MINIATURE DACHSHUND PUPPIES FOR SALE
Lively. Courageous.
Also called Doxie, Teckel, Dachel, Bassotto, or Worshond, the Dachshund is a scent hound breed developed to hunt tunneling animals like badgers, rabbits and foxes. Packs of Dachshunds also trailed wild boar. Their versatility makes them great small-game hunters, show dogs, and family companions. The breed has been popular since the 1950s. They are characterized by their short legs, long bodies, and lively, courageous personalities. You may find your Doxie displaying the behaviors for which it was bred: chasing after smaller animals and digging holes in the yard. Early training can help you manage this behavior. Miniature Dachshunds are very special to us here at Happytail Puppies because this breed started it all!
Temperament
Their personalities can vary depending on the type. The wirehaired Dachshunds can sometimes be mischievous, reflecting the Terrier in their background. Longhaired Dachshunds are more calm and quiet, while the smooth type can be anywhere in between.
Doxies want to spend time with their people. They do not typically like children, although they can get along well enough if they are introduced at an early age. They do well with other pets, especially other Dachshunds, but they may attempt to establish dominance.
Appearance
Their heads are long and their skulls are arched and convex with eyebrows that protrude. They have long muzzles, oval-shaped eyes, and powerful jaws with a scissor bit. Their droopy ears hang down to their cheeks. Doxie bodies have moderately retracted abdomens and protruding sternums, and their tails are carried straight and in line with their spine.
Their coats vary in colors and patterns. The wirehair variety has a thick, short overcoat and soft undercoat. Longhairs have long and slightly wavy hair. The smooth variety has short, shiny hair.
The Miniature size weighs 11 pounds and under.
Exercise
A couple of short walks a day are helpful to keep them active, but a good game of fetch can be enough to tire them.
Because of your Dachshund’s long back, they can develop illnesses or injure themselves when jumping up steps or onto high perches like couches or beds. Providing your Doxie with a ramp can prevent the development of serious illness. When you pick them up, be sure to support them at both ends to protect their long spine.
We recommend 60 minutes of activity per day and around 7 miles walking per week.
Dachshunds originated in Germany and were called badger dogs because they were bred to hunt for small prey. They were developed over the 18th and 19th centuries to be fearless but small enough to follow its prey underground. Their long bodies and powerful legs were perfectly suited to digging and hunting badgers and other small game.
The smooth variety of Dachshund was the product of a cross between the Braque and Pinscher, and maybe the French Basset Hound. The wirehaired and longhaired are thought to have resulted from crossing the Dachshund with Spaniels and Terriers respectively.
Dachshunds began to be bred as a companion pet rather than a hunting dog in about 1800. They were favorites in many European royal courts, including Queen Victoria’s. The Miniature Dachshund was created due to their growing popularity as a family pet. The American Kennel Club (AKC) recognized the breed in 1885, and the German Dachshund Club was founded just three years later. In 1895, the Dachshund Club of America was founded.
Although the breed experienced a dip in popularity during both World War I and World War II because of its association with Germany, Dachshunds were imported to the United States and the breed began to grow. They are recognized as excellent family dogs in the U.S. and the U.K, and they are still known as proper hunting dogs in parts of Europe.
Major health concerns to be aware of:
- Intervertebral Disc Disease
- Progressive Retinal Atrophy
- Bloat
Minor health concerns to be aware of:
- Deafness
- Epilepsy
- Diabetes
- Cushing's Disease
Your Dachshund won’t need regular baths unless they get themselves into something messy or smelly. The wirehaired type needs regular brushing, and stripping is required once or twice a year. The longhaired type needs more frequent brushing to prevent tangles and mats. They also need bathing and blow-drying more often than the other types. If you live in a cooler climate, you may want to give your pooch a sweater for the winter months.
You will need to attend to your Doxie’s droopy ears weekly as they are prone to fungus, mites, and bacteria. Just use a cotton ball (not a cotton swab) and ear cleaner to wipe the ears, and do not go more than knuckle deep. If you can hear their nails clicking on the floor as they walk, it’s time to trim them. Once or twice a week is a good routine. Teeth must also be brushed a few times a week.
Like all pups, yours can benefit from early obedience training and socialization. Training will help curb problem barking and the occasional possessiveness with toys. They respond to positive reinforcement like treats and toys. Training sessions should be fun, short, and free of repetition, and they will learn quickly.
