Family-friendly: | 4/5 |
Exercise needs: | 3/5 |
Easy to train: | 2/5 |
Tolerates being alone: | 3/5 |
Likes other pets: | 3/5 |
Energy level: | 3/5 |
Grooming needs: | 3/5 |
Shedding: | 3/5 |
- Dog suitable for owners with some experience
- Extra training required
- Need to be aware of potential health issues
- Enjoys active walks
- Needs under an hour of walking a day
- Small dog
- Minimum drool
- Requires grooming every other day
- Chatty and vocal dog
- Barks and alerts to visitors/anything unusual
- Could have issues with unknown dogs but gets along with known dogs
- May need additional training to live with other pets
- May need additional supervision to live with children
- Needs a small garden
- Can happily live in the city
- Can be left occasionally with training
The most common health problem seen in the Dachshund is related to their body shape - with their long backs and short legs they are more prone to spinal disorders and joint problems;
- Intervertebral disc disease: a condition where there is abnormality in the discs which act to cushion the bones in the spine. The discs can dislodge or burst, which puts pressure on the nerves in the spinal cord leading to back pain and weakness or paralysis of the limbs.
- Angular limb deformities: caused by asynchronous growth of a pair of bones, which appear bowed or rotated and may result in pain and lameness.
Miniature Long Haired Dachshunds are also prone to:
- Progressive Retinal Atrophy which is an inherited disorder where part of the eye degenerates and wastes away which can result in blindness.
- Cushing's syndrome¹, which is where too much natural steroid hormone (called cortisol) is produced, leading to symptoms such as excessive drinking and tiredness.
Priority Kennel Club health schemes and testing:
- DNA testing for progressive retinal atrophy which tests whether or not a dog has the potential to be affected by this condition.
- IVDD Scheme for Dachshunds
¹G. Carotenuto et al, 'Cushing’s syndrome—an epidemiological study based on a canine population of 21,281 dogs', 2019, Open Veterinary Journal
Personality
Do not underestimate the Mini Long Haired Dachshund as while they are small in size they are giant in personality. This is a strong-minded and independent little dog whose natural inclination is to take on the world, and they are totally confident they will win! Clever and quick to learn, but not easy to motivate, the Mini Long Haired Dachshund requires a patient owner with a sense of humour and the time to dedicate to good socialisation and on-going training, entertainment and activity. Not inclined to warm to strangers quickly, they do adore their owners and family, though are likely to bond more strongly with just one person.
Did You Know?
- Whilst it is difficult to be precise as many sources list both Miniature and standard dachshunds as simply ‘Dachshunds’ its probable that David Hasselhoff, Christian Slater and George Harrison among other celebrities, all owned Miniature Long Haired Dachshunds. Dachshunds of all types have been popular with both celebrities and royalty for many decades!
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