Last Updated on November 10, 2022 by Denise Leo. Post first published on November 7, 2022.
Dachshunds or sausage dogs are all the rage in America these days. And why not? The peculiar breed has a unique body shape accompanied by a huge personality, making them ideal for people of all ages. Sausage dogs are highly praised for their intelligence and mild temperament.
This pup is a wonderful companion dog and has a friendly nature. Maybe that’s the reason why Dachshunds have won 12th place in the American Kennel Club’s list of most popular dog breeds.
With such distinctive appearances, adaptability to any household, and delightful features, Dachshunds make an excellent addition to any family. Plus, their necessary upkeep is not hard to maintain.
If you wish to have a small breed dog, this pup is your way to go. However, sausage dogs’ come in a couple of variants. You might find yourself stuck between Standard Dachshund vs Mini Dachshund breed. Let’s have a deeper look at these bright-eyed 4-legged furballs.
Standard Dachshund vs. Miniature Dachshund: What’s the difference?
Origin & History
The Standard Dachshund is a “badger dog” in German. He originated in Germany in the 1600s and the aim was to develop a long, fearless dog that could dig into burrows and kill the badgers inside. He has a strong sense of smell and is an enthusiastic hunter who works well above and below the ground.
Dachshund dogs are an ancient breed. Their history can be traced back to Germany some 600 years ago (15th century). Initially, their barrel-shaped body was bred to hunt den animals. The sausage dog’s amazing sense of smell, miniature size, and body structure was highly preferred for hunting above and below the ground.
Hunting lost its momentum right at the beginning of the 19th century. But it had no effect on the Dachshund dog’s popularity as people started to adopt them as exceptional watchdogs. The origin of the Miniature Dachshund is a bit vague. However, it was probably around the 19th century when the smaller variant became more appropriate in urban societies.
Size and Weight
If you wish to have a small, easy-to-handle, and easy-to-walk dog, then size weight and size consideration will be important. Size and weight are something that distinguishes a standard one from its mini version. His height and weight can vary depending on if he is full-size or miniature. He can be the standard or miniature size.
Standard Dachshunds are pretty small dogs, but they are considerably larger than their miniature version. The height of the standard version of this breed stands between 8 to 9 inches, while the mini version is only five to six inches tall.
As far as weight is concerned, a standard Dachshund weighs between 16-32 pounds. Miniature Dachshunds weigh under 11 pounds, making them teeny tiny adorable little lap dogs.
Puppies don’t reach their full size until they are 12 months old. So, it can be tricky to guess how big they can grow. Pet lovers are recommended to meet the parents of their dog before bringing the puppy home.
Coat
One of Dachshund’s most amazing features is that they come in a variety of coats and colors. His coat can be longhaired, smooth, or wirehaired. Their coat varieties include:
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Smooth Coated Dachshund
Smooth-coated pup is no doubt the most popular one. This coat has a glossy and velvety appearance.
This beautiful coat is very sleek, but it has a slightly wavy and flowing texture.
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Wire Haired Dachshund
Wired-haired puppies are famous for their expressive facial features. These puppies have thick bushy eyebrows, and their coat is hard and rough to touch.
Temperament
Both Dachshunds have pretty similar temperaments. The fellow is friendly and mild-mannered. Yet pet lovers believe that there are certain differences in Standard and Miniature Dachshund’s temperaments depending on their coat type. Regardless of the dog’s size, long-haired ones are a bit more manageable and easy-going than other Dachshunds. They have a chilled and smooth personality.
Both Standard and Miniature Dachshunds are intelligent dogs that have an independent and mischievous spirit and are people-oriented. You may need to be a little consistent while training them. Other than that, these courageous and lovely creatures make a great addition two any household, bringing lots of joy to their owner.
He’s a playful dog who makes a great pet, especially for households with children, as long as he’s supervised. He needs a moderate amount of exercise.
Lifespan
Standard and MiniatureDachshunds have an average lifespan of 12 to 14 years. Their lifespan depends on many factors, including care, diet, health, genetics, and lifestyle.
Standard and Miniature Dachshunds Breed Overview
| Ideal Weight | The ideal weight of a Standard Dachshund lies between 16-32 lb. For a Miniature Dachshund, the ideal weight is 9-11 pounds. |
| Height | Standard Dachshunds are usually 8-11 inches tall. A Miniature Dachshund can grow up to 5-6 inches. |
| Coat Colors | Black Brown Brindle Red Sable Cream Pied Isabella |
| Coat Types | Long
Wire-haired Short |
| Shedding | Regardless of the size, both dogs belonging to this breed have similar shedding patterns. You can expect moderate shedding in smooth-coated Dachshunds. However, wire-haired or long-haired Dachshunds may shed more. |
| Eyes | Black |
| Ears | Floppy |
| Nose | Black or brown |
| Lifespan | 12-16 years, depending on lifestyle and genetics. |
| Exercise Requirements | Standard Dachshunds need at least 60 minutes a day for exercise to keep them healthy. Mini Dachshunds require more or less 30 minutes to exercise their energy. Their exercise normally consists of walks and playtime with their owner. |
| Grooming Requirements | Grooming will depend on which type of coat he has. |
| Hypoallergenic | No |
| First-time pet owner friendly | Yes, but with proper socialization and training. |
| Kid Friendly | For children over five, yes. |
| AKC Recognition | Yes, In 1885. |
Why Are Dachshunds So Stubborn?
Dachshunds are well known for their stubborn temperament. Their intelligence and strong-willed temperament can be really frustrating for you, especially when you try to train your little sausage.
Well, it’s not their fault.
These little sausages were bred for hunting purposes where they had to flush out prey from underground holes by making decisions on their own. This independent streak and high spirit have created a natural stubbornness and pride in them, making training sessions really challenging for pet lovers.
However, this isn’t the only reason behind their strong head temperament. It’s just a little contribution to something bigger. Curious to know, right?
The Reason Behind Dachshund Stubbornness
It’s worth noting that the Pooch was bred as a hunting dog. Naturally, they developed an instant of jumping on their prey. They don’t know that jumping up at a human is different than attacking prey. The pup will never know that pulling his leash and refusing to come back inside is unacceptable unless you train him to do so through proper training sessions.
Distractions also play a great role in this pup’s headstrong nature. If your canine is not properly trained, he will find it hard to obey commands in the presence of distractions. And speak for yourself; why should your Dachshund sit calmly when something super exciting is about to happen? Silence is for ordinary days when there’s nothing else to do, right? Why should we come inside when he is having more fun running like a breeze outside?
Of course, you can train your Dachshund with some simple commands like sit and come here. But if there are some interesting distractions, your snuggle baby won’t actually bother to listen.
Acknowledging You As The Alpha
Dachshunds are naturally self-reliant. Your puppy needs to see that you are the clear leader and Alpha of the house. His obedience literally relies on this “be the Alpha” talk!
Being the Alpha doesn’t mean you have to shout commands at your adorable little fellow all the time.
Never approach them with this strategy, as these companions are pretty sensitive. Instead, try active training and positive reinforcements. This increases your authoritativeness in your dog’s Eyes. Plus, his ability to listen to your commands becomes way stronger.
Standard Wire-haired Dachshund
A wire-haired Dachshund is an energetic fellow stealing the spotlight as the 13th most popular dog in the US. And it isn’t difficult to see what makes them so special! This clever little pal has a big personality accompanied by intelligence and bravery. Unlike other dogs of similar breeds, these wiener dogs are famous for their friendly and outgoing temperament.
Characteristics of Wire-haired Dachshund
The Dachshund is a pretty famous dog breed. Therefore, they can be a bit on the pricey side. You might be surprised to know wire-haired dachshunds are rare of their kind, so it will be difficult to find one. You can expect to find a wire-haired Dachshund puppy with a price range between $500 to 5500 dollars, depending on the breeder.
It may be hard to adopt one from rescue centers; if you find one go for it. But if you are buying, make sure you are not dealing with a puppy mill. Try your best to consult a reputable breeder.
Appearance
Despite the short legs, the sausage dogs have muscular and powerful build. The puppy has a broad chest accompanied by well-developed forelegs. The short but harsh coat and bushy eyebrows make them extremely appealing to pet lovers.
Personality
Curious, smart, and bigger than its size, the wire-haired Dachshund is a fearless dog that needs consistent patience and training. Due to their hunting background, early socialization is needed to acclimate them to children, strangers, and small animals.
This affectionate fur-ball gets too attached to its family and wants to spend most of its time with them. A wirehaired Dachshund quickly creates a bond with its owner. They are funny, and you will find it hard to control your laugh at their goofiness!
You might not want to leave them outside unsupervised because they may dig, bark, scratch, or chase children and animals. Plus, their willfulness can make them a bit handful. Positive training and socialization measure are effective in teaching them what is right and wrong.
Wire-haired sausage dogs are hounds, so they have a loud bark and howl. They have a tendency to bark at strangers, but this makes them great watch and guard dogs. Through proper training, this behavior can get under control.
Exercise
Although wire-haired Dachshunds are classed as a small breed of dog, their exercise requirements are pretty moderate. They need their daily exercise to stay active. Also, it strengthens their back and shoulder muscles.
You can expect to exercise your puppy for 30 to 60 minutes a day. Split the 60 minutes into daily walks and exercises. Dachshunds belong to a smart and fun-loving breed, so you can keep them active by letting them play with dog toys.
Wire-Haired Dachshund Ideal Weight
The ideal weight of a wire-haired Dachshund is between 9 to 12 kg. That makes 20-26 lb for a standard wire-haired Dachshund. For miniature wire-haired, the ideal weight is 4.5 kg (around 10 lb.).
Why Do Mini Dachshunds Bark All The Time?
Dachshunds are Hound dogs, bred for hunting purposes. Although they have been domesticated for a while now, their wild nature still triggers them at times. Their natural instant asks them to bark at anything that moves.
They bark to alert their family of any upcoming threat. In your fur bag’s eyes, from a mailman to a squirrel, everything is a threat and they have to scare it away. You can also say it’s your dog’s way of getting ready to cheese after whatever they feel suspicious about.
Some other reasons behind excessive barking may be:
- Frustration
- Anxiety
- Loneliness
- Boredom
- Excitement
- Excessive energy
- Being territorial
- Wanting something
- Looking for attention
- Lack of exercise
Don’t worry; there are things you can do to prevent your dog’s excessive barking. Proper training and an adequate exercise routine can help you overcome your sausage dog’s barking habits. If you feel the pooch is barking due to pain or severe anxiety, don’t wait and consult a reliable vet right away.
Miniature or Standard Dachshund Bottom Line
An extremely trendy dog breed, Dachshund is famous for its tiny legs and people-pleasing personality. This fella is playful and adapts really well to urban life and apartments. It is no surprise that dachshunds are one of the most admired but hothead dog breeds globally.
But every dog has some traits that make us fall for them. These pals are ideal for any household but require proper socialization and training. With positive training measures, we bet the pooch will keep you on your toes!
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References and Further Reading:
[1] American Kennel Club, Dachshund Information.
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