Doxiepoo: Your Complete Guide
The doxiepoo is a cross between the dachshund and the poodle. This dog breed is considered a designer dog breed and is newer to the world of crossbreeds. However, they are quickly in rising popularity among families and individuals looking for an intelligent, friendly companion.
Doxiepoos are small, playful, and independent, and they often brighten their owner’s day with their lively attitude.
If you are considering adding a doxiepoo to your life, it’s important to understand the basics about this breed and how to take care of them. Our complete guide will give you more information about the doxiepoo and what it takes to help this dog thrive in your home.
Quick Look at the Doxiepoo
Below is a quick glance at this special breed in terms of their physical characteristics, lifespan, temperament, and grooming needs.
| Weight/Height | 10 to 30 pounds, 5 to 15 inches |
| Coat Type | Curly, wiry, short to medium length |
| Grooming Needs |  |
| Shedding | |
| Temperament | Friendly, social, willful, playful |
| Good With Kids |  |
| Good With Other Animals | |
| Intelligence |  |
| Easy to Train | |
| Energy Level | |
| Barking Habits | |
| Lifespan | 10 to 15 years |
What Is the History of Doxiepoos?
The exact history of the doxiepoo is hard to pin down, as this breed is a relatively newer designer breed. The doxiepoo is created by crossing a dachshund with a miniature poodle, something that results in a breed with a wide range of appearances. This is because there are so many possible genetic expressions of these two dog breeds.
It’s thought that the doxiepoo has been around for at least 20 to 30 years, and their popularity has been increasing recently due to their small size and lively personalities.
Today, doxiepoos are commonly available in shelters or through rescue groups that are dedicated to finding suitable homes for these loving pups. The doxiepoo breed remains popular, but they may be difficult to find as there are few breeders that specialize in this unique mixed breed.
It’s important to note that doxiepoos vary greatly in appearance and personality based on genetic expression and their parentage. If you are wondering exactly what your doxiepoo will look like and behave like, you will want to gather information on the parent breeds when possible.
What Do Doxiepoos Look Like?
There is no breed standardization among the doxiepoo breed which means that there is quite a variation in the appearance of this dog. In general, this is a small dog breed that has wiry or curly fur; their coat will be black, shades of brown, red, or white, and they will have bright, alert eyes and floppy ears.
What Size Is a Doxiepoo?
Doxiepoos are considered a smaller dog, and they will generally stand between 5 and 15 inches tall. They weigh between 10 and 30 pounds, though doxiepoos with smaller parents may only weigh around 5 pounds. Males will typically weigh more and be taller than females of this breed.
What Is a Doxiepoo’s Coat Type and Length?
Depending on which parent they take after more, the doxiepoo may have a wiry and silky coat, or they may have a thick and curly coat. Their coat length will range from short to medium, and it might be hypoallergenic if they take more after their poodle parent.
Sometimes, the coat of a doxiepoo will be a mix of these coat types, something that does make grooming and brushing more of a challenge.
What Is a Doxiepoo’s Temperament?
Doxiepoos are wonderful, affectionate pups with a lot of love to give. They enjoy spending time playing with their families both indoors and outdoors, though they tend to be on the more vocal side when it comes to playing.
This dog is intelligent, but they can often be willful or stubborn thanks to the genetics of the dachshund. The doxiepoo loves to be the star of the show and proper training is often necessary to curb any destructive or overly vocal behaviors that emerge as the result of attention seeking.
The doxiepoo is a great breed to adopt into an active family or for an individual looking for a small, yet lively, companion.
Are Doxiepoos Good With Kids?
Doxiepoos are generally good with children, though children will need to be taught how to properly play with this small dog. Play that is too rough might injure the dog or result in the doxiepoo barking or nipping to show their fear or nervousness. Overall, gentle behavior from children is well-tolerated by the doxiepoo as it gives them an outlet for all of their playful energy.
Are Doxiepoos Good With Other Animals?
Doxiepoos prefer to be the only animal in a family, as they enjoy the attention and might develop destructive or aggressive behaviors when forced to share the limelight.
That being said, if the doxiepoo is properly socialized and allowed to interact with other animals from a young age, they may better tolerate not being the only pet in a family. Doxiepoos may tolerate other dogs and cats, or small animals with the right introductions, caution, and training.
Are Doxiepoos Aggressive?
The doxiepoo may develop aggressive behaviors when they aren’t properly socialized or trained in certain circumstances. However, this breed is generally tolerant, and they aren’t prone to having high prey drives or developing behavioral issues and aggression without a direct cause.
It’s important to understand your doxiepoo and their potential triggers to give them the happiest and most supportive home environment possible.
Do Doxiepoos Bark?
Doxiepoos are known to be a more vocal dog, and some might describe this breed as ‘yappy.’ These dogs love to announce their emotions with barks, and they may often alert their owners to things outside the home with a series of constant barks. This vocal nature is also how they greet people. With training, any excessive barking habits of the doxiepoo can be contained.
Are Doxiepoos Affectionate?
Despite all of their bark, the doxiepoo is a very affectionate pup, and they enjoy spending as much time as possible with their families. The doxiepoo warms up to strangers fairly quickly, and they can be quite cuddly.
Once they’ve gotten all of their energy out for the day, you can expect this breed to be happy burrowing themselves under the covers next to you on the couch or snoozing on their bed for a few hours.
Are Doxiepoos Intelligent?
Doxiepoos are generally intelligent, curious, and observant of the world around them. They can be confident and strong-willed at times, but this just adds to their charm. Most doxiepoos enjoy learning new things and working on training with their owners, but you’ll find they often engage in these activities fully when on their terms.
You can expect your doxiepoo to learn routines quickly and need a decent amount of interactive time spent with toys and training to stay mentally stimulated and happy.
Are Doxiepoos Energetic?
The doxiepoo has a medium energy level and they will need approximately two walks per day. Due to their smaller size, the exercise and energy requirements of this dog aren’t incredibly intensive, but your doxiepoo will be lively and playful.
You will need to ensure your dog has plenty of time to run around both indoors and outdoors, and taking them to a dog park regularly from the time they are young will help keep them happy and properly socialized.
Are Doxiepoos Easy to Train?
Doxiepoos aren’t the easiest dog breed to train, though they are intelligent. There is a streak of stubbornness that runs through this dog, and they will often dismiss training if they’ve deemed there is something around that is more worth their time and attention.
Your doxiepoo may be able to learn complex tasks if they really apply themselves, but training this dog will take patience and consistency if you want to get it right.
Are Doxiepoos Good Watchdogs?
The doxiepoo makes a good watchdog because they are alert and not afraid to be vocal when they notice that something is wrong. However, they aren’t the most threatening dog to encounter and they generally warm up quickly to strangers despite their bark, something that doesn’t make them a good candidate for acting as a guard dog.
Are Doxiepoos Good Service Dogs?
Doxiepoos aren’t typically the best choice for acting as a service dog due to their small size. This breed is generally too small to complete tasks such as guiding and mobility support, and they might not have the agility and skill needed to retrieve items such as medication and phones.
That being said, doxiepoos might be good candidates for acting as emotional support animals, as they enjoy being companions to their families and spending time cuddling up with their owners.
As long as the individual adopting the doxiepoo is able to give them ample exercise and meet their other care and needs, this dog can be a wonderful addition to someone who needs an ESA.
How to Care for a Doxiepoo?
The doxiepoo is a lively, independent, and loving breed, and they need certain care routines in order to be their happiest and healthiest in your home.
You will need to walk your doxiepoo at least twice a day and ensure they get ample time to play both outdoors and indoors. Taking your doxiepoo to new places and allowing them to sniff or interact with other dogs is a great way to keep them both mentally and physically stimulated.
Your doxiepoo needs their own space in your home with a bed and toys, and they will generally prefer to be the only animal in the home. Any children that interact with your doxiepoo will need to do so gently due to their small size and to avoid any incidents stressing the dog out.
Make sure to feed your doxiepoo a diet of quality wet or dry food, and you can split their food up into two or three meals per day. Proper training will help temper any bad habits or behaviors of this dog, and regular veterinary care ensures they stay healthy.
Do You Need to Groom a Doxiepoo?
Depending on the type of fur your doxiepoo has, they may have low to average grooming needs. Doxiepoos with straight or more wiry fur will need more regular brushings than those with curly fur. You will still need to brush a doxiepoo with a curly coat, but this might need to be done more carefully and not as often.
On average, doxiepoos will need baths every few months and they might need to receive professional grooms regularly to keep their fur tidy and in shape, especially if their coats are on the thicker and longer side.
Do Doxiepoos Shed?
Doxiepoos aren’t known to be prolific shedders, and their curly or wiry coats generally trap most of the fur that would commonly be shed. Regular brushes help to remove this fur without allowing it to be scattered around your home. If your doxiepoo takes after their poodle parent more strongly, their coat does have the potential for being hypoallergenic.
What Health Problems Do Doxiepoos Have?
When it comes to mixed breeds, they have a great potential for health issues due to genetic factors passed down from both of their parents. The doxiepoo is prone to certain health issues that may impact their lifespan and way of life if not properly and promptly addressed.
Health issues that doxiepoos might be prone to include:
- Eye problems
- Seizures
- Patellar luxation
- Heart disease
- Hip dysplasia
- Spinal problems
- Allergies and skin problems
Regular veterinary visits and monitoring your dog’s behaviors can help catch these health issues in a doxiepoo before they become more serious problems.
How Long Do Doxiepoos Live?
On average, the doxiepoo will live between 10 and 15 years old. A healthy lifestyle, quality diet, and regular veterinary care will ensure that your dog lives as long as possible and as happily as possible.
What Should a Doxiepoo Eat?
The doxiepoo is a smaller dog, which means that they likely won’t need to eat a very high volume of food per day. It’s important to keep in mind your dog’s exercise habits and the caloric content of the food you are feeding them to ensure that they are getting the right amount of food.
In general, you will need to feed your doxiepoo between a quarter cup and three-quarters of a cup of food per day. You can feed doxiepoos either wet or dry food; speak with a veterinarian if you have any questions regarding feeding your doxiepoo.
Is a Doxiepoo the Right Dog for Me?
The doxiepoo is an interesting designer breed that is created by crossing the dachshund with the miniature poodle. The resulting breed is lively, playful, and independent, while still being intelligent and affectionate toward their family.
Adopters of the doxiepoo should be prepared to properly train any unnecessary barking habits out of their dog and deal with stubbornness from time to time. In addition, you’ll need to be committed to providing this pup with ample exercise and companionship.
A doxiepoo will mesh seamlessly among families with older children and children who know how to play gently with dogs or individuals looking to add a single dog companion into their lives. Seniors who need a lively dog whose exercise requirements aren’t too intensive also make the perfect fit for owning this wonderful breed.