The Dachshund is an adorable and well-loved breed of dog. With their stump legs, long body, and big puppy dogs eyes, what could possibly be cuter?
A Miniature Dachshund of course!
Affectionately coined the wiener dog or sausage dog Miniature Dachshunds are just small Doxies. The Doxie was originally bred to hunt badgers and foxes and the smaller Dachshund was selectively bred to hunt smaller pests such as rabbits and dig into smaller holes.
In this article, we go over all the differences between a Miniature Dachshund to a standard size doxie and how best to care for them!
Physical Description
Miniature Dachshunds are a breed with a pretty self-explanatory name. They are Miniature versions of Dachshunds, but just how do they measure up to the standard Dachshund?
| Miniature Dachshund | Standard Dachshund | |
| Weight | up to 11 pounds | 16 – 32 pounds |
| Height | 5 – 6 inches | 8 – 9 inches |
| Length | 12.5 – 14 inches | 14 – 14.5 inches |
Miniature Dachshunds come in three different varieties based on the type of coat they have – smooth, longhaired, and wire-haired.
They also come in a wide range of color variations within this coat types such as:
- Red
- Tan
- Yellow
- Chocolate
- Black and Grey
They can be solid in color are come in different patterns and mixes. The coat and coat color will depend on the genetics of the dog and what kind of coat its predecessors had.
Personality
Miniature Dachshunds may be small but they are packed full of personality. These little guys make brilliant companions with their lovable and loyal nature. They deeply bond with their owner, but due to this, they may be more subject to separation anxiety. Lots of training and socialization will ensure your mini doxie feels okay when you aren’t around.
These mighty minis are unfathomably brave, something not expected from such a small breed. While their small stature may limit their effectiveness as guard dogs they do make great alarm dogs and will respond bravely to anything perceived as a threat.
Dachshunds, in general, are as stubborn as mules, with strong independent spirits they can be a challenge to train. They are best suited for a mature, patient, and experienced owner who has the ability and tenacity to put in the hard work to train them well.
Although they can be hard to train well, they do travel easily. They are happy to go wherever you go they are less stressed by a change of scenery and very adaptable to change.
Be aware that this breed instinctively likes to dig so may make a mess of your garden if their high-energy personalities are not channeled productively.
Health
Due to the odd shape of the long spine, short legs and short ribcage the Miniature Dachshund is highly prone to back issues, both genetic diseases such as Intervertebral Disc Disease (IVDD) and a higher chance of general back injuries.
Tips for reducing back injuries include:
- provide steps and ramps to reduce the impact of jumping
- avoid high impact games such as tug of war (hard on the neck) or high speed running
- support their full frame when picking them up
- keep them at a healthy weight range
- keep them fit and active to strengthen muscles that support the back
Due to their small frames, Miniature Dachshunds are also prone to obesity and related issues such as heart and other vital organ diseases, high blood pressure, and diabetes.
Caring For Your Miniature Dachshund
Exercise
Miniature Dachshunds are a high-energy and active breed and require a decent amount of exercise. Exercise will help keep them in an optimal weight range and keep their muscles strong, helping to reduce any back or joint issues.
Exercise will also ensure they do not get up to too much mischief such as digging and behavioral problems.
Feeding
When it comes to feeding time a mini doxies food should be managed closely. As they are so small it is very easy for them to gain a lot of weight and fast,
Social
It’s easy for such a small breed to feel threatened by larger dogs so should be introduced in a safe environment or may become aggressive out of fear.
They are highly social and like to always have company. For this reason, they suit those who have plenty of time for them. They may benefit from living with other dogs if they are going to be left alone for long periods of time.
If not properly socialized these dogs can become overly attached to one individual and less accepting of others. Lots of socialization is required with other people and pets to develop a polite and outgoing mini doxie.
Grooming
Grooming requirements depend on the type of coat your mini doxie has. Long-haired and wire-haired tend to have higher maintenance grooming requirements.
All Miniature Dachshunds seem to require more bathing than larger breeds due to their short legs keeping them closer to the ground and more prone to getting dirty.
Dachshunds can get quite overgrown fur around their feet and between their toes which should be kept clipped down to stop them from collecting a lot of moisture, dirt, and snow.
Families
Dachshunds have mixed results in families with young kids. Small children often are inexperienced at handling dogs with respect and giving them enough space. This can irritate and threaten the small Miniature dachshunds who may be aggressive.
With proper training and supervision, they can co-exist just fine in a family but are better suited for families with older children who know how to read the body language of an uncomfortable dog and handle them with care, especially since the Miniature Dachshund has a delicate skeleton structure.
Breeding
The breeding of Miniature Dachshunds came to be by selectively breeding the runts of regular Dachshunds litters.
The Miniature Dachshund is not a defined breed separate from a standard doxie but rather a variation. Meaning two Miniatures can breed and produce a standard-sized litter and two standards can still produce a Miniature. The genetic line will influence the likelihood of the outcome of puppy sizes but there can still be exceptions to this rule.
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