Mini Dachshund puppy
adopted in Orlando
born 3/15/2022, Cream & White

The Mini Dachshund is probably one of the most popular and well-known breeds in today's society. Their small size, playful nature, and young age at maturity make them excellent pets for any family.

Miniature Dachshunds come in three coat types: short-haired, wire-haired, and longhaired, but they all shed. They possess a long snout and dark red or black-brown eyes that may be round or almond-shaped.

The short-haired Miniature Dachshund has a glossy, sleek coat of red or cream, black, chocolate, dapple, sable, piebald, brindle, or wild boar. Short-haired Miniature Dachshunds are typically black with tan or cream markings.

The Miniature Dachshund, often known as the Doxie, is a kind-natured dog with a cheerful disposition. They adore nothing more than curling up in their owner's arms and enjoying the company of other dogs, particularly another Dachshund. They're also fantastic watchdogs.

The Miniature Dachshund is a small dog breed that weighs about 7 to 12 lbs. when they are one year old, they measure approximately 5 to 7 inches in height. The average lifespan of a mini dachshund is 12 to 15 years.

The history of the Miniature Dachshund starts with its larger cousin: the Standard Dachshund. Though stories differ as to exactly where and when this breed came into existence, we know they were bred for badger hunting. They may have been brought to Germany by Roman traders or derived from local dogs.

What is known for sure is that they were used for hunting small game and varmints. The Mini Dachshund is believed to be descended from the Celtic hounds, indicating that they go way back in German history. The Standard Dachshunds were bred down in size through the years until you finally end up with the Miniature Dachshund. (1)  

The first documented appearance of this breed was in 1896 at a dog show in Hanover, Germany; however, it wasn't until 1932 that an English Kennel Club officially recognized them. By this time, the National Dachshund Club had already been established in England, having held their first meeting on November 2nd, 1881. 

The American Kennel Club didn't recognize the Miniature Dachshund until 1933, when it was classified as a variety of the Standard. The breed gained popularity in 1934 when Wally Conron, an employee at the Royal Guide Dog Association of Australia, crossed a Miniature Smooth Haired Dachshund with a Toy Poodle to create guide dogs for blind people who could not care for larger dog breeds.

These "Miniature Long Haulers" weren't popular, and most were euthanized. However, some were given away to families with small children, and one even made its way back home to America, where it ended up winning Best in Show at Westminster Kennel Club in 1940. The breeding of this dog was discontinued shortly after that. It wasn't until the 1990's that this breed went from an obscure one to a popular household pet choice for many American families and one of the most sought-after breeds in England!  

Today, the Miniature Dachshund remains one of America's most popular dog breeds, ranking #13 out of 173 total dog breeds!

The Miniature Dachshund is a stubborn breed that may be difficult to train. However, they make lovely family pets and are trustworthy friends. It takes effort to teach a Dachshund, but if you start early, you'll be able to do so.

Always walk your Miniature Dachshund on a leash since they have a strong hunting drive and will take off if they detect something. While the Miniature Dachshund is ideal for families, it is essential to watch young children since their long back might be injured if he isn't treated with care.

Miniature Dachshunds are highly adaptable and perfect around-the-house pets for older people. They don't need a lot of running or playing, either.

The Miniature Dachshund belongs to the AKC's Toy Group and has a low threshold for exercise. So you can keep them in an apartment or small home and only need to take them out for a 20-minute walk twice a day.

However, like all dogs, they should be taken out at least once a day to relieve themselves. They do well when living outdoors in warm weather but should spend their time indoors when it's cold outside because of their short coat.  If you want an active dog living in your house, this is not the breed for you!

The Mini Dachshund is very simple due to its short hair. The coat of the Mini Dachshund does not mat, so no detangle sessions are needed. The dog constantly sheds throughout the year and heavily twice a year in Spring and Autumn. Because of fallout, it's essential for owners to continually groom their dogs' coats, especially when there are several changes in seasons.

If your dog is shedding heavily, you can brush him more often (twice daily) to speed up the hair removal. Remember that the most efficient way of detangling hair is brushing in the direction of hair growth - from roots towards the tip. This method will encourage healthy coat growth by stimulating blood filtration in the skin and evenly spreading natural oils around the body.

All grooming procedures should start with brushing: de-shedding, stripping, and finishing. If you find any mats in your pet's hair – don't try to remove them yourself because they might get badly tangled and create problems for future salon groomers or even veterinarians during medical treatment. Instead, Matts can be gently cut out using scissors or mat splitter by experienced groomers only.

To cut a thick mat, you can use thinning shears or a special mat splitter to remove the matt without hurting your dog's skin too much. Remember that hair around mats should be trimmed lightly because you don't want it to look uneven after cutting the mats out. Besides, this way, your pet will have "bald" spots all over his body! Of course, you would better need some time and patience removing heavy mats like that, but it is still better than having your Miniature Dachshund left with bald spots on his coat due to lack of experience.

If there are no mats in your dog's coat, you may start with scissoring or clipping to make your dog's coat shorter.

The Mini Dachshund has a short, sleek hair coat, but it still needs regular brushes during shedding season and more often if the hair becomes matted. Begin by brushing around the face of your miniature Dachshund, then work towards his backside, taking care of any tangles encountered along the way. Next, work out mats gently as possible, handling them carefully with fine-tooth combs. Finally, to keep the hair soft and shiny, brush or comb your Dachshund's coat with a good conditioner.

The wire-haired Dachshund usually has problems keeping his hair tangle-free, especially during seasonal changes when he starts to shed more than usual. Wire-haired breeds need special care (especially top knots!) to avoid discomfort like skin irritation that often results in scratching by your pet until his skin gets red and sore.

Wire-haired dogs also require regular brushing every day to prevent matting which can be very hard to remove by yourself! The best way to remove mats is gentle cutting - don't try removing them yourself because they will only worsen over time! There are several types of cut you could choose from when it comes to the wire-haired Dachshund: Poodle cut, Schnauzer cut, and Shorthaired.

Daily Exercise Requirements for Miniature Dachshunds: While it may seem like a good idea to get a dog that requires less exercise than traditional breeds, this could result in an unhappy and unhealthy pet. These dogs need about 30 minutes of walking every day and should be allowed to run around either inside or outside the house whenever possible. These activities will help your pet burn energy while strengthening the bond with you. A daily walk is also an excellent opportunity to identify any signs of illness or injury.

Short Exercise Requirements for Miniature Dachshunds:

These dogs are slightly less energetic than standard-sized Dachshunds, so they still need at least 30 minutes of exercise every day. If your pet seems particularly restless one day, a few quick exercises can help burn some energy and keep him calm.

On days when you cannot provide a full 30-minute workout, taking the dog out first thing in the morning and giving him 15 to 20 minutes of running around outside before going to work will usually help curb their high energy level during the day.

When to Take Your Pet Running With You:

While daily exercise is always beneficial, it can be helpful to take your pet running or jogging with you. Not only will this provide him with a great workout, but it will also help strengthen the bond between the two of you.

A Few Quick Exercises:

Try holding one end of a dog treat over your dog's head and letting him jump up to try and get it. Repeat this activity several times, trying to raise the joy higher every time, so your dog has to reach for it actively. This will let your pet physically exert himself while strengthening his bond with you.

Next, play a game of "musical sit." Tell your puppy to stay before walking around in a circle five or six times. Then, ask your pet to stand up before giving him praise for following directions well. Continue playing these games throughout the day whenever you need to keep your Dachshund occupied indoors.

Agility Courses: These courses require a lot of energy and a large yard, neither of which many people have, so they are not always an option for pet owners. If you have the space to build one inside your home or at least have access to one nearby, though, teaching your Dachshund agility tricks can be a fun way to burn off some extra energy while strengthening the bond between the two of you.

Fetch: This classic activity is simple enough that even young puppies can learn to play it with their owners, but different versions require more skill and concentration. Try playing around with different styles depending on what might interest your Dachshund most at a given time. For example, try using a Chuckit! Frisbee instead of a ball the next time you play fetch to make things more interesting for your pet.

The Most crucial You Need to Remember: Besides getting daily exercise, taking care of any injuries as soon as they occur will help keep your Mini Dachshund healthy and happy for years to come. In addition, you should always vaccinate them on time to prevent any potentially deadly diseases from affecting your pet's health.

Mini Dachshunds require high-quality food with balanced amounts of protein, fat, carbohydrates, vitamins, minerals, and fiber. The amount of food will vary according to how much exercise the dog gets and their age, activity level, and metabolism. Therefore, it is crucial when changing a dog's diet to gradually change old food with increasing amounts of new food over a few days; this makes it less likely that your pet will develop an upset stomach or other digestive problems.

The Mini Dachshund requires two meals per day. It should be noted that for all sizes and breeds, puppies need more nutrition than adults because they're growing rapidly. However, Mini Dachshunds do not reach adulthood until around 16 months, so puppy foods should contain large amounts of nutrients appropriate to meet the needs during their rapid growth period.

Some dogs may need less than this if they're small or more active; others may need slightly more if they're large or less active. The amount should be adjusted according to actual body weight.

A balanced diet that follows the guidelines above will help your pet maintain ideal body conditions while providing all the nutrients they need for good health and long life. If you're ever unsure how much food to give your dog, ask your veterinarian for advice based on their size, activity level, and metabolism.