Mini Dachshund Puppies

The Dachshund, also known as teacup, micro-mini or tweenie, originally comes from Germany. Dachs, in German means 'badger', highlighting the reason they were bred; to hunt for badgers. Between 18th and 19th century, they were mainly used by the German foresters to hunt foxes and badgers. Perhaps the reason, they still believe themselves to be hunters and pounce on a whole lot of unsuspecting creatures, including human beings. The first Dachshunds came to the U.S. in 1887 and has grown to be an extremely popular dog breed.

The American Kennel Club (AKC) Dachshund Standard describes the dog as, "low to the ground, long in body and short of leg with robust muscular development." The Dachshund comes in two sizes, mainly standard; usually between 16 to 32 pounds and miniature; under 11 pounds. There is also a third size known as, Toy. This size is recognized only by the European countries. They are known by their long bodies and short legs. There are three varieties, the short-haired, the wired-haired, and the long-haired:

Short(Smooth)-haired: This variety is the most popular in the U.S. As the name suggests, the coat is short, smooth and shiny; with hair color of red, cream, and also mix of black and cream, fawn and tan or chocolate and tan. They have patterns such as dapple, brindle, sable, piebald etc.

Longhair Dachshund: Their coat is made up of beautiful long hair, with the same colors and patterns as the short variety. They tend to be more docile, among the three variety.

Wirehair Dachshund: They are developed by breeding smooth Dachshunds with various hard-coated terriers and wire-haired pincher. The coat is short, thick, rough and wiry, hence the name.

Temperament
Dachshunds puppies are spirited, curious and independent, true to their basic hunter instincts. They are playful and very insistent on their own rules. For example, while chasing balls, they prefer not to bring them back. They instead wait for you to come and collect it from them. They often bond closely to one person, they love to follow their masters everywhere, like a shadow, hence make good travel companions. They are slightly difficult to train, as they can be quite stubborn. Unless well socialized at an early age, they can become quite unpredictable in their behavior around other people, especially children. Owing to their hunter instincts, the concept of pack leader is very important to them. They presume themselves to be leaders or masters even in the household. It's important to establish 'I'm the master', with them.

General Care
Dachshund is not an expensive dog to maintain. The coat needs little grooming; like shampooing and brushing regularly, to ensure no tangles and mites. They are prone to some mild shedding. Some may even need a sweater during winter days. Their long backs are generally prone to a slip or ruptured disc, because of the strain placed on their spinal cord. This can result in partial or full paralysis, if not treated promptly. Jumping excessively from high places also strains the back. Eye abnormalities, urinary tract stones, and mammary gland cancers are also problems associated with this breed. Their droopy ears must be cleaned attentively and kept dry, to avoid fungus, bacteria, and mites. They are not fragile animals, and a little precaution from your end, can ensure healthy life for your dog. The training should be done at an early stage with firm, consistent guidance.

Diet and Exercise
A Dachshund should not be allowed to get fat, not only for health reasons, but also for their spinal cord. They should be given pet food that is very healthy and easily available. They are active dogs and require a modest amount of exercise daily. They can be walked for ½ to 1 mile a day or let loose to run around. They live long, nearly 16 years or more with proper care. A food and exercise program can be set up by a veterinary doctor. And don't forget to get him vaccinated.

There is no denying that a lovable pet dachshund would brighten up every day and lift our spirits. If you feel this is the right pet for you, go ahead and contact a reputable breeder, to maximize your chance of adopting a healthy puppy.