All You Need to Know Before Deciding on a Miniature Dachshund

Miniature Dachshunds, also lovingly called Weiner Dogs, are one of the most popular miniature dog breeds today. They are a much smaller version of the standard Dachshunds, and apart from the size share almost all of the standard version’s characteristics.

Their short stubby legs, floppy ears, and long backs have also earned them several affectionate nicknames such as Hotdog, Little Burrow Dog, Sausage Hound, and Badger Dog. But before you make your way to getting this mini Doxie home, it’s necessary to do your due diligence and learn about the unique nature of this breed to ensure a happy, healthy pet.

History of the Breed

You can trace the history of Dachshunds to 15th century Germany when they were primarily bred for hunting. This is also where the dog gets its nickname “Badger dog,” which is literally “Dachshund” in German — “dachs” meaning “badger” and “hund” meaning “hound.”

The name may seem a bit odd, but Dachshunds were specifically bred to sniff out and hunt badgers and other burrowing mammals. As these animals lived in underground lairs, they were difficult to get to by human hands. These were the standard Dachshunds.

With time, Dachshunds began to be used for hunting rabbits and hares out of their hiding places. While initially, the smaller Dachshunds were simply the runt of the litter, years of selective and purposeful breeding led to the Miniature Dachshund coming on the scene somewhere in the 1800s.

As Miniature Dachshunds are even smaller and closer to the ground than their regular-sized brothers and sisters, they are the best option for hunting rabbits out of their holes.

Pertinent General Information About the Breed

Let’s take a look at some specifics you might want to know about the Miniature Dachshund.

1. Size

A Miniature Dachshund stands under 12 inches tall and weighs between 8 and 11 pounds. For Miniature Dachshunds, maintaining this weight from adulthood throughout the remainder of their lives is imperative to their health. Exceeding their recommended weight limit can be detrimental to their health and longevity.

2. Color and Textures of Fur

Miniature Dachshunds come in a variety of fur colors and textures.

Some of its most common colors and color combinations are as follows:

• Red
• Fawn
• Cream
• Chocolate (dark brown)
• “Blue”
• Fawn
• Black
• Black and Creme
• Black and Tan
• Blue and Tan
• Chocolate and Creme

You will also find Miniature Dachshunds sporting diverse patterns:

Dapple:

This is a unique pattern that looks like spotted colors or often a splash or a swirl of two different colors.

Double-Dappled:

This occurs when two dapple dogs mate. Double-dappled Miniature Dachshunds will always have white somewhere on their coat and will often have different colored eyes. Unfortunately, they also suffer from more severe illnesses than other Miniature Dachshunds.

Brindle

A brownish streak of color on the coat.

Piebald

Generally, two colors will appear irregularly on the coat. When it comes to the texture of the Miniature Dachshunds’ fur, you can expect to find three distinct fur patterns:

• Smoot
• Wire-Haired
• Long-Haired

3. Life Expectancy

The typical lifespan of Miniature Dachshunds is 12 to 14 years.

However, the longevity of your Miniature Dachshund is also directly dependent on the lifestyle you help him lead, such as ensuring proper exercise and a healthy diet.

Temperament: Are Miniature Dachshunds Good Pets?

All dogs have the potential of being great pets. Ensuring you raise your dog in the right surroundings makes the difference between having a Benji or a Cugo as a pet. The same applies to Miniature Dachshunds.

General Characteristics of the Breed: Stubbornness and Aggressiveness

Genetics plays a major role in your dog’s behavior. As Miniature Dachshunds were initially bred to attack and keep away other animals, these little guys are not afraid of much. They will also defend their family until the bitter end.

However, this also means that they will bark at virtually everything, as barking alerts their enemies that they are ready to attack.

• Loyal

This breed is known to be very loyal. And as previously stated, Miniature Dachshunds are ready to fight to the death to defend their owners, and they will only leave your side when forced.

• Attention

Miniature Dachshunds are most happy when they can curl up next to you. They have also been known to “cry” or bark uncontrollably when they are not given enough attention.

What Type of Family Is the “Best Fit” for a Miniature Dachshund?

While loving and loyal pups who are an excellent fit for families, Miniature Dachshunds tend to do much better in families with older children or teens.

Miniature Dachshunds are not known to make good pets for families with younger children. They get annoyed by small children. While they love to play and are energetic, they do not have the body sturdiness to be around children who may try to pull their ears or tails.

Miniature Dachshunds are also very food-motivated. So if your baby is eating, your Miniature Dachshund may not understand that your baby does not want to share their dinner.

If you already have pets, adding a Miniature Dachshund to the mix might not be the best idea. Miniature Dachshunds need almost constant attention. So if you have other dogs or cats, there’s a greater likelihood of some friction between them.

While proper training of your Miniature Dachshund can help, it will still take some time for them to adjust.

And because of their need for attention and a tendency for neediness, it’s not a good idea to leave them alone for too long. So if you live alone, unless you work from home, this breed might not be a good fit for you.

Daily Exercise Requirements

Miniature Dachshunds need a minimum of two walks per day to keep in their best health.

It is also imperative for their health that their exercise does not include excessive jumping up and down things like furniture or running up and down the stairs. Such activities can cause injury to their backs and joints.

You also should not leave them to exercise on their own. Miniature Dachshunds are quite social and would want to exercise and play around with their owners. So if you fail to give them the time and attention they need, they will probably sit at the door and cry until you return.

Training Your Miniature Dachshund

Miniature Dachshunds are known to be quite stubborn. This also makes them very challenging to train.

To successfully train Miniature Dachshunds, you need to be patient. Positive reinforcement is also very effective with them.

If you have other pets or small children, expose your new puppy to them early on. This will help to set expectations for their behavior.

Also, make sure you stick to a strict “potty” schedule. Take them outside to urinate about five minutes after they eat, drink, or wake up from a nap. You should also take them out at least every four hours to help avoid poop accidents.

Health Issues Common to the Breed

The vast majority of health issues that Miniature Dachshunds experience are directly related to their size.

Because Miniature Dachshunds are so short, if they put on too much weight, their bones and joints undergo a lot of stress. This can lead to problems such as hip dysplasia, slipped disks in their backs, and diabetes.

Some other health issues that are common to Miniature Dachshunds are:

1. Intervertebral Disc Disease (IVDD)
2. Obesity
3. Gastric dilatation-volvulus
4. Progressive Retinal Atrophy (PRA)
5. Cataracts
6. Glaucoma
7. Epilepsy
8. Cushing’s Disease

Ways to Prevent Particular Health Issues They Are Susceptible To

Ensuring your Mini-Weiner is fed correctly, preventing obesity, and exercising regularly will go a long way in maintaining the health of your Miniature Dachshund.
Here are some quick tips on preventing health issues in Miniature Dachshunds:

1. Ensure proper diet and water intake. Miniature Dachshunds will typically need about 240-300 calories daily. Be careful about overfeeding them as they can put on weight quickly.
2. Check with your vet about the common allergens to avoid. Dachshunds are known to be allergic to chocolate, grains, and grapes.
3. As with any other dog, regular grooming is a must. While smooth-haired Dachshunds will not need to be bathed too often, the long-haired ones need regular bathing, brushing, and trimming.
4. Dachshunds were bred to hunt, and that’s how their bodies have evolved. Miniature Dachshunds are also very energetic. Plan a routine with daily walks and plenty of playtimes.
5. Don’t forget, regular vet visits can help detect and treat any health concerns before they progress. Draw up a scheduled health and dental check-up plan for your Miniature Dachshund with your vet.

FAQ – Why Are They So Expensive?

A registered Mini Weiner can cost anywhere between $500 and $2000. Miniature Dachshunds are very popular and in high demand, thus expensive.

The rarer their color or fur texture, the more expensive they will be. Kennel Club registered puppies will also be slightly more expensive. Apart from this initial buying price, you should also expect to incur additional costs such as dog food, toys, and medical expenses including vaccines and regular vet visits.