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

Dachshund (Miniature Smooth-Haired)

This is a long-backed, short-legged dog of diminutive height that everybody recognises. While small, the Miniature Smooth-Haired Dachshund breed is still muscular and powerfully built with a deep, broad chest and well-developed forelegs. They have a short, dense, smooth coat that comes in a range of colours.

Lifespan

12–15 years

Weight

4.5–5kg

Height

12–15cm

Colours

Miniature Dachshunds can either be solid colours such as red or cream or two-coloured such as black, chocolate, grizzled, blue or fawn with tan or cream markings. Some may be dappled too

Size

Small

Kennel Club group

Hound

The need-to-know

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 once a week
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

This breed may encounter health problems

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 Smooth 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

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Personality

This dog can be very independent and needs kind, consistent, patient training. Early socialisation is required in order to acclimate Miniature Smooth Haired Dachshunds to children, strangers and other animals. They are a breed that becomes quite attached to their family and usually one family member in particular, but they can be reserved with strangers.

The Dachshund will suit an owner who may not have much space but wants a strong-minded, determined, one-person dog who will go everywhere with them - as the Dachshund does not like being left.

Vet Rating

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

History and Origins

Dachshunds can be traced back to 15th century Germany. However, Dachshund-type dogs have appeared in ancient Egyptian and Mexican art, and remains of a similar dog were found with shipwreck remnants in Italy, dating back to the 1st century AD. The German breed standard was set in 1879 and the breed club established in 1888. Dachshunds were exported to Great Britain with Prince Albert and became popular in Britain and America throughout the 19th century. Miniature Dachshunds were used in lieu of ferrets to hunt rabbits out of their warrens.

Ideal Owner

The Miniature Dachshunds are a little less robust than their standard counterparts – easier to pick up, but also easier to trip over. Owners will need to be reasonably fit and active, interested in some fun training. The Smooth Haired is easy to wipe down and occasionally polish with a hound-glove. This breed doesn’t cope well with stairs and is best suited to single storey living.

Exercise Needs

This dog needs a minimum of half an hour's daily exercise. Before letting them off-lead, do ensure their recall is reliable, as their hunting instincts can drive them to run off in pursuit of a scent or quarry. Bear in mind that Dachshunds were bred to 'go to ground' and can dig under many types of fencing, so check your garden's security.

Space Requirements

The Miniature Dachshund doesn’t need much space but needs access to the outdoors for exercise and toileting and they do enjoy a small garden. Their shape means that they do better in a bungalow or single-story flat as stairs can be an issue.

Nutrition and Feeding

Toy-sized dogs have a fast metabolism, meaning they burn energy at a high rate, although their small stomachs mean that they must eat little and often. Small-breed foods are specifically designed with appropriate levels of key nutrients and smaller kibble sizes to suit smaller mouths. This also encourages chewing and improves digestion.

Grooming Miniature Dachshunds

Miniature Smooth Haired Dachshunds are low-maintenance; they should be groomed with a rubber glove once a week to remove dead hairs.

Training Miniature Dachshunds

Dachshunds are not the greatest pupils but should be taught basic life skills including how to walk on a harness and lead. Socialisation with other people is important as they can be reserved to the point of unfriendly with strangers.

Suitability for Family Life

The Miniature Dachshund doesn’t make a good family dog especially with young children as they’re prone to injury, sometimes short-tempered, and don’t enjoy boisterous games. They generally bond closely to one person rather than to a family.

While many dogs are traditionally thought of as being good with children, all dogs and children need to be taught to get on with and respect each other, and be safe together. Even so, dogs and young children should never be left alone together and adults should supervise all interactions between them.

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Did you know?

A translation error is why this breed appears in the hound group and not the terrier group! Its German name means Badger Dog, but back in 1874 when the breed was entered in the English stud book, authors wrongly translated the German ‘hund’ as ‘hound’ rather than as ‘dog’.
The Miniature Dachshund is one of the most long-lived of all dog breeds.
Journalist H. L. Mencken said that the Dachshund is “half a dog high and a dog and a half long”.
The Dachshund has many nicknames including sausage dog, hot dog, wiener dog, doxie and dashie.
Dachshunds are big barkers which can be traced back to their hunting days when they’d trap prey underground and then call for the hunters to come and locate them. It’s likely you’ll have to train them how to stop so they don’t become a nuisance!