Mini Dachshunds: A Full Guide
Whether you have a mini dachshund or are considering adopting one, here are some things you should know about the breed.
Quick Facts
Origin: Germany
Group: Hound
Weight: 11 pounds or less
Height: 5-6 inches
Life Span: ~12-16 years
Temperament: Affectionate, friendly, alert, stubborn
Coat: Shorthaired, wirehaired, or longhaired
Hypoallergenic: No
Characteristics
Mini dachshunds usually are very friendly and upbeat. They need a moderate amount of exercise as they tend to be very playful, despite their small size. They are fairly intelligent dogs but training can be difficult as they tend to be pretty stubborn. Mini dachshunds tend to bark but are great family dogs because they get along well with kids and other pets in the house.
Care Instructions
While mini dachshunds don’t require intensive care, there are still certain things you should be doing to ensure the health and happiness of your pup.
Exercise
Mini dachshunds may be small, but that doesn’t mean they are lazy. This breed needs around an hour of exercise every day to be happy. Daily walks and vigorous playtime will work perfectly for these dogs.
Mini dachshunds also need plenty of mental stimulation. Activities like toy puzzles and tracking can help your dachshund to burn some mental energy.
Since this breed of dog typically has a high prey drive, be sure to always keep them on a leash or fenced in when they are outside. This will prevent them from running off when they see another small animal or something they might perceive as prey. They also tend to dig and burrow under fences to be sure to keep a close eye on them.
Training
This breed of dog is usually very intelligent. However, they also have high levels of independence and stubbornness that can be training a little extra difficult.
Obedience training is most effective when you start as young as possible. This breed responds best to positive reinforcement training methods such as treats or praise. They may refuse to learn if harsher training methods are used.
On top of obedience training, try to have your dachshund interact with different people and dogs at an early age. Waiting too long can have a negative impact on your dachshund and they may grow to dislike strangers. Early exposure increased their comfort and confidence around new people and new dogs.
Grooming
The grooming plan for your mini dachshund depends on what kind of fur they have. However, some care instructions apply to all variations.
Roughly once a month bathe them and check their nails to see if they need a trim. Also, around once or twice a week it is a good idea to check their ears for wax buildup and infection as well as brush their teeth.
Smooth-haired
Brush once a week to remove dirt and loose fur.
WireHaired
Take them to get their coat stripped every few months on top of weekly brushing. To keep them looking neat, you might have to trim up their beards and eyebrows.
LongHaired
This variation of dachshund has a higher tendency to mat so it’s important to brush their hair a few times a week to prevent tangling of their hair.
Diet
Like all dogs, always have a fresh bowl of water available to your dachshund throughout the day.
For food, a balanced diet would consist of two measured bowls of food a day around breakfast and dinner time. Talk to your vet about specific brands of dog food that will be best suited to your pup.
While it can be fun to give your furry friends extra food and treats throughout the day, be wary of too much weight gain in your dachshund. Excess weight in this breed can put too much strain on their long back and cause disc problems.
Common Health Problems
When cared for properly, dachshunds usually live long, healthy lives. However, there are two common issues to be aware of for fido.
Because of their long backs, mini dachshunds can often experience back problems. Some causes could be carrying excess weight as well as pain from jumping on and off high surfaces like beds and couches.
Another common ailment among dachshunds is ear infections. Mini dachshunds create more wax than the average dog which can be a big factor contributing to ear infections. This is why it is important to check your pup’s ears regularly to make sure if there is a problem, you are catching it as early as possible.
Mini dachshunds make the perfect addition to any family and with the right care and training, they will live long happy, and healthy lives and brings tons of joy to any household.