How to Care for a Chihuahua-Rat Terrier Mix

If you have a Chihuahua-rat terrier mix--also called a rat-cha--congratulations. Your dog's mixed breeding should combine to produce a hardy, bright, alert and loving pet. Chihuahuas, one of the oldest and smallest dog breeds, are renowned for their intelligence and loyalty but come with certain drawbacks. They can be temperamental, aggressive with other dogs, suspicious of strangers and susceptible to health problems. American rat terriers--which at 10 to 25 pounds are roughly triple the average size of a Chihuahua--are generally hardy, amiable and good with children. Your rat-cha--a visually appealing dog, with oversized eyes and ears--will probably possess the best features of both breeds. With gentle but firm training and proper care, you will enjoy your lively, responsive Chihuahua-rat terrier mix for many years to come.

Things You'll Need

  • Warm, properly fitted dog sweater
  • Soft toothbrush
  • Toothpaste for canines
  • Bite-size dog treats
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Instructions

    • 1

      Socialize and train your Chihuahua-rat terrier mix when it is young to avoid dominance issues. Because aggressive behavior in small dogs--such as growling, possessiveness and jumping up--is not taken as seriously as if the dog were large, and is sometimes even viewed as "cute," petite dogs such as your rat-cha are prone to developing "small dog syndrome," or exaggerated dominance. Teach your dog, gently but firmly, to sit, stay, lie down and walk properly on the leash--and don't tolerate pushy or aggressive behavior.

    • 2

      Invite a wide variety of people, including men and children, to your home to meet and greet your rat-cha in order to promote socialization and minimize any inherited Chihuahua tendency to dislike strangers.

    • 3

      Bundle your rat-cha in a warm sweater to protect it while walking in chilly weather. Your rat-cha's short fur, small size and high metabolism cause it to be very susceptible to cold.

    • 4

      Prevent broken bones by not allowing your rat-cha to jump off high furniture, or from your arms onto a hard surface, and don't let children carry the dog. Although your mixed-breed is not as susceptible to injury as the very fragile purebred Chihuahua, injury is still a possibility.

    • 5

      Teach your rat-cha to tolerate having its teeth brushed and make this a daily grooming ritual. Although your rat-cha will probably generally be healthy and hardy due to its mixed breeding, there may be an inherited Chihuahua tendency toward tooth and gum problems.

    • 6

      Take your rat-cha for regular visits with a veterinarian knowledgeable about small dog breeds, and feed it the diet recommended by the vet in order to maintain a healthy weight. You should be able to see your rat-cha's waistline from above, and be able to feel--but not see--its ribs.

    • 7

      Reward your rat-cha when it masters an obedience command with nutritional treats made especially for small dogs. Never allow your rat-cha to eat chocolate, which contains theobromine, a chemical toxic to dogs. According to Dr. Jeff Kahler, DVM, in an article published in the February 19, 2010, issue of the Deseret News, a smaller dog ingesting the same amount as a bigger dog has a greater chance of toxicity.