He is tiny, sausage-like, adorable, and full of life. He is the Wiener Dog Dachshund, one of the cutest and most affectionate toy dogs you can own. What’s more, he comes in three different sizes leaving you spoilt for choice.
When you think of a Dachshund, your mind directly goes to the wiener dog. But what many do not know is that a dachshund is actually a scent hound dog, comes in three sizes;
- Normal
- Miniature
- Toy
The standard/normal and the miniature are the most popular of the three, so they will be our focus for the day.
Standard Vs. Miniature: Wiener Dog Dachshund History
With their tiny long body with stout legs, it is amazing how fast the Dachshund can be. Both the Standard and Miniature Dachshunds were born to hunt. The difference is the type of prey either dog went for.
The Standard wiener dog Dachshund is the firstborn of the two. They were born to hunt larger tunneling animals like foxes and wild hair. His long narrow body allowed him to wiggle through barrows and flush out prey.
Standard Dachshund dogs have very sharp front teeth to hold onto prey and retrieve them from tight spots. Their short strong body not only makes the move fast but it helps them hold their ground as they drag prey out of their hideouts.
The miniature wiener dog Dachshund had the same occupation. The only difference is he was bred to hunt smaller prey with targets like rats, mice, rabbits, badgers, and any other smaller animal. Having a body smaller than the Standard Dachshund, the miniature Dachshund could wiggle through smaller and narrower spaces.
Standard Vs. Miniature: Wiener Dogs’ Appearance
Height
Standing next to the Standard Dachshund, the miniature Dachshund is undoubtedly a dwarf. The full-size standard Dachshund measures 8 to 9 inches from the shoulder. A miniature Dachshund comes in at a lesser height of 5 to 7 inches tall.
Weight
With a bigger body, the standard Dachshund is heavier as well. When fully grown, he can weigh between 16 and 32 pounds. A miniature Dachshund’s tiny body can only hold a maximum of 11 pounds.
Coat color
The standard and miniature dachshunds share the same coat colors and textures. The common Dachshund coat colors are red, black, or tan. Some miniature and standard dachshunds boast beautiful coats in the shades of cream, chocolate, tan, fawn, and even blue.
For coat texture, there are three options to choose from; smooth, wire-hair, and long-hair. Most wiener dog dachshunds you will meet will spot a smooth glossy coat. The wire-hair coat, on the other hand, is rough on the outer and silky on the inside. It also has the advantage of being waterproof.
The last coat, the longhair, has long and wavy strands flowing from the back to the paws. The longhaired Dachshund also has long hairs around the ears.
To accent the base color, the Dachshund coat also boasts of unique patterns in sable, brindle, dapple, or piebald. You cannot miss a cuddly Dachshund spotting a double dapple coat as well.
Wiener Dog Dachshund Lifespan
Both breeds of Dachshund have a lifespan between 12 and 16 years. But miniature Dachshunds are more likely to outlive the standard wiener dog Dachshund.
Wiener Dog Dachshund Temperament
Both the Standard and Miniature wiener dog dachshunds were born to hunt. This means they are very active and need someone who will match their energy.
If you love taking walks in the morning or evening, either wiener dog would love to accompany you. Dachshund dogs enjoy long walks or brief high energy games at home or in the dog park. Do not let their tiny bodies and short legs fool you, the Standard and Miniature wiener dog dachshunds never run out of energy.
As former hunting dogs and scent hound dogs, Dachshunds are naturally inquisitive. They will sniff at everything and everyone as they try to comprehend more of their immediate world. Dachshunds are fearless and very alert. If they see trouble lurking, they are sure to let you know.
But be careful about a Dachshund’s vocal side. These two breeds love every opportunity to bark their lungs off. Early training is important to teach the Dachshund dog when it is necessary to bark.
The miniature and standard dachshund make the best family dogs. They are naturally happy and very playful. They will watch over your kids and keep them busy as you go about your day.
Always watch your wiener dog Dachshund around infants or children below 5 years of age. This dog has a strong prey drive that can confuse infants and small prey. In their puppy stages, Dachshund will nip at anything they can find including your ankle. Training can wean this problem out early.
Standard Vs. Miniature Dachshund: Training
Brace yourself as a Dachshund is one of the toughest dogs to train. Even though he looks like a little wiener, he sees himself as a towering giant. He can easily take over the training process if you are not assertive with him.
Establish authority and dominance early when the Dachshund is a puppy. This will help him grow to appreciate and revere your authority. Consistency and maintaining eye contact also helps establish dominance.
Standard Vs. Miniature Dachshund: Food
Always remember that Dachshunds are high energy dogs. They, therefore, require, a high protein diet combined with healthy calories. A healthy diet keeps their bones strong as they grow muscle.
Two cups of high-quality kibble are enough for a Dachshund. If you are feeding your wiener dog Dachshund a raw diet, ensure he is getting enough meaty bones, lean meat, and offal. All these meat options carry all the necessary nutrients required by a Dachshund to grow.
Standard Vs. Miniature Dachshund: Health
A miniature Dachshund is likely to live longer because he does not suffer from back problems like the standard Dachshund. But all Dachshunds are susceptible to hereditary diseases as they age. Common ailments in Weiner dog Dachshunds include;
- Intervertebral disc disease
- Progressive epilepsy
- Dermatological issues like hardening and thickening of the skin
- Dry eyes and cataracts
As long as your Dachshund is eating a clean diet and exercising a lot, he will give your 16 years of fun and nostalgic memories.
Living with a Wiener Dog Dachshund
If you are looking for a small dog with lots of energy and loyalty, get yourself a Dachshund. It does not matter if it is a full size or a dwarf Dachshund, they both are compatible with urban and rural life.
Miniature Dachshunds are more ideal for urban apartments because of their tinier bodies. They do not take up much space which makes them perfect for small houses. As long as you care for his needs, he will coexist with you.
Final Thoughts
The only major difference between miniature and standard Dachshunds is their size. Both dogs are adaptable to any living space and thrive in high energy games. If you cannot decide between a miniature and standard wiener dog Dachshund, it is okay to adopt both dogs.
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