We’ve all heard of them. They go by the nickname ‘the wiener dog.’ They’re lovable and cute. Wiener dogs or sausage dogs (as they’re also called) will become your best friend. They might bark when they’re excited, but they will always be up for snuggles on the lap and fetch in the back yard.
That’s right. Today, we’re talking about Dachshunds and Doxens. For all the dog lovers out there, you’re going to want to read up on this lovable breed, because if you’re in the market for a new best friend, you might want to get a Dachshund. They’re the best dog!
We’re going to discuss all the ins-and-outs of the breed. By the end, you’ll understand why so many people love their Dachshunds.
What is the Difference Between a Dachshund and a Doxen?
When it comes down to it, there is no difference between a Dachshund and a Doxen. They’re the same breed—there are just two different ways of referring to it. The breed’s formal name: Dachshund, comes from German origins. It means Badger Dog, in German. This is because over three hundred years ago when the breed was developed, the dogs were used to hunt badgers.
How Big Do Dachshunds Get?
When you’re thinking about adopting a dog, one of the most important things to consider is how big the dog is going to be when it is fully grown. As most people know, Dachshunds are notoriously small.
So, when you adopt a miniature Dachshund, it’s going to weigh between around nine pounds and eleven pounds. And it will be about five or six inches tall. However, when you adopt a regular Dachshund, you’re going to be adopting a dog that will get between sixteen and thirty two pounds.
There are many types of Dachshund, which means that there is a third kind, that is called the Tweenie Doxie. Although this dog is still considered a regular Dachshund by the American Kennel Club, it is nicknamed the Tweenie Doxie because it usually weighs around 12-15 pounds, which is right between the size of a miniature Dachshund and a regular Dachshund.
You surely aren’t going to be adopting a dog that is very big no matter what kind of Dachshund that you get, but you’re going to be adopting a dog that is full of personality.
How Long Do Dachshunds Live?
This is not something that any dog owner wants to think about, but each breed of dog has a slightly different lifespan. For Dachshunds, they usually live around twelve to sixteen years.
Oftentimes smaller dogs have a longer lifespan than larger dogs, and Dachshunds are incredibly small dogs—that means they’ll often live a long time!
What Do Dachshunds Look Like?
Dachshunds have either long hair, smooth hair, or wire-hair. The texture of their coat depends on the dog. Also, their coat color depends on the dog. There are some Dachshunds that have red hair. There are some Dachshunds that have black and tan hair. And there are some Dachshunds that have cream hair. Let’s discuss each type of coat.
If you adopt a Dachshund that is smooth haired, then this means that the hair of your smooth dachshunds is going to be very short and thick. It will be smooth when you touch it, and you won’t have a dog that sheds. That’s a perk for those who are allergic to dogs.
Moreover, if you have long-haired Dachshunds, then you’re going to have a dog with incredibly thick and silky hair. The hair of your dog will likely hang all the way down to their ankles, and the undercoat of your dog is going to shed. This is something to avoid, if you’re allergic to dogs.
Finally, if you have wire-haired Dachshunds, then you’re going to have a dog that has a thick and a wiry coat, which will have a lot of texture. This kind of coat on a Dachshund is the rarest type of coat out there.
What is the Personality of Dachshunds Like?
You know this, but not every dog of the same breed has the same personality. However, many Dachshunds have a lot of energy and are always willing to play. You can usually count on the fact that a Dachshund is going to be affectionate, as very few Dachshunds are aggressive and unaffectionate.
Of course, to reiterate, every dog is going to be different, but Dachshunds are notoriously known for being great dogs. They need around half an hour to one hour of exercise a day, if you want your dachshund to stay well behaved. So, take Dachshunds on daily walks!
What is the Difference between a Dachshund and a Mini Dachshund?
We’ve established the fact that there is no difference between a Doxen and a Dachshund, but there is a slight difference between a miniature Dachshund and a Dachshund. Originally, miniature Dachshunds were simply runts of the Dachshund litter, but then, they were made intentionally, by breeding Toy Terriers and Pinschers. However, these dogs were lacking in the hunting instinct that many Dachshunds have.
Around World War I and World War II, Dachshunds lost their popularity, and they weren’t really bred. But these days, dogs have become more popular. You can breed a miniature Dachshund with a Dachshund. However, you need to be careful if the miniature Dachshund is
the female, because it might be unsafe for her to give birth. It’s important to note that breeding two regular sized Dachshunds does not mean that you will definitely get a regular sized Dachshund. You might end up with mini Dachshunds, even when both parents are a standard Dachshund.
Mini Dachshunds are still Dachshunds. They are not considered a different breed. They are simply smaller versions of standard sized Dachshunds. Nor would they be considered ‘teacup’ versions of the Dachshund breed, either.
What are the Characteristics of Dachshunds that I Should Know About?
If you’re adopting a dog, then you should be aware of all of the qualities that are native to the breed you’re interested in adopting. When it comes to Dachshunds, they are notorious for being dogs that bark a lot. Also, they are known for having a lot of energy, so you’re going to need to be sure that you’re able to give them adequate exercise, to keep them stimulated.
Dachshunds are incredibly smart, so it is going to be really easy to train them, through obedience training lessons. Also, they are relatively friendly with other dogs, but they are better with humans that they know, than they are with other dogs. That doesn’t mean they’re bad with other dogs, it just means that it might take some socializing for them to be as well behaved as they can be, with other dogs.
If you’re someone with kids, Dachshunds are usually really great with young children, so it might be a good idea to get a Dachshund, if you’re someone with a lot of small children. Also, Dachshunds are great with their adult dachshund owners, so if you’re someone who is looking for a loveable dog, then getting a Dachshund is a great option.
It is important to note that Dachshunds do have the potential to be aggressive when they are scared, defending their human, or improperly socialized. However, it is possible to curb these traits if you train your Dachshund well. Many breeds are capable of being aggressive or territorial, but it is completely possible to intervene before these problems escalate, if you train your puppy well.
When it comes to barking, you also can train your Dachshund, so that they don’t bark as much. It is important to remember that dogs might bark if you leave or they might get territorial of their owner, so it is vital that you work with a trainer to ease any separation anxiety that your Dachshund might have. This will make it so that your Dachshund will be less prone to barking incessantly.
Another thing to think about, is the fact that oftentimes behavioral issues in Dachshunds are less severe, when you have more than one Dachshund. So, if you’re looking to ensure that your dogs are well behaved, try getting more than one Dachshund when you adopt your dog!
How Low Maintenance are Dachshunds?
We’ve mentioned this before, but just because a breed is known for being low or high maintenance, doesn’t mean that all dogs in the breed will fit that profile. However, for the most part, Dachshunds are known for being really low maintenance dogs. This is in part because of the fact that they are incredibly small animals, so it is easy to care for them, because they are such little dogs. You’ve got to remember that with their small size comes health risks, though.
For example, Dachshunds get cold easily, so you’ve got to make sure they’re safe during the winter. Also, Dachshunds can get severe back problems, when they’re allowed to freely jump on the couch or other furniture. So, for their safety, don’t let your Dachshunds jump on anything too high. This will avoid health issues.
Final Thoughts
Dachshunds are family friendly and lovable dogs. So, if you’re in the market for a new puppy, you might want to check out adopting a Dachshund—or two!
We hope that this has been informative and encouraging, because there’s nothing better than adding a new puppy to your family.
Until Next Time,
Harvey
