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Breeds  /  Miniature Dachshund
Breed guide

Miniature Dachshund

The Miniature Dachshund is a small dog with an enormous personality — brave, funny, devoted, and convinced it is much larger than it is. They were bred to go to ground after badger, and that courage is still there under the charm.

Long-haired Miniature Dachshund puppy in the grass at TM Countryside K9 in Goshen, Indiana
At a glance

Breed overview

Minis are affectionate, portable and deeply loyal, usually attaching hard to one or two people. They are also determined, which makes housetraining a patience exercise and training a negotiation rather than an instruction. The one thing every family should plan for is the back: keeping a Dachshund lean and discouraging jumping is the best gift you can give the breed.

Breed groupHound Group
SizeUnder 11 pounds
Height5-6 inches
Lifespan12-16 years
TemperamentBold, devoted, curious, comical
Energy levelModerate
Good with kidsGood with gentle handling
Good with other petsGood with early socialization
Honest fit check

Is a Miniature Dachshund right for you?

A great fit if you want…
A small, portable companion with real character
A dog that wants to be with its person most of the day
A family willing to protect the back — no jumping, no extra weight
Patience with housetraining and a stubborn streak
Personality

Temperament

The temperament is the biggest reason this breed is so loved.

Comical and bold

A Mini Dachshund has opinions and no sense of its own size. Most families find them very funny to live with.

Devoted, often to one person

They bond intensely. That closeness is the joy of the breed and the reason they do not like being left for long stretches.

Still a scent hound

A nose to the ground beats a recall every time. A lead or a secure yard, always — this is not a dog to trust off-leash near a road.

Alert and talkative

They will tell you someone is at the door. Teaching a quiet cue early is much easier than unteaching the habit later.

Appearance

Distinctive by design

Long-bodied and low, with surprising muscle for the size
Three coat types: smooth, longhaired and wirehaired
Long muzzle, dark expressive eyes, drop ears
Miniature standard is under 11 pounds at maturity
Recognized coat colors
Red
The most common colouring
Black & Tan
Black with tan points
Chocolate & Tan
Warm brown with tan points
Cream & Dapple
Pale cream and patterned coats
Grooming & care

Keeping a Miniature Dachshund healthy

Depends on the coat
Smooth coats need a weekly wipe-over. Longhaired coats need brushing a few times a week to stay free of mats, especially behind the ears and on the chest.
Bathing
Every month or two, or when a nose-first walk makes it necessary. They are low-set, so undersides pick up more than you would think.
Ear care
Drop ears hold moisture and warmth, so check and dry them routinely — particularly after a bath or a wet walk.
Teeth, and they matter here
Small breeds are prone to dental trouble. Start brushing in puppyhood and it becomes a normal part of the week rather than a fight.
Training

Trainability

Housetraining takes patience
Dachshunds are famously slow to housetrain. A strict routine, frequent trips outside and calm consistency get there. Frustration does not.
Smart, and negotiating
They understand quickly and then weigh up whether it is worth it. Short, upbeat sessions with something they want work best.
Teach four feet on the floor
Discouraging jumping off furniture and running stairs is training, not fussing. It is the single most protective habit for a long back.
Health considerations

Why responsible breeding matters

Every breed carries its own strengths and its own things to watch, and no honest breeder will tell you otherwise. With Miniature Dachshunds nearly all of it comes back to the spine, and most of what protects it is daily habit rather than luck.

We would rather you ask us hard questions now than wonder later. These are the ones we would ask any breeder, including us.

What health testing do you do on the parents?
For Mini Dachshunds, ask specifically about eyes and about the genetic tests relevant to the breed and to any dapple pairing. Our parent dogs are health and genetically tested before they are ever bred.
Can I see the results?
Testing means little if nobody can look at it. Ask any breeder to show you the paperwork on both parents, and ask us the same.
What about back problems?
Intervertebral disc disease is the breed's real concern. Keeping the dog lean, supporting the body when lifting, using a ramp rather than a jump and skipping stairs where you can all reduce the risk meaningfully.
What happens if something goes wrong?
Ask what is guaranteed, for how long, and who answers the phone in a year. Ours is a 30-day Peace of Mind Health Guarantee plus a 2-year genetic health guarantee, and we stay reachable long after go-home day.
Modern lifestyles

A breed that fits the way we live now

Fits almost anywhere

House or apartment, town or country. What a Mini Dachshund needs is company, not acreage.

Walks on the flat

A daily walk and some play is plenty. Keep it low-impact — sprinting after a ball on hard ground is not doing that back any favours.

Not a dog to leave all day

They are companion dogs to their bones. Long stretches alone without preparation lead to anxiety and noise.

Common questions

Frequently asked questions about Miniature Dachshunds

Yes, with one piece of honesty attached. They are devoted, funny and affectionate, and they suit families well — but they are small and long-backed, so children need showing how to lift and hold them properly. Early socialization matters, which is why our puppies are raised here on our property.
Additional resources

Think a Miniature Dachshund is your match?

See who's available now, or join the waitlist for an upcoming litter.

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