Miniature Dachshund Dog Breed Info: Pictures, Facts & More

Miniature Dachshunds are known for their unique shape and size. While these little dogs may look simply adorable, it’s their nature that truly wins over people’s hearts. These dogs are little balls of energy who love to play and can even be quite comical in the process. Originally bred to hunt, Miniature Dachshunds, also known as wiener dogs and Mini Doxies, simply love to spend time out in the backyard with their owners playing and running off the tons of energy inside their little bodies.

Mini Doxies can fit well into many families. They do great with older children and love to burn off energy with active singles and couples. If you’re interested in bringing one of these cuties into your home, this guide is the perfect way to learn more about this breed and what you can expect when you decide to make a Miniature Dachshund your new best friend.

Miniature Dachshund Puppies

At first glance, the cuteness of the Miniature Dachshund may make you want to instantly bring one of these adorable puppies home, but before you make such a big decision, you should know what to expect from this dog breed.

Miniature Dachshunds are little balls of energy. They love to play and have fun. If this isn’t something you’re into, this may not be the dog breed for you. Mini Doxies want to spend time outside thanks to their background as hunting dogs. You’ll also find that they become quite loving, loyal, and protective of their families. Yes, it may take them a bit to come around, but otherwise, they are very social animals. However, don’t be surprised if they bark at the mailman or let you know when other animals are outside. It’s their way of protecting you and trying to keep you happy.

When it comes to their health, Miniature Dachshunds are fairly healthy and have a decent lifespan. Like with most dog breeds, there are hereditary issues and illnesses they may be susceptible to. The most important thing is to stay on top of all checkups and ensure your Mini Doxie is fully vaccinated.

3 Little-Known Facts About Miniature Dachshunds

People think they know everything there is to know about a dog breed they love. Guess what? That’s simply not the case. Here are a few interesting facts about Miniature Dachshunds that may surprise you!

1. Doxie Races

Remember how we mentioned that Miniature Dachshunds are comical and fun to watch? Imagine placing these weiner dogs in a light-hearted race? The Wienerschnitzel Wiener Nationals take place in California and have been in existence since 1995. While it’s not a true sport, watching these little dogs have fun and compete is a great way to enjoy this dog breed.

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2. Hot Dogs Are Named After This Breed

It’s normal for most people to call Dachshunds – including Minis – weiner dogs. Often, this association makes people think this dog breed is named after the food, but that isn’t the case. Hot dogs were originally named Dachshund sausages after these cute dogs.

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3. A Famous Dachshund

Have you heard of Waldi, the Dachshund? This little weiner dog is actually quite famous. Waldi was the first official mascot of the Olympics. Waldi graced us with his presence during the 1972 Munich Olympic Games.

Temperament & Intelligence of the Miniature Dachshund

Don’t let their cuteness fool you, Miniature Dachshunds are a highly intelligent dog breed. They are fairly easy to train and eager to impress. However, they can be stubborn creatures who dictate when and where. This stubbornness can rear its head during play, training, or other activities so keep it in mind.

Mini Doxies are also very active. They aren’t the kind of dog that would be well-suited with a couch potato. They can even be funny and at times, pranksters. When making a Mini Doxie part of the family, you should be dedicated to outside play and inside fun. You’ll also get a ton of laughs simply watching these little cuties.

A word of caution when it comes to Miniature Dachshunds. They are very loving dogs. While this is great for bonding with their owners and families, once the bond is made, they want to always be with you. This can cause separation anxiety in these tiny dogs. If your Dachshund begins to act out, bark excessively, or pace for no reason it could be suffering from this issue.

Are These Dogs Good for Families? 👪

Yes, Miniature Dachshunds are great for families if the dynamic is right. These dogs are highly energetic and need people who can match their energy. It’s also important to remember these dogs are small and delicate. Younger children who are rough around dogs aren’t the best fit for these little pups. When any child is interacting with a Miniature Dachshund or any dog for that matter, they should be closely supervised and taught how to handle dogs appropriately.

Does This Breed Get Along with Other Pets?

Yes. Miniature Dachshunds are very social and can easily get along well with other dogs and cats. They have the energy and spunk to keep up with dogs of all sizes. Cats are relatively the same size which makes it easy for Mini Doxies to form strong bonds with the felines in the family.

Things to Know When Owning a Miniature Dachshund

Going to the breeders and picking out a Miniature Dachshund puppy is just the start. Before you bring your new family member home, there are a few things you should understand about this dog breed to make life easier for you and your puppy.

Food & Diet Requirements 🦴

Choosing high-quality dog food that features good ingredients is crucial for Miniature Dachshunds. You may prefer the free-feeding method with other pets in your home, but it isn’t the best route to take with these small dogs. Being overweight can be difficult for this dog breed due to their sensitive backs. Providing them with measured feedings twice a day is the best way to keep them at a lean, active weight.

Exercise 🐕

This is where a lot of the time you spend with your Mini Doxie will take place. They love to run and play. If you have a large yard, they’ll want to be out there quite often. If not, long walks and lots of indoor play are necessary. To avoid behavior issues, Miniature Dachshunds need lots of play and exercise per day.

Training 🎾

Miniature Dachshunds are highly intelligent. If you start training early, they should do well. When starting, make it clear to your pet that you are the boss. These little dogs are stubborn and like to dictate things when possible so firm guidelines are important.

Grooming ✂️

Grooming for you Mini Doxie is fairly simple. Like with other dog breeds, their nails should be clipped routinely while avoiding cutting them into the quick. When this happens, it is quite painful for your dog and can result in them avoiding trimmings. You should also check their ears weekly for any signs of infection or built-up hair. Dental care should take place once a day using a soft toothbrush and doggie-safe toothpaste.

The true test of grooming a Dachshund depends on the type of hair your pet has. Mini Doxies can have smooth, rough, or long hair. Smooth hair Doxies do well with baths when needed and weekly brushings. Rough and long hair doxies require more attention. You may find yourself needing to bathe them more often, especially if they get into anything. You’ll also need to brush them several times a week to avoid tangles. When their hair gets too unruly, a trip to the groomers may be needed. This will help keep the hair out of their ears and at a length, you can manage.

Health and Conditions 🏥

As we’ve already mentioned, Miniature Dachshunds are susceptible to inherited health issues which we’ll share below. However, when having one of these dogs in your home, their backs should be carefully watched. Falls, jumps, or rough play can easily cause injury to these dogs.

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Male vs Female

While both males and females of this breed are adorable, it’s the males who are most loving and affectionate. They are more easygoing and tend to be less moody. Female Mini Doxies can be a bit more temperamental and moody. You’ll also find they are more independent than males of this breed.

Final Thoughts

As you can see, Miniature Dachshunds are an ideal dog to bring home and make part of your family. If you feel you simply cannot live without one of these adorable dogs, follow all the right steps to ensure a happy life together. Work with a reputable breeder, start training early, watch your Mini Doxie closely when interacting with children, feed and water them properly, follow grooming guidelines, and most importantly keep them on a routine schedule at the veterinarian. If you take all these necessary steps, you and your fun-loving Mini Dachshund will have a long and happy life together.

See also: 

• Fawn (Isabella) Dachshund: Pictures, Facts, & History
• Dachshund vs Mini Dachshund: How Are They Different?

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Featured Image Credit: TOMO, Shutterstock