Meet the unbelievable Great Dane Chihuahua mix dog

Last Updated on April 26, 2023

When you think of the tiny Chihuahua and the grand Great Dane, these two purebreds sure seem like one of the most unlikely canines to be bred together.

But it has been done. Also known as the Chi-Dane-Dane or Great Mexican dog, this crossbreed will bewilder you.

Keep reading to discover all you need to know about the Great Dane Chihuahua mix.

Overview: What is a Chi-Dane-Dane?

As the name implies, this designer dog is a mix between a Great Dane and a Chihuahua. Like most mixed breeds, there isn’t much history or documentation on when they were precisely created.

Fortunately, getting to know each parent breed will help us better understand their hybrid offspring.

The massive Great Dane

Great Danes are rightly known for their enormous size. But behind that intimidating size and appearance lies a friendly, patient, and dependable canine.

Hence, their nicknames – “The Gentle Giant” or “The Apollo of Dogs.”

This noble and alert fido has been in existence since the 1600s. They were bred by Germans to protect royalties while they sleep, which gave them another nickname – “Chamber Dogs.”

They’ve also been used for hunting deers, bears, and boars.

Wondering how big Great Danes are? They have a height of 28 to 34 inches (71 to 86 cm) and a weight of 100 to 175 pounds (45 to 79 kg). Some can get as massive as 200 pounds (91 kg).

As superior dogs that show elegance and balance, they’re excellent companions with very little tolerance with strangers.

The teeny tiny Chihuahua

On the other end of the spectrum, the purse-sized Chihuahua is the smallest dog breed.

Despite their small stature, Chihuahuas have an outgoing personality. They’re sweet companions who always like to cuddle and make good watchdogs.

Chis feel like they’re big dogs, known as Small Dog Syndrome or Napoleon Complex, and will always protect their owner!

You can find Mexico’s national symbol with an apple head or deer head. Some of them also have long coats, while others have short fur.

They’re mostly characterized by their upright ears and large, expressive eyes. They stand around 6 to 10 inches (15 to 25 cm) tall and weigh 3.5 to 7.5 pounds (2 to 3 kg).

Is it possible to have a mix between a Great Dane and a Chihuahua?

Yes, it is, but it can be quite a task. The size difference alone between Great Danes and Chis would mean many obstacles for breeders trying to create this designer dog – a healthy one.

Methods & challenges of breeding the Chihuahua Great Dane mix

Going for the natural breeding process is definitely out of the question. Anyone attempting to do so is doing animal abuse. Just thinking about a male Great Dane mounting a female Chihuahua is absurd.

Then, a female Chi will have great difficulty trying to carry large puppies to term, which can cause the mom and her pups’ death.

Even if you reverse the gender, a male Chihuahua can’t possibly reach the female Great Dane to mate.

Warning: This video may contain sensitive content, but it shows why a Great Dane and a Chihuahua, the largest and smallest breed, can’t naturally mate:

You might be thinking – “There’s Artificial Insemination (AI) now, why not try that?” It’s a way to bypass natural forms of reproducing, especially for crossbreeds, but it’s not always easy. Plus, it’s very expensive.

And this process of reproduction was tried to create the Great Dane Chihuahua mix.

They inseminated a Chihuahua artificially, and it was successful. But the same problem about being pregnant and giving birth to large puppies also became a hurdle.

Even if C-section or cesarean was done, the mother and her litter usually die.

The fetus was growing too quickly while they’re still underdeveloped. It was simply heartbreaking.

For those few Chihuahuas that survived, another struggle was nursing their little ones. Since it’s also impossible, owners and breeders will have to hand-feed the pups.

Not only are the chances of the puppies to make it after a few days are slim, but genetic mutations are also an issue.

What does a Great Dane Chihuahua mix look like?

For those tough, healthy Great Dane Chihuahuas who were able to reach their full-grown stage, they have large heads shaped like the Greyhound.

They also somewhat resemble the Dachshund because of their long bodies and short legs.

When it comes to their coat and color, they can inherit any fur type and shade their parents have. The only time it will have a longer coat is if it’s Chihuahua’s parent is long-haired.

Size: How big is a full-grown Great Dane & Chihuahua cross?

With the huge gap between its parent breeds’ size, this designer dog’s height and weight will be challenging to predict. But the resulting crossbreed is usually twice the size of a Chihuahua but way smaller than the Great Dane.

Other than that, since they’re not that big, they make great apartment dogs.

Temperament: Are Chi-Dane-Danes good pets to have?

Both the Chihuahua and Great Dane are loyal canines, which their hybrid offspring can inherit. They’re friendly and affectionate designer dogs that will enjoy cuddling with you.

However, we have to consider the Chihuahua’s fierce personality, especially when they don’t get their way. Chi-Dane-Danes can be ferocious and fearless when they have to. That even makes them a good watchdog.

They have that Small Dog Syndrome that Chihuahuas and other small breeds get, where they’re unaware of their size and will do whatever it takes to keep their humans safe.

Great Dane Chihuahua mixes can also be quite strong. Once provoked, they can be challenging to manage, so it’s best to train and socialize as early as possible. That includes obedience training.

Is it difficult to take care of this Chihuahua-Great Dane mix?

The Great Dane & Chihuahua cross is a low maintenance pooch. Both parents are very mild shedders, and they require minimal exercise.

A quick run around the block or the doggy park will be enough to keep this mixed breed happy and healthy.

For their diet, it’s usually a per-dog basis. It should depend on your Great Mexican Dog’s weight, age, activity level, and health.

We recommend high-quality dry kibbles and that you give your pet a joint supplement – one that has fish oil, chondroitin, and glucosamine.

That means overfeeding is also a no-no. Chubby fur babies are cute, but it can exacerbate illnesses.

Health: Does a Great Dane Chihuahua mix live long?

The feeding advice we gave you about feeding might’ve been a hint on what this crossbreed is prone to. Yes, that’s right – elbow and hip dysplasia.

This fido can also inherit some of the health problems that the Chihuahua and Great Dane are predisposed to.

But with proper care, regular check-ups, and getting the needed vaccinations, your Chi-Dane-Dane should enjoy a lifespan that’s within the range of its parents’ life expectancy.

The Chihuahua can live from 12 to 20 years, while the Great Dane is around 7 to 10 years.

Looking for a Great Dane Chihuahua mix for sale

If you want to buy this designer pooch, looking for a reputable breeder with an available Great Dane Chihuahua mix puppy will be another challenge.

Aside from the breeding process, you also have to put in some effort to research the kennels and find out how healthy their dogs and litters are.

Due to the high costs and risks associated with crossbreeding a Great Dane and Chihuahua, they’ll be extremely rare. But we shouldn’t lose hope!

Great Dane Chihuahua mix breeders & rescues

We weren’t able to find an exact breeder or kennel who are selling Great Dane Chihuahua mix puppies but checking rescue organizations is worth the shot.

They cater to purebreds, like the Great Dane and the Chi, as well as their crossbreeds.

If you already checked out the local shelter near you, these websites can be a good start. In case they don’t have a Chi-Dane-Dane for adoption, you might see a fur angel that will be like love at first sight.

• Rocky Mountain Great Dane Rescue (Lakewood, CO)
• San Antonio Great Dane Rescue (Pipe Creek, TX)
• Limbo Chihuahuas & Chihuahua Mix Rescue (South Pasadena, FL)

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Can a Great Dane impregnate a Chihuahua?

Yes, but the Chihuahua mother and puppies will not survive the pregnancy itself. Even if she does, she’ll have trouble giving birth, both normal delivery and cesarean (CS).

The only way that this crossbreeding will have a chance of success is through artificial insemination (AI), where the Great Dane is the mother.

Can Chihuahuas mate with bigger dogs?

It’s technically asking if a small dog can mate with a larger breed, and the answer is yes. It even works both ways, but the problem will always come down to the smaller canine being female.

This interbreeding can produce puppies that are too big for the Chi to carry and produce.

The verdict about the Great Dane Chihuahua mix

It may be biologically possible to mix a Chihuahua with Great Dane, but whether it is ethical to do so leaves many raised questions.

The rarity of the Great Mexican Dog means there’s very little info about them.

Eventually, breeding the Great Dane and Chi together will raise more issues. But those who already own this mixed breed are very happy with their fur buddy.

What do you think of the Great Dane Chihuahua mix? Let us know by leaving a comment below.

Reference

• https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC5699815/