Australian Shepherd Chihuahua Mix: Pictures, Temperament & Traits

As odd as it sounds, the Australian Shepherd Chihuahua mix is possible and makes an interesting balance between the energetic Aussie and the sassy Chihuahua. A somewhat small dog, they’re suitable for homes with a yard and small apartments, and they have a calm but playful disposition.

Since they’re a designer breed, the Chihuahua Australian Shepherd mix, also known as an Aussie Huahua or an Aussie Chi, hasn’t been around for that long. The size difference between the parent breeds makes this a particularly adorable hybrid.

Australian Shepherd

Also known as the “Rodeo Dog,” the Australian Shepherd started out in Europe before they were ever introduced to Australia or the U.S.A., despite their name. Originally bred for herding purposes, they’re highly intelligent and filled with boundless amounts of energy. Their beautiful coloring and patterning give them a diverse and attractive appearance.

Chihuahua

Hailing from Mexico, the Chihuahua dates to pre-Columbian times. Classed as a toy breed, they are a sassy and somewhat stubborn dog. Sociable and affectionate, they love nothing more than to cuddle with you or trail you all over the house.

Australian Shepherd Chihuahua Mix Puppies

As a relatively new and still rare breed, Chihuahua Australian Shepherd mix puppies can vary in price depending on where you are. They can also be difficult to find in shelters.

Due to the rarity of the Aussie Chi—and the artificial insemination procedure required for breeding—a puppy’s price could be on the low or high end of that price range. This will depend on the breeder whom you choose to buy from, where they’re located, and any other costs that their service requires.

Temperament & Intelligence of the Australian Shepherd Chihuahua Mix 🧠

Eager to please and sociable, the Aussie Chi is adaptable to a range of situations, provided that their favorite people are nearby. They have a tenacious and loving nature, fierce loyalty, and a dedicated protective streak when it comes to their people. Their size and temperament make them perfect for apartments or houses with yards, families with or without children, and seniors.

Are These Dogs Good for Families? 🏡

Knowing whether your Australian Shepherd Chihuahua mix is suitable for your family depends on which parent they take after the most. Both Chihuahuas and Australian Shepherds are friendly and sociable, but Chihuahuas are usually considered too small to be suitable for families with young children. Toy breeds can be easily injured by excited kids, and it’s usually safer to avoid the situation, especially since Chihuahuas aren’t afraid to bite back if they’re mistreated.

However, the Aussie Chi is generally larger than the Chihuahua due to their Australian Shepherd genes. As a result, they tend to be more suitable around children. It’s still best to teach your children to respect animals and treat them gently. The Aussie Chi—particularly the small members of the breed—can still get hurt by overexcited playing.

Your Aussie Chi might also inherit herding tendencies from their Australian Shepherd mother, so it’s important to train them not to nip or herd younger children.

Does This Breed Get Along With Other Pets? 🐶 😽

Both the Australian Shepherd and the Chihuahua get along well with other pets—cats or dogs—when they’re properly socialized. There’s no reason that your Aussie Chi won’t adjust well in multi-pet households, especially if you socialize them properly when they’re young.

They can inherit a few of the less desirable traits of their parent breeds, however. Australian Shepherds have a habit of herding everything, including children and cats, and need to be taught that other animals aren’t part of their flock. Chihuahuas have a stubborn streak a mile wide and aren’t afraid to stand up against bigger dogs.

Overall, though, the Aussie Chi is friendly and loving and can make a good addition to all sorts of households.

Things to Know When Owning an Australian Shepherd Chihuahua Mix

Food & Diet Requirements 🦴

With so many differences between the Australian Shepherd and the Chihuahua, it can be difficult to get the diet for your Aussie Chi right. High-quality commercial dog food is usually a safe choice, but you can make your own dog food at home if you follow a veterinarian’s advice. They can help ensure that your dog is getting the right nutrition in their diet.

Exercise 🐕

Although the Australian Shepherd Chihuahua mix has less energy than the Australian Shepherd—having been tempered by the more sedate Chihuahua—they still have quite a bit of energy. Many members of the breed can be hyperactive, even if they are easier to wear out than their working ancestors.

The Aussie Chi can adjust well to life in an apartment, but they still require regular walks and play sessions. Plenty of exercise can keep their minds active and stop them from developing destructive habits due to boredom.

Training 🦮

Many people forego training small dogs because they believe that their mischievous qualities are too cute to correct. However, it’s important to remember that all dogs can be dangerous when they’re not properly trained, and the Australian Shepherd Chihuahua mix is no exception.

While they inherit the friendliness of both their parent breeds, they can also inherit the overprotective loyalty, high energy, and intelligence of the Australian Shepherd and the stubbornness and happy-to-bark nature of the Chihuahua.

Housetraining, obedience, and socialization will help you teach your Aussie Chi how they’re expected to behave and enable them to adjust well to all sorts of situations. Intelligent and eager to please, the Aussie Chi excels with positive reinforcement, consistency, and fun training sessions.

Grooming ✂️

The Aussie Chi often takes after the Australian Shepherd when it comes to their coat and fur color. As working dogs, Australian Shepherds have thick, double coats that shed regularly and can easily become matted with loose fur. The Aussie Chi is often the same way.

Therefore, it’s recommended to give them regular grooming sessions to remove any loose or dead fur. This will also help prevent shed fur from cluttering up the carpet, rugs, and furniture around the home. If you can’t manage daily brushes, every other day should be enough. Deshedders or pin brushes are the best options for brushes for this breed.

It can be tempting to bathe the Aussie Chi frequently to make sure their coat stays sleek and shiny. But they can be prone to sensitive skin due to overbathing, so it’s best to keep bath times to once a month or only when your pup desperately needs a wash.

You also need to remember to clip their nails and check that their ears are clean. Brushing their teeth regularly will help prevent the development of dental issues.

Health and Conditions ❤️

Most designer breeds benefit from the immune systems of their parent breeds and are generally hardier than both. The Australian Shepherd Chihuahua mix is one of the healthiest dog breeds around, but they can still develop the common health issues that the Australian Shepherd and the Chihuahua can suffer from.

Male vs. Female

No matter what dog breed you’re considering, the differences between males and females are mostly the same. Despite common belief, male dogs are often more affectionate and playful than females, while females pick up tricks faster and are usually more independent. The Australian Shepherd and the Chihuahua share these traits, so it’s no surprise that the Aussie Chi is the same way.

Your new Aussie Chi shouldn’t be limited by their sex, though, as you may find that your female puppy is far more playful than her brother. It all depends on their personalities.

3 Little-Known Facts About the Australian Shepherd Chihuahua Mix

1. There Is No Breed Standard

The Australian Shepherd Chihuahua mix isn’t a purebred breed, and unlike their parent breeds, the Aussie Chi isn’t recognized by the AKC. Their “designer” status makes them one of the younger dog breeds available. Paired with how varied the appearance of the Aussie Chi can be, there’s no telling what your puppy will look like or how big they’ll grow.

With the obvious size and temperament differences between the Australian Shepherd and the Chihuahua, it’s no surprise that their offspring can vary in appearance so much. The parent dog that your Aussie Chi takes after most will play a huge part in their final appearance.

---

2. They Are the Best of Two Worlds

The Australian Shepherd Chihuahua mix’s appearance isn’t the only thing affected by their parent breeds—their temperament, personality, and energy levels are too.

Although it can be hard to tell what your puppy will grow up to look like when you first get them, the Aussie Chi is renowned for being a happy medium between the high-energy levels of the Australian Shepherd and the sociability of the Chihuahua. While they require plenty of walks and playtime, the Aussie Chi is more than happy to settle in your lap for cuddles at the end of a long day.

---

3. The Mother Is Always an Australian Shepherd

Unlike many other designer dog breeds, the Australian Shepherd Chihuahua mix is a result of artificial insemination due to the sheer size difference between these dogs. This size difference is also why the female of the pairing is always the Australian Shepherd.

Final Thoughts

When many people hear about an Australian Shepherd Chihuahua mix, they can’t help but wonder how it’s even possible. The size difference between these dogs alone is quite stark, not to mention the working nature of the Australian Shepherd and the Chihuahua’s designation as a toy breed.

Regardless, an Austrian Shepherd and Chihuahua crossbreed is indeed possible, and the Aussie Chi is an adorably fluffy mix of both dogs. The best parts of the Australian Shepherd are blended with the cuddly sociability of the Chihuahua to make a cute, well-rounded companion that can adapt to all types of households.

See also:

• Papichon (Papillon & Bichon Frise Mix)
• Chinese Crested Maltese Mix (Crested Malt)

---

Featured Image Credit: Emmanuellegrimaud, Shutterstock