Skip to Content

Chihuahua-Husky Mix: 13 Facts, Characteristics & Pictures

Chihuahua-Husky Mix

Congrats, you found it:

The ultimate Chihuahua-Husky mix guide.

Here you’ll discover surprising facts about this beautiful mixed breed.

You’ll discover:

  • What a Chihuahua-Husky mix looks like (with pictures).
  • What it’s like to have a Chihuahua-Husky mix (from traits to health issues).
  • And much, much more…

Chihuahua-Husky mix

Chihuahua-Husky mixes (AKA the Chi-sky or the Husky-huahua) are some of the most lovable pups that exist today.

They can weigh anywhere between 7-15lbs and have coats of many colors and patterns. These pups can be either high-energy or relatively calm.

They can live an average of 12-16 years as well, promising a long, fulfilling life with their human.

Where did the Chihuahua-Husky mix come from?

The combination of a Chihuahua and a Husky is, admittedly, quite a peculiar one. Why?

Well, let’s take a look at the two breeds that have to come together to make this unique pup:

Siberian HuskyChihuahua
Although there is more than one kind of Husky, the Siberian Husky is, by far, the most popular.

Out of all dogs across the U.S., this is the 14th most widely owned dog in the country.
The Chihuahua is another widely beloved pet.


Out of all 196 breeds recognized by the American Kennel Club, the Chihuahua is the 33rd most popular.
A male Husky weighs between 45-60lbs, while females can be a minimum of 35lbs and a maximum of 50lbs.


They are almost 2 feet tall at the shoulder.
Chihuahuas don’t differ very much in terms of weight between males and females. Why? 

Regardless of whether it’s a girl or boy, a pure Chihuahua can only weigh a maximum of 6lbs.
Huskies are expected to live between 12-14 years.Chihuahuas can live between 14-16 years.

As you can see, these breeds are extremely different. One is considered to be a medium-sized dog, while the other is a ‘toy breed.’ The two have almost nothing in common, except that they have similar lifespans. 

So, how in the world did these two find themselves so involved with each other that they made puppies?

The origins of this particular genetic line are quite unclear.

The first litter may have been a mistake, and enough people liked the result that it caught on. On the other hand, someone might have intentionally bred the two together, just to see what would happen. 

Since the Chihuahua-Husky mix is not an official breed, according to the American Kennel Club (AKC), it does not have an official historical record.

However, we do know the individual histories of the separate breeds. This may give you insight into the Chihuahua-Husky pup you own today.

The history of the Chihuahua

Chihuahua Puppy

Though many people associate the Chihuahua with Hollywood trends of the present, these tiny canines have quite a long history in North and Central America. 

Before they became the stars that they are today, they were a central part of Indigenous Mexican cultures. Their exact point of origin is unknown, but their ancestor was certainly a companion of the Toltec people.

The Toltecs lived in Mexico just about 1,000 years ago and are most likely responsible for the beginning of the Chihuahua breed. How do we know this?

Toltecs were known to own a type of dog called the ‘Techichi.” The Techichi is a larger dog than the Chihuahua. But it is the ancestor of our tiny pooches.  

After the Aztecs conquered the Toltecs in the 12th century, they began the evolution of what is now the Chihuahua. Over time, they bred the dog to be smaller and lighter. 

The Chihuahua lived through the 1500s when the Spanish conquistadors attacked the Aztecs and spread further into North America in the mid-1800s. 

Many Americans got their pups from Chihuahua, Mexico – the reason for its namesake. It was at this time that the Chihuahua started to take hold as a beloved little companion. 

In 1908, the AKC recognized the Chihuahua as an official breed for the very first time with a dog named “Beppie.”

The history of the Siberian Husky

Husky Puppies

The Siberian Husky has quite a rich history as well. Though most people associate the breed with Russia (of course, because of its name), this is not the only region included in this dog’s origins.

The Husky comes from a long line of dogs that were bred by the Chukchi people of northeastern Asia. Even then, they worked as sled dogs, as well as general companions for their families.

The Husky’s sled work was critical to the Chukchi’s survival. As the climate changed over the years, the Chukchi were forced to hunt further North. 

To help them get to these new lands, they bred and trained dogs that were able to pull lightweight cargo over long distances.

Throughout the generations, the Chukchi people managed to keep their genetic lines remarkably pure. It was from these packs that the Siberian Husky of today was born. 

It wasn’t until the 1900s that the Husky started to gain the attention of a global audience. How’d they get so popular? By winning sledding races, of course! 

In 1925, when a relay of Huskies covered 658 miles in only 5.5 days, people were dumbfounded. Soon, the demand for this breed grew. 

The desire for this pooch hasn’t calmed down since. (It was from this race that the world grew to love ‘Balto,’ the Husky that led the team to victory!)

The Siberian Husky was deemed an official breed by the AKC in 1930.

What a Chihuahua-Husky mix looks like

A Chihuahua-Husky mix can take on many different appearances. Why? Their looks depend on the combination of parents.

For example, if a dog is born from a Husky dad and a Chihuahua mom, it would look much different than if it were the other way around.  

Don’t ask how breeding works for either pair… it’s complicated. 

Chi-skies can span only a small range in terms of their weight. The average is 7-15lbs.  

Also, although they won’t be as short as a standard Chihuahua, they will not be as tall as their Husky parents either. This mixed breed usually stands at only 15in. maximum (the shortest is 6in.).

When it comes to their coat, again, they might take after either parent.

Their hair can be short and dense, similar to the AKC Chihuahua breed standard. Or, it can be long and luxurious like the Husky, built for resistance to the chilling temperatures of the North. Their colors are variable, too. 

They might appear to be any of the following hues:

  • Tan.
  • Grey.
  • Black.
  • White.

Rarely are their coats only one color. They usually have more than one color in their coat in many distinct patterns. 

Don’t think you’re free of brushing your Husky mix just because it’s got some Chihuahua in it, either! These dogs are capable of shedding, too. 

Still, this element is also dependent on the exact matchup of parents, and which is the dominant gene. 

Chihuahuas don’t shed much. But Huskies do a lot. So, if your mix sheds a lot, you know which gene was dominant.

What it’s like to live with a Chihuahua-Husky mix

Imagine what it’s like to share your life with a Chihuahua-Husky mix. To do so, think of the individual personalities of these two breeds.

Both Huskies and Chihuahuas have very strong personalities. This makes each of these dogs very vocal.

For one, the Husky is known for its constant ‘talking back’ to owners. Secondly, the Chihuahua is always convinced that it is much bigger and more powerful than it really is.

Combining these two personalities is sure to give you a dog with some serious spunk! On that note, your Chihuahua-Husky mix is likely to have a ton of energy.

The best way to give them the lifestyle they need is by providing regular exercise and lots of activities to keep their mind busy.

Remember, too, that vocal dogs are not the best companions for small apartments. If your mixed-breed pup is constantly ‘talking’ to you, your neighbors are likely to complain. 

Note: Get to know your Chihuahua-Husky mix before bringing them home. 

This way, you can learn whether they’re a vocal pooch, or if they only sound the alarm when danger’s coming. Chihuahuas tend to think of themselves as fun-sized guard dogs. 

So, the combination of the singing Husky and the Chihuahua alert system may be a recipe for constant barking. 

Training your Chihuahua-Husky mix

The way you train your Chihuahua-Husky mix will depend on its energy level. The Chihuahua is considered a ‘toy breed,’ or a Companion Dog. 

So, it will not be able to follow the same training schedule as a Husky, which is a Working Dog.

Let’s talk about the energy levels in both breeds. 

For instance, a Chihuahua can get quite worked up when you return home or invite them to play. 

They are a breed that is the most likely to get the ‘zoomies’ when they see their humans. They’ll zip back and forth across the house, celebrating your return and readiness to cuddle 🙂

Still, once the brief moments of excitement are over, they’ll settle back down and sit on your lap. This is part of their nature as a ‘toy breed,’ to be calm and ready to give you attention when you need it.

A Husky, on the other hand, will have much more energy for longer periods. Recall that they were bred to pull sleds in the harshness of winter. 

To do this, they had to have a high exercise capacity. They’re always up for a game of tug-of-war, chase, or other highly physical activities. 

So, when you adopt your Chihuahua-Husky mix, it is safe to assume that your pup’s energy levels will fall somewhere in the middle of their parents. 

Give them the best opportunity for success with their training sessions by applying the following practices:

  • Socialize your dog. A well-behaved dog is one that can react calmly to the presence of other pups.  Plus, if you happen to be training in public, you don’t want them to be constantly pulling you to bark at or play with another dog! Desensitize them to other dogs’ presence so they can cooperate perfectly in training sessions. 
  • At the same time, try to train only in areas that are free from distractions. The Chihuahua side of your pup may be easily spooked by things outside, while the Husky side might want to chase. Steer clear of the chaos by training indoors for a few weeks at first. 
  • Always use positive reinforcement. Toy breeds, half of your Chihuahua-Husky’s identity, are very sensitive. 
  • Negative reinforcement or other discipline types can be overwhelming and scary. Give your pup a treat when they do things correctly, such as pottying in the right area. 

How long does a Chihuahua-Husky mix live?

To get an idea of how long your Husky-huahua will live, consider the lifespans of each breed. As mentioned above, the Husky can live between 12-14 years, while Chihuahuas live from 14-16 years. 

Depending on your mix’s parents and lifestyle, it can live for a minimum of 12 years up to 16 years on average. 

Note that the way you raise your Chihuahua-Husky mix has a lot to do with how long its lifespan is. 

Some of the best ways to extend your dog’s life include with paying attention to these facets of care:

  • Diet.
  • Dental hygiene.
  • Spaying and neutering.
  • Protection against heartworm, fleas, and ticks.
  • Exercise (careful with your dog’s breed restrictions!).

As you care for your new Chihuahua-Husky mix puppy, be aware of unique risks to their health, according to the breed history. 

Health issues to be aware of in a Chihuahua-Husky mix

Chihuahuas and Huskies each have health challenges that are unique to their breeds. You must be aware of these issues, so you can develop the best plan to protect their quality of life. 

Many people tend to think of mixed-breed dogs as having double the health risks of their two parent breeds. 

Surprisingly, though, researchers learned that quite the opposite was true:

Only ten genetic disorders are far more prevalent in purebred dogs than mixed breed dogs. (These include allergic dermatitis, bloat, and epilepsy, to name a few.)

Mixed breeds, such as the Chi-sky, only have higher health risks for very few health problems. (In the study, this health problem was ‘ruptured cranial cruciate ligament.’ This is basically a torn ACL, or anterior cruciate ligament, for dogs.) 

Generally, mixed-breed dogs do not face higher risks concerning their health than any other dog. So, your Husky-huahua will be just fine, as long as you are aware of each breed’s unique risks. 

The most widespread illnesses that Chihuahuas and Huskies face are listed here:

Siberian Husky (Source: Animal Health Center)Chihuahua (Source: Prestige Animal Hospital)
Cataracts.Glaucoma.
Glaucoma.Cataracts.
Von Willebrand’s disease (a blood clotting disorder).Keratoconjunctivitis sicca, or KCS (dry eye).
Epilepsy.Heart failure.
Laryngeal paralysis.Patent ductus arteriosis (PDA).
High blood pressure.Patellar luxation (kneecap may come out of the socket).
Hip dysplasia.Tracheal collapse.
Inflammatory bowel disease (IBD).Hemophilia.
Degenerative myelopathy.Portosystemic shunt, or PSS, a liver disorder.
Autoimmune skin disease.Kidney stones.
Hypothyroidism.Hydrocephalus (accumulation of fluids around the brain).
Hyperphosphatemia (problems with certain enzymes in the liver).

Your Husky-huahua shouldn’t have double the risk of these illnesses. Still, you should pay extra attention to the diseases the two breeds have in common.

Caution: If both parents are prone to these problems, your pup is at greater risk of developing them, too.

Reading tip: 13 Chihuahua Health Problems + 85 Tips To Prevent Issues

How to pick the perfect Chihuahua-Husky puppy for your family

Not many new puppy parents know this, but the health of your dog is not only dependent on how you raise them. 

Your puppy’s medical safety begins the day you choose it from the litter! When choosing your new Chi-sky puppy, pay attention to these four details: 

  • Ask the breeder about the parents’ medical history. Make sure they don’t have any genetic illnesses!
  • Watch the puppies interact with each other. The more active and friendly they are with each other, the better behaved they will be! 
  • Note their physical appearance. Is their coat healthy and shiny? Are they a good weight? They shouldn’t have any bald spots, open wounds, or significant skin irritation.
  • Observe how the puppies carry themselves. Are any of them limping? Puppies are naturally clumsy, but they shouldn’t have difficulty standing, running, or walking.

Spend time with the puppy you think you’ll adopt. If you have any other pets or children, bring them along for a visit.

You want to give your new family member as many chances as possible to get used to its new family! 

Schedule several meetings before you commit to bringing your new puppy home. This way, you can get a real feel of their personality and their ability to get along with their new family. 

Caution: Make sure to discuss the parents’ health in-depth, and ask specific questions according to the breed history.

The last thing you want is to bring a pup home, only to struggle to support its well-being within the first few days. 

Brush up on your knowledge of what to expect from your brand-new Husky-huahua. 

With the proper research beforehand, you’ll be guaranteed to choose the perfect companion for yourself and your family!