Dog
Pronunciation:
shwee-nee
Breed Description:
The Schweenie breed of dog is a "designer" or mixed breed that was created by crossing the Dachshund and the Shih Tzu. Because of this, a breed type has not been established and the looks and temperament of the dog can greatly change from one puppy to the next. Generally, the Schweenie will have qualities of both parents. They are usually a small sized breed of dog with a slightly elongated body and short legs. They should be low to the ground with a long tail and a level top line. The head should be broad and slightly rounded at the top but the muzzle is closer to the Dachshund muzzle. The ears should be medium to large in size and hang down the side of the head.
The coat of the Schweenie can range from the long, silky, double coat of the Shih Tzu to the short, dense coat of the Dachshund and currently, no one type of coat is being seen more than the other. In addition, the Schweenie can have a medium length coat that gives them a scruffy appearance and is wiry in texture. The Schweenie can be any color of the parent breeds but the most common color is tan or brown.
Temperament:
The Schweenie breed of dog is a designer breed and because of this, their temperament can vary greatly. They are considered to be a very sweet dog that is friendly and affectionate. They can be very playful and are usually energetic. The breed can be very versatile and they will usually fit into any lifestyle, regardless of how active that lifestyle is. They usually get along well with everyone and have a very clown like personality. The Schweenie usually does very well with children of all ages and they do well with dogs and other pets.
Height:
The average height for a Schweenie is between 11 to 20 inches.
Weight:
The average weight for a Schweenie is between 9 to 20 pounds.
Health Problems:
The Schweenie breed of dog has no known health problems, however, it is important to read up on the Dachshund and the Shih Tzu to be aware of the health problems your puppy may be at risk for.
Living Conditions:
The Schweenie breed of dog is versatile when it comes to living conditions and they can live in both apartments and homes with yards. They should not live outdoors and do best when they are inside with their family as a companion dog.
Exercise:
The Schweenie breed of dog is an active breed that requires between 20 to 30 minutes of exercise each day. Generally, two good walks will meet their needs but it is also important to give them an opportunity for off leash exercise as well.
Life Expectancy:
10 to 15 years
Grooming:
The Schweenie breed of dog can be difficult to groom if you keep them in their full coat. The breed needs to have their coats brushed on a daily basis and will need to be hand stripped of dead hair every two or three months. Many owners opt to clip the coat to make maintenence easy and this should be done every six to eight weeks. Bathing should be done when the coat is being clipped. Nails should be trimmed once or twice a month and ears should be cleaned weekly.
Origin:
The Schweenie breed of dog is a designer `hybrid`breed that has become popular over the last decade or so. There is no actual origin for the breed and if you are interested in learning more about the Schweenie, it is important to read up on both the Dachshund and the Shih Tzu. Comments
The standards for all the breeds accepted to the AKC are used here for breed information, and those not part of the AKC are resourced from FCI standard information, where it is written and coded into the club rules for those breeds.
