Okay, I admit.......Rico is a bit spoiled. But look at him!

Rico digs for a gopher

Rico follows his natural instincts by tracking down a gopher at the dog park. Chiweenies are Dachshund/Chihuahua hybrids. Dachshunds are miniature hound dogs bred to hunt rabbits, badgers, and gophers (dogtime.com, 2016).
Rico, like most Chiweenies, enjoys tunneling for critters, spending up to half his time at the dog park tracking and tunneling for gophers. When he finds one, he raises a paw, signaling his owner to catch the gopher. Rico prefers not to do the dirty work himself.

Dogtime.com (2016). Dachshunds. Evolve Media LLC. Retrieved from http://dogtime.com/dog-breeds/dachshund#/slide/1

O'Neil, G. (2015). Rico digging in a gopher hole [video]. Riverside CA.

Rico: The Chiweenie's Chiweenie

     Rico is the alpha dog of the O'Neil pack. His cool confidence, swagger, fighting skills, and genuine love for his canine and human companions propelled him to this role, and the other dogs follow his lead. Unlike many Chiweenies, Rico loves being a part of a multi dog household. According to PetGuide.com, Chiweenies make ideal pets for single people with no other pets or small children (Tokic, 2013).



O'Neil, G. (2015). Rico in his 49ers Jersey. [graphic image]. Riverside CA.

O'Neil, S. (2015). Gerry, Leigh, and the dogs. [graphic image]. Riverside CA.

Tokic, A. (2013). Chiweenies. Petguide.com. Vertical Scope Inc. Retrieved from http://www.petguide.com/breeds/dog/chiweenie/

More about Chiweenies and blogs

Rico and his beloved owner Gerry are lying down for a nap. Chiweenies are affectionate and loyal to their human pets. They enjoy cuddling when they are done playing. Rico, like all Chiweenies, is highly energetic and enjoys playing (Tokic.com 2013). He spends several hours each day playing with his pack mates, Mister Sammy and Puppers.

Chiweenie owners visiting this blog can learn more about their canine family members and post information regarding their knowledge and experiences.

O'Neil, G. (2014). Naptime for Gerry and Rico. [graphic image]. Riverside CA.

O'Neil, S. (2015). Christmas with Mister Sammy. [graphic image]. Riverside CA.

O'Neil, S. (2015). Christmas with the Pupperdog. [graphic image]. Riverside CA.

Tokic, A. (2013). Chiweenies. Petguide.com. Vertical Scope Inc. Retrieved from http://www.petguide.com/breeds/dog/chiweenie/

About Chiweenies

     Chiweenies have been bred since the early 1990s and are gaining popularity with dog owners due to their adorable appearance and cheerful demeanor (Tokic, 2013). The O'Neils do not know if Rico's parents were Chiweenies or if one was a Dachshund and the other a Chihuahua.
Like most Chiweenies, Rico is reluctant to formal training (Tokic, 2013). However, he is highly intelligent and knows hundreds of words including "snacky snack," "dog park," "momma," "daddy," "walk," "no," and "play."
     Chiweenies are prone to dental issues, a common trait with Chihuahuas (dogtime.com, 2016). Chiweenies thrive on high quality kibble, as it strengthens and cleans teeth (Tokic, 2013).
     This blog provides information on what Chiweenie owners can expect from their dog and how to provide optimal care and a loving home for their four legged family member.


Nussbaum-Beach, S., & Ritter-Hall, L.(2012). The Connected Educator: Learning and Leading in a Digital Age. Bloomington IN. Solution Tree Press.

Dogtime.com (2016). Chihuahuas. Evolve Media LLC. Retrieved from
http://dogtime.com/dog-breeds/chihuahua

O'Neil, G. (2015). Rico at the dog park [graphic image]. Riverside CA.

O'Neil, G. (2015). Rico at the helm [graphic image]. Riverside CA.

O'Neil, G. (2014). Rico watching football [graphic image]. Riverside CA.

O'Neil, S. (2015). Christmas with the Ricodog. [graphic image]. Riverside CA.

Tokic, A. (2013). Chiweenies. Petguide.com. Vertical Scope Inc. Retrieved from http://www.petguide.com/breeds/dog/chiweenie/

This is Rico, the world's cutest Chiweenie

     Meet Rico, the world's cutest Chiweenie. Born in the autumn of 2012, he was adopted by Gerry and Leigh O'Neil in June of 2013 from a dog rescue agency in Lake Arrowhead California. Rico currently resides with his family in Riverside California, where he enjoys frequent trips to the dog park, walks on Victoria Avenue and through the Wood Streets, eating leftovers and "snacky snacks," and lounging on any piece of furniture he can jump on.
     Rico stands 11 inches tall and weighs 16 pounds, slightly overweight for a Chiweenie (Tokic, 2013). At three and a half years old, his family hopes to have him around for another 10 to 13 years, as the average Chiweenie lifespan is 13 to 16 years (Tokic, 2013). Common health concerns for Chiweenies are hypothyroidism, diabetes, invertebral degenerative disorders, and dental issues (Tokic, 2013). Rico is an affectionate little dog who loves his family. While he is friendly to guests at the O'Neil home, he fiercely guards the house, barking at strangers who pass by on the sidewalk including, naturally, the mailman.
   

O'Neil, L. (2014). Portrait of Rico [graphic image]. Riverside CA.

Tokic, A. (2013). Chiweenies. Petguide.com. Vertical Scope Inc. Retrieved from http://www.petguide.com/breeds/dog/chiweenie/