Toxirn Basics
The confident little Toxirn brings the sassy but devoted nature of the Chihuahua together with the spirited, playful personality of the Cairn Terrier for a fun little dog that makes a great family pet once properly socialized. His devoted character means he is a loyal and loving pooch but can be a little territorial and aggressive towards other animals if not trained from his puppy days.
The Toxirn brings the sassy Chihuahua together with the playful Cairn Terrier.
Origin
The Toxirn is a relatively new addition to the Designer Dog world that first surfaced in the 1980’s in response to a desire for smaller, calmer or hypo-allergenic dogs. The Cairn terrier’s sturdy frame and agility coupled with the waif-like features of the Chihuahua produced a solid little companion dog that also had the energy level many active families seek.
Pedigree
Because the Toxirn is not a purebred dog, he is not registered with the American Kennel Club (AKC). Both parent breeds however, are long-time members.
Food / Diet
The Toxirn is a small-breed that will require a top-quality kibble that has been formulated to meet the nutritional needs of an active, small dog. They can experience sensitivities to ingredients like wheat, corn or soy so foods should identify “meat” as the primary ingredient. Preservatives should also be avoided and Chihuahua’s can even be sensitive to food coloring. Meals should be served in smaller portions, 2 to 3 times per day versus free-feeding as this little guy can be prone to obesity.
The little Toxirn is an energetic dog who will need regular long walks
Training
The Toxirn is the product of two intelligent breeds that have a mind of their own so training results will come slowly but steadily. This little dog can be aggressive towards other animals and snappish towards children if not properly socialized so this must begin at an early age. He is a highly sensitive dog so training should not be harsh or he will shut down. As with most breeds, a consistent, firm, rewards-based approach with lots of praise for a job well done will go a long way to him becoming an ideal family dog.
Weight
Your Toxirn will likely tip the scale at 6 to 18 pounds.
Temperament / Behavior
The Toxirn is a bold little dog that is cautious around strangers so quick to bark and therefore a great potential watchdog. He comes from two feisty little breeds so bringing him into a family with young children and other pets will require him to have been fully socialized. He thrives on human companionship and is highly devoted to his owner. This little dog is a wonderful companion or lap dog and is best when not left on his own for long periods of time.
Common Health Problems
Designer or cross-breed dogs often side-step the health issues that can plague their pure-bred parents. Regardless, you need to be aware of what your pup could inherit and in the case of the Toxirn, this can include patella luxation and joint issues from the Chihuahua as well as liver and heart problems from the Cairn. Obesity can also be an issue so a healthy diet and plenty of exercise are important.
Life Expectancy
The Toxirn has a life expectancy of 12-15 years.
Exercise Requirements
The little Toxirn is an energetic dog who will need regular long walks to keep him fit and active play to keep him mentally stimulated. The terrier in him will always want to explore and chase new things so off-leash parks may not be the best idea – a fenced yard where he can catch balls and show-off his agility talents would be his idea of heaven.
The bold little Toxirn will need early socialization so he knows how to play nice with kids and other animals.
Recognized Clubs
The Toxirn is also known as the CairnHuaHua, Cairn-Chi or Cairnchi and because he isn’t a pure-bred he isn’t recognized by the American Kennel Club (AKC) however is by the following clubs: Dog Registry of America, Inc. (DRA) American Canine Hybrid Club (ACHC), Designer Breed Registry (DBR), Designer Dogs Kennel Club (DDKC) and the International Designer Canine Registry (IDCR)
Coat
Whether your Toxirn has a single- or double-coat and soft or wiry hair will be down to which side of the gene pool he inherited. Either way, he is considered a low to moderate shedder who will require brushing 2 to 3 times per week to keep him looking great. If double-coated, a period trip to the groomer may be needed. Because small dogs can run into dental issues, daily brushing should be an important part of his maintenance regimen.
Puppies
This little dog can have a big attitude if not properly socialized from a very early age. Because he comes from two intelligent breeds, training – including obedience – will be something he can begin as soon as he can walk. Although he is active, he can also suffer from joint issues later in life so curb your desire to get him up and moving too soon or too aggressively.
Photo credit: Susan Schmitz/Shutterstock; jordanalisa/Shutterstock
