Toy Dachshund: Your Complete Guide

One of the most popular toy breeds of dogs is Toy Dachshund. With its adorable tubular body, long velvety ears, and short stubby legs, the toy dachshund is one of the cutest toy breeds of dog available.

But what exactly is a toy dachshund, and how does it differ from other weiner dog varieties? Read further to find out!

This article will explore all of the features that make the toy dachshund the perfect pet dog. So if you are interested in getting one for your family to love and enjoy, keep reading to discover everything you need to know about this popular breed.

In this article, we will discuss the following:

• What Is A Toy Dachshund?
• Toy Dachshund Vs. Miniature Dachshund
• Toy Dachshund Temperament & Activity Requirements
• How To Choose A Toy Dachshund Puppy?
• Toy Dachshund Lifespan
• Toy Dachshund Health

What Is A Toy Dachshund?

The Toy Dachshund is another name for the kaninchen (rabbit) dachshund. It is essentially the smallest variety of a miniature dachshund.

It is an adorable handbag-sized dog with a bigger than life personality. People love these dinky little dogs because they are unusual to look at with their cartoon-like appearance, and they make great pets.

Toy Dachshunds have long bodies that resemble sausages. Their elongated body structure is what gives them the popular nickname “sausage dogs” or “wiener dogs.”

The standard for toy dachshund is to be under 8 lbs (3.6 kg)

They have short and stubby legs too that give them the cute appearance of being a “small dog” or a baby dog, even when they are fully grown.

Their big dopey eyes and pointy noses are framed by beautiful long floppy ears, which make toy dachshunds look ever so lovable.

Although they are small dogs, they have a big bark and a big personality to match. They love to play and run about, making them an ideal pet for families.

Toy Dachshund Vs. Miniature Dachshund

You might be asking yourself,- what is the difference between a toy and a miniature dachshund? Well , technically, the toy dachshund is the other word for the smaller miniature dachshund. Let’s have a look at it in further detail.

Most Kennel clubs recognize dachshunds in two sizes -miniature and standard varieties. However, some breed experts divide weiner dogs into three categories based on the size. They mention the third variety – a rabbit dachshund. A kaninchen (or rabbit in German), Dachshund is a smaller version of miniature Dachshund.

Although the World Canine Federation recognises a “rabbit” Dachshund and doesn’t recognise a “toy” Dachshund as a breed variety, the standards for both are the same.

According to the United Canine Association, the miniature Dachshund is 8-11 lbs (3.6-5 kg), and the toy is under 8 lbs (3.6 kg).

Dachshunds originated in Germany as hunting dogs and used to flush out animals from underground. As discussed earlier, the dachshund was originally bred in two different sizes. There is the standard size, which was used by hunters to face up badgers. Also, there is a smaller size, which is where some confusion can come in.

The breeders intentionally produced the smaller dachshunds to deal with smaller rodents and rabbits in a hunting context.

Dog owners who now keep Dachshunds as pets may refer to the smaller size as a toy or rabbit dachshund; and others may refer to them as a miniature or mini dachshund. All in all, both of these names describe the smallest version of the breed.

The size of these dogs can vary a fair bit, though.

As a guide, the standard size dachshund is usually twice as tall and heavy as the smaller variety. It averages at around 16 to 32 pounds (or 7.2 to 14.5 kg) in weight, and about 8 to 10 inches (or 20 to 25cms) in height.

On the other side, miniature dachshunds are usually around 8-11 lbs (3.6-5 kg) in weight and 5 to 6 inches (or 13 to 15 cm) in height.

Females are always smaller and lighter than males, and both sizes come in the full variety of different coats and colours.

Toy Dachshunds are of the smallest size, being under 8 lbs (3.6 kg) in weight and under 13 cm in height.

The toy or miniature versions are always more expensive to acquire as puppies from a good breeder, probably due to them being more popular and in-demand than the larger ones. Everybody loves a dinky doxie – and often the dinkier, the better.

Toy Dachshund Activity Requirements

Despite being the smallest of the dachshund breed, Toy Dachshunds are very active dogs. Hence, they do still need to have plenty of exercises. Their tiny size makes them very attractive to people who want to own a dog in the city but who have small apartments.

Toy dachshunds will be more than happy living in a small place . However, they should be given regular daily exercise and plenty of indoor stimulation and playtime.

One thing to be aware of is that because toy dachshunds have such short little legs, they don’t often like to walk as far as other dog breeds.

So while they may love playing for hours in the house, or a garden, or even in your local park, they may find it a challenge to keep up with you on a long walk or hike.

Some toy dachshunds will also refuse to walk. Instead, they will demand to be carried if this is something that they have gotten used to.

Many toy dachshund owners don’t mind carrying their little dogs because they don’t weigh much and can easily fit into a small carrier or a person’s arms.

The problem with this is that dachshunds tend to become overweight due to not getting enough exercise. So be aware that every time you pick your little daxie up, you are depriving them of much-needed physical activity.

Toy Dachshund Temperament

The obesity is not the only problem that can occur when small dogs are picked up too often. They can sometimes develop behaviour issues too.

It may be referred to as “tiny-dog complex” and result in your toy dachshund being fearful, anxious, or aggressive.

To avoid this to happen, you should give your dachshund a fair opportunity to socialise or learn how to communicate with other dogs properly on the ground.

When you pick your dog up, you disable his ability to use body language to communicate with other dogs fully. As a result, it can create tension between your pet and other canines.

Another thing about the temperament of your toy dachshund is that they tend to have a very loud bark. It may be considered a good thing if you are looking for a little guard dog in the home. However, it is something to be aware of if you have close neighbours.

The temperament of your toy dachshund may also depend on what variety you get. For example, the longhaired dachshund tends to be a little more laid back and easy-going.

Toy Dachshund Lifespan

When bringing a new pet into your family, it is always important to consider the lifespan of the animal. Needless to say that having a pet is a lifelong commitment that lasts the entire length of the animal’s life.

Sadly, we have too many dogs in rehoming situations.. It’s not fair on the animals or the people who run these facilities or the vets who have to put animals down when they have not been re-homed.

For this reason, if you are not sure that you want to make sure a long commitment to a pet, why not rescue an older dog so that it can live out its last years safely and comfortably with your family? Or, alternatively, become a foster dog owner?

If you have your heart set on a puppy, though, rest assured that both standard and toy dachshunds have an outstanding life expectancy.

Toy dachshund has a lifespan of approximately 13 to 17 years.

Every dog’s lifespan, of course, depends on the dog’s health and the life that you provide for it. So opt for a high-quality natural diet, plenty of love and exercise, and regular health check-ups from your vet to catch any health issues early on.

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Toy Dachshund Health

With a healthy lifestyle, a well-chosen diet, and vigilant owners, your toy dachshund should live a long and happy life. However, all dog breeds, especially purebreds, may be exposed to breed-specific health risks.

Toy Dachshunds, and dachshunds in general, are more prone to spinal problems. It is because weiner dogs were bred to have longer bodies and disproportionally short legs.

Unfortunately, although dachshunds features may look very unusual or cute, it does nothing positive for the dog’s health. Those little legs are simply not designed to support the weight of the dog’s body, and this puts unnecessary pressure on the spine. As a result, one out of four dachshunds suffers an Intervertebral Disk Disease later in life.

Dachshund owners should always be more wary of how they exercise their dogs because certain activities can add strain to this vulnerable area, and it is easy for the dog to injure itself.

For example, make not to encourage your dachshund to run up and down stairs or jump off high furniture all of the time. This habit can result in a disaster waiting to happen when it comes to their backs.

The other health concern, which all dog owners should be aware of is dental problems. Most health issues concerning dogs are related to poor oral health.

You can avoid these by either getting your dachshund used to having their teeth brushed from an early age, providing chews. Otherwise, you can switch your dog to a natural raw diet where they can use raw meaty bones for natural oral health care.

Below is a list of common health problems in toy dachshunds:

Intervertebral Disc Disease is a spinal issue that can lead to a weakened vertebra and potential protrusion into the spinal canal.

Patella Luxation or “loose knees” is the condition where the kneecap dislocates out of the normal groove. Dachshunds often get because of their legs shape, and by the angle of their kneecap changing.

Hip Dysplasia is a deformity of the hip joint and can lead to rear leg lameness and painful arthritis of the joints.

Obesity is prevalent in this breed due to overfeeding and under-exercising.

Toy dachshunds, as well as dachshunds in general, also suffer from different eye conditions. Read our article “Eye problems in dachshunds” for more information.

The best way to help your dachshund live longer?
Watch our video to find out!

How To Choose A Toy Dachshund Puppy?

If you have decided that the toy dachshund is the perfect breed for you and your family, here are five steps to choosing the perfect puppy:

Do Your Research

Reading this article is an excellent way of kick-starting your research on the toy dachshund. It is always vital to be prepared and know what you are getting yourself into; especially when making such a big commitment.

If you have friends that own a dachshund, ask them as many questions as you need to. Also, if possible, spend some time with their dog so that you can get used to the breed and make sure it is the right one for you.

Find A Reputable Breeder

You can ask friends or go onto social media to find a referral for a reputable breeder.

A good breeder is one who is knowledgeable and experienced with the breed. They should be happy for you to ask questions and visit the pups as many times as you need to before you make a decision. You should also be able to see the puppies with their parents, or at least with the mother.

Never buy from a pet store, a backyard breeder or a puppy farm! You will not get a healthy dog, and you will be supporting an illegal trade that abuses animals.

Take Your Time

When choosing your puppy, you should not feel rushed. Take the time to observe the litter and see how each puppy interacts with one another first.

You will be able to see glimpses into their personalities from the start this way and have a clue as to what kind of puppy you may end up with. For example, one that is shy and nervous, or one that is a bully and overconfident.

Also, take the time to observe if a puppy’s behaviour changes when you take them away from their litter-mates. Are they curious about you? Do they come out of their shell? Or are they more interested in getting back to the litter?

Give Your Chosen Puppy A Health Check

You should be able to handle your chosen puppy and check it all over for signs of a healthy pup. Pay attention to the eyes, nose, mouth, ears, and rear end. The puppy should be clean and bright-eyed, without discharge or muck. It shows not only that the puppy is healthy but also that they have been reared responsibly.

Prepare For Homecoming

Once you know that you will be bringing a puppy home, make sure that you have everything prepared and ready for them on the day. That way, your doxie can settle straight in and feel safe and comfortable in his new home.

A reputable breeder will provide you with everything you need for the first few days. It will typically include some of the pup’s food, perhaps a blanket that smells familiar and information regarding the pup’s vaccinations, flea treatments and worming for your vet to look at.

Conclusion

To sum up, Dachshunds come in a variety of sizes, some are large, and some are tiny. A “toy” or “teacup” dachshund is just a fancy name for a smaller miniature dachshund, otherwise called a rabbit dachshund in Germany.

Toy Dachshunds make beautiful little pet dogs. They are ideal apartment dogs for inner-city young couples. Toy doxies are also perfect for older couples that may not be as active, single people, or families with children.

Toy dachshunds, like dachshunds in general, are fiercely loyal, playful, loving, and entertaining pets .They will undoubtedly bring you many years of joy and companionship.

What is your query about?

How big is a toy dachshund?

Toy Dachshunds are of the smallest size, being under 8 lbs (3.6 kg) in weight and under 13 cm in height.

How much does a toy dachshund weigh?

In general, the toy dachshund weighs under 8 lbs (3.6 kg).

How long does a toy dachshund live?

Toy dachshund has a lifespan of approximately 13 to 17 years.

Is a dachshund a toy dog?

Dachshund is not officially recognized by AKC as a toy dog. However, the smaller variety of a miniature dachshund is called a toy or rabbit dachshund and is below 8 lbs (3.6 kg) in weight.

How much is a toy dachshund?

Toy dogs can cost much more than medium-sized breeds, and toy dachshund is no exception. You can expect to pay 1500-2500 for a toy dachshund from a reputable breeder.

Are toy dachshunds aggressive?

Toy dachshunds might sometimes develop a “tiny-dog complex,” which can result in your toy dachshund being fearful, anxious, or aggressive.