Doxie Pin (Miniature Pinscher & Dachshund Mix): Info, Pictures, Characteristics & Facts

If you’re looking for an ultimate companion, the Doxie Pin may be the right pup for you. Doxie Pins are incredibly loyal to their masters and love nothing more than snuggling up with them. They are the true definition of a lap dog.

They’re a mix of Dachshund and Miniature Pinscher resulting in a stout long-bodied dog similar to the Dachshund, but mellowed features akin to the Min-Pin. And when this little pooch isn’t curled up with you, there’s a good chance they’re zooming around. They’re extremely active and energetic little balls of lightning. However, they do adapt exceptionally well to apartment living.

Doxie Pin Puppies – Before You Bring One Home…

Doxie Pins can be a welcome addition to your family, but you should know what you’re getting into. They tend to follow the rule of “small dog, big personality” and will be your best friend. However, they may also be uneasy around strangers at first. They inherit a bit of anxiety from their lineage (primarily the Miniature Pinscher side) that can be off-putting for very sociable people.

3 Little-Known Facts About the Doxie Pin

1. There’s no real origin story to the Doxie Pin.

While some designer dog breeds have pretty neat origin stories, the Doxie Pin doesn’t. As a matter of fact, there’s no definitive story at all. They’ve just seemed to show up. But that doesn’t mean that they’re rare or hard to find. This is actually one of the fastest-growing (in terms of popularity) designer doggies out there!

2. The Doxie Pin has a strictly German heritage.

Both the Dachshund and Miniature Pinscher hail from Germany. The Dachshund was specifically bred to for its long, narrow body for rooting out badgers. And the Min-Pin was bred roughly 200 years later as a rat hunter.

3. These are primarily inside dogs.

Although their ancestors were used for hunting purposes, the Doxie-Pin is much more of an inside dog. They especially do not fare well in extreme temperatures — particularly hot climates. They’re very susceptible to heat exhaustion, so carefully monitor them when outdoors.

Temperament & Intelligence of the Doxie Pin 🧠

Doxie Pins are sweet little bundles of joy and have their very own unique personalities. They’re very high energy and can be timid or anxious like their Min-Pin parent. However, the Dachshund side of them helps to mellow out their anxiety. But don’t be surprised if they are cautious around strangers at first.

They aren’t notorious barkers, but that doesn’t mean they won’t yip when excited. This breed is also known for being smart and stubborn. So while they can be trained, Doxie Pins may need a bit of extra motivation such as a reward for things done right.

Are These Dogs Good for Families? 🏡

These pups are super loyal and make for great family dogs — especially when raised from a young age. And because they just love to play, Doxie Pins are excellent friends for the whole family, including children. They often have anxiety issues when first introduced to people outside of the family circle. However, they’ll quickly warm up once they realize the new person isn’t a threat.

Does This Breed Get Along with Other Pets? 🐶 😽

Doxie Pins don’t just love playing with their owners and people family, but other pets as well. But just like with people, you’ll see them be cautious at first and a bit timid. However, this quickly passes, and they’ll be romping about in no time.

Things to Know When Owning a Doxie Pin

If you’re looking to make the leap and pick up a Doxie Pin, there are some crucial things you need to know about the breed to have the best experience possible.

Food & Diet Requirements 🦴

Don’t be fooled by the small stature of the Doxie Pin. These pups can put away some food! But they really shouldn’t. One cup of high-quality dog food a day should be all that they need to keep healthy. And that cup can be split into two meals.

However, it’s very easy to overfeed a Doxie Pin because they’re gluttons. They can just keep eating until there’s nothing left. And this can lead to severe obesity.

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Exercise 🐕

Doxie Pins are very smart and very active. And that means that they’re going to need a solid exercise regimen — both physically and mentally.

Physically, they need about an hour a day to burn off all that energy. If you’re in a temperate climate, an hour at the park or two 30-minute walks a day would be great! And while you’re out and about, let your Doxie Pin sniff about and explore. That’ll stimulate them. Left unstimulated, Doxie Pins can grow bored and become destructive through behaviors such as chewing and digging.

Training 🦮

Can these dogs be trained? Yes. But it’s going to be a bit more difficult than with other breeds. Doxie Pins are chock full of personality, and sometimes that includes stubbornness. They might not want to heed command on the premise that ­— well, they just don’t want to.

However, if you play towards their love of food, treat-reward based training can be much more effective.

Grooming ✂️

One of the most stressful parts of owning a dog is cleaning up shed fur and grooming. Fortunately, the Doxie Pin is considered to be a low-to-moderate shedder. While they will shed a little bit, it can almost be completely eliminated through weekly brushings. Their coat is rather straight and dense which will shine when well-kept.

One major area of concern when it comes to grooming your Doxie Pin is its ears. The Doxie Pin inherits its floppy ears from the Dachshund side. These ears make it much easier to trap dirt, water, debris, and wax. Pay special attention to them after a bath or a run in the rain.

Another focal point of Doxie Pin grooming is their skin. They have notoriously sensitive skin! Instead of giving them a full bath, you may want to opt for utilizing specifically designed wet wipes for dogs or use a washcloth and lukewarm water.

Health and Conditions ❤️

Doxie Pins are known for being relatively healthy and long-living dogs. Since they are designer dogs, they have been specifically bred to be as healthy as possible. That being said, they are more prone to a couple of illnesses when compared to other dogs.

A Doxie Pin’s stout nature puts a lot of stress on their hips which can ultimately lead to hip dysplasia (A.K.A. arthritis) in older dogs. This can be minimized by feeding them a proper diet with nutrients for bone and joint health and not overfeeding them. The breed has also been known to have a higher chance of developing epilepsy than other breeds.

Other than that, there are a few minor issues that ail the Doxie Pin. Compared to other dogs, they’ve got really sensitive skin. Even some of the most gentle of soaps and shampoos are enough to cause dry and itchy rashes leading to doggy dandruff. This can be controlled via proper grooming techniques such as using wet wipes for dogs or giving them washcloth/sponge baths.

Final Thoughts

If you’re looking for an adorable small breed with an explosive personality, a Doxie Pin could be an excellent choice for you. Once they get past their initial timid nature, you’ll find a deeply loyal and loving companion ready to follow you anywhere.

Just remember to be patient during training to overcome the Doxie Pin’s stubbornness. They are smart dogs and relatively simple to train. But sometimes their own sass just gets in the way.

Nevertheless, they’re great family dogs and would be a great addition to any loving home.

Featured Image Credit: Sarit Richerson, Shutterstock