Dog breed

Miniature Dachshund

The Miniature Dachshund is the most popular Dachshund size in Poland: a small, long-bodied hunting dog from Germany, once used to work underground in burrows. It usually weighs just a few kilograms but has the courage, stubbornness and voice of a big dog. It comes in three coat types: smooth, wire-haired and long-haired.

FCI Group IV · Dachshunds · standard no. 148

Weight: 4.5–5 kg
Height: 13–15 cm
Lifespan: 12–16 years
Origin: Germany

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Photo: Томасина, CC BY-SA 3.0, Wikimedia Commons

Temperament

The Miniature Dachshund is full of contradictions: a cuddly lapdog at home and a fearless tracker on walks. It becomes deeply attached to its people, loves sleeping under a blanket and follows family members everywhere. At the same time it is strong-willed and opinionated. As an earth dog it had to make decisions on its own underground, so blind obedience is not in its nature. It quickly learns whatever pays off and ignores commands it finds boring. It is alert and loud, barking at the doorbell, footsteps in the hallway and strangers at the gate. It usually warms up to guests quickly, though some dogs stay aloof. The hunting instinct can be very strong: the neighbor's cat, a mole in the garden or a squirrel can take over a walk. The coat types differ a little in character: long-haired dogs tend to be gentler, wire-haired ones more terrier-like.

Energy: calmvery energetic
Affection: independentvelcro pet
With children: not idealgreat
With other pets: difficultgreat
Trainability: stubborneager to learn
For first-time owners: for experienced ownersyes
With strangers: waryoutgoing
Playfulness: dignifiedeternal puppy
Shedding: minimalheavy
Grooming: easydemanding
Being left alone: strugglescopes well
Apartment living: needs a house and yardgreat in a flat
Barking: quietvocal
With other dogs: difficultgreat
Protectiveness: lowhigh
Drooling: hardly anya lot
Cold tolerance: feels the coldexcellent
Heat tolerance: strugglescopes well

Scores of 1–5 compare the breed with other breeds of the same species, based on the sources at the bottom of the page. Every animal is different. How we score traits

Who is the Miniature Dachshund for?

The Miniature Dachshund suits city dwellers, seniors and families with older children who want a small, cheerful dog with personality. It works for a first-time owner who accepts its stubbornness and keeps an eye on its weight. Do not choose it if barking bothers you, you keep rodents at home, or you want a dog that will obey every command the first time.

Pros

small and easy to take along
very attached to its family
alert watchdog
long-lived

Challenges

risk of spinal disease
stubborn to train
barks a lot
strong hunting instinct

Size and looks

Size and looks: Miniature Dachshund
Height at the withers	males 13–15 cm, females 13–15 cm
Weight	males 4.5–5 kg, females 4.5–5 kg
Lifespan	12–16 years
Coat	short
Colors	red, black and tan, chocolate and tan, dapple, brindle, wild boar (in wire-haired dogs)
Country of origin	Germany
Classification	Group IV: Dachshunds
Also known as	Mini Dachshund, Zwergdackel, Miniature Teckel, Mini Doxie

Care and exercise

30–60minof exercise a day

2/5grooming needs

2/5shedding

A Miniature Dachshund is usually fine with 30–60 minutes of walks a day, ideally with time for sniffing, digging in sand and tracking games. Because of its long spine and short legs, limit jumping off couches and beds and frequent running up stairs. Steps or a ramp help, and a puppy is best carried with support under both the chest and the hindquarters. A harness is more comfortable for a Dachshund than a collar. The most important rule is keeping it lean: Dachshunds love to eat, and every extra kilogram strains the spine. Grooming depends on the coat type. Smooth dogs need a wipe with a grooming mitt, wire-haired dogs hand-stripping 2–3 times a year, and long-haired dogs regular combing, especially behind the ears and on the trousers. Smooth-coated miniatures feel the cold in winter and are happy to wear a sweater. Base training on rewards and patience.

How much should the Miniature Dachshund eat?The calculator starts from this breed’s typical weight: calories and grams a day.

Health and breed-related conditions

Miniatures live long: in a British study the median for Miniature Dachshunds was 14 years, and the AKC gives 12–16 years for Dachshunds. The breed's biggest problem is intervertebral disc disease: according to the UK Dachshund Breed Council, it may affect about one in four dogs over their lifetime. It shows up as back pain and reluctance to move, and in severe cases as hind-leg paralysis that needs urgent help. Keeping the dog lean and exercising sensibly lowers the risk, and in some countries breeders X-ray the spine to assess disc calcification. A DNA test for progressive retinal atrophy (cord1) is available for miniatures. The Kennel Club warns of the risk of hearing and vision disorders when two dapple dogs are bred together.

intervertebral disc disease (IVDD)The most common problem in UK Dachshunds; it may affect as many as one in four dogs and cause pain or paralysis.
progressive retinal atrophy (PRA cord1)A retinal disease that leads to blindness; a DNA test is available for miniatures.
luxating patellaThe US breed club recommends a patella check for breeding dogs.
obesityIn a Dachshund, obesity raises the risk of diabetes and joint and spine problems.
hearing and vision defects in double dapplesBreeding two dapple dogs together raises the risk of deafness and eye defects in the puppies.

Health tests to ask the breeder about

PRA cord1 DNA test
eye exam (ECVO)
patella check
heart exam
spinal X-rays (disc calcification scoring)

This is general breed information, not a diagnosis. If something worries you, talk to your veterinarian.

Breed history

The FCI standard notes that the Dachshund has been known since the Middle Ages. It descends from short-legged hounds (Bracken), from which breeders selected the dogs that did best working underground after badgers and foxes. Over time the Dachshund also proved valuable for tracking wounded game, flushing, and hunting with voice. The oldest breed club, the Deutscher Teckelklub, was founded in 1888. For decades the breed has come in three sizes, standard, miniature and rabbit, and three coat types, which makes nine varieties. Miniatures were bred to work in narrower burrows, especially after rabbits. Today they are above all popular family dogs.

Fun facts

The FCI standard defines Dachshund sizes not by height but by chest circumference measured after 15 months of age: over 32 to 37 cm for miniature males and over 30 to 35 cm for females.
The UK Kennel Club gives an ideal weight of 4.5 kg for the miniature, with a maximum of 5 kg.
The Dachshund is the only breed that makes up a whole FCI group of its own: Group 4.
Three sizes and three coat types make nine varieties of Dachshund.

Frequently asked questions

How much does a Miniature Dachshund weigh?

The British standard gives an ideal weight of 4.5 kg and a maximum of 5 kg, and the AKC up to 11 pounds, or about 5 kg. The FCI gives no weight, only chest circumference measured after 15 months of age: over 32 to 37 cm in males and over 30 to 35 cm in females.

How long do Miniature Dachshunds live?

Usually 12–16 years, and many dogs live longer. In a British study of purebred dog lifespans, the median for miniatures was 14 years. The keys to a long life are keeping the dog lean and protecting its spine.

Can Miniature Dachshunds use stairs?

An adult, lean Dachshund can manage a few steps, but frequent stair running and jumping off furniture strain the spine. Puppies and dogs with past back injuries are better carried, with support under the chest and hindquarters.

Do Miniature Dachshunds shed?

Smooth and long-haired dogs shed moderately; wire-haired dogs shed little if they are hand-stripped regularly. No coat type is hypoallergenic, so allergy sufferers should first check how they react to the particular dog.