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Miniature Dachshund: Facts, Traits & History

Written by: Adam Mann

Last Updated on March 2, 2024 by Dogster Team

miniature dachshund dog breed

Miniature Dachshund: Facts, Traits & History

Did you know that the Miniature Dachshund is identical to a regular Dachshund in every way but size? A Miniature Dachshund must weigh under 11 pounds, but there’s no minimum weight. They’re extremely cute and loving pets, and if you want a smaller lap dog, a Miniature Dachshund might be just what you’re looking for!

Breed Overview

Breed Overview

Height:

9-16 inches

Weight:

Under 11 pounds

Lifespan:

12–16 years

Colors:

Black & tan, chocolate & tan, cream, wheaten, wild boar, red, blue & tan, fawn & tan, black & cream, fawn & cream, chocolate & cream, or blue & cream

Suitable for:

Individuals who want a low-activity dog, families with older children, and multi-pet families

Temperament:

Loyal, easy to train, vocal

Miniature Dachshunds are loving pups that are relatively easy to train, and because of their smaller size, it can be a bit easier to meet their energy needs. However, they are quite vocal, so they aren’t the best fit if you live in close proximity to other people.

They come in a variety of colors, have different markings, and even have three different types of coats, meaning there are tons of options for you to pick from.

Miniature Dachshund Breed Characteristics

Energy
+
High-energy dogs will need a lot of mental and physical stimulation to stay happy and healthy, while low-energy dogs require minimal physical activity. It’s important when choosing a dog to make sure their energy levels match your lifestyle or vice versa.
Trainability
+
Easy-to-train dogs are more skilled at learning prompts and actions quickly with minimal training. Dogs that are harder to train will require a bit more patience and practice.
Health
+
Some breeds, due to their size or their breeds potential genetic health issues, have shorter lifespans than others. Proper exercise, nutrition, and hygiene also play an important role in the lifespan of your pet.
Lifespan
+
Some dog breeds are prone to certain genetic health problems, and some more than others. This doesn’t mean that every dog will have these issues, but they have an increased risk, so it’s important to understand and prepare for any additional needs they may require.
Sociability
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Some dog breeds are more social than others, both towards humans and other dogs. More social dogs have a tendency to run up to strangers for pets and scratches, while less social dogs shy away and are more cautious, even potentially aggressive. No matter the breed, it’s important to socialize your dog and expose them to lots of different situations.

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The Earliest Records of Miniature Dachshunds in History

miniature-dachshund-on-the-bed
Image Credit: Dominika Roseclay, Pexels

The history of the Dachshund goes back centuries, and some people refer to it as the “world’s oldest dog.” While there’s nothing to verify that, there’s no doubt that it’s one of the older dog breeds of the world.

It’s originally a German breed, and it’s several hundred years old. It has remained a popular dog breed throughout its entire existence, although it did have a short dip in popularity during World War II. The AKC tried to rebrand the dog during this time, but the attempts didn’t stick, and it didn’t take long after the war for the popularity of the Dachshund to rebound.

How Miniature Dachshunds Gained Popularity

While the Dachshund is pretty much nothing but a lap dog today, that wasn’t originally the case for them. Germans originally bred the Dachshund as a hunting dog for badgers, which meant they needed a fearless personality and the ability to work in a pack.

While you won’t find many Dachshunds hunting badgers today, they’ve remained popular because of their distinctive long bodies, cute appearance, and even sweeter personalities. Adding to their charm is their ability to forget about their size and act bigger than they are, which can lead to some pretty fun encounters.

miniature-chocolate-dachshund-standing-on-rock
Image Credit: David Pecheux, Shutterstock

Formal Recognition of Miniature Dachshunds

Sometimes called the “world’s oldest dog,” it’s no surprise that the Dachshund received formal recognition very early on. In fact, the American Kennel Club (AKC) recognized the Dachshund in 1885, meaning it has enjoyed formal recognition for well over 130 years!

Meanwhile, the United Kennel Club (UKC) took a bit longer to recognize the breed, but with formal recognition in 1919, the Dachshund has enjoyed formal recognition there for over 100 years.

Of course, breeders have been maintaining this breed for a while, but they didn’t come to a consensus on standards until these groups gave it formal recognition.

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Top 3 Unique Facts About Miniature Dachshunds

1. Dachshunds Once Hunted Badgers

When you look at a Dachshund, you likely don’t think of a hunting dog, but that’s exactly what Germans once bred them for. Dachshunds are fearless pups that work well in packs, and while the Miniature Dachshund’s size doesn’t make them an ideal candidate for hunting, larger ones can still hunt with proper training!


2. Waldi Was the First Olympic Mascot

In 1972, Germany was the first country with an official mascot, which was a Dachshund named Waldi. Germany embraced the Dachshund so much for the Olympics that organizers plotted the marathon’s route in the shape of a Dachshund!

A-miniature-dachshund-puppy-that-is-sitting-in-a-crate-with-the-door-open
Image Credit: Jaclyn Vernace, Shutterstock

3. They Come With Three Types of Coats

Miniature Dachshunds can have a smooth, wire-haired, or long-haired coat, giving you all sorts of options when buying or adopting one. Smooth Dachshunds are the most popular and common, but if you want your Dachshund to have a different type of coat, it’s certainly possible.

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Does a Miniature Dachshund Make a Good Pet?

Miniature Dachshunds make phenomenal pets for many people. While they’re not the perfect pet for everyone, they’re extremely loving and eager to please. They also do well with other pets, especially dogs, although you do need to be careful with smaller pets because of a Dachshund’s hunting instincts.

Not only that, but you need to be careful with them around smaller children and larger dogs because of their small size. The Miniature Dachshund doesn’t always realize they’re such a small dog, which can lead to problems with smaller children who could fall on them or larger pets that could end up trampling them when playing.

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Conclusion

Miniature Dachshunds are extremely loving and interesting dogs, and with tons of colors, markings, and coats, it’s not hard to see why they’re so popular. They make great pets and have remained popular for hundreds of years, so you can rest easy knowing that the Miniature Dachshund isn’t going anywhere anytime soon!


Featured Image Credit: JeebyJeeby, Pixabay

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