only been around for the past few decades, the Schweenie is a breed with a vibrant family history. As a mix of the German Dachshund and Chinese Shih Tzu, they're an adorable, loving companion breed with a big personality.

This guide will tell you everything that you need to know about the Shih Tzu Dachshund mix, starting with their parent breeds.

Dachshund

At first glance, Dachshunds don't look like hunting dogs, even though they were originally bred to hunt badgers in 16th-century Germany. Despite their appearance, they’re smart and vigilant, with a watchdog's bark. They were introduced to the U.S.A. in 1889 but didn't see a surge in popularity until the 1930s and 1940s.

Shih Tzu

As a toy breed, the Shih Tzu is the polar opposite of the Dachshund. They were bred to look like the Fo Dog, a lion-like creature sacred to Buddhists, and were popular among the Chinese ruling class. Their regal appearance and nobility worked against them during the Chinese Revolution, however, and the breed almost went extinct.

They were saved by breeding efforts in the U.K. and the U.S. and have since become popular pets.

Schweenie Characteristics

Schweenie Puppies

Schweenie dogs are still a relatively new breed, and not many people know about them. The lack of demand can keep their price low, but their rarity can push the price up. Be careful when searching for cheaper dogs from breeders, as not all of them are reputable. You can check shelters and rescues for Schweenie puppies that you can adopt. They won't have the dog's health history like a reputable breeder will, but the adoption costs will be cheaper.

Schweenies are eager to please and very loving. If your kids are on the older side, then this pup will suit your family well.

Temperament & Intelligence of the Schweenie 🧠

The temperament of the Shih Tzu Dachshund mix depends on their parents. As a hybrid breed, there's no way of knowing what traits you'll get in the final product. Where one Schweenie will take after their Dachshund parent, another may favor the Shih Tzu.

One trait that's common throughout the breed, however, is their people-pleasing nature, intelligence, and adorableness. They can also be stubborn and willful at times, though, which can be a challenge for new dog parents to handle.

Are These Dogs Good for Families? 👪

Friendly and loving, Schweenie dogs are ideal for families with older children. The breed's small size and low energy requirements make them suitable for city apartments or suburban houses with a yard.

The Schweenie can be defensive around younger children whom they're not familiar with, especially if they're hyperactive or play too roughly. Ensuring that your Schweenie puppy is properly socialized with people, including young children, will help curb some of their aggression. Also, remember to teach children to respect animals of all kinds and how to play with these dogs without causing harm.

While this breed can be fiercely independent, they can also be incredibly clingy and don't do well when left on their own for long periods. Try to break up long days at the office with a trip home for lunch to check in with your pooch. Boredom and separation anxiety can lead to destructive tendencies.

Does This Breed Get Along with Other Pets? 🐶 😽

Generally, Schweenie dogs are friendly to other dogs. Their Dachshund ancestry, however, can mean they have a higher prey drive than some other breeds, and they've been known to chase animals that are smaller than them.

Although this breed is usually sociable, it's still recommended that you start to introduce your puppy to new situations and other pets as they grow. This will help them adjust to a variety of situations and learn how they're expected to behave.

Things to Know When Owning a Schweenie

Many people believe that smaller dogs mean less work, but the Schweenie can be a handful, even without their stubborn streak. This section will cover how to take care of your Schweenie and their maintenance needs.

Food & Diet Requirements 🦴

As a small breed without a high level of energy, Schweenie dogs don't require a large amount of food. Use high-quality dog food, and give them 1 cup a day split over two meals. You can also ask your veterinarian for recommendations on how to make your own homemade dog food. Remember to adjust the amount that your Schweenie eats at meals depending on their treat intake and activity level during the day.

Exercise 🐕

Schweenie dogs aren't the most energetic of breeds, but that doesn't mean they don't require exercise. Their intelligence makes them prone to boredom. They love to explore dog parks or your backyard.

Walking them for half an hour a day, taking them on regular trips to the dog park, and playing games of fetch in the yard will help keep your Schweenie entertained and out of trouble.

Training 🎾

Highly intelligent and eager to please their favorite humans, Schweenie dogs are relatively easy to train. They can inherit a stubborn streak from their Dachshund parent, though, and it can make training them a challenge if they decide that they're done for the day.

Keep your Schweenie's attention by staying positive and rewarding the behavior that you want. Short and fun training sessions with plenty of praise work best.

Grooming ✂️

Unlike pedigree dog breeds, like the Shih Tzu, the Schweenie isn't limited to only one fur type. They can inherit the long, smooth fur from the Shih Tzu or the short, wiry coat of the Dachshund. This can make their grooming requirements difficult to predict.

Whatever their coat type, Schweenie dogs are low to moderate shedders, and you only need to brush them twice or three times a week. They might shed more during spring and fall, but a daily brushing during these seasons will help control loose hair.

Their teeth should be brushed regularly, at least three times a week or daily, to prevent tartar buildup and tooth decay. You should also check their ears often and keep them clean to avoid ear infections. Keep their nails clipped too, especially if they start to touch the floor.

Health and Conditions 🏥

Hybrid dog breeds are often hardier than their parent breeds, and the Shih Tzu Dachshund mix is no different. However, they can be susceptible to a few of the health issues that can affect both the Shih Tzu and the Dachshund.

Male vs. Female

The debate between male and female dogs is longwinded and never-ending. There's no real answer to which sex is best. Although you might assume that male dogs have more unwanted traits, they're usually the more affectionate of the two. It's the females that tend to challenge authority.

Where the Schweenie is concerned, their sex may make them more or less clingy, but they still have unique personalities depending on the individual. With traits from both the Shih Tzu and the Dachshund, a Schweenie will have a mixture of quirky characteristics that make them unique.

3 Little-Known Facts About the Schweenie

The Schweenie haven't yet made it into the history books. Between them and their parent breeds, however, there are plenty of interesting facts to share about these cute puppies.

1. The Schweenie has Royal Blood

Thanks to their Shih Tzu parents, your Schweenie puppy has royal blood. Before the Chinese Revolution, Shih Tzus was held in high regard by the ruling class. Their regal appearance and association with nobility almost didn't end well for the breed, but their royal blood lives on and now flows through their offspring.

It's the perfect excuse to treat your new Schweenie puppy like a prince or princess!

2. Shih Tzu Are Agility Champions

While they might not look like the type to excel at agility competitions, the Shih Tzu is a breed that can fly over obstacles with ease. In comparison, the Dachshund with their short legs and lumbering gait is less agile.

Although the Schweenie is a mix of both, they're not known for their agility either. Where agility is concerned, they appear to take after their Dachshund ancestors.

3. A Real-Life "Lady & the Tramp" Mix

The Schweenie might not be a match between a Cocker Spaniel and a mutt, but a few comparisons can be made. With their different histories, the Shih Tzu and the Dachshund are a bit like chalk and cheese. No matter how unlikely the match seems at first, though, we can all admit that the Schweenie is the perfect blend of both dogs.

Final Thoughts

Hybrid breeds are all relatively young and the Schweenie is no exception. They're a companion dog breed, originating from the hardy Dachshunds of Germany and the regal Shih Tzus of China. But their varied ancestry isn't the only interesting thing about these dogs.

Between their very different parents, Schweenies are loyal, loving, and all too adorable. They're intelligent and eager to please, with an occasional stubborn streak. No matter what mix of traits you get from this breed, though, they're happiest when they're with their favorite people.

See Also:

• West Highland Doxie (Westie & Dachshund Mix): Pictures, Guide, Info, & Care

• Doxie-Chon (Bichon Frise Dachshund Mix): Info, Pictures, Temperament, & Traits