Dachshund is a famous dog breed, its origin is in Germany, it is a purebred dog also known as a doxie, wiener dog, and badger dog.
In ancient Germany, dachshunds were bred to hunt and chase badgers, earth digger animals like rabbits, etc. These little dogs are great hunting companions in the wild.
Doxies’ short legs and long body is adored by millions of owners all over the globe. They come in different sizes and variants.
There are a total of three types of Dachshunds- long-haired, short-haired, and wire-haired and they are also bred in three different sizes- standard, miniature, and kaninchen.
But popularly there are only two sizes of dachshunds (standard and miniature) recognized by the American Kennel Club.
In the past few years Dachshunds have become quite popular in the United States, people are calling back and forth in dog breeding centers asking for the availability of cute Doxie puppies.
Many of our readers were confused and asked whether my Dachshund was a standard dog or a miniature. So in this article, we will be diving into the world of doxies to answer all of your questions.
Standard Dachshund vs Miniature Dachshund Temperament/Behaviour
Doxies are beautiful little creatures, they pretty much look like sausages, and in some parts, they are known as “Sausage dogs“.
Dachshunds are very friendly dogs in general but they can be stubborn sometimes, in general, we dont see such cases often, so you dont need to worry about that.
I also own a short-haired standard Weiner named “Pixel”, she is a very friendly and social dog. She is not a very loud dog but sometimes her shenanigans are out of control but I love her.
And on the other hand, my friend owns a long-haired miniature Doxie with cute little legs and she is a loud one.
But generally, we don’t see much difference other than the sizes of course. The behavior of both standard and miniature are quite similar.
But sometimes we see the miniature Dachshunds having separation anxiety, barking at the outside noises, feeling shy while approaching other dogs, or being possessive towards their owners, though this isn’t always the case.
They are highly intelligent dog breeds, if trained correctly they will follow all your commands, and make the best companion for the humans.
Standard Dachshund vs Miniature Dachshund Height and Weight
The Kennel Clubs of the United States and United Kingdom recognise two sizes of weiner dogs i.e. Miniature and standard or you can also call them “tweenies”.
A Full-grown Standard Doxie is around 8-9 inches in height (20-23 cm) and with a weight of around 16-35 lbs (7-15 kg).
And a Full-grown mini Doxie weighs around 11 lbs (5 kg) and with a height of 5-6 inches (13-15 cm).
Standard Dachshund vs Mini Dachshund Exercise
They are pretty active dogs whether it is standard or mini, they are always ready to play. Earlier back in the day these are hunting dogs chasing animals and doing lots of outdoor activities.
But nowadays dog owners indulge them in indoor activities, which might cause health issues in the long run.
If you are a lazy kind of person or don’t have time to take your dog outside for a walk then owning a doxie is not a good idea for you.
Dachshunds have long spinal cords with short legs and short rib cages, they are not built for long steady runs, but they need regular exercises to stay fit and healthy.
An obese weenie is prone to spinal problems and it may worsen over time with jumping, poor handling, and intense exercises, so to avoid any injuries or other health issues you should plan a proper workout routine for your dog.
Routine
They are social dogs they love to play with other dogs and humans. Regardless of the sizes, there is not much difference between the two.
These beautiful creatures tend to do competitive tasks with ease. Dachshunds are intelligent dog breeds you can easily teach them tricks on your command.
A regular 25-35 minute walk is enough for a mini doxie, due to their small size they need less exercise in comparison to standard.
But for the standard dogs, at least an hour and a half would be enough as they are high-energy individuals, so they need to train more than the little ones.
Standard Vs Mini Health Care
A healthy dog should be the priority of every dog owner. Both dog types have extremely long spinal cords and that is commonly the cause of back problems.
Most of the time over-eating (which leads to obesity), high jumps, poor handling by the owner and intense workouts may lead to intervertebral disk disease (IVDD).
Ensure you are visiting your veterinarian for regular checkups to ensure your weenie is healthy and fit.
A balanced diet is crucial for their healthy life, maintaining their appetite according to their size gives them essential vitamins and nutrients, and keep in mind they don’t over-eat.
As we mentioned above daily exercise routine is a must, play with your dog or go for a walk, and don’t compromise your little buddy’s health.
Hair care, daily grooming, and skin care are important for your dog’s hygiene. Dachshunds have three types of coats short-haired, long-haired, and wire-haired. Accordingly, you have to use the brush and natural dog care products.
Should I Own a Mini or Standard Dachshund?
Both the dogs show the same characteristics, there is not much difference between the two, other than the sizes.
They are intelligent and friendly dog breed, who loves to go outside and make new friends. In short, they are family-friendly dogs.
As long you are ready to take your dog daily for a walk, make sure they are eating the right food, and be cautious about their health, you are prepared to be a parent of a Dachshund.
But if you are a lazy person who doesn’t like going outside or can’t take your dog for a run then owning a doxie is not a good idea.
Summary
Miniature or Standard both are the cousin brothers only their sizes make the difference. They can have different coat types, such as short, long, and Wirey.
But you will see differences in their behavior according to their parents, environment, and locality in which they were born.
Finally, it’s your choice between mini and standard. They both are playful, mischievous, and intelligent. If you have a larger space, go with the standard; if you have a small apartment, consider getting a mini.
And if you have a big heart and a big family you can get both of them and have a cheerful life.
The mini Dachshund’s life span is approx. 13.5 – 16.5 years and for the standard it is 12 – 13.9 years.