Miniature Dachshunds

About the breed

Origins & History

Dachshunds are native to Germany and they boast a long and interesting ancestry. They were originally bred to hunt badgers rabbits and to track wounded deer. The Miniature Dachshund is the smaller of the two types with the Standard Dachshund being the larger dog. Dachshunds have always been highly prized for their courage tenacity and hunting skills. They earned themselves an excellent reputation for being able to track wounded deer as well as to slip down small holes when prey went to ground. ​

They were given their name Dachshund which translated means "Badger Dog" although they are also often referred to as "Sausage Dogs" or the "Wiener Dog". They first appeared in the UK in 1840 when the Royal Family bought some Dachshunds back to England with them so they could use them on pheasant shoots on larger estates. The first Dachshund to be exhibited was in 1859 after which time they became a popular choice of companion dog and family pet throughout the land with the added bonus being that Queen Victoria was a big fan of the breed.The Miniature Dachshund came about through careful and selective breeding using only the smallest examples of the breed. With the advent of the First World War their popularity dropped due to the breed's German connection. However thanks to the efforts of dedicated breed enthusiasts these charming loyal little dogs did not vanish altogether.
Today they are among the most popular small dogs both here in the UK and elsewhere in the world thanks to their charming loyal natures and the fact they are such intelligent dogs. They come in 6 varieties which includes the Miniature Dachshund and they can have three types of coat being the smooth-haired, the wire-haired and the longhaired.

Personality

Miniature Dachshunds are loyal affectionate and good with people of all ages including older children, they are highly intelligent little dogs, very playful and fun-loving by nature, full of personality and feisty.Miniature Dachshunds like their larger cousins like to be kept busy and once they are fully mature they love being out and about which usually sees an owner tire out a lot faster than their small canine companions. They are highly adaptable although not the best behaved when it comes to obedience more especially if the "hound" in them takes over and they decide to go off exploring an interesting scent. With this said Miniature Dachshunds are the perfect choice for people who lead less active lives and who would like to share their time with a loyal loving and devoted small canine companion at their side.

Appearance

Lifespan 14 - 17 yearsWeight - Male: 3 - 5kg Female: 3 - 5kgHeight - Male: 13 - 18cm Female: 13 - 18cm

temperament

The Miniature Dachshund is a very intelligent little dog and one that boasts a tremendous amount of courage which at times can prove their downfall. They are extremely loyal characters that form strong bonds with their owners and families. They may be small in stature but the Miniature Dachshund is an energetic dog and as such they like nothing more than to be out and about doing something. They have a tremendous amount of stamina which means they are quite happy to be given as much exercise as possible when they are fully grown. Being so intelligent, they also need

to be given a lot of mental stimulation every day for them to be truly happy well-rounded characters. With this said a Miniature Dachshund is quite happy to relax and chill out when they are tired. The old adage of a “tired dog being a good dog” is never truer than when describing a Miniature Dachshund. They can be quite wilful which means they can be a little disobedient when the mood takes them which is why their training has to begin as early as possible paying particular attention to the "recall" command.

Miniature Dachshunds have a high prey drive which is a trait that is deeply embedded in a dog's psyche and why it is important to only let a dog run off their leads in safe and secure areas. It is also worth noting that Miniature Dachshunds are "hounds" and therefore have an incredible sense of smell so if they do pick up an interesting scent the chances are they would quickly be off to investigate what is at the other end turning a deaf ear to a "recall" command.

Miniature Dachshund Health

Dachshunds boast long lifespans when they are well cared for and fed a good quality nutritious diet while being given the correct amount of daily exercise. However because they are what is known as a "dwarf breed" they are prone to suffering and developing back problems. Intervertebral Disc Disease (IVDD) - a back issues that is seen in all 6 types of the DachshundProgressive Retinal Atropy cord 1 - a degenerative condition that can affect all Miniature Dachshunds Other conditions reported in the breed include the following:Lafora Disease - a type of epilepsy that is seen in Miniature Wirehaired Dachshunds (MWHD) ​Idiopathetic Epilepsy - a condition that affects Miniature Longhaired Dachshunds (MLHD)Distichiarsis - a condition that affects Miniature Longhaired DachshundsAcanthosis Nigricans(Dark Patches of Skin)Pattern AlopeciaVitiligoThyroid problemsAllergiesPatellar luxation

Our Miniature Dachshunds Health Testing

Alice - Progressive Retinal Atropy cord 1 - Hereditary ClearEva - Progressive Retinal Atropy cord 1 - Hereditary Clear