Dachshunds come in two different sizes, the standard, and the miniature. The miniature dachshund is relatively smaller than the standard dachshund and weighs around 8- 11 pounds. An adult miniature dachshund can reach a height of just 5 to 7 inches. Even though they are mini, these little dachshunds were bred for similar reasons as other hounds.
The miniature dachshund was initially bred to hunt smaller animals like rabbits or track wounded animals. Over time the miniature dachshund has become more of a household pet. They are smart and can be incredibly stubborn.
I can certainly speak to this first-hand as I know my two miniature dachshunds would make terrible hunters. That said, they are definitely the two best dogs I’ve ever owned.
What Were Miniature Dachshunds Originally Bred For?
The miniature dachshund was originally bred in Germany and dates back to the Middle Ages. The dachshund was bred as a ferocious hunter. As the breed name implies, the miniature dachshund is developed to aggressively burrow into a badger hole or a rabbit hole and flush out their prey.
Its long back low body and tiny legs are made explicitly for digging. Their incredible sense of smell allowed them to hunt and track animals, and their narrow bodies enabled them to crawl into burrows efficiently. They may be small but they are fearless.
Where Do We See This Original Dachshund in Today’s Breed?
Over time miniature dachshunds have evolved and are mostly family pets, and today they are no longer used for hunting. They don’t hunt, but we can still see some past traits in them.
The miniature dachshund was bred to be an autonomous hunter. They are brave fearless dogs. They can be bold to the point of being reckless as well as being a little arrogant. As a result of the dachshund’s origin as diggers, they frequently burrow. You’ll probably see this when they are tired or bored burrowing under blankets or other items.
Dachshunds are intelligent, energetic, and very vigilant. Although they are not used as guard dogs, they have a loud bark and will warn at the sight of strangers. You can see their lively dachshund character even in today’s breed as they can be fun and tend to make a game out of almost anything.
Original dachshunds were aggressive, a trait we find in the present-day breed. This aggression is aimed at humans and other dogs, although it is mainly for strangers to humans. This character makes a dachshund less likely to strike instant friendship with another dog.
In fact, my two dachshunds are not that great at making “dog friends,” and while one of my dogs is very friendly with other people the other does not like men she does not know.
Dachshund owners will attest to their intellect. This may include solving puzzles or the ability of it to exploit any opportunity available their way (especially when it comes to snacks)!
The original miniature dachshund was fiercely loyal, a trait seen in the modern-day dachshund too. This breed frequently tends to bond quite closely only with one person and may quickly feel jealous and lonely if it doesn’t get enough attention back from the object of their attachment.
For example, our older dachshund Teagan, is VERY attached to my wife; while our other dachshund is VERY attached to me. They also each have their own toy that is their toy and they do not share.
What Are Or Can Miniature Dachshunds Be Bred For Today?
Dogs are unique to every owner; they are man’s best friend, companion, and source of love and loyalty. There is no hunting, digging up badgers, or rabbit holes in the modern world, an activity designed for mini dachshunds.
Some common reasons people want miniature dachshunds:
- Miniature dachshunds make great watchdogs.
The dachshund dog is known to be a vigilant dog with a loud bark. Having it at home as a watchdog might do the trick as it will constantly bark aggressively to strangers or intruders. Despite its small size, a miniature dachshund can be a very protective dog.
Note: they would make terrible guard dogs as they’re too small and wouldn’t be effective at stopping an attacker.
- They have excellent temperaments.
Dachshunds are fun dogs; they are lively and clever. Although they can be extremely stubborn and notorious for pursuing tiny animals or birds with significant persistence and aggression, they can be hard to housebreak. Patience and determination are required; nevertheless, they have excellent personality traits.
- Dachshunds are great family dogs.
Miniature dachshunds make great family members. It is a friendly and loyal dog and also easy to socialize with it. The dog’s small size is advantageous as it does not take much space in a living room (or bed). Its small size also makes the miniature dachshund dog a generally low-maintenance dog breed.
- Dachshunds are good with children.
If treated well, dachshunds are good with children. The miniature dachshund is friendly, loyal, and playful. A child will enjoy snuggling with it and running around with the dog.
How To Help Your Miniature Dachshund Be Part Of Today’s Society
The miniature dachshund is originally a hunting dog. However, it can be bred and trained to be part of today’s society. Dachshunds are intelligent; they can rapidly pick up new skills and orders.
Their intellect may also imply that they believe they are more intelligent than you. This may bring about their stubborn nature, but they are easy to train with a bit of patience and consistency every day.
It is crucial that this training is done at a young age of the dachshund, preferably when it’s a puppy. However, you can’t expect much from your dachshund during the first week or two as it learns to adjust to new environments. They gradually learn to trust you, and they respond best to persistence and consistency.
You teach them how to appropriately interact with people, other dogs, sounds, or any other different things the dachshund might encounter in the present time.
Some things that a dachshund can be taught and helps it in being part of today’s dog society include:
- Giving your dog a name
A name is essential as every other aspect of training dramatically depends on it. Always refer to it by the name given to it. You may begin getting its attention when you call it whenever it has its concentration on something else. Rewarding them every time they respond helps.
- Training the dachshunds not to bite
Dachshunds are playful and can be aggressive, and tend to bite a lot. This might seem like their way of communicating or playing. While they may see it as fun, they should learn not to use the full force of their teeth. They have to understand that they may still play and explore with their mouths, but only in a gentle and controlled manner.
Show the dachshunds the right things to bite like toys and treats.
- Expose your dachshund to different sights, smells, and surfaces
Get your dachshund to be used to different sights and smells. Them being sent hound helps bring them to be well acclimated into today’s dog society. They understand other things around the house or homestead.
- Getting your dachshund used to wearing a harness or collar
You can let your puppy sniff the item you want to put on it, enabling it to get used to it.
To conclude, miniature dachshunds are great dog breeds that can accomplish many amazing things, both hunting dogs and household pets. They continue to grow in popularity in today’s society as they constantly develop in their new roles.
People Also Ask:
Are boy or girl dachshunds better?
Male dachshunds are typically more relaxed and affectionate, while female dachshunds are typically more independent and can be moody. Either one is a great choice, but those personality traits are fairly standard amongst many dachshunds.
What is the lifespan of a miniature dachshund?
A typical miniature dachshund will have a lifespan of 12-16 years. However, it is not uncommon for them to live past the age of 16.