Miniature Dachshund: Your Complete Guide

Often referred to as the sausage dog, the dachshund is a well-recognized dog breed in the United States. These small dogs come in two sizes: standard and miniature. The standard dachshund typically stands eight to nine inches, and the miniature dachshund is between five and six inches tall.

Our breed guide will focus on the characteristics of the miniature dachshund, though you can also expect similar traits from the standard variation. Read on to know if the miniature dachshund is a matching companion for you and your family.

Quick Look at the Miniature Dachshund

Below is a quick glance at these miniature sausage dogs in terms of their physical characteristics, lifespan, temperament and grooming needs.

What Is the History of Miniature Dachshunds?

The miniature dachshund originates from Germany. The standard dachshunds were primarily used for hunting badgers since the 15th century. These dogs carry their origins in their name to this day. The word “dachshund” in German literally means “badger dog.”

Over time, breeders wanted smaller dachshunds to hunt rabbits and hare. Through selective breeding, miniature dachshunds first appeared in the late 18th century. Miniature dachshunds became popular shortly, and many were imported to the United States for rabbit hunting.

Only a year after its foundation, the American Kennel Club recognized both the standard and miniature dachshund in 1885. Currently, dachshunds are a popular dog breed in the US, ranking in 9th place.

What Do Miniature Dachshunds Look Like?

Miniature dachshunds are well-known for their distinct long-backed body shape with tiny legs. They have a long muzzle with floppy ears and almond-shaped eyes that add to their adorable appearance.

The miniature dachshund can be in several colors. Chocolate, black, cream, wheaten, red, and fawn miniature dachshunds are common colors. Some also have patches of tan or cream around the muzzle, chest, and inner legs.

Miniature dachshunds may have piebald, sable, brindle, or dapple markings. In addition to the colors and markings, the coat of the miniature dachshund varies.

What Size Is a Miniature Dachshund?

The miniature dachshund, as you can tell, is a small dog breed. They are about half the size of the standard dachshunds, standing between five and six inches tall. These miniature sausage dogs typically weigh under 11 pounds.

However, the appetite of the miniature dachshund is larger than many expect. These dogs are prone to obesity if their diet isn’t kept under control – more on what to feed a miniature dachshund down below.

What Is a Miniature Dachshunds Coat Type and Length?

The miniature dachshund has three coat types. They can have short, smooth coats, long-haired coats like the golden retriever, or dense wire-haired coats like the affenpinscher.

The smooth coat doesn’t require much upkeep – brushing once a week is enough to maintain it. The long-haired and wire-haired miniature dachshunds require more frequent brushing and occasional haircuts.

What Is a Miniature Dachshund’s Temperament?

Miniature dachshunds are strong-willed dogs that act bigger than their size. They are intelligent and vigilant, always on the lookout for sudden movements. If a miniature dachshund sees something unusual, they will show their big-dog side using their loud bark.

While they have a strong alert side, miniature dachshunds are just as cuddly lap dogs. They are lovey-dovey with their owners and usually get along well with strangers. Miniature dachshunds dogs need human companionship to live a happy life and are prone to separation anxiety.

Miniature dachshunds are loyal companions but can be stubborn, especially when their hunting instincts kick in. At the same time, they can be eager to please their owners and trained easily using the appropriate training techniques.

Early basic obedience training and socialization are important for this breed to prevent behavioral issues. Luckily, their love for food makes a tasty treat go a long way in training a miniature dachshund. Below, you’ll find more about this dog breed’s temperament.

Are Miniature Dachshunds Good With Kids?

Miniature dachshunds have a strong character. Despite their small size, they demand respect. If children run around teasing a dachshund, it can lead them to engage in aggressive behavior.

Whether or not a miniature dachshund will be good with children actually depends on the kid’s behavior. As long as the child is sensible around them, a miniature dachshund will make a loyal, friendly furry companion.

Are Miniature Dachshunds Good With Other Animals?

The miniature dachshund is a highly adaptable dog breed. These dogs will fit right into your home if you already have a dog. Although it doesn’t always work, miniature dachshunds tend to do well with cats.

However, these adorable dogs aren’t suitable for homes with small animals. If you keep prey animals, such as Guinea pigs or rabbits, their hunting instincts may encourage them to cause trouble. The miniature dachshund is also likely to chase after small wild animals like squirrels.

Are Miniature Dachshunds Aggressive?

The miniature dachshund is genetically disposed to aggression when the right circumstances are created. These dogs were bred to dig their way through a badger den, which requires a lot of courage and persistence. Naturally, they can get more aggressive than expected from their size, especially around small animals.

However, miniature dachshunds are loving dogs that do fairly well with strangers and other dogs. They aren’t prone to immediately snapping or growling upon sighting a new dog. Although they can get territorial sometimes, they first show their playful side after properly meeting new dogs and people.

As with similar dog breeds, miniature dachshund owners should spare plenty of time for early socialization. The more a miniature dachshund is exposed to new situations and environments during puppyhood, the less likely they are to display aggression.

Do Miniature Dachshunds Bark?

The miniature dachshund is a vocal dog breed. These dogs use their voices for pretty much anything. They will bark to communicate and greet new people and dogs. While barking was favored to help their hunting partners mark the underground location of badgers, it can cause problems in today’s world – particularly with neighbors.

Although it’s impossible to eliminate barking entirely, miniature dachshund owners can end excessive barking with the right training. It may take some time and effort, but they can learn to be quiet when asked.

Are Miniature Dachshunds Affectionate?

Miniature dachshunds are affectionate dogs that thrive on human companionship. They love any form of physical touch, whether cuddling, hugs, or pets. As you sit on the sofa, they will take an empty lap as an invitation for snuggles – that’s how affectionate these dogs can get.

Miniature dachshunds are sociable and generally do well with other dogs provided with early socialization. They also warm up to strangers quickly, but not always. If new people are constantly coming in, they will put a pause on their affectionate personality and may become quite territorial.

Are Miniature Dachshunds Intelligent?

Miniature dachshunds are fairly intelligent dogs. While this helps with training to a degree, don’t expect miniature dachshunds to be the smartest among a group of dogs. They are a bit slow to learn new things with their independent-thinking nature.

Are Miniature Dachshunds Energetic?

It’s not often that we come across dogs this small in size having high energy. Miniature dachshunds can play for long periods, especially when given a purpose. If it’s chasing something – like a tennis ball – you will see a combination of never-ending energy and determination.

That said, miniature dachshunds require a good amount of daily physical exercise. Otherwise, they can become destructive around the house to let out their excess energy. Considering their burrowing instincts, an under-exercised miniature dachshund is doomed to dig through the carpet or couch, or worse, a perfectly landscaped yard.

It’s essential to help these small dogs meet their exercise needs, and daily walks of 30 to 45 minutes should be enough. Miniature dachshunds don’t require a lot of mental stimulation, but any form of scent work is usually their favorite activity.

You can hide treats in different corners of the house as they wait in a room and watch them get tired while sniffing for tasty bites – the perfect activity for bad weather days.

Are Miniature Dachshunds Easy to Train?

Miniature dachshunds can be both easy and difficult to train. These dogs aren’t the smartest but want to please their owners. Although this usually helps, the miniature dachshund must keep an interest in training. They can get stubborn and require a lot of motivation to execute commands.

That’s where positive reinforcement using tasty treats becomes a lifesaver when training a miniature dachshund. These dogs are such gluttons and will do anything for a delicious bite.

However, it’s important to keep training sessions short to hold interest and the rewards small to ensure they don’t get overweight. Miniature dachshunds are prone to obesity, which can cause an array of health problems – more on their general health below.

Are Miniature Dachshunds Good Watchdogs?

The miniature dachshund is born to be a watchdog. Upon spotting something strange – or anything moving at all – miniature dachshunds are quick to react using their houndy bark. With their courageous personality, they make excellent watchdogs.

However, protecting a territory shouldn’t be expected from miniature dachshunds. Their small size isn’t suitable for guard work. They are simply vigilant dogs that bark to alert you of incoming threats, whether it’s a postal worker delivering mail, a bird landing in the yard, or an actual intruder.

Are Miniature Dachshunds Good Service Dogs?

The miniature dachshund isn’t the best breed for service dog work. They are independent thinkers, which isn’t a quality favored in service animals. Service dogs must stay on the job no matter what to help an individual with a disability, and a small animal is usually enough to distract a dachshund.

Coupled with their tiny size, the miniature dachshund isn’t suitable to work as a service animal. Still, there are a small number of miniature dachshunds working as medical alert dogs.

While this adorable dog breed isn’t a great fit for the duties of a service dog, they excel as ESAs and therapy dogs. The affectionate and loyal temperament of the miniature dachshund makes them an excellent dog breed for those looking for a small ESA to keep them company.

How to Care for a Miniature Dachshund?

The miniature dachshund is a low-maintenance dog breed that doesn’t demand much care. Still, like every dog, miniature dachshunds need human attention to live a fulfilling life.

The two main needs of the miniature dachshund are physical exercise and a carefully formulated diet. Walks should take about half an hour and appropriate dog food or vet-approved homemade diet is enough to nourish them. With these, the miniature dachshund doesn’t require much.

Additionally, miniature dachshunds need plenty of human interaction. They must be around their humans to feel loved and happy. While affection and love is perhaps the biggest need of a miniature dachshund, there’s more to their care needs, particularly grooming and health.

Do You Need to Groom a Miniature Dachshund?

The grooming needs of the miniature dachshund depend on the coat type. Maintaining the smooth-coated is the easiest as they require brushing once a week. The long-haired and wire-haired miniature dachshunds need more frequent brushing to prevent matting – about several times a week.

Miniature dachshunds other than the smooth-coated ones also require occasional haircuts. All miniature dachshunds should be given a bath when dirty or build up an unpleasant smell. Besides the coat, miniature dachshunds need regular ear cleaning, nail trimming, and teeth brushing.

Do Miniature Dachshunds Shed?

Smooth-coated and long-haired miniature dachshunds shed moderately year-round, while the wire-haired varieties shed slightly more. Nonetheless, it’s easy to maintain a clean environment thanks to their small size. Regular brushing is the easiest way to keep shedding in check and keep the house clean.

What Health Problems Do Miniature Dachshunds Have?

Miniature dachshunds are generally healthy dogs, but their distinct body shape makes them prone to certain diseases. Intervertebral Disc Disease (IVDD) and spinal injuries are a significant concern with miniature dachshunds. It’s critical to prevent these small dogs from jumping up and down from heights, such as the bed or sofa.

Obesity is also a common health problem with miniature dachshunds, which can severely impact the spine. Make sure to follow a consistent diet approved by your veterinarian and be mindful about the snacks and treats to avoid weight gain.

Other than these, miniature dachshunds are prone to dental problems and ear infections. It’s essential to include dental care and ear cleaning as part of the grooming schedule to avoid problems.

How Long Do Miniature Dachshunds Live?

Miniature dachshunds have an average lifespan of between 12 and 16 years. These dogs can live long, fulfilling lives with attention from their owners, which should be enough to fit the schedule of many individuals and families.

What Should a Miniature Dachshund Eat?

A miniature dachshund needs a diet suitable for their age, size, and activity levels. There are many commercially available dog foods suitable for miniature dachshunds. You can get kibbles or canned foods and feed them on a schedule.

Miniature dachshunds can also eat a homemade diet. However, it should be approved by a veterinarian to prevent malnourishment.

Obesity is a significant concern with miniature dachshunds. The appetite of these dogs certainly doesn’t help. It’s important to keep a close eye on their diet to ensure they aren’t putting on too much weight.

Is a Miniature Dachshund the Right Dog for Me?

Miniature dachshunds are alert, courageous dogs that are affectionate and loyal to their people. They get along well with other dogs with proper socialization and introduction, but not with small animals. You can expect them to be stubborn and eager to please simultaneously, but a tasty treat keeps motivation levels high for training.

These small dogs have minimal grooming needs but require supervision to prevent injuries to the spine and overeating. Barking is a major consideration, as it can cause conflicts with neighbors. Although they can be trained not to bark excessively, miniature dachshunds will do so to communicate or react.

Since they don’t like being left alone, miniature dachshunds do best in families where there are always people or other pets keeping them company. While these give an overview of the miniature dachshund, note individual dog’s temperament varies.

Nonetheless, miniature dachshunds make good pets for individuals and families living a moderately active lifestyle. If you’re up to providing affection and being around your dog for most of the day, the miniature dachshund will make an excellent small furry friend.