learn about the breeds
About The Chihuahua
The Chihuahua, or the Chihuahueño in Spanish, is a toy-sized companion breed from Mexico that comes in short and long-haired varieties. While pint-sized, these little dogs are powerhouses with big personalities. Typically weighing in at just 4 to 6 pounds, Chihuahuas are known for their feisty attitude, loyalty, and love for attention. They make excellent companions for people of all ages and lifestyles. Chihuahuas can build deep connections with all family members, but they often have a penchant for singling out one household member as their “person.” This doesn’t mean they don’t care about others. Rather, they have a unique way of showing undivided loyalty and affection to the one they feel closest to. This breed loves nothing more than being with their people and requires minimum grooming and exercise. They also make excellent apartment dogs.
Regarding temperament, Chihuahuas have feisty and independent personalities. They are also very loyal and affectionate towards their owners. This breed is typically good with children, but they may be too small and fragile for rough play.
Chihuahuas come in two varieties: smooth-haired and longhaired. Smooth-haired Chihuahuas have short, sleek fur that requires minimal grooming. Long-haired Chihuahuas have longer, flowing fur. These small, fluffy dogs require additional grooming and should be brushed regularly to prevent matting.
Chihuahuas come in various colors: black, brown, white, and tan. They can also have a combination of colors, such as black and tan or brown and white, and merle.
Training: Good news! Chihuahuas are fairly easy to train, which makes them a great choice for new pet parents.
Energy levels: Despite their size, these lively pups love to run and play, and will need lots of playtime to thrive.
Intelligence: Despite what you may have heard, Chihuahuas are intelligent dogs! They are fast learners... and certainly know how to get their own way!
Lifespan: 14-16 years.
About The Miniature Dachshund
The miniature dachshund is a small hound dog breed from Germany with either a short, wirehaired, or longhaired coat and a long, low body. These dogs are simply the smaller variety of the dachshund dog breed, with the larger variety being the standard dachshund. Mini dachshunds typically weigh 11 pounds or less while standard dachshunds weigh 16 to 32 pounds on average. The breed is generally spunky and playful, and they make for an alert little watchdog. Mini dachshunds generally have a friendly and upbeat temperament. They tend to be quite playful and need a moderate amount of exercise, despite their small size. There often is a stubborn streak, but they just love to please their owners. The mini dachshund is a very dog social breed and I always recommend having more than one in the home as to help with their separation anxiety.
Mini Dachshund Care
Mini dachshunds don’t require an excessive amount of exercise, but they still need mental stimulation and physical activity each day. Their grooming is fairly straightforward, depending on their coat type. And they should receive early and consistent training and socialization.
Exercise
Don’t expect a mini dachshund to be content sitting around the house all day. These dogs may be small, but they still need to exercise. Plan on at least an hour a day of activity. Moderate-length morning and evening walks plus vigorous playtime should suffice. Puzzle toys and dog sports, such as tracking, also can help to burn mental energy.
Always keep your dog on a leash or in a securely fenced area when outside. The dachshund’s high prey drive can cause him or her to run off quickly if they see a small animal or other perceived prey. Likewise, be aware that these dogs often enjoy digging and might burrow under fences if you’re not watching them.
Furthermore, aim to prevent your dachshund from jumping on and off furniture or racing up and down stairs to prevent back injuries.1
Grooming
If you have a smooth-coated dachshund, plan on brushing roughly once a week to remove loose fur. The longhaired variety should be brushed a few times a week to prevent tangles and mats. The wirehaired variety should have their coat stripped several times a year plus a weekly brushing. You also might have to trim the beard and eyebrows to keep them looking neat.
Plan on a bath roughly every month, depending on how dirty your dog gets. The longhaired variety might benefit from a canine detangler spray. Also, check your dog’s nails monthly to see whether they need a trim. And look in the ears at least weekly for signs of wax buildup and infection. Finally, aim to brush their teeth every day.
Training
Dachshunds are quite smart. But they also can be independent and stubborn, which may make training a challenge. Plus, they can get distracted if they see something they perceive as prey that they want to chase.
Start training and socialization from as young of an age as possible. Dachshunds respond well to positive-reinforcement methods, such as treats. Harsh corrections can cause them to shut down and refuse to learn.
In addition to obedience training, aim to expose your dachshund to different people and other dogs from an early age. Dachshunds don’t always like strangers (people and dogs). But having positive experiences around them can help to boost their comfort and confidence.