Dachshunds are relatively small by nature. And yet there is one – the dwarf dachshund, which is a little smaller again. Like his bigger brother, he is devoted to his owner. Perhaps that is why he is so popular. How many senior citizens do you see with a dwarf dachshund, because they know they can rely on him completely. But there is even more to this fantastic dog.
Character of the Miniature Dachshund
The Miniature Dachshund is friendly. But like all dachshunds, he does not strive to be everyone’s best friend. He prefers to look at who he is dealing with at that moment. So it can happen that he graciously lets the neighbour pass one day and the next day he already stands at the garden gate and does not want to let him on the property. Nobody knows exactly what is going through this dog’s mind. However, he is not aggressive. Rather, he insists on his prerogative to be the boss. However, this trait can be regulated with intensive training.
It cannot be denied that the Miniature Dachshund is descended from hunting dogs. Because the perseverance, the courage and the own will are still inherent in him today. Nevertheless, one cannot deny that this dog can be trained very well. Even leash walking is no longer a problem for him within a very short time.
The excellent trainability makes him so popular with young and old, so that he has gradually crept from being the preferred hunting dog into people’s homes. Now he is a fantastic companion for senior citizens, a great playmate for the whole family. And if you give him the job of looking after the pram in the garden for a short while, you will find out that he also has what it takes (to a certain extent) to be a guard dog.
Since his urge to move is quite considerable, you should consider whether you would like to start a dog sport with him. This would give him the opportunity to satisfy his urge to move and at the same time he could bring his intelligence into play. So you would have a good choice of dog sports. He is just as enthusiastic about the “sniffers” as he is about agility dogs.
In any case, the dwarf dachshund is loyal and will be reluctant to change owners. So be prepared for this long-lived little companion to be a family member for a long time.
The historical background of the dachshund
Perhaps many readers already know: The dachshund itself has been known in Germany for a long time. Already in the Middle Ages he was used for hunting. His job was to blast the badger, as they say, out of its burrow.
For a dog that is not even half the size of the badger, this is a challenging task, which he masters with flying colours. Iron will, endurance and, of course, a large portion of courage help him to do it. Skills that also allowed his owners to use him to hunt the fox, the hare and the rabbit.
If you ask yourself how the dachshund’s small stature, especially the dwarf dachshund, came about, you can point to a mutation of the cartilage. This is called chondrodystrophy. Among other things, it is responsible for the dwarfism of the long bones.
Already in antiquity, people made a name for themselves with such breeding successes in low-running Bracken. Whether this actually happened in ancient Egypt or before, we will never find out. But there were corresponding records among the Egyptians. They already used the dog for hunting.
At the beginning of modern dog breeding as we know it today, the first dachshund club, the Deutscher Teckelklub, was founded in 1888, making it the oldest dachshund club. At the same time, it is also the second oldest breeding club of purebred dogs in Germany.
Already at that time, three sizes of dogs could be recorded: Standard, Dwarf and Rabbit. In addition, there were and still are three types of coat: short, coarse and long.
The colours of the dachshund
The Miniature Dachshund has a short coat that requires little grooming. If he has a proportion of the Roughhaired Dachshund, occasional trimming is necessary. Usually, however, a brush or comb is sufficient.
The colours brown, black and brown-black are predominant.
What are the requirements of the Miniature Dachshund?
Apart from his urge to move, his sometimes stubborn behaviour and his desire to have the upper hand, the Miniature Dachshund is actually a very pleasant, undemanding contemporary. Since he likes to use his intelligence to learn, it is usually easy to break him of his breed-related “bad habits”. A little dog sense is an advantage, as it is a hunting dog. Therefore, the first dog should not necessarily be a dachshund. A little dog experience is an advantage.
Always remember to do justice to the Dachshund’s urge to move. It is easy for him to get rid of his boredom. Because he will always find something to occupy himself with, whether you like it or not.
The Miniature Dachshund and his health
Basically, the Miniature Dachshund can be confirmed to be in very good, robust health. As always, care should be taken to ensure a good breeding line with no or few unproblematic hereditary diseases. Unfortunately, these do exist. They have arisen through the friends of show and exhibition dogs. They have bred the Dachshund even smaller and wanted to emphasise some appearance traits.
Unfortunately, this has led to problems such as susceptibility to slipped discs (the well-known Dachshund paralysis), but also epilepsy and rheumatic diseases. As is so often the case, excessive breeding has done more harm than good.
However, most of the components can be counteracted to a certain extent with a good exercise programme and an optimised diet. As is so often the case, this is a “can do” scenario that does not necessarily have to happen. Here it is the owner’s task to always keep a watchful, as it were also strict eye on his four-legged friend, so that the physical and mental fitness is maintained as long as possible.
Advantages and disadvantages of the dwarf dachshund
Let’s not fool ourselves: The dwarf dachshund, as small, loyal and friendly as it actually is, can make itself so big and give its humans a very proper talking to. If necessary, they do this vehemently.
In case of doubt, this can be quite annoying. Therefore, one should try to clarify from the beginning by appropriate lessons. Also, it must not be forgotten that, strictly speaking, he is a hunting dog. This means that, as a precaution, he should be kept on a leash in the wild. Certainly, with proper practice, the drag line is a great thing.
As an intelligent dog with lots of stamina, he is a great dog to get involved in one dog sport or another. The dog sports field is a good place for him to get plenty of exercise.
Of course, if the owner is an enthusiastic hiker or walker who spends several kilometres, i.e. hours, walking every day, this little dog will also be well occupied. But this will not be possible every day.
The dwarf dachshund also loves to romp around in its own garden.
Because of his tendency to epilepsy and heart problems, you should not be afraid to schedule regular check-ups with the vet. No, it doesn’t affect most dachshunds, but prevention is the mother of china.
Due to their small stature, dwarf dachshunds are likely to have a shorter life expectancy than their larger breed siblings.
The perfect human for a dwarf dachshund
The perfect person is already experienced with dogs. Even if the Miniature Dachshund is still so friendly and loyal to his family, you will soon notice that he has a large portion of self-confidence and stubbornness.
True, he needs these qualities for his work as a hunting dog. But they also need to be channelled in everyday family life. For the beginner this can be a problem.
Buying a puppy of the Miniature Dachshund
Of course, one would like to buy a puppy. The first step is to find a reputable breeder, preferably organised in the VDH or German dachshund club. Be patient. Every year, a varying number of puppies see the light of day. You cannot really plan this in advance. Therefore, in times of high demand, it may be necessary to get on the waiting list with the breeder of your choice.
The breeder you trust is initially open to every interested party and will tell you the story of his parents and, like every proud dog owner, have pictures ready.
They are also happy to show previous litters. Of course, questions about the health of the breeding animals and also the breeding line are allowed. Those who have not done anything wrong will be able to answer them calmly.
For puppies as well as for the future owner, getting to know each other before taking over is especially important. For they must fit together. The character of the puppy can be assessed by the experienced breeder, so that he can also filter out the suitable new owner for him from the interested parties.
In addition, he will have many useful tips at hand so that the transition to the new family can go as smoothly as possible. And it goes without saying that he will be on hand with help and advice during the first days and weeks. After all, somehow it will always be “his” puppy, won’t it?
First equipment for the dwarf dachshund
- Dog collar
- Dog harness
- Dog leash, in addition possibly a drag line
- Water and food bowl, if possible easy to clean
- Dog bed / blanket for the resting place
- Short hair brush
- Comb / lice comb
- Dog food
- possibly toys
- possibly treats
Dog food for the dachshund
The dachshund is an uncomplicated eater. He can cope with any kind of food. He also likes to chew on a ham bone. But be careful: Originally he was bred for hunting, which meant he had a high energy requirement.
Nowadays, especially as a companion and family dog, this must of course be adjusted. Otherwise, exactly what every dog owner should always try to avoid will happen: The dog puts on weight quickly and bursts at the seams.
Conclusion
The dwarf dachshund is a loyal, affectionate contemporary that is a pleasure to take into the family. If he feels that he is not getting enough exercise, you will quickly notice this, because he has a lot of imagination and will certainly think of something to keep himself busy. It’s best to get ahead of him, then an orderly life with him is quite easy.
FAQ
How much does a dwarf dachshund cost?
The costs for a dwarf dachshund can vary. If you are offered an animal for less than EURO 500, you should listen carefully. Because you will not get it for this amount from a serious breeder who is organised in the VDH or the German dachshund club. Because the price always depends on supply and demand, but also on the breeder as well as his location. In addition, the breeding line is also decisive. Thus, a price between £800 and £1500 is realistic. However, these prices might not be correct at the moment, as demand has risen strongly and this of course affects the price structure.
If a puppy is offered for less than £500, it could be a dog from a breeder. As they treat the bitches badly and are only after the money for the puppies, do not buy these dogs.
Where does the dwarf dachshund come from?
The origin of the Miniature Dachshund is in Germany. However, its ancestors can be traced back to ancient Egypt.
How old does the dwarf dachshund live to be?
The dwarf dachshund is one of those dogs that can reach a very old age. He can live between 12 and 15 years. There are even some animals that have lived even longer.
How big and heavy does the dwarf dachshund get?
As already mentioned, the dwarf dachshund is still a little smaller than the “normal” dachshund. This small dog has a chest circumference of 30 to 35 centimetres. A weight of 3 to 6 kilograms can be expected.
How many puppies does a Miniature Dachshund have?
The average litter of a Miniature Dachshund produces 5 to 10 puppies.
Is the Miniature Dachshund a hunting dog?
As the ancestors of the Miniature Dachshund are counted among the Bracken, the Miniature Dachshund is also equipped with the hunting gene. In earlier times, the dachshund was also called “badger dog” because it courageously entered the burrows of badgers and foxes to drive them out. His courage, tenacity and energy were of great help to the hunter.
Even today, the dachshund is trained as a hunting dog. He is considered one of the most popular hunting dogs, and not only in Germany. However, he is just as popular as a companion and family dog. Basically, the hunter can rely 100% on the dachshund’s loyalty and willingness to work.
Due to his genetic make-up, hunting is his natural terrain, so to speak. These lessons are in his blood, which is why he can be trained so well as a hunting dog.
Is the Miniature Dachshund a family dog?
If in the 1970s / 1980s it was still thought that the dachshund was more a dog for older people, today it can be classified not only as a companion dog, but quite clearly as a family dog. Because of his intelligence, he can get on well with “his” family and quickly learns how living together with people works.
But beware – he needs a task, he wants to be kept busy. His eagerness to work, his intelligence as well as his joy of movement in the woods and meadows require a task that on the one hand provides him with physical compensation, but also makes mental demands.
If this requirement is met for his family, he is a wonderful, loyal family dog who can even be used as a guard dog under certain conditions. The postmen will not automatically love him….
Can the Miniature Dachshund be kept in a (city) flat?
Due to its size, the dwarf dachshund can be kept in a flat without any problems. However, keep in mind his urge to move and his desire for demanding tasks. These are not always easy to combine, especially in the city.
Surely he will loyally subordinate himself to the owner. However, sufficient times for walking should always be included in the daily schedule so that you can at least do justice to him in this respect.
Where does the dwarf dachshund originally come from?
The origin of the dwarf dachshund can be found in Germany.
Is the Miniature Dachshund suitable for families?
Yes, the Miniature Dachshund is a great family dog, although it does need something to do despite having a family. Long walks are an option as well as working on the dog sports field.
How old can a Miniature Dachshund get?
Miniature Dachshunds can look forward to a long life. The average age loves at 12 to 14 years.
Can the Miniature Dachshund be kept in a flat?
As long as there is a physical balance in the form of long walks or work on the dog sports field, the Miniature Dachshund can happily be kept in a flat. Walks spread out over the day are the best way to ensure that the dog gets enough exercise.
Are health restrictions to be expected with the dwarf dachshund?
Assuming a healthy breeding line, most Dachshunds enjoy very robust health. Due to their small stature, there is a tendency for intervertebral disc problems, heart valve disease and rheumatic diseases. When buying, pay attention to the breeding line to prevent inherited dispositions.
