Is it possible to cross one of the largest dog breeds around with one of the smallest? Apparently, it is, because some breeders found a way to cross the giant Great Dane with the tiny Chihuahua.
Known as the Great Dane Chihuahua Mix, or Chi-Dane-Dane for short, not much is known about this fairly new designer dog breed or when it was first crossed. They are considered rare, not just because of their massive size difference, but also because crossing them involves artificial insemination which can be challenging and expensive.
In this comprehensive guide, we will discuss everything you need to know about the rare Chi-Dane-Dane with the goal of letting you decide if this is the right breed for you. There are a number of Great Dane mixes nowadays, including the Great Dane Husky Mix and the Great Dane Boxer Mix which you might also be interested in reading in our other articles.
Table of Contents
Great Dane Chihuahua Mix: Breed overview
Below is a brief description of what to expect from the unique Chiwawa Great Dane Mix.
| Other Names | Chi Dane Dane dog, Chihuahua Dane Mix, Great Mexican, Chidane dog, Chihuadane |
| Purity | Hybrid |
| Purpose | Companion dog |
| AKC Recognition | No |
| Size | Small – Medium |
| Weight | 14 – 20 pounds |
| Height | 10 – 12 inches |
| Coat Colors | Black, Fawn, White, Chocolate, Blue, Brindle |
| Child Friendliness | Moderate |
| Canine Friendliness | Moderate |
| Training Difficulty | Moderate |
| Grooming Upkeep | Easy |
| Exercise Needs | Moderate |
| Health | Low- Moderate |
| Lifespan | 8 – 10 years |
| Puppy Costs | $800 – $2,000 |
What is a Chi-Dane-Dane?
The Chi-Dane-Dane is a cross between a Chihuahua and a Great Dane.
The breed can only be crossed successfully through artificial insemination because of the size difference between a male Chihuahua and a female Great Dane. Using a female Chihuahua as the mother always results in the termination of the pregnancy or the passing of the mother.
CHECK OUT: Chihuahua Pregnancy: Complete Guide (+ Detailed Care Tips)
What is a Great Dane and Chihuahua Mix called?
The Great Dane and Chihuahua Mix is often called by its nickname Chi-Dane-Dane. Some would refer to them as the Chidane, Chihuadane, or the Great Mexican.
Chihuahua Great Dane Mix: Parent breeds
As designer breeds, the Chihuahua and Great Dane Mix will combine the traits of his two purebred parents. It is hard to predict how will they turn out (in physical appearance and in temperament), but studying their parent breeds will give us a rough idea about the offspring.
The Chihuahua is one of the smallest dog breeds in the world. They stand at a mere 6 to 9 inches in height and weigh only 4 to 8 pounds at maturity. They have a characteristic apple-shaped head with erect ears and large eyes.
Chihuahuas have a huge personality for a tiny dog and they often display a feisty demeanor towards larger dogs. However, they can often charm their family with their antics.
The Great Dane is the complete opposite of the Chihuahua in terms of size. They are the “gentle giants” of the dog world with a calm and easygoing nature. Despite their imposing stature, they carry themselves with a smooth and easy gait. They rarely show any aggressive behavior but can be counted upon to protect their family.
Chihuahua history
Chihuahuas are related to the ancient and extinct dog Techichi, which the Toltec people of Mexico bred. This small and mute dog was later cultivated into smaller and lighter versions by the Aztecs after they conquered the Toltecs.
They were named after the largest state in Mexico, Chihuahua, by the Spanish conquistadors. It is also in Chihuahua City where they were found to be abundant.
Great Dane history
The Great Dane is a German breed and not from Denmark as their name suggests. They are related to the English Mastiff and the Irish Wolfhound.
The Great Dane were bred by the noblemen in Germany to hunt deer, bears, and boars. Their name was changed from “German Mastiff” to Great Dane as a response to German hostilities in Europe.
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Great Dane vs Chihuahua
Aside from the size difference, the Chihuahua and the Great Dane also differ greatly in their temperament and personality.
Chihuahuas are best known as tiny dogs who likes to act like big dogs. They have a somewhat feisty and bold personality compared to the Great Dane’s more laid-back and gentle nature.
What would a Chihuahua and Great Dane Mix look like?
Great Dane Mix with Chihuahua would typically look like a tall Chihuahua. They typically have a lean body structure that shows some muscularity. Others may exhibit a longer torso in relation to their legs.
The head shape follows more closely the head of the Great Dane with longer and chiseled muzzles but slightly more rounded and with shorter snouts.
Ears can be erect or floppy, and eyes are rounded or almond-shaped which can be dark-colored or blue. The tail is straight and long.
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Great Dane and Chihuahua Mix size, weight, and height
Dane Chihuahua Mix typically is double the height and weight of a Chihuahua but will never reach the height of the Great Dane. They are considered small to medium-sized dogs with the weight and height of both genders being very similar to each other.
| Height | Weight | |
| Male | 10 – 12 inches | 14 – 20 pounds |
| Female | 10 – 12 inches | 14 – 18 pounds |
Full grown Great Dane Chihuahua Mix
Great Dane Chihuahua Mix will reach his full height and weight by their first birthday. They may continue to increase in weight and fill their chests until two (2) years of age.
Great Dane and teacup Chihuahua Mix
There is no record yet of any Teacup Chihuahua Great Dane Mix to date. Crossing the two might lead to the sudden passing of the unborn pup inside the womb or could result in the early passing of the offspring if ever there was a successful birth.
Chi Dan Dane coat colors and types
Chihuahua mixed with a Great Dane can be single-coated or double-coated.
The top coat of a single-coated Chi-Dane-Dane is short, dense, and smooth that lies close to the body. Double-coated Chidanes will have an additional soft, thin undercoat.
Great Danes that are crossed with long-haired Chihuahuas may have Great Dane Chihuahua Mix puppies that exhibit longer hairs around the ears, neck, legs, and tail.
The coat of a Chihuahua can come in solid colors of white, black, fawn, chocolate, or gray, and also in a combination with black, tan, and white. Patterns of merle and brindle are also possible.
The Great Dane, on the other hand, comes in merle, blue merle, fawn, black, blue, brindle, mantle, or harlequin.
Any of these colors and markings can be inherited by the Great Dane Chihuahua Mix.
Chihuahua Mixed Great Dane temperament and personality
The temperament and personality of a Great Dane mixed with a Chihuahua can be determined by examining their parents.
Great Danes have a gentle and patient temperament as opposed to the Chihuahua’s lively and often times yappy disposition.
Therefore, the Chi Dane Dane can just as easily be cuddly with you or get feisty once in a while if he doesn’t get what he wants.
Overall, they are loyal and affectionate to their families that very much enjoy their company. They are prone to separation anxiety and can develop destructive behaviors around your house if left alone for too long.
FUN FACT: Many dogs will resort to destructive behaviors like chewing if they are nervous, anxious, scared, or have separation anxiety. Chewing is very natural because it’s a way for them to cope with their anxiety or as a way to explore the world around them. A great way to help your pup with aggressive chewing is to buy them dog bones that are natural and high-quality.
Are Great Dane Chihuahua make great family pets?
Yes, the Great Dane Chihuahua do make great family pets since they are a nice mixture of the Great Dane’s affectionate and friendly nature and the Chihuahua’s mischievous, energetic, and sometimes impatient qualities.
This makes the Great Dane with Chihuahua a more even-tempered breed that could get along well with children.
Of course, their behaviors can tip both ways and may exhibit the feisty attitude of the Chihuahua, so adult supervision is always recommended with smaller children.
Also, the Great Dane x Chihuahua are much suited to play with smaller kids unlike the Chihuahua which can be easily trampled, or the Great Dane which could knock over a small child with his size.
Chi-Dane-Danes can also get along with other pets in the house especially if they were raised together. They may exhibit some feistiness towards other animals they are not familiar with but it can be corrected through early socialization and training.
The Chi-Dane-Dane can also be entrusted to be a good watchdog. Since the Chihuahua is very vocal and the Great Dane is very protective of their family, you can expect this breed to alert you of any would-be intruders.
Are Great Dane and Chihuahua aggressive dogs?
You may be asking if a Great Dane Mixed with a Chihuahua is an aggressive dog. The answer is no. A Great Dane is known to be kind and gentle while a Chihuahua may be skittish and has the reputation of being small yet terrible. However, with proper training, a Great Dane Chihuahua Mix is not an aggressive dog.
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Great Dane Mix Chihuahua training
Chihuahua x Great Dane Mix is smart with a mixture of stubbornness, so they are moderately easy to train. They should be motivated with positive reinforcements, like giving food treats or praises, to get their attention.
The important thing is to be firm and consistent when training them to get the result you want.
Early socialization will also teach them to get used to different people, animals, and situations making them less nervous or get easily agitated.
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Great Dane Mixed with Chihuahua exercise requirement
Great Dane and a Chihuahua Mix needs at least an hour of daily exercise depending on their size and personality. Physical activity can be divided into several sessions throughout the day to spread out their energy level.
Ideal exercises include brisk walking, hiking, and swimming. They can also be good in agility games, but you must wait until they are fully mature so that their joints are stronger.
Many K9 owners with a backyard will often let their Great Dane mixed with Chihuahua roam freely in their yard throughout the day. That’s because any light activity such as walking, jumping, chasing, or running is a great form of exercise.
If you allow your Great Dane Chihuahua Mix puppy roam freely in your backyard, make sure it is fully fenced-in to keep him safe. Please note that some towns or counties have zoning laws that prohibit putting up physical fences.
If this is the case with your town, don’t fret! With the help of the wireless dog fence, your Chihuahua and Great Dane Mix puppies can still be safe and contained within your backyard.
What’s great about the wireless doggy fence is that it is invisible so there’s no physical fence to obstruct your beautiful and scenic mountain view.
Best of all, the invisible dog fence is cost-efficient, flexible, and adaptable to any and all types of terrains including mountainous, hilly, and flat grassy terrains.
If you do let your Great Dane and Chihuahua Mix puppies head outside on their own during the day, it is extremely helpful to install an electronic dog door that has programmable modes with customizable access.
Automatic dog doors are easy to install and use. Your Chihuahua Great Dane Mix puppies can now head outside to your backyard on their own and come back into the house whenever they’re ready.
So you’ll no longer need to open and close the door for your pup anymore!
Chiwawa and Great Dane grooming and cleaning
Great Dane Chihuahua Mix breed is fairly easy to clean and groom. This dog does not have long or curly hair so you do not have to worry about spending long hours on grooming.
Below are some tips on how to keep the coat, teeth, ears, and eyes of your Chihuahua Great Dane Mix clean and free of germs.
Bathing
Thanks to her short hair, you don’t have to bathe your Chiwawa and Great Dane often. If her coat gets dirty, you can wipe it with mild doggie wipes to remove dirt, germs, and bacteria that are adhered to her coat.
So, how often should you give a Great Dane Chihuahua Mix a bath? Once a month or even every 6 weeks is sufficient so as not to dry her skin.
When bathing your Chi-Dane-Dane, be sure to use a mildly-scented and organic dog shampoo to clean and moisturize her skin and coat or a medicated dog shampoo if your K9 friends suffers from seborrhea.
Brushing
Using the right brush makes a huge difference in keeping the coat of a Chiwawa Great Dane nice and glossy. Regular coat brushing removes dirt and debris from your dog’s coat.
Plus, brushing helps to distribute the natural oil all throughout your pup’s skin for a softer and glossy look.
For a short-haired breed like the Chihuahua and Great Dane Mix, we suggest that you use a bristle brush. You can purchase a palm brush bristle brush that ergonomically fits into your hand so brushing your Great Dane Chihuahua Mix will be comfortable for you and your Fido.
Teeth Brushing
Just like you, your Great Dane Chihuahua Mix breed also needs to have proper dental hygiene. If not, your Fido may suffer from a periodontal disease that may cause the gums to recede.
Plus, a lack of dental hygiene can cause tooth loss. Don’t take these issues for granted as dental pain can lead to a lack of appetite.
However, please do not use human toothpaste. Rather, you’ll want to choose an enzymatic toothpaste for dogs or a doggie toothpaste made with flavorings like chicken or beef.
The enzymatic formula in the doggy toothpaste helps to break down plaque, control tartar formation, and keep your pup’s teeth and gum clean. Make sure the dog toothpaste also contain non-foaming agent so that it is safe for your pups to swallow.
Nail Trimming
Did you know that long nails can cause pain while walking? Not only that but unkempt nails can lead to joint pressure because the nails are pushed back into the nail bed.
These are the reasons why you have to maintain the right nail length for your dog. Use a durable dog nail clipper or if you’re afraid that you may hurt your furry friends, you can try using a dog nail grinder.
It’s also a good idea to have styptic powder for dogs in case you accidentally cut the quick and cause bleeding.
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Ear and Eye Cleaning
Make it a habit to inspect your dogs’ ears at least once a week. Bacteria and fungus love the dark and damp environment of these areas.
Hence, to avoid ear infections, you can carefully wipe her ears with fragrance-free ear wipes. The same is true for her eyes. You can use gentle tear stain wipes for dogs to remove debris around the eye area.
| Grooming Needs | Grooming Frequency |
| Bathing | Every 4 to 6 weeks. |
| Brushing | Once a week. |
| Teeth Brushing | 3 – 4x per week. |
| Nail Trimming | As needed. |
Are Chihuahua Great Dane hypoallergenic?
No, Chihuahua and a Great Dane Mix are not hypoallergenic even though they are short-haired. Dander and dried saliva can adhere to their loose hairs which is often the cause of canine allergy in some people.
If you or anyone in your home is sensitive to loose fur or dander flying all around your home, it’s a good idea to invest in a powerful vacuum cleaner.
With the Miele Vacuum Cleaner, it can seamlessly vacuum between carpet and hardwood floor and its quiet feature means that it doesn’t scare our furry friends away.
My family with two large dogs love this vacuum cleaner because it is heavy duty and durable. We’ve been using it for more than 5 years now.
Do Chihuahua Mixed with Great Dane shed?
Yes, the Chihuahua Great Dane Mix breed do shed moderately all year round, and much more heavily during the fall and spring months when they blow out their coat to adapt to changing temperatures.
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Great Dane Chihuaha Mix food and diet
Coming from two (2) parents with opposing sizes, the right amount of daily food intake depends on how big or small the Great Dane Chihuahua Mix is.
Let us assume that the adult Chi Dane is a medium-sized dog, you can feed her an average of 1.5 to 2 cups of kibble dog food divided into two (2) servings.
We recommend that you talk to a veterinarian regarding the dietary needs of your dog based on her size and activity levels.
Chi Dane Dane health issues
Is the Chi Dane just as healthy as her parents? Most likely not. This is because the genes of these two (2) purebred dogs may not be compatible at all, to begin with.
Thus, there are only a few puppies who survive, or if ever they do, wouldn’t be healthy and will be plagued with health problems later in life.
But, if you have set your heart on getting a Chi Dane mixed dog, you can purchase an affordable, easy-to-use, and reliable at-home dog DNA testing kit.
This kit is called the Embark Dog DNA Test Breed and Health Kit and it will help you determine early on what health issues your pups are most susceptible to. Knowing what health issues they are most prone to can help you prepare emotionally and financially for the health issues that can affect your pooch.
For now, here are six (6) health issues that Chi Dane Dane are most prone to:
1. Hip Dysplasia
Hip dysplasia is a painful disorder that is caused by the abnormal growth of the ball and the socket which are located in the hip joint. This condition may eventually lead to osteoarthritis.
2. Elbow Dysplasia
This is a condition that is more common in large dogs. An inherited condition, elbow dysplasia is caused by an abnormal growth of the three (3) bones in the elbow joint.
3. Rheumatism
This is an auto-immune disorder that attacks the joints of the affected dogs. Signs and symptoms of rheumatism include lameness and enlarged lymph nodes.
4. Eye Problems
Keratoconjunctivitis or dry eyes are quite common among Chihuahuas. If untreated, it causes sore and itchy eyes. The other eye problems that a Great Dane Chihuahua can inherit from her parents are glaucoma and cataracts.
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5. Hypoglycemia
Also referred to as low blood sugar levels, this condition is more common among small dog breeds. Trembling and weakness are two of the common signs.
6. Cardiovascular Diseases
The Great Dane is vulnerable to a life-threatening disease called dilated cardiomyopathy. This is when the heart muscles become enlarged and weak and the heart is no longer capable of pumping blood efficiently.
ALSO READ: Chihuahua Health Issues (Complete Guide)
Great Dane Chihuahua Mix lifespan
A Great Dane is called a heartbreak breed because of his short lifespan of about 6 to 8 years. This is the opposite of a Chihuahua which lives longer and may reach up to an average of 15 years.
So, if these two dogs are bred together, there’s a chance that a Great Dane Chihuahua may live an average of 7 to 15 years.
However, these figures can be disputed because as of this writing, there are only a handful of Great Dane Chihuahua Mixed dogs. Therefore, there is no standard yet that claims the actual life expectancy of a Great Dane Chihuahua Mix.
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Can you mix a Great Dane with a Chihuahua?
Yes, these two dog breeds of opposing sizes can be bred together but it comes with controversies and ethical issues. There are pieces of undocumented pieces of evidence stating the initial failure of mixing these two dog breeds through natural process.
So, the next option the breeders tried was artificial insemination but the success rate was low because a tiny Chihuahua had a hard time carrying in her womb big puppies, much less, giving birth to them.
Some breeders tried C-sections but the puppies and the mother eventually pass away. For those puppies that survived, another hurdle to tackle was how to feed the puppies since a female Chihuahua is incapable of nursing her big puppies.
Thus, breeders had to hand-feed the puppies to eat and survive. So, some breeders thought that instead of using a Chihuahua as the mother, they used the Great Dane as the mom since she has a larger womb.
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Great Dane x Chihuahua breeders
Can a female Chihuahua breed with a large dog like a Great Dane? Yes, but not naturally and the only option is through artificial insemination.
A Chihuahua mating with big dog is simply not possible because of the size differences.
That said, where can you find responsible and ethical breeders who produce Great Dane Chihuahua Mix puppies?
Honestly, it’s very rare that you can find one because there is only a handful of breeders who crossbreed these two dogs. So, be very careful when looking for puppies and be sure to ask for the health records of the purebred parents and the puppies.
Great Dane Chihuahua Mix puppies
Chihuahua and Great Dane Mix puppies are hard to find because of the many challenges and the expenses that come with crossbreeding a Great Dane and a Chihuahua.
Do you really want to own a Great Dane Chihuahua Mix puppy? The care for this unusual designer dog breed is the same as the others except that you have to be prepared financially because the Great Dane and Chihuahua Mix puppies could get sick easily since the genes of their parents are not exactly compatible.
Chihuahua Great Dane Mix puppies are also curious dogs that loves to explore their environment. Therefore, you’ll want to puppy-proof your house by covering electrical wires, removing toxins like bug spray, and installing a dog fence to prevent a Great Dane Chihuahua Mix puppy from escaping your home or premise.
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Chi Dane Dane price
The price tag of a Great Dane mixed with a Chihuahua is between $800 and $2,000. Take note that in most cases, the litter size of this designer dog breed is small, hence the price varies.
Places to find Great Dane Chihuahua Mix for sale
A Great Dane Chihuahua Mix is considered a rare find. So, we recommend that you go to breeders of a Great Dane or a Chihuahua and then ask for names of breeders who are into crossbreeding these purebred dogs with opposing sizes.
Try going to Velocity Great Danes (velocitygreatdanes.com) which is located in New Mexico. All the Great Danes for breeding have champion bloodlines and are evaluated against genetic diseases including eye, heart, and thyroid problems.
Black Pigeon Great Danes (blackpigeongreatdanes.ca) in Canada may have the puppies you are looking for.
If you are from Australia, you may inquire the breeder at Great Dane Lovers Inc (greatdanelovers.com.au) in Australia if they have a breeding program of crossbreeding a Chihuahua with a Great Dane.
Great Dane Chihuahua Mix: Pros and Cons
In a nutshell, here is a table showing the good and the not-so-good sides of this rare and unusual designer dog breed.
| Pros | Cons |
| Does not require strenuous form of exercise. | May not be as healthy as other designer dog breeds. |
| Easy to groom. | May bark a lot. |
| Easy going personality. | Has separation anxiety issues. |
| Unique dog breed. | Quite expensive. |
| Good family dog. | Hard to find a breeder that has this designer breed. |
| Intelligent. | Tendency to be stubborn. |
Is the Chihuahua Great Dane Mix right for me?
While there is still very limited information about a Chidane dog, basically you can expect this designer dog breed to be mild-mannered yet have protective tendencies of its owners.
He is not as active, so if you have a more sedentary lifestyle, this may be the right canine companion for you.
Keep in mind that the Chihuahua Great Dane Mix is susceptible to several of the health problems we’ve discussed above so if you’re ready and willing to deal with that, then this pooch may be the right fit for you.
Related Questions
Yes, you can mix a Chihuahua with a Great Dane but only through the means of artificial insemination. Plus, you cannot expect the offspring to be as robust because the genes of the parents with opposing sizes are not exactly compatible.
A Chihuahua and Great Dane Mix can also be called a Chihuahua Dane Mix, Chihuahua Dane, Chi Dane Dane dog, Chidane dog, and a Great Mexican dog.
Scooby Doo is one of the famous dogs that we all know and he is a Great Dane dog breed.
There are 7 types of Chihuahuas and the biggest of them all is the Deer Head Chihuahua which weighs an average of 10 to 12 pounds.
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The information, including but not limited to, text, graphics, images and other material contained on this website are for informational purposes only. No material on this site is intended to be a substitute for professional veterinary advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always seek the advice of your veterinarian or other qualified health care provider with any questions you may have regarding a medical condition.
Resources:
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Chihuahua_(dog)
https://gdca.org/the-great-dane/health-and-research/
With over five years of specialized experience as an animal writer, my expertise lies in dog nutrition, health, behavior, grooming, and training. I am dedicated to delivering helpful and informative content that caters to the well-being of our furry friends. My primary goal is to empower pet owners with knowledge and ensure our canine companions thrive in health and happiness. In my free time, I love volunteering at local dog rescue centers.
