Fact or Fiction? Is A Great Dane-Chihuahua Mix Even Possible?
Rocky Kanaka
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We’ve heard whispers around the Internet about a fascinating but seemingly impossible mixed breed dog: the Chihuahua Great Dane mix.
Sound suspicious? How could one of the world’s smallest dog breeds mate with one of the world’s tallest? Chihuahuas rarely grow larger than 12 pounds—and that’s topping the scales—while Great Danes can weigh upwards of 200 pounds!
So, is the Chi-Dane-Dane even physically possible to breed, and if someone did manage to mix breeds this different from each other, what would their puppies even look like?
Do Chi Dane Danes Exist?
Long story short: No. Great Dane and Chihuahua mixes only exist, in theory, at least the Great Dane Chihuahua mix most people imagine.
50/50 Chihuahua and Great Dane mixes are exceedingly rare if not entirely fake altogether. The combination of just these two breeds would not only be practically difficult but would also be a risky experiment with uncertain results. Similarly, the chances of a Great Dane and a Chihuahua accidentally mating is similarly unlikely if not logistically impossible.
With this said, mixed-breed dogs with both Chihuahua and Great Dane ancestry do exist! While they rarely have two purebred parents, dogs with vastly different breeds in their genetic history typically have at least 4–to 5 total “parent breeds.”
For example, a Chihuahua/Terrier mix might mate with a Pitbull mix, who might have Great Dane ancestry. This would technically make the resulting puppies Chihuahua Great Dane mix breeds, though they would also have additional breed ancestry.
Take this cute pup, for example. Jerry is a mixed-breed dog who is 80% Chihuahua and 5% American Pitbull Terrier. If someone wanted to take advantage of this breed mix for financial gain, they could easily call Jerry a “Chihuahua Pitbull mix” even though he has at least 7 other breeds in his genetic history.
So, to review: No, 50/50 Chihuahua Great Dane mixes don’t exist, but some dogs have both breeds in their genetic background.
Is It Possible To Breed a Great Dane Chihuahua Mix?
Yes, but there’s a catch.
A 50% Chihuahua and 50% Great Dane mix would be nearly impossible to breed naturally considering the enormous size difference between these parent breeds. Great Danes stand around 30+ inches tall and can weigh more than 200 pounds, while even the largest purebred Chihuahuas are typically no larger than 12 or so pounds.
So, considering their short legs, and the fact that a female Chihuahua could not carry medium-sized or large puppies to term or without serious health issues, this breeding combo could only happen in one way: artificial insemination of a female Great Dane by a male Chihuahua. While a very determined breeder could use artificial insemination to breed a Chi-Dane-Dane mix puppy, this process would be extremely expensive.
While it would technically be possible to breed a Great Dane Chihuahua mix, reputable breeders would never mix dogs in this way. Ethical breeding practices require breeders to choose mating pairs for compatibility, both genetically and in terms of temperament. Mixing breeds is a tricky process, and typically the only safe place to start is with similar dog breeds.
Obviously, the Chihuahua and the Great Dane are about as opposite as they can get, and no ethical or experienced breeder would wilfully choose to combine these breeds.
Where Did the Chi-Dane-Dane Hoax Start?
Photos like these have circulated the internet labeled as “Chihuahua Great Dane mixes.” Sometimes also called Chi-Dane-Danes or Great Mexican Dogs, the most likely source of the hoax is an online misunderstanding or a straight-out lie. Whether for clout, clicks, or comedy, the Chi-Dane-Dane is likely just another fib told on the internet.
These two photos are the most common ones you’ll see if you search for Chihuahua Great Dane mixes, but there’s no way to verify what either of their breed histories truly are.
Tips For Spotting Unethical Breeders & Fake Dog Breeds
Unfortunately, uninformed but very enthusiastic dog lovers often find themselves purchasing puppies from unethical breeders because of online trends and false advertising. While the consequence for these dog owners is that they won’t have the dog they thought they were getting, the consequences of unregulated breeding are far worse for the puppies.
Ethical breeders spend years learning to carefully pair parent dogs, perform genetic testing to eliminate avoidable health issues like hip dysplasia, and work to improve their genetic bloodlines. The breeding of “designer” mixed breed dogs often does not take into account the careful balance ethical breeders create when they choose which dogs to breed.
Of course, some backyard breeders have good intentions, but the vast majority are breeding purely for profit and create breed mixes to attract buyers in search of the next “new breed.”
Let’s take a few moments to go over what you can do to figure out when what a dog breeder is advertising is just too good to be true.
1. Avoid Designer Dog Breeds
The term “designer dog breed” refers to mixed-breed dogs, and is an advertising term created by backyard breeders and puppy mills to sell more puppies. If you see that a breeder is saying their puppies are “designer,” stay away.
2. Consider Parent-Breed Compatibility
If you see an advertisement for a designer dog breed that sounds a little suspicious, it’s probably a scam. For example, a puppy with one Chihuahua parent and one Great Dane parent probably doesn’t exist, and it’s safe to assume anyone advertising a true 50/50 Chi-Dane-Dane is a scammer.
3. Meet Your Puppy’s Parents
If you still decide to go forward working with a designer mixed-breed dog breeder, ask to meet your puppy’s parents. Ethical breeders should have access to at least the mother of the puppies if not both parent dogs and will be happy to introduce them to you so you can see what qualities your pup might inherit.
4. Request Full Health & Genetic Testing
Of course, someone determined to sell you a mixed-breed puppy with suspicious parentage could show you a pair of “parent dogs” that have nothing to do with your puppy. Because of this, you should also request copies of full health exams and genetic testing for both the parent dogs and your puppy.
Genetic and health testing is a baseline obligation of a reputable breeder, and ideally, they should show you this paperwork without prompting.
5. Choose Non-Profit Rescue Over For-Profit Puppy Breeding
Mixed-breed dogs are amazing, but buying mixed-breed dogs from backyard breeders producing random breed combinations for profit is not…amazing that is. If you love mixed-breed dogs we have amazing news—there are thousands of mixed-breed dogs available at local shelters and private animal rescues!
Chihuahuas and Chihuahua mixes are some of the most commonly abused, abandoned, and euthanized dog breeds, and most shelters often have a few of these little pups ready to find their forever homes.
Related articles:
- 6 Healthy Dog Foods Even the Pickiest Chihuahuas Will Love
- Debunking the Myth: Are Chihuahuas Actually Hypoallergenic?
- Best Dog Food for Great Danes
- Harlequin Great Danes: World’s Largest Dog Breed
