Long-haired Mini Dachshund: Description, Care, and Photos of Dogs

In the minds of the average person, a dachshund is nothing more than a cute little dog with a long body, short legs, and long ears, which clearly has the problem of excess weight.

This is precisely the tone people use when describing this breed, which for many has become synonymous with lapdogs. However, in reality, dachshunds are naturally very capable and formidable hunters.

The first specimens of the miniature dachshund appeared back in the fifteenth century in GermanyAt that time, it was used primarily for hunting burrowing animals—foxes, rabbits, and badgers. It may come as a surprise to some, but the dachshund, despite its modest size and unassuming appearance, is strong enough to handle even such a dangerous beast as a badger. Today, many dachshund breeds have been developed, varying in size, coat type, and color. However, they all share common characteristics.

Miniature Dachshund: Photos and Breed Characteristics

This dog's name is no coincidence, as it is rather small in size and appears quite diminutive even compared to its standard-sized relative. From the very beginning, this breed was intended to be used for hunting. However, it quickly became clear that such a tiny creature would be no match for a badger, so it was adopted. for rabbit hunting onlyIf hunting isn't your hobby and you've long dreamed of having a small lap dog for your apartment, a miniature dachshund would be an excellent choice.

This dog can also be of great benefit to homeowners who are tired of listening to and putting up with constant visits from neighboring cats, as this tiny dog ​​is strong enough to deal with these uninvited guests. Of course, this dog will only show such hostility toward other people's cats. It will treat its own cats differently, viewing them as toys or playmates. There have been cases of dachshunds taking care of kittens, preventing the mother from reaching her offspring. They can easily do this. establish friendly contacts with children, as a result, the dog quickly becomes the child's favorite friend.

Miniature Dachshund: Personality

Given the small size of the long-haired dachshund, most people probably won't take the miniature dachshund seriously, although in reality, it's quite dangerous and very biting. It's precisely because of this misleading impression that people cause harm to themselves. Seeing a tiny dog ​​on a leash nearby might tempt a person to pet it, but this doesn't quite lead to what they expect—a painful bite to the hand, and sometimes even to the face.

Usually, it's those people who don't understand how to treat these cute dogs who suffer in this way. Many owners know that dachshunds are... very loyal creatures, who are also always wary when strangers and unfamiliar people approach them. Today, dachshunds are among the most popular breeds for apartment living.

Statistically, these short-legged hunters account for about 20% of all dog bites. But the long-haired miniature dachshund is a very inquisitive animal and always responds positively to the invitation to go for a walk or a trip. If you own a garden and decide to work in the garden, keep in mind that a dachshund will be nearby. During this time, it may be busy with a variety of activities—helping you plant seedlings, inquiring about the contents of the prepared holes, or settling down nearby in the shade and keeping an eye on you from afar.

Long-haired dachshunds are quite funny creaturesThey're ready to share their cheerful spirit with their owner. And playing is one of their favorite pastimes. Therefore, if something is upsetting you, you can easily lift your spirits by spending a few minutes with this dog. However, we advise you to refrain from raising your voice or using physical force against your dachshund. This will only make matters worse and damage your pet's character. Your attempts to scold them for something may not be perceived as you intended and may become offended. This is confirmed by numerous reviews, where owners point out that one of the characteristic traits of dachshunds is their excessive sensitivity.

If you treat your pet so unfairly, it will hide in a secluded corner and glare at you reproachfully. It may continue this behavior for several days, waiting for you to finally apologize. This leads to only one conclusion: dachshunds are highly intelligent animals. They easily understand what you say to them, and therefore learn various commands with ease. Sometimes, owners get the impression their pet is about to tell them something.

Caring for Miniature Dachshunds

Taking care of a dog of this breed is not that difficult, but here too there are some nuances, which must be taken into account.

The least amount of problems arise for a person who keeps smooth-haired miniature dachshunds at home.

• You can keep your cat's fur in good condition using a special sponge-like glove for wiping fur, which is sold at any pet store.
• There's no need to spend money on this accessory. You can do the job with a regular soft cloth.
• You should brush your dachshund regularly at least twice a week.

Wirehaired dachshunds are a bit more difficult to groom. These dogs require brushing much more frequently—about every two days. They also trimming required, which they need approximately two to three times a year. Trimming is the term used by experts to describe a haircut. This service is offered by many specialized salons. However, if you have experience, you can save money and trim your pet yourself.

Keep in mind that grooming a long-haired miniature dachshund isn't as easy as grooming a miniature smooth-haired dachshund. This is due to the length of its coat. Given that dachshunds are short dogs, their fur can become matted. This can be prevented by thoroughly brushing their coat regularly, once a day, after each walk.

In addition, you need to pay attention to the condition of your dog's ears and teeth. This should be done especially frequently in the spring, as this is when there is a high risk of catching ticks, which can easily get into a dog's ears. Don't forget about bathing: this procedure is recommended at least once a week or whenever the dachshund gets dirty.

It's also important to monitor the condition of the eyes, regardless of the dog's breed. At the first sign of eye irritation, treat them with a special solution available at pharmacies or weak black tea. However, if you notice redness, inflammation, or watery eyes, don't self-medicate. Your dachshund should be seen by a veterinarian immediately.

Haircut

A mandatory procedure for dachshunds is nail trimming. This can be done by the owner at home or by a vet. If you decide to handle it yourself, you'll have to... purchase special tongs.

• They should be positioned so that they are not too close to the finger. Otherwise, you risk injuring your pet if you move carelessly.
• It is enough to trim the claws approximately 3-4 mm from the edge.
• Once this operation is completed, you need to file down the edges of the nails using a nail file.

If you can't persuade your pet to do this final finishing touch, you can do something else - take your dog for a walk on the asphalt or just go for a run.

Miniature Dachshund Breed: Nutrition

How often your pet gets sick depends on how you care for it from an early age. Nutrition is especially important here. One of the first questions you need to answer is how often a dachshund puppy should be fed during the day. You need to be very careful here, as these dogs are prone to obesityIf you don't stick to the recommended diet, it's easy to overfeed them, which can lead to health problems. Therefore, it's important to determine the proper amount of food for your dachshund in advance.

If a young dachshund puppy eats too much, it will negatively impact their joint health. For puppies under four months old, a feeding schedule of 5-6 meals per day is recommended. This means you should feed your puppy once every two to three hours. When determining portion sizes, consider that the puppy should be hungry by the time of the next feeding. To determine this, check their bowl: if there's any leftover food, you're overfeeding them.

Make it a rule: there should never be any food left in the puppy's bowl after it's finished eating. If there's any food left after a meal, it should be put away until the next meal. If this isn't done, the dachshund will learn that food is always available and can choose its own mealtimes.

When the puppy is 4 months old, the number of meals is reduced to 3-4 per dayAn adult animal needs to be fed even less frequently—no more than once or twice a day. However, it's important to consider the time of year, the dog's physical activity, and the caloric content of the food.

Food for dachshunds

You also need to be especially careful when choosing food. Most inexperienced dog owners are accustomed to believing advertising and therefore begin feeding their puppies dry food. This is a serious mistake, as long-term feeding of dry food, especially of poor quality, can lead to complications:

• formation of kidney stones;
• tooth decay;
• intestinal disorder.

Conclusion

A miniature dachshund isn't such a bad choice, especially if you're looking for a loyal companion. This dog will fully live up to your expectations, as it's very becomes attached to a person and is even ready to protect it if necessary. To ensure every minute spent with their pet is a joy, the owner will need to regularly groom it. Therefore, it will be necessary not only to select the appropriate type of food but also to monitor the condition of key body parts, especially the coat.