Breeds Mixed / Cross Breeds News & Entertainment
Is Breeding a Rottweiler Chihuahua Mix Even Possible?
Sonja Henrikseen
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Some mixed-breed dogs have become so popular or common that most people can correctly identify them on the street. Goldendoodles, Labradoodles, and even the once-rare Doodles like Sheepadoodles and Aussiedoodles are easily recognizable. But have you heard of the ultra-rare, the rarely-seen, and the possibly mythical Rottweiler Chihuahua mix?
The Chiweiler falls into this mythical category, with just a few people claiming they own, know, or have seen a Rottweiler and Chihuahua mix. But, how much truth is there to the existence of these strange mixed dogs? Could you or I easily find a breeder of Chiweilers, and if we could, is it a good idea to encourage breeding a mix of two such different breeds?
Do Chihuahua Rottweiler Mixes Exist?
Yes! There are some accounts of 50/50 Rottweiler and Chihuahua mixes, but they are rare and almost always accidental. The logistics of breeding a Rottweiler mix with Chihuahua are complex, and the outcomes are so varied and unpredictable, that few breeders would ever even attempt this combination.
Fortunately, most Chiweilers are a mix of more than two parent breeds. When it comes to common breeds found in a Rottweiler mix, Chihuahuas aren’t on top, but it’s not necessarily uncommon. Chihuahua mixes are extremely common, and many have breed ancestry you might not expect from their size, fur color, or temperament.
Meet 3 Rottweiler Chihuahua Mixes
Although many images and online posts about Chiweilers seem to be unreliable, we have managed to track down a few credible Chihuahua Rottweiler mixes for you to meet!
1. DNA-Test Confirmed Chiweiler
Posted to a subreddit where users share photos of canine DNA results for mixed-breed dogs, this lovely little pup is technically a Chiweiler. Mostly Chihuahua, this dog has an additional nine breeds in its genetic ancestry—or a super mutt! Along with Chihuahua and Rottweiler, this dog also has Miniature Pinscher, German Shorthaired Pointer, Labrador Retriever, Doberman Pinscher, American Pit Bull Terrier, Shih Tzu, Australian Shepherd, and German Shepherd ancestry.
2. Luna
Source: @BrujitaLunita
Little Luna doesn’t look much like a Rottweiler mixed Chihuahua, but you can’t judge a book by its cover or a mixed breed dog by its fur! Luna’s humans had her DNA tested and the results confirmed that she is definitely a Chiweiler. Unsurprisingly, Luna also has four other breeds in her DNA ancestry. Here’s Luna’s breed breakdown:
- 35.5% Chihuahua
- 17.7% Rottweiler
- 16.9% American Pit Bull Terrier
- 14.8% Rat Terrier
- 11.1% Poodle (miniature or toy)
- 4% German Shepherd
3. Bogart
Source: @BogieDadon
Handsome Bogie was a Chihuahua, Rottweiler, and Pitbull mix who unfortunately passed away in 2023, but had a wonderful life with his humans! A rare mix with unique looks, Bogart like most Chiweilers was a combination of more than two breeds, but was 100% lovable!
Bonus: Reggie the Chiweiler?
Source: @CurlyBritt88
Reggie’s humans were sure he was a Rottweiler mixed Chihuahua—just look at him, he certainly does look like he could have both breeds in his DNA. To satisfy their curiosity, Reggie’s humans got him a DNA test, and the results don’t necessarily confirm or deny that Reggie has Rottweiler ancestry. Here’s his breed breakdown:
- 25% Chihuahua
- 25% Staffordshire Terrier
- 25% Guard Breed Group
- 12.5% Chow Chow
- 12.5% German Shepherd
When DNA test results name an entire breed group, it means they can’t pinpoint which breed from that group specifically contributed their genes to your pup. Rottweilers are guard dogs, so this may mean Reggie is part Rottweiler but the results also don’t confirm that definitively.
Why Some Mixed Breeds Work and Others Don’t
Breeding dogs is a complicated, slow, and sometimes tedious process. Breeders don’t always get the results they want the first, second, or third time, and it takes most ethical breeders a lifetime to attain their goals. When breeders attempt to create designer mixed breeds, the results become even more unpredictable.
Similar dog breeds generally mix more successfully. For example, mixing a Labrador Retriever and a Golden Retriever might produce a puppy with fairly stable traits, a similar life expectancy to both parent breeds, and a cheerful temperament. On the other hand, mixing vastly different breeds opens up to the risk of severe health issues, temperament problems, and genetic abnormalities in their puppies.
Chihuahuas and Rottweilers are very different breeds, and not only because of size. From vastly different breed groups with different exercise, training, and mental stimulation needs, Chihuahuas and Rottweilers simply aren’t compatible breeding partners.
A breeder choosing to mix such polar opposite breeds would be doing so in bad faith and for profit alone. No ethical breeder would purposefully choose to combine these two breeds, and we don’t suggest purchasing a Chihuahua Rottweiler mix puppy from anyone. If you find a Chiweiler available for adoption, by all means, bring that puppy home, but we urge you not to support unethical breeders.
Challenges Associated With Breeding “Designer” Dog Breeds
Without an end goal—like breed standardization—mixing different dog breeds is just experimentation with sometimes detrimental results. Some mixed-breed dogs suffer from extreme mental and physical health conditions that not only affect their lifespan but also their quality of life.
While it is true that mixes sometimes live longer than purebred dogs, mixed-breed dogs deliberately produced for profit often don’t have as much luck. For example, Chihuahuas often live upwards of 16 years, but it would be very unlikely for a Chiweiler to live for such a long time.
Remember that breeding purely for looks isn’t just dangerous for mixes. There are many examples of purebred dogs who have been bred for such extreme looks that their health has been affected. Here are just a few other dog breeds—both purebreds and mixes—that have questionable health issues because of unethical breeding practices or only exist in theory.
