Dachshund (Miniature) — breed guide
The 5 kg Dachshund — not a smaller pet version but a separate size bred to go to ground after rabbit rather than badger.
At a glance
- Group
- hound
- Size
- Toy
- Weight
- 4–5 kg (9–11 lb)
- Life span
- 12–16 years
- Coat
- Smooth, long or wire; same three coats as the standard
Living with a Dachshund (Miniature)
- Moderate energy — a proper walk every day.
- Light grooming — a brush now and then.
- Moderate shedding.
- Can be stubborn.
- Very vocal.
- Good with children.
- Usually fine with a familiar dog; strange dogs need managing.
- Can live with a cat, with a slow introduction and an escape route for the cat.
- Suits apartment living, given its daily walks.
- A reasonable choice for a first-time owner.
- Average heat tolerance.
- Needs a coat in the cold.
Temperament
Bold · Devoted · Stubborn · Loud
Health to watch
- Intervertebral disc disease
- Obesity
- Patellar luxation
- Progressive retinal atrophy
Owner-logged information shared via Leash Life is not veterinary advice; ask your vet about screening for these.
Did you know
Its back is the whole story: keep it lean, ban the stairs and never let it jump off the sofa. Obesity is what turns a disc into surgery.
Questions people ask
Is a Dachshund (Miniature) good with kids?
Generally yes. Dachshund (Miniature)s are usually good with children when raised with them and given their own quiet space.
Is a Dachshund (Miniature) good with cats?
It can work, with management. Introduce them gradually, feed them apart, and make sure the cat has vertical space the dog cannot reach. Plan to manage it rather than assume it.
How much exercise does a Dachshund (Miniature) need?
A real walk every day, around 30–60 minutes.
Can a Dachshund (Miniature) handle hot weather?
About average — use normal hot-day sense.
Leash Life keeps a Dachshund (Miniature)'s day — walks, meals, meds, weight — in one shared feed for the whole household, and warns on the walk weather this breed can't take. Free to start.