Tell me about your miniature Dachshund.. mini vs standard??

[BC]

We lost our beloved Heidi a year ago and are thinking of getting another pup. All our dachshunds have been standard smooths, but due to the nightmare of back surgery we went through with her, we are considering a miniature one. I just wondered if there is less chance of back problems with the minis due to them weighing less than the standards or are they more fragile since they are small? Tell me your experience. Thanks!

 

[jel0511]

I have a 'tweener" which means he's not either a standard or a miniature, but in between. He weighs approx 18 lbs, which technically qualifies him as standard, but my vet thinks he's a bit overweight. He is on the smaller size of doxies. He always tells me to be mindful of his back, so I don't think that weight has anything to do with it, it's a risk inherent in the breed.

 

[DawnAK]

I am sorry to hear about your loss. I dread the day we lose our girl. We have a 5yr old miniature doxy named Sassy. She is about 10-11lbs, and is probably a pound or so overweight. I think the back issue is there regardless of the size of the dog. It is because their bodies are so long and the backs have to support so much of their body. That is why it is so important that doxies stay fit and in their healthy weight range. That said...we love our mini so much. She is a wonderful dog and we have not had one medical issue with her. Good luck with your choice. I think you will be happy either way...they are such great dogs!

Dawn

 

[BC]

Our first doxie was named Sassy! I suppose you are both right as far as it being inherent to the breed. I am very supportive of just feeding them their "doggie" food and nothing from the table, but my husband is quite the pushover when it comes to them begging. I have told him with this one he has to say No! If you really love them, you won't do it!

Thanks for the response. I think we are really close in getting another baby girl!

 

[rparmfamily]

We have a sweet mini daschund that is about 10 lbs, she's tiny. We've had no health problems either, she's a rescue, and is estimated to be about 12 yrs old. She is thin and is super rarely given any human food, just her kibble. We do try to walk her daily as well. I think keeping them in their weight range helps with their back issues.

Good luck!! I know we LOVE our girl!!

 

[ugadog99]

I have four dachshunds at home. They range in age from 18 to 9. I will say that the 9 year old male is very muscular and has issues with his back/neck from time to time. His sister is much smaller and has had no back issues. All of my doxies are either a true mini or a "tweenie." Back issues are inherent in dachshunds, but I do believe the stocky built doxies have a few more problems. We make sure there is no jumping and as they age stairs become a no-no, too. The weight also needs to be carefully maintained, which can sometimes be its own problem because all of my doxies have loved to eat! I can't imagine a life without my doxies!

 

[Luvchefmic]

I had a standard male named Baby who went to heaven at 16 years and while we never had a back problem with him weight up & down was always a struggle. We now have 2 doxies in our pack of 8 dogs the female is a tweenie and the male is a standard. Both are 7 yrs old no back problems yet but a constant struggle with their "flying squirrel" tendencies. So my answer is like a pp your odds of avoiding back problems are being on top of their weight & their jumping...maybe genetics play a part too but so far we've been lucky.

Doxies (and pointers !) are wonderful !!

 

[BC]

RPArmfamily-Did you rescue yours from a local agency or one of the bigger foundations? We have considered that also, but we went through alot with our previous two having anxiety issues from being abused from the previous owners. It seems that every rescue has a terrible story which is very difficult at times, although I know that is why they need a good home. Also, was it a puppy or older when you took it?

 

[Luvchefmic]

RPArmfamily-Did you rescue yours from a local agency or one of the bigger foundations? We have considered that also, but we went through alot with our previous two having anxiety issues from being abused from the previous owners. It seems that every rescue has a terrible story which is very difficult at times, although I know that is why they need a good home. Also, was it a puppy or older when you took it?

BC even though you didn't ask me I can tell you this: any rescue group worth anything will NOT place a dog with anxiety, fear, a whole multitude of problems into an adopters home until these problems are handled through their fosters.

I was a member of pointer & dachshund rescue groups. The male doxie that we have now we fostered. He was found walking by a railroad track in a neighborhood that was infamous for dog fighting. It is believed that he was a "bait" dog. He was terrified & aggressive to men. There was NO way he was going up for adoption like that. It took over a yr in our home and my DH being the only one to feed, etc. for him to "heal" by that time he was a true member of our family & pack so here he is. All I really am saying is that if you do your homework, ask lots of questions, and check out the rescue group "success" stories it can be a win-win situation.