Dachshund (Miniature Wirehaired)

Breed Snapshot

• Height: 13cm - 18cm
• Weight: 4kg - 5kg
• Lifespan: 12-15 years
• Breed Size: Small
• Breed Group: Hound
• Shed Level: Moderate

Description

The Miniature Wirehaired Dachshund has a strong protruding sternum and a fairly retracted abdomen. The coat comes in a very wide range of colours and colour combinations, including solid black, red, chocolate, tan, cream and blue; black and tan, black and creme, chocolate and tan and blue and tan; and bi-colour, pattern and piebald.

Characteristics

The Mini Wirehaired Dachshund is curious, lively, affectionate, funny and devoted. It can be hard to train and house-train but it travels well. This breed instinctively likes to dig.

Health Problems

This breed can be prone to spinal disc problems (Dachshund paralysis), urinary tract problems, heart disease, diabetes and mast cell tumors. Wirehaired Dachshunds are also prone to obesity, so it's important keep an eye on how much they are fed and ensure they get enough exercise.

Exercise

Miniature Wirehaired Dachshunds don't need loads of exercise, just some daily walks and playtime. They're small, so they can happily play indoors or in a secure garden.

Grooming

Mini Wirehaired Dachshunds are average shedders and are definitely not hypoallergenic. All three kinds of Dachshund coats - short, long, and wirehaired - lose some fur. But when it comes to shedding, wirehaired Dachshunds take the cake with their double coat. you'll need to keep up with their grooming routine. Give them a good brush regularly to keep their coat healthy and tangle-free. They shed a bit more in spring and autumn, but still drop some fur all year round. So keep on top of that grooming.

Living Environment

The Miniature Dachshund is good for apartment living because they don't need a big yard space. However, It's important to keep in mind that they might struggle with some surfaces at home because of their little legs. They could find it hard to hop up onto furniture or go up stairs, so you might have to make some changes to make things easier for them such as setting up ramps to help them get to higher spots without hurting their backs or legs.
They may not be suitable for homes with small children or larger pets, as they can be territorial and prone to barking.

Did you know...

... That they were bred to hunt badgers in Germany? Their short legs and long bodies helped them dig into badger dens and get those pesky critters out. Even today, they might still try to dig or chase small animals on their walks. So, you've got a little hunter on your hands!