AASHUDNA

Registered DOGS NSW Breeder of Miniature Smooth Dachshunds

Adaptability
Affection
Apartment Living
Barking tendencies
Cat friendly
Child friendly
Dog friendly
Digging
Exercise needs
Health Issues
Intelligence
Playfulness
Prey drive
Shedding level
Social needs
Stranger friendly
Territorial
Training ease
Watchdog
Wandering off

The Miniature Smooth Dachshund: A Loyal and Affectionate Companion

The Miniature Smooth Dachshund, is a small and lovable breed that has captured the hearts of many dog lovers. Originating from Germany, the breed has a rich history that dates back to the 16th century. Today, they are popular family pets being the 12th most popular dog breed and are highly sought after due to their affectionate and playful temperament. The Miniature Dachshund ideally weighs between 4.5 and 5 kilograms. However, in Australia, miniatures typically average around 6 kilograms, and some have grown as large as 8 kilograms. This is largely due to the genetics within the small gene pool, and some also claim that Dachshunds grow differently in Australia due to its climate, which offers warmer weather with optimum daylight hours. Dachshunds are encouraged to run, play, and develop muscles and stronger bone density all year round. These larger miniatures are often referred to as Tweenies; they are bred as miniature and cannot be transferred to Standard, unlike in other countries.

History and Origin

The Miniature Smooth Dachshund belongs to the family of Dachshunds, which means “badger dogs” in German. They were originally bred in the 16th century to hunt badgers, rabbits, and other small game. The Miniature Dachshund was developed by breeding smaller Dachshunds to create a smaller version of the breed. Miniature Dachshunds were introduced into England from Germany in 1938 and the Miniature Dachshund Club of England was formed in 1935. Early importations to Australia were in many cases unattractive; pop-eyed, short in ear and lacking in bone, but with the judicious use of small standards breeders evolved the miniatures of today. Miniature Dachshunds are currently very popular as pets and make loyal companions.

Purpose

The Miniature Smooth Dachshund was bred to hunt small game such as badgers, rabbits, and foxes, as well as vermin such as rats and moles. They were also an important breed for bird hunting, in order to flush birds onto the ground where they can be quickly caught by the smooth dog.  However, the breed has steadily become more popular as a family pet because of its friendly and affectionate temperament. Miniature Smooth Dachshunds are great lap dogs and are friendly with children and other animals.

Temperament

The Miniature Smooth Dachshund is known for its friendly and loving temperament, and they thrive on attention and affection from their owners. They are typically good with children and other pets, but early socialization is important to prevent aggressive or fearful behavior. They are also known for their stubborn streaks, which can make training challenging at times, but with patience and positive reinforcement, they can be taught a variety of commands and tricks.

Colours and patterns

Common colours & patterns: Shaded red, clear red, and red of varying intensities from a deep mahogany to a light tan. These varieties should have a solid black nose, black eye ring, dark brown eyes, black paw pads and black nails. 

Black and tan should be a black coat with tan points (of varying intensities deep red to light tan) occurring on the eyebrows, either side of the chest bone, socks, muzzle, underside of the ear, below and back of the tail. The tan points should be clear and not sooty as it creates an unwanted sullen appearance, creeping tan points is also a fault. Black and tan should have a solid black nose, black eye ring, dark brown eyes, black paw pads and black nails. 

Chocolate and tan is the dilution of the black coat and can vary in its pigmentation from light chocolate colour to a deep liver with tan points occurring on the eyebrows, either side of the chest bone, socks, muzzle, underside of the ear, below and back of the tail. The eyes can range from a medium brown to amber, but not green. The nose, eye ring and paw pads are liver and the nails brown. Breeding the light chocolate without outcrossing to better pigment can cause a pink nose, eye rings and paw pads such a dog would require indoor housing to protect the dog from the harsh Australian sun and is considered poor quality.

Dapple Pattern

Dapple is the random occurrence of dilution of black pigment to a silver or cream on a chocolate. A dapple may have partial or whole blue iris in one or both eyes. Dapple is best crossed with black and tan and chocolate and tan colour varieties. Dapple can be seen on shaded red though doesn’t produce the pretty silver or cream shades, it just deletes the black shading along the top of the back of the dog. It is important to never breed 2 dapples together as it produces white causing deafness and wall-eye.

Clear red/ thorn will hide dapple except in the eye.

It’s important to know that dapple doesn’t always cause patches and spots, occasionally it can cause a whole minor dilution of coat colour turning a black and tan to bluish tone with a black nose and chocolate to reddish tan with a liver nose.

Uncommon colours and patterns: Fawn, often called cream as it’s called in Longhairs, in smooths it’s correctly called Fawn. It is the dilution of red and can range in colour intensity too. Breeder tend to shy away from Fawn as it is difficult to maintain pigment, black nose, eye ring, paw pads and nails with a dark brown eye.

Brindle is visible on red and light shaded reds, and looks best on lighter tan coloured reds than deep mahogany reds. Brindle on black and tan or chocolate and tan is not visible except for on the tan points, which can give the dog a dull sullen appearance.

Current Health Concerns

While the Miniature Smooth Dachshund is generally healthy, there are still some health concerns that come with owning the breed. One of the main health issues of this breed is obesity. Because of their small size, Miniature Smooth Dachshunds are prone to becoming overweight. Obesity can lead to other health problems such as joint and heart issues.

Another major health concern is Intervertebral Disc Disease (IVDD). IVDD is a disease that primarily affects Dachshunds and causes pressure on their spinal cord. IVDD can cause pain, paralysis, and even death. It’s essential to keep your dog in a healthy weight range and avoid overexerting them through activities such as jumping or climbing stairs. Choosing a breeder who back X-rays their breeding dachshunds is one way to reduce the genetic risk of IVDD.

The breed is also known to have congenital and hereditary health issues such as mitral valve disease, diabetes mellitus, patellar luxation, hip dysplasia, degenerative myelopathy (DM), epilepsy, and epilepsy-related diseases, such as focal seizures or generalised seizures, dental disease, and eye conditions such as cataracts and glaucoma.

The lifespan of the Miniature Smooth Dachshund is usually between 10 and 15 years, but it can be as short as 6 years and as long as 20+ years.

 

In conclusion, the Miniature Smooth Dachshund is an amazing breed with a rich history and diverse purpose. The breed has a friendly temperament and is a great companion for families with children and other pets. Like all breeds, they have their health concerns, but with proper care, these can be easily managed. If you’re looking for an affectionate and playful companion, the Miniature Smooth Dachshund may be just what you’re looking for.