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$9.98 ($9.98 / Count) (as of January 22, 2025 04:22 GMT +00:00 - More infoProduct prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on [relevant Amazon Site(s), as applicable] at the time of purchase will apply to the purchase of this product.)Hello and welcome to the Rat Terrier mix dog breed guide. This particular page will provide you with information on the “Rat Terrier Chihuahua mix”; also called the “Rat Terrier Chi mix”, “Rat Terrier Chi Chi mix”, “Rat Terrier Hua-Hua mix” or the “Rat-Cha mix” breed.
The Chihuahua Rat Terrier mix is a Rat Terrier and Chihuahua mix. These dogs are energetic, loving little furry companions that are an absolutely perfect fit for small dwellings due to their tiny size. The Chihuahua Rat Terrier mixed dogs almost require little to no grooming and are really easy to care for. The one thing that can be a bit of a learning curve for the Rat Cha mix, is the potty training. These particular dogs are best suited for households where they are the only pet, and preferably where there are no children. However, if trained right and socialized on a daily basis, they are able to also fit into a home with children and additional pets. The Rat Terrier and Chihuahua mixed dog will often live a long and healthy life without too many complications. The typical life expectancy is somewhere between 15 to 18 years.
As the name “Rat Terrier” applies, these dogs were bred as working dogs for different farm settings (They became popular around the 1920’s). The Rat Terrier would make sure that no rats, pests or vermin would plague a farmstead. While Chihuahuas on the other hand were thought to have been around as early as 300BC (ancient canines), and were considered to be companion dogs by an ancient civilization from Mexico. The Rat Terrier Chihuahua Mix most likely has quite a bit of the Rat Terrier hunting traits in him, and makes a pretty good watch dog. However, as mentioned for the Chihuahua breed trait, the Rat-Cha primarily serves as a companion dog. Single elderly folks tend to have the Chihuahua Rat Terrier mixed dogs since this particular dog type prefers to be the only pet and is best behaved when not around children. The Rat Cha mix breed is able to comfortably live in a small dwelling like a Condominium or an apartment, no need for a fenced yard.
This page is an extension of the all-encompassing Rat Terrier Breed Guide located here: Rat Terrier Breed Profile
Question | Answer |
Is the Rat Terrier Chihuahua Mix Friendly to Other Pets? | Somewhat |
Is the Rat Terrier Chi Chi Mix Friendly in General? | They are Moderately Friendly |
Is the Rat Chi Mix Friendly to Kids? | Also Moderately Friendly |
How Energetic is the Chihuahua Rat Terrier Mix? | Super High in Energy |
Are Rattie Chihuahua Easy to Train? | They Sure Are |
Do Rat Terriers Chi Mixed Dogs Bark a Lot? | Not Too Much |
What is the Rat Doxie Chihuahua’s Level of Affection? | They Are Moderate Affectionate |
Do Rat Terrier Chi Chi Mixes Need Lots of Exercise? | They Need to Exercise in Moderation |
Amount of Shedding to be Expected With a Rat Terrier Hua Hua Mix? | Rat Chi Mix’s Shedding is Moderate |
How Playful Are Rat Terrier Chihuahua Mix Dogs? | Rat Terrier Chi Mix Is Extremely Playful |
How Intelligent Are Chihuahua Rat Terrier Mixes? | Rat Chi Are Pretty Intelligent |
Rat Chi Mix – Quick Overview Table
Rat Terrier Mix (Mixes) Type: | Rat Terrier Chihuahua Mix |
Rat Terrier Personality | Affectionate, Curious, Charming |
Chihuahua Personality | Charming, Graceful, Sassy |
Combined Rat Terrier Mix (Mixes) Personality | Affectionate, Curious, Charming, Charming, Graceful, Sassy |
Rat Terrier Chihuahua Mix History
Breed mixes can at times be quite mysterious. The cross-breeding and dog designer concept is fairly new, and this particular mix of Rat Terrier / Chihuahua has been around for a few decades. Not a whole lot is known about where the Rat Terrier Chi Chi mix originated from, but it is thought that they came from somewhere within the United States sometime in the early 1990s. The US as we know it is currently in the grip of the doggie designer craze. In order for one to have a pretty good idea about the different Chihuahua Rat Terrier mix traits and personalities, we will need to closely analyze both of the breed’s histories.
The Rat Terrier Breed
The Rat Terrier breed of dog is known to be an affectionate, high-spirited breed. This particular dog type is a fearsome hunter who loves going after vermin, rodents, and anything small enough that it can chase down and kill. There is a historical Rat Terrier legend out there about a Rattie taking out more than 2,500 rats in one hour sometime in the 1900s. For any current Rat Terrier owner out there, this legend doesn’t sound too far fetched. Due to stories like these, it is absolutely safe to say that the little Rat Terriers are proficient at this particular art of the hunt.
As the Rat Terrier name suggests, these particular dogs were bred for one purpose, to go after the rat populations. Generally speaking, a dog that only has one purpose is typically not something that a farmer would be too happy to get, so the Rat Terrier breed was also re-purposed as hunting companions and guard dogs (well, more on the watchful side). The Rat Terrier was also at times used to chase away larger predators and to protect the farmstead from foxes and raccoons.
The various different uses and activities that can be attributed to the Rat Terries made them into a real sturdy and sought animal. Even though the Ratties tend to bark quite a bit, they are still very respectful to their human owners and family members. This particular trait allows them to be trained fairly easily.
The Chihuahua Breed
The Chihuahua breed dog is a balanced, graceful little canine of terrier-like demeanor, typically not weighing over 7 pounds. This breed’s rounded head is the breed’s standard. The Chi Chi’s erect ears and full, luminous eyes are extremely expressive. Its coat colors come in different patterns and colors and can be either short or long. Chihuahua’s varieties are identical for the most part, minus the hair and coat type.
This breed of dog possesses devotion, elegance, and a larger-dog type of attitude. Keep in mind that all dogs need training; without it, the Chihuahua won’t be as well behaved. The dog type is very compact in size, confident, and able to live within a small home without too many needs. They are unfortunately a bit small to actively play with children, so they are typically found in single elderly owner homes. Due to their small size, the Chihuahua should be provided with extra care during the cold months of the year.
When considering a Chihuahua purchase, it is extremely important to remember their small physical size. They are adventurous and fearless explorers. Once again, due to their small size, they are known to like escaping from a back yard through a small hole or slit in the fence. As long as the little Chihuahua gets lots of quality time in its owner’s lap, they make great companions.
Pros of Owning a Rat Terrier Chihuahua Mix
Below, you will find some of the pros around owning a Chihuahua Rat Terrier mixed breed dog.
The Rattie Chihuahua Mix is a Great Companion
This little ball of hair is the perfect companion. Bred by the ancient civilizations on the Mexican peninsula, the Rat Chi mix has flourished as an affectionate, loving, and loyal companion to its owner for centuries.
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Rat Terrier Chi Mix Dogs Require Zero to Low Maintenance
Since the Rat Terrier Chi Chi mixed dog is typically found with short hair, there is little to no grooming required. Their small compact size also makes their exercise level needs minimal.
Rat-Chas Hardly Have Health Issues
The Chihuahua Rat Terrier mixed dogs are some of the healthiest breeds out there. In fact, they tend to be healthier than their parent breeds. The lack of health issues can usually be traced to both of the parent breeds being small in size.
The Rat Terrier Chi Chi Mix is Perfect For Small Dwellings
As we have mentioned already, a combination of good health, small size, and small exercise appetite make the Rat Terrier Chihuahua mix perfect for smaller homes without yards.
Chihuahua Rat Terrier Mix Dogs are Brave & Alert
Due to the Rat Terrier’s historical traits, the Rat-Cha makes for a good watchdog. Not only is the Rat-Cha alert because of the Rat Terrier side of the breed, but it can also sound a really loud alarm in case of intruders due to its Chihuahua barking traits.
Rat Terrier Chihuahua Mix Temperament & Behavior
The Chihuahua Rat Terrier mix dog is a loving and affectionate little furry companion. These smart canines look for their owner’s affection daily. They enjoy things like; taking naps on their owner’s lap, burrowing under a warm blanket, and just cuddling in general. The Rat Terrier Chihuahua Mix is definitely not a true terrier. But, due to their Rat Terrier side, they can exhibit similar traits, including not being too friendly with strangers as well as other pets (this is also a Chihuahua breed trait). Due to their small physical size, the Rat Terrier Chihuahua has a harder time interacting with larger breed dogs.
Although the Rat Terrier Chi mix is considered to be a playful type of dog, their suspicion can make them not too comfortable with children. Due to this, it is typically recommended that you keep younger children away from your Rat-Cha since a child’s rough play can easily get annoying, and even “worse”, hurt the dog.
Grooming Needs of Your Chihuahua Rat Terrier Mix
Brushing Coat Hair: When it comes to the Rat Terrier Chihuahua mix, their grooming needs will be dependent on the type of coat that they have. Remember, Chihuahua Rat Terrier mixes can have either short or long hair coats. Generally speaking, however; since they don’t shed a ton, you usually just have to lightly brush their hair a couple of times a week. One interesting fact about the Rat Chi mix is that the longer haired coat dogs tend to shed quite a bit less than the short haired ones.
What brushing ends up doing for the Rat Terrier Chi Chi mix is that it helps the dog distribute all of the natural oils that are on the dog’s body, as well as to remove dirt, debris, and hair tangles.
Bathing: In terms of bathing, this should only be done as needed. Dogs already know how to keep themselves clean and do a pretty good job at it. You don’t want to over-bathe a dog because you then risk removing the important oils from their body that keeps certain health conditions down.
Trimming Nails: For nails, if you don’t run your Chihuahua Rat Terrier mix regularly on asphalt (this helps keep the nail length down), you will need to have the nails trimmed either professionally or by yourself as they get longer.
Cleaning Ears: You should check your Rat-Cha mix’s ears once or twice a week for any ear infections. While doing so, you can gently clean the inside of your dog’s ears with a soft rag.
Brushing Teeth: Dog’s teeth need to be brushed the same way Human teeth need to be brushed. Make sure to spend some time weekly (a few times a week) brushing your dog’s teeth. If you don’t do that, there is a chance that your Rat Terrier Chihuahua might end up having costly dental problems. You 100% want to prevent any dental issues that could result in tooth loss.
Diet & Feeding Needs of Your Rat-Cha Mix
Even though it is very likely that your Rat Chi Chi mix would probably eat just about any type of food that you might offer him, it would still be a good idea to have some type of plan in place that you should follow. Most dogs out there will eat both vegetables and meat, as well as cooked and uncooked food. Really, the majority of them have absolutely no standards when it comes to what they are eating. This fact can actually make things really difficult when you are trying to figure out what type and the amount of dog food you should be giving to your Chihuahua Rat Terrier mix.
The good thing about it though, is that even a real novice dog owner can usually pretty quickly get it right with his pup. For a Rat Terrier Chihuahua mixed dog, giving him a premium brand of dry food is probably your best bet for a healthy, yet balanced meal. Always do your best to select the highest-quality dry food that is best suited for your Rat Terrier Chi Chi mix’s age. In this particular case, the age group dog food would be either puppy/adult/senior; the size of the dog would be small size, and the activity level would be low-to-moderate.
Since the Rat-Cha mix is a small dog, it is easy for it to become prone to obesity issues. If your dog ever becomes even a tiny bit overweight, this can very quickly spiral out of control and begin to place a heavy strain on its small frame. This is why you should always make sure to avoid giving your Chihuahua Rat Terrier mix too much food.
Ultimately, your dog should be given regularly scheduled meals, not large in portion, slow on the treats, and absolutely no under-the-table gifts. If you are able to follow this regimen, your dog will be in a much better place to be able to live a long, healthy, and happy life.
TIP: You can usually find feeding guides printed out on the back of your dog’s favorite dry food. If you follow those directions, you should be able to provide the recommended amounts for your pet’s unique needs.
Health Tips for Your Rat Terrier Chi Chi Mix
One should always regularly take their Rat Terrier Chihuahua to the local veterinarian’s office. One of the main reasons why is that there are a number of health issues that your Chihuahua Rat Terrier mixed dogs can inherit from their purebred parents. Some of these issues are as follows:
- Patellar Luxation – It is an out of place knee placement or position.
- Hypoglycemia – This is a term often used when describing your dog as having low blood sugar.
- Heart problems – Chihuahua Rat Terrier Mix can also have certain heart issues like; heart disease, heart murmurs, and more.
- Incorrect Bite – When it comes to dogs, having a bad bite can really cause lots of issues in their everyday life.
- Collapsed Trachea – This is when the windpipe collapses in a dog’s throat, which in turn creates an airway obstruction.
- Hydrocephalus – The Rat Terrier Chihuahua mix can be prone to this condition of water building up inside the brain. When this happens, brain injury as well as early death can happen.
- Open Fontanel – The main issue with the open fontanel is that a soft spot or hole will open up in the skull and remain there late into adulthood. Although your Rat Terrier Chi Chi can still potentially live a happy and fulfilling life with that soft spot or hole there, but can indeed result in injury in the cause of trauma to the area.
- Allergies – There are really two main types of allergies, the Rat Chi mix’s diet as well as his environment. Some of the most common allergies come from dust, pollen, grasses, and getting bitten by fleas. The two of the most common food allergens that can affect Chihuahua Rat Terrier mixes are chicken and beef proteins. However, there are many other things that your Rattie-Chi mix can be allergic to.
- Demodectic Mange -This condition is caused by Demodex canis, which is a parasitic mite that tends to live in the hair follicles of dogs
If you are looking to purchase a new Rattie-Chi mix, make sure that you are doing your homework and that you ask the breeder to show you the parental health records for the particular dog you are interested in. Doing so allows you to have a better chance of getting a healthy Rat Terrier Chihuahua mix.
Final Words
If you are in the market for a sweet, energetic, and loyal companion canine and don’t have young children or other dogs running around in your house, then a Rat Terrier Chihuahua mix is a good choice for you. Even though both of the parent breeds behind this mix are absolutely affectionate, devoted, and loving; the rat killing nature of the Rat Terrier should be kept under wraps when around other pets. Make sure to get your Rat-Cha mix dog from a professional breeder who has all of the bloodline paperwork and records readily available. If you allow your Chihuahua Rat Terrier mix puppy enough time and opportunity to meet and get comfy with other pets and family members, you will have a wonderful companion to share your time and space with.
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