If you want a small, mellow pup with the softest coat ever, you can’t go wrong with the Mauxie. This feisty and irresistible designer dog is a mixed breed, a cross between the short-legged Dachshund and the tiny and fluffy Maltese.

This adorable little fluff ball has bold soulful eyes and personality galore. Born of two parents that stay small even in maturity, the Mauxie, also known as the Moxie, Duchtese, or Maltese Dachshund mix, stays petite forever, which is ideal if you’re looking for an apartment dog!

Breed Overview

Everything about Mauxie dogs is appealing, especially their striking looks. Although they can be headstrong and wary of strangers, these pups are generally sweet and affectionate. They are also fiercely loyal to their families and often bond profoundly with the people they love.

The only problem is that they can get too attached to their humans and don’t like staying home alone. You may need to give your Mauxie relentless attention if you want them to thrive. This breed isn’t too common, so prospective owners often plunge into bringing them home without researching extensively.

Here’s everything to know about these fluffiest cuddle buddies.

Mauxie Characteristics

Mauxie Puppies

You might decide that the Mauxie is the most adorable thing in the world just by looking into their eyes. However, it cannot be stressed enough how cuteness shouldn’t be the basis for picking the right puppy.

Always consider aspects like the puppy’s physical health and lifespan before getting technical about any particular disease. Are you ready to accommodate a dog with a long lifespan? Also, assess the Mauxie’s behavioral tendencies, and check whether you can match their social, energy, and training needs.

They require owners who don’t mind putting extra effort into socializing and training them. The reason is that they are prone to separation anxiety and destructive behavior due to attention deficit.

If you can measure up to this dog’s standards, get them!

Temperament & Intelligence of Mauxie

The Mauxie looks cute as heck, but it’s not just their features that make this designer pup everyone’s favorite. This dog flaunts an affectionate, courageous, friendly, active, and playful demeanor that warms every home they’re in.

This breed tends to be quite mischievous and curious, though, poking their nose where they shouldn’t. However, you can never be sure how your Mauxie will turn out, as some can take on one of their parent breed’s temperaments more than the other’s. Others might be a mix of both! For this reason, it’s best to get to know both parent breeds and close in on the most likely trait your pup will inherit.

Maltese have been humanity’s favorite lap dogs for centuries. However, they are also brilliant, making them perfect at manipulating their owners. A Mauxie with a Maltese temperament can be a bit clingy if you allow them, so it would be best to establish ground rules with your dog as early as possible.

Dachshunds are also incredibly smart but with a robust independence streak on the side. This makes it highly likely for a Mauxie to come out a bit stubborn and bold but bossy and territorial. They are prone to snapping and excessively barking at unfamiliar faces, so training and socialization are mandatory.

Are These Dogs Good for Families? 👪

Mauxies enjoy endless snuggling and attention and prefer to stay around the people they love all the time. These dogs are a family’s best pet choice—with a few caveats, of course.

You should ensure that someone is always at the house to keep your dog company. A Mauxie is prone to separation anxiety, so they won’t thrive being alone for long. Pet sitters and dog care can help you to care for your pup.

A Mauxie thinks that they’re a big dog trapped in a small dog’s body and will act like one. They’re quick to nip when provoked, so teaching your dog not to bite when provoked will do you and your family great.

Socialization and behavioral training are necessary, especially if there are young kids in the home. It’s vital to know that Mauxies are more suitable for families with older kids. These dogs are intolerant and impatient, quick to snap and defend themselves if a kid bothers them. You should teach your children not to tug on the dog’s tail, disturb them, or pick them up when they would rather be left alone.

Does This Breed Get Along With Other Pets? 🐶 😽 

As a big dog in a small dog’s body, a Mauxie often engages big dogs in play and can be quite bossy. They’re also a territorial breed with a high prey drive. This means this dog tends to react to anything in their space, including squirrels, cats, or other small pets like bunnies and hamsters.

However, a Mauxie generally thrives in a multi-pet household, as long as they are adequately socialized and under close supervision. Therefore, ensure that the initial interactions among your pets are short.

Things to Know When Owning a Mauxie

Bringing a Mauxie home is a decision that will change your family’s life for the better, but you shouldn’t treat it lightly. Owning a Mauxie requires money, time, and other things.

Food & Diet Requirements 🦴

Like most dogs, Mauxies are not picky eaters, which is a good thing. However, this breed’s tendency to get fat is higher than other small dog breeds, so they need a careful diet plan for optimum health.

You need to provide high-quality dog food designed for small dogs. Offer your pet between 3/4 of a cup and 1½ cups of nutritious kibble a day, split into at least two meals. Otherwise, you risk your dog becoming overweight and developing stress at the joints and spine, especially if they take after their Dachshund heritage.

Exercise 🐕

Mauxies are small dogs but require plenty of activity, just like any other pet. However, due to their lineage, this dog needs more physical stimulation than other petite dogs for their health and happiness.

Two 20-minute walks, one in the morning and the other in the evening, plus their regular playtime, are sufficient. You can adjust their activities depending on their behavior, though. First, however, you must base your Mauxie’s activity levels on the fact that they have a long back that’s easily injured.

It would be best not to allow your pup to jump on and off the furniture or use the stairs multiple times a day. This can strain the vertebrae. You can either carry your Mauxie or install a puppy gate to restrict how much they use the stairs.

Training 🎾

A Mauxie’s inherent willfulness, bossiness, and short attention span inherited from their Dachshund bloodline make this pet quite challenging to train. They tend to get easily spoiled and stubborn, which is why you should start training them early so they grow up correctly. You should also be firm and consistent to ensure that the Mauxie understands your concerns.

However, your training regime depends on the traits that the dog inherits from their parent breeds. They might require a little more effort if they have most of a Dachshund’s independence.

Grooming ✂️

A Mauxie that inherits a Maltese’s long-haired coat requires much more grooming than one with a Dachshund’s short coat. However, Mauxies generally tend to have long and slightly wiry coats that need more maintenance. In addition, their coats tend to matt easily, so you might need to make regular trips to professional groomers to help detangle and trim your pup.

A light groom once a day should help tease out the tangles. Give the coat a thorough brush once a week, though. It would be best only to bathe your dog when they’re smelly and dirty rather than doing it every day. Bathing your dog too often will deplete their natural oils and leave the skin bare.

Also, check your pup’s teeth and ears when grooming. Finally, cut their nails when grooming, though you should be careful not to cut them too short, as it’s painful and they can bleed.

Health & Conditions 🏥

The Mauxie is generally a healthy breed with few health concerns to look out for. However, these dogs are hybrids, which means they can inherit either of their parent’s health issues, including intervertebral disc disease (IVDD), diabetes, deafness, obesity, epilepsy, patellar luxation, and liver problems. Mauxies are also prone to shaker syndrome, cryptorchidism, reverse sneezing, glaucoma, cataracts, and reverse sneezing.

You’ll only manage to avoid these health threats if you buy your dog from reputable breeders and can access your dog’s parent breed medical history. Also, ensure that your dog has complete vaccination.

Male vs. Female

A Mauxie’s temperament depends on the dog’s upbringing, training, and inherited traits and not sex. The only way to find the best dog is to let them pick you. Try spending time with the litter you are interested in; it’s impossible not to fall for a particular puppy!

3 Little-Known Facts About the Mauxie

1. Mauxies Are Registered Hybrid Dogs

The American Kennel Club only recognizes purebreds, so it’s the only place that you won’t find the hybrid Mauxie. However, many other bodies, including the Designer Dogs Kennel Club, the Dog Registry of America, and the Designer Breed Registry, gladly recognize this breed.

You can find this dog highlighted by the American Canine Hybrid Club and the International Designer Canine Registry too.

2. Their Parent Breeds Are Among the Most Ancient

This dog’s Maltese heritage dates back up to 8,000 years! Archived reports place this breed in Italy, Egypt, Greece, and even Malta, where they get their name.

The Maltese was among the first breeds to grace New York’s first Westminster show in 1877. They’re also among the top 50 breeds registered by the American Kennel Club, recognized as the 42nd breed in 1888.

Dachshunds might not be as ancient as the Maltese, but they are still an old breed, starting in Germany over 600 years ago. The American Kennel Club featured them in its registry in 1885.

3. You Can Never Be Sure of This Dog’s Size and Temperament

Mauxies are hybrids, which means you can never predict which parent breed they’ll take after.

Hybrid puppies are a little more variable, unlike purebreds. You can find part of the litter resembling their Maltese parent, and the other siblings take after the Dachshund parent.

Your dog might combine the best traits from either parent. For instance, you can end up with a pup with a Maltese’s appearance but a Dachshund’s temperament and vice versa.

Final Thoughts

If you enjoy a pet with some individuality and spirit, find a Mauxie. These dogs might be small, but they certainly pack loads of personality.

Do ensure that you socialize them early and train them to your liking. Their tendency to snap is something you should be ready for just in case.

See also:

• What’s the Difference Between a Dachshund, Dotson, and Doxin?
• Dachshund Vizsla Mix Breed

Featured Image Credit: David Clarine, Shutterstock