Doxie Chon Basics
One look at their adorable face, and it becomes clear why the Doxie Chon always gets away with mischief. These intelligent and lively designer dogs were developed by crossing the Bichon Frise and the Dachshund. The combination of the two small dogs with big personalities results in a petite pooch that’s playful, friendly, and has a mind of his own. Even though they have a lovable temperament, these hybrids can have a bit of a stubborn streak, so they’re not the best match for beginner owners.
Owing to their compact size and moderate activity needs, the Doxie Chon is a good choice for pet owners who live in apartments. These hybrids can be perfectly content in an urban environment or a home without a backyard. Additionally, their low-maintenance exercise requirements, coupled with the desire to spend a lot of time with their owner, make the Doxie Chon the ideal pet for seniors.
The combination of the two small dogs with big personalities results in a petite pooch that’s playful, friendly, and has a mind of his own.
Origin
In most cases, the origin of individual designer dog breeds is unknown. In fact, more often than not, hybrids are still a product of accidental mixing of purebred rather than products of intentional breeding efforts. While there are breeders that sell Doxie Chon puppies, a lot of them comes from shelters and rescues. It goes without saying, then, that it’s impossible to determine when and where this designer dog breed was first created. However, the likeliest scenario is that the Dachshund Bichon mix dog had its start in the United States, sometime in the last 20 to 30 years.
Of course, just because designer dogs are a recent occurrence, it doesn’t mean that they’re a complete mystery. As the offspring of two popular dog breeds with long histories, the Dachshund and the Bichon Frise, the Doxie Chon boasts an impressive family tree.
Pedigree
Some people equate pedigree with papers breeders can obtain for their litters from local kennel clubs. For breeders of designer dogs, this can be a difficult task; as official canine clubs such as the American Kennel Club, don’t register hybrids. Sometimes, there are specialized canine organizations that deal with designer dogs that offer their own certificates. However, in most instances, mixed breed dogs won’t have pedigree papers. After all, there’s no purebred line that needs to be documented!
This doesn’t mean that Doxie Chon dogs don’t have good breeding, though. Their ancestry is proof enough of their qualities as a hybrid breed. The Bichon Frise originated in the 14th century and has been treasured for its intelligence and charm ever since. The Dachshund is a century younger, and it was originally a hunting dog. Of course, the adorable Doxies or Wiener Dogs evolved to become family pets and companions over time. With parents such as these, Doxie Chon is bound to be a majestic canine himself.
Food/Diet
Ensuring your pet with has a healthy, well-balanced diet will be one of your most important duties as a dog owner. Having in mind canine nutritional needs, you’ll have to feed them a right ratio of proteins, healthy complex carbs, and fats, all often topped with supplemented vitamins and minerals. Most pet owners find that feeding commercial pet food is the safest and most convenient way to do that! High-quality and premium dry dog foods are developed to meet any dog’s dietary needs, and Doxie Chon will certainly thrive on the right type of kibble. Choose a blend that corresponds with their size (small to medium), age (puppy, adult, or senior), and activity level (low).
Sometimes, an alternative type of diet works better for some dogs. Raw diet or cooking meals for your dog at home can be an option, too, but make sure to consult a vet before making this transition. Canine nutrition is as complex as ours, and only a specialist can give you the right advice on how best to tackle it.
In addition, you’ll need to pay special attention to the amount of food you’re giving to your Doxie Chon. These designer dogs are particularly prone to obesity, and can quickly gain weight if their portions are too generous. Make sure to follow the feeding guide that’s printed on the kibble bag. Those pleading puppy eyes might beg for more treats, but you need to resist- it’s for their own good!
The Doxie Chon can have a bit of a stubborn streak, so it might not be the best choice for beginner owners.
Training
As the offspring of two bright-minded breeds, the Doxie Chon is considered to be a very intelligent designer dog. However, the fact that these pooches have impressive smarts doesn’t guarantee that they’re easy to train. The Dachshund and Bichon Frise mix dog is known to be very hard to housebreak and they can have a stubborn streak, as well. This makes them a better fit for experienced dog owners, who have more patience with training and know how to assert themselves as the pack leader.
For starters, focus on teaching your Doxie Chon puppy where to go potty and how to walk on a leash. Then, you can progress to teaching various basic commands, such as fetch, drop it, stay, etc. In addition, you should also crate train your new pet, as this breed has a tendency to develop separation anxiety. Teaching them that a crate is a safe cozy place to relax will help them feel more comfortable when alone in the house.
To make sure your training efforts are not in vain, rely on positive reinforcement methods. Coaxing your pet with rewards is sure to have better results than any type of aversive training. Not only that these techniques are often cruel, but they’re also guaranteed to get your Doxie Chon to become even more stubborn!
Weight
In general, mixed breed dogs are unpredictable when it comes to appearance. A lot will depend on which parental breed the puppy favors more! It’s no different for the Doxie Chon. Of course, as the Dachshund and Bichon Frise are relatively similar in size, there are no major inconsistencies. These designer dogs will weigh between 10 to 25 pounds once fully mature.
Temperament/Behavior
The Doxie Chon is a sweet dog- but don’t mistake their sweetness with docility. Yes, these hybrids will be affectionate and cuddly with their family members, but they’re also quite lively and strong-willed. They often get in trouble due to their curious and playful nature, and while it can be cute, it can turn to destructive behaviors if they’re not trained on time. (Think dug up flower pots or chewed up sofa cushions.) Of course, same as it is the case with all other dog breeds, their less charming traits tend to appear only if they’re neglected or not socialized on time.
While generally good-natured and loving, the Doxie Chon tends to form a special bond with one member of the family. They’ll show a fierce devotion to the owners and can become velcro dogs, following them everywhere and anywhere. Unfortunately, these designer dogs are not always good with young children. Kids who get too handsy with them can irritate them and they’ll react accordingly. If not trained timely, they can growl or try to nip- which only means trouble. Ideally, if there are any children in the Doxie Chon’s family, they’ll be older and know how to respectfully behave with dogs of this size.
Common Health Problems
There is a common belief that crossbreed dogs are healthier than their purebred fellows. Unfortunately, there is not enough information on the validity of the ‘hybrid vigor’ belief among breeders, so no one can claim with certainty that mixing breeds leads to better health in canines.
When it comes to Doxie Chon, a lot will be influenced by their parents. If your puppy favors the Bichon Frise parent more, they can be prone to allergies or bladder problems. Similarly, if their build resembles the Dachshund more, pay attention to back issues: intervertebral disc disease is a common problem for the Doxies. Some other issues that your new designer dog could be prone to can include hip dysplasia, kneecap dislocation, early tooth loss, and Von Willebrand disease.
Life Expectancy
The Doxie Chon has a life expectancy of 12 to 15 years. Of course, with good care and good genes, your pet might live to see even more birthdays!
Exercise Requirements
It’s easy to see how someone can think that a small dog such as the Doxie Chon will be a lazy lap dog. Of course, that would be a big mistake. They’re cute and petite, sure, but they’re also very energetic! With a playful temperament and a curious nature, these hybrids are always in the mood for exploring or goofing around.
However, even with their energetic, spirited behavior, these are still dogs with moderate activity needs, when compared to their peers. No matter how spunky a petite pooch is, it’s likely that you’ll meet their exercise requirements with indoor play or walks around the neighborhood. Circa 30 to 60 minutes of activity will keep them happy and healthy.
Owing to its friendly, sweet personality and moderate activity needs, the Doxie Chon can be a great pet for seniors.
Recognized Clubs
The AKC and its international counterparts don’t recognize any of the designer dog breeds, but there are canine clubs that do. Organizations that recognize Doxie Chon include American Canine Hybrid Club, Designer Breed Registry, Designer Dogs Kennel Club, Dog Registry of America, and International Designer Canine Registry.
Coat
The Dachshund comes in 3 fur types- wiry, short, and long hair. This increases the possibility of coat variations with Wiener Dog mixes, both in terms of color, length, and type. However, as a rule of thumb, the short and smooth-haired Daschund is the variation chosen for the Doxie Chon mix. On the other side of the family tree, we have a hypoallergenic, white, long-haired Bichon Frise. What does this mean for their offspring?
In the majority of cases, the Doxie Chon will have a medium length hair that sheds very little. Unless they take up after the Bichon, who needs to be groomed by a professional, this hybrid will only need regular brushing as a part of their beauty routine. (In addition to good hygiene, of course.) These dogs come in many shades, from cream to combination of brown and black to piebald.
Puppies
The Doxie Chon puppies need training and socialization from an early age. Their tiny size and insanely cute looks might make you want to give in to their every whim, but it’s crucial to teach them manners and boundaries while they’re still young. It will make sure that they grow up into well-behaved, sweet dogs they can be.
Owing to its friendly, sweet personality and moderate activity needs, the Doxie Chon can be a great choice for a senior pet owner. Experienced single owners can also find this hybrid to be a good match, but only if they work from home or have a pet-friendly workplace, as the Doxie Chon doesn’t handle solitude all that well.
Photo credit: Jana Behr/Shutterstock; Susan Schmitz/Shutterstock
