In this article
View 6 More +It’s hard not to love a Dachshund. Affectionately known as “sausage” or “wiener” dogs, Dachshunds have an intriguing history. The adorable, sturdy little dogs are never short on character. They also come in various colors, patterns, and coat types and can be one of two sizes: standard or miniature.
Breed Overview
Height:
5–6 inches
Weight:
9–11 pounds
Lifespan:
12–16 years
Colors:
Red, black and tan, cream, chocolate, blue, Isabella, or fawn
Suitable for:
Active singles, families with older children
Temperament:
Loyal, loving, intelligent, energetic, stubborn
In this post, we’ll step back in time and explore the history of long-haired Miniature Dachshunds, unique facts about the breed, and what they’re like as family pets today.
Mini Dachshund Characteristics
The Earliest Records of Long-Haired Mini Dachshunds in History
The Dachshund’s ancestors were hunting dogs in Germany during the Middle Ages. In the 17th century, the breed began to develop rapidly to fulfill the need for compact, cylindrical dogs that could fit into burrows and be capable of taking on a fully-grown badger. The qualities developed in these little hunting dogs are still very evident in Dachshunds today—courage, intelligence, and a fondness for digging.
While standard Dachshunds were bred to hunt badgers, they were a tad too large to take care of the rabbit population. For this reason, hunters began to develop a smaller version in the 19th century—the Miniature Dachshund. There are three Dachshund sizes recognized by the Fédéracion Internationale Cynologique (FIC) in Europe: standard, miniature, and “Teckel” (rabbit Dachshund).
Teckels are wire-haired and Terrier-like in appearance and about mid-way in terms of size between the Miniature and Standard Dachshund. There are three coat types in Dachshunds: wire-haired, smooth-haired, and long-haired. It’s possible that long-haired Dachshunds came about as the result of breeding with Spaniels.
How Long-Haired Mini Dachshunds Gained Popularity
Their loyalty, energetic nature, and sense of adventure made Dachshunds excellent hunting dogs and popular companion dogs. By the early 20th century, Dachshunds appeared in works of art, and their image was used to promote a 1905 Berlin dog exhibition, but they were in the public eye way before this point.
Historically, Dachshunds have been seen as a symbol of Germany. They lost popularity during World War I and again briefly in World War II. Their popularity was restored and continued to grow after World War II.
Throughout history, several high-profile figures have owned Dachshunds, including Queen Victoria, Queen Elizabeth II, Abraham Lincoln, Marilyn Monroe, Audrey Hepburn, David Bowie, and Andy Warhol.
Formal Recognition of Long-Haired Mini Dachshunds
Dachshunds made their way to England from Germany in the 19th century, where the Miniature Dachshund became a popular pet. The Miniature Dachshund Club was formed in England in 1935, but Dachshunds were first recognized by the American Kennel Club much earlier in 1885.
The American Kennel Club only recognizes the standard and miniature Dachshund, whereas the FIC in Europe recognizes three. To determine whether a Dachshund is standard or miniature, the AKC judges by weight. Standard Dachshunds weigh around 16–32 pounds, whereas Miniature Dachshunds weigh no more than 11 pounds.
Top 3 Unique Facts About Miniature Dachshunds
1. The Miniature Dachshund Is a Member of the Hound Group
The hound group defines dogs that were bred to hunt by sight or scent. Other members of the hound group include Beagles, Greyhounds, and American foxhounds.
2. There Are 15 Mini Dachshund Coat Colors
Dachshunds are incredibly diverse when it comes to appearance. 12 colors are accepted as standard by the AKC, and 3 are non-standard (black, fawn, and chocolate). Solid black, fawn, and chocolate Dachshunds are quite rare.
3. Mini Dachshunds Are Quite Vocal
Dachshunds are known for vocalizing with barks, whines, and howls. It’s instinctive for them to let humans know when they’ve found prey. Even if they’re not catching much prey these days, they haven’t lost their vocal natures, and it’s not uncommon for them to alert you to things that have captured their attention. They’ll often bark as a way of extending a friendly greeting, too.
Does a Long-Haired Mini Dachshund Make a Good Pet?
Mini Dachshunds are known for being affectionate with their humans and typically get along well with kids and other dogs as long as they’ve been properly socialized. They can also be friendly to strangers and enjoy meeting new people, though not always. Some are a little more reserved, whereas others are quite extraverted.
Miniature Dachshunds are easy to train as a rule due to their eager-to-please, confident natures, though they’re also known for being a bit stubborn, which might require more effort to overcome during training. They need firm but kind and consistent leadership, or they may just run rings around you! Be sure to heap on the praise and motivate them with rewards for good behavior.
When it comes to grooming and care, long-haired Miniature Dachshunds need a bit of extra brushing to prevent their coats from getting matted or tangled. Though not the heaviest shedders, they have an undercoat that sheds moderately. They also need regular nail trims to prevent overgrowth. Regular teeth cleaning is also vital, and it’s best to brush them at least three times a week if you cannot do it every day.
Conclusion
To recap, Miniature Dachshunds were developed in the 1800s to hunt rabbits, but their ancestors were around in the Middle Ages. They were imported into England in the 19th century and proved very popular with Queen Victoria and later Queen Elizabeth II and other high-profile and famous people. It’s possible that Dachshunds were crossed with Spaniels at some point, which resulted in the long-haired Dachshund variety.
Today, Miniature Dachshunds are beloved family dogs in many homes around the world and are ranked number 6 on the AKC’s 2023 most popular dogs in America list.
Featured Image Credit; yhelfman, Shutterstock
