What is a mini dachshund?
Mini dachshunds are one of the most loved dachshund types among the three coat types of dachshund. Despite their small size, they are big in personality and attract many pet owner with their loyal and affectionate nature.
Temperament of a mini dachshund
Playful and energetic
Despite their small size, they are very energetic. They love to play, dig, and chase. Their hunting background gives them an alert personality, always on duty.
Affectionate but independent
Mini dachshunds are affectionate dogs; they are known to form a strong bond with their favorite person. They tend to follow their person from room to room and treat you like a boss.
They are also stubborn and independent by nature, which makes them hard to train.
Loyal and protective
Mini dachshunds are loyal and protective toward their owner. They can bark at strangers to show their protective nature towards their owner, which is also a problem for many dachshund owners, as they bark at every person who visits their house.
They were bred to hunt burrowing animals, which made their mind see danger everywhere.
Mini dachshund lifespan
Mini dachshunds can live between 12 to 16 years.
Height of a mini dachshund
Mini dachshunds have a height of 5 to 6 inches (13-15 cm) at the shoulder.
Weight of a dachshund
Miniature dachshunds have less weight compared to the standard dachshund, up to 11 pounds (5kg).
Training challenges in mini dachshund
Mini dachshunds are hard to train because of their stubborn nature, but we can train them by being consistent in the training routine. On the other hand, they adopt new things quickly and have high food motivation.
Mini dachshund behaviour problem
Excessive barking
Sometimes miniature dachshunds show behaviour like excessive barking, which can be caused by various reasons such as not providing them enough exercise, and even separation anxiety, and many others. We previously created a detailed blog about dachshund excessive barking, where you will find every reason and solution to excessive barking.
Separation anxiety
Miniature dachshunds are known to form a strong bond with their owner, which is good, but this also has the drawback of a strong bond. Due to their attachment to their owner, they can develop separation anxiety when left alone for a long time.
Are miniature dachshunds good apartment dogs?
Miniature dachshunds are excellent apartment dogs, needing little space for living, If you live in an apartment and want to buy a pet dog, a dachshund may be the best choice for you.
Miniature dachshund exercise needs
their exercise need depend on their age, a full-grown miniature dachshund needs 30 to 45 minutes a daily exercise, while a small puppy needs less exercise as their age.
Nutritional requirements of the miniature dachshund
Miniature dachshunds need different types of macro and micronutrients to grow healthily. Protein, vitamins, fiber, and healthy fats play an important role in their healthy growth. Protein helps to maintain their healthy muscle mass, vitamins help in other body functions, healthy fats help to keep their coat healthy, and fiber is important to their gut health.
Mini dachshund grooming needs
Pros and cons of mini dachshund
Pros
Compact Size
Dachshunds are small dogs, which is good for those who don’t have a big house or apartment. Miniature dachshunds are also very popular because of their small size.
Loyal and loving
Miniature dachshunds are known for their loving nature toward their owner. They are very affectionate dogs known to form a strong bond with their owner, which makes them a perfect companion for humans, not just a pet.
Good watchdog
They are perfect watchdogs, see everything around your home by sitting in windows throughout the day, being a watchdog is their instinct, they were bred to hunt badgers and other burrowing animals.
Low grooming needs
Especially in smooth haired mini dachshunds, they have low grooming needs because of their short coat. But you need to groom frequently if you have a long haired or wire haired type.
Cons
Prone to idvv
Dachshunds are a unique breed from other breeds. Their long spine and short legs are beautiful, but there is a downside to their uniqueness. They are prone to back injury like idvv, because of their long spine, they can’t absorb much shock generated from running and jumping. That’s why avoiding them from jumping, high-intensity running is important.
Stubborn and hard to train
This is an issue I faced many times during the training of my dachshund, when I command him like come, go, he ignores my command and does things as he wants. Dachshunds are stubborn naturally because they were bred for hunting.
Many dachshund owners used to say Training a dachshund is like throwing a bow in the darkness; there is no chance of success with it. But that’s not the case, training a dachshund is a little hard, but not impossible, when you follow the training schedule regularly and give them positive reinforcement.
Excessive barking
Dachshunds are vocal dogs; they may express their feeling openly. They can bark loudly when they get bored. Boredom is one of the main reasons for dachshund barking.
High prey drive
Dachshunds were bred to hunt badgers and other burrowing animals; their primary breeding purpose is to track and flush out burrow-dwelling animals. Their nose are very sensitive to smell, which leads them to chase. This is a habit of their hunter ancestors, but at this time, they also retain the same hunting instinct, especially in miniature form.
Who is a mini dachshund best for
Apartment and small home
Miniature dachshunds can be a good option for those who have a small home or apartment, as they can be okay with a small area. Not like standard dachshunds, they need a little exercise, which is important for busy individuals.
Looking for a loyal companion
Dachshunds are known for their loyalty to their owners. If you are looking for a loyal pet for yourself, then a miniature dachshund can be the best for you. Their loving and loyal nature makes them the best pet for people who need a loyal pet partner.
People who love small pets
Miniature dachshunds are more famous than standard dachshunds because of their small size. Miniature dachshund has approximately half of size of a standard dachshund.
Mini dachshund price
The miniature dachshund can cost between 800 $ to 2500 $ depending on their coat type, color options, and are you live. Some breeders sell mini dachshunds in smaller amounts, while high-quality or highly reputable breeders charge more.
