Everything you need to know about dwarf dachshunds

If you decide to start a miniature small dog, then you should pay attention to the dwarf dachshunds or their even smaller counterparts - rabbit. This is an ideal option for a four-room apartment pet, which, due to its small dimensions, will perfectly fit even into a small Khrushchev and will become you a devoted and cheerful friend.

Only it is not necessary to dismiss his hunting qualities, which will have to find peaceful application. Therefore, before you start a mini-dachshund, you need to study its character well, learn how to care for it and how to feed it, as well as how to choose the right puppy.

At the end of the 19th century in Germany they set out to create such a variety of dachshund that could easily get into the holes of the smallest rodents (ferrets, rabbits, foxes, badgers). To do this, it was necessary to reduce the standard fee in size, while maintaining its hunting qualities. And the breeders did it. So there was a dwarf dachshund, which weighed only 5 kg, almost 2 times less than its predecessor, and after it was created and even more miniature version - rabbit dachshund, with a maximum weight of 3.5 kg. The nature of the new subspecies of the breed remained the same as that of their older brothers, they differed only in more modest in comparison with them dimensions.

All dachshunds, including dwarfs, very bright and characteristic appearance.

• The main features of the breed are short and short stocky torso, which helps dogs to climb into the deepest burrows.
• Another distinctive feature is very short, but thick and powerful legs. Moreover, the front limbs are much stronger and stronger than the hind limbs, since they perform a more important function - they do the dachshund digging up the ground to get to their prey. Paws may be slightly twisted, but this is not a breed defect. Dachshunds run fast enough and due to good stamina they are able to cover very long distances.
• Despite its small size, the dogs of this breed are highly muscled. They have a dense body with a wide, protruding chest and long tail.
• Dachshund muzzle also can not be confused with any other breed. The head of the dog has an elongated shape, tapering to the nose, large ears hanging down the sides and strong jaws.
• The weight of an adult dwarf dachshund can reach a maximum of 6 kg, and a rabbit even less - 3.5 kg. The height of the first varies from 16 to 25 cm, and the second grows to a height of 10 to 15 cm, males are usually higher bitches.
• But the main parameter by which the type of dachshund is determined is the girth girth. In dwarfs, this figure is 30-35 cm, and in rabbit ones - less than 30 cm. It is precisely on the basis of the volume of the chest (or OGK) that the specific type of tax is determined. However, this can be done only after it reaches one year old.

Also, when choosing a puppy, you need to see how at least one of his parents looks to make sure that you have not sold the standard dachshund to the child instead of the mini one.

By color, the dachshund can be divided into three types.

• Monochrome (or pure) - these dogs are uniformly colored, their color may be red, chocolate or pale yellow.
• Two-toneAt the same time, one of the colors always dominates, and the second is several tones lighter and is located as if in separate spots on the body. The main, as a rule, is black or brown, which is complemented by light areas on the tips of the paws, on the sides of the muzzle and in the chest area.
• Tricolor or spotty (most often of marble or brindle color) - these are the rarest and most unusual species of dwarf dachshunds.

Dwarf dachshunds have a cheerful, cheerful and affectionate character. They make excellent companion dogs who love to communicate with their master and are ready to follow him anywhere, accompanying him on long walks. However, to get such a devoted and obedient four-legged friend, you need to actively engage in his upbringing.

Taksa requires constant contact with the owner, this is especially important in puppyhood, when the character and habits of the dog are formed. She can not be alone for long - from boredom the dog will begin to destroy everything around: to scratch the wallpaper, to tear things, to spoil the shoes and the fact that “it is not lying”. Therefore, if you are not ready to pay enough attention to your pet and your time, then it is better to give preference to another breed. If the tax is given to itself, then you will get an aggressive, wayward and disobedient dog that will do what it pleases without recognizing the authority of the owner.

Dachshunds are very active persons who need to spill their energy somewhere. Therefore, they require long walks (3 times a day for at least half an hour each). During walking, you need not only to go a fairly long distance, but also to play with your pet and work out the teams. They also need to somehow realize their hunting instinct. Therefore, they love to dig holes and hunt for everything that moves: birds, fish, mice.

As hunters' blood flows in their veins, they have such qualities as perseverance, patience, stubbornness and incredible courage. However, with improper upbringing or lack of it at all, these character traits can reach an extreme degree and will turn into obstinacy, willfulness and complete disregard for the will of the owner. It is advisable to work out with your pet at a dog handler. You can start to do it already from 4 months of age.

During the training, it is preferable to use positive reinforcement, that is, to give the dog a "snack" or praise it for a properly performed action. In no case can not be rude to deal with dachshund, shout at her, and even more so to beat. These dogs are very touchy, vindictive and will severely avenge you for the humiliation of their dog dignity. Dachshund should have only one person, which it will consider as the owner. However, she perceives all family members as her flock and treats them kindly and with love.

Since the dachshund is a very egocentric dog with a great sense of dignity, it is desirable that it be the only four-legged pet in the house, otherwise jealousy of other pets is inevitable, which can result in serious aggression towards them. Knowing the characteristics of the dwarf dachshund, you can decide whether it suits you or not.

It has been scientifically proven that the life expectancy of small dogs is higher than that of large brethren - their body wears out more slowly. Dwarf dachshunds on average live up to 12 years. But with proper nutrition and good care, they can overcome the 15-year mark.And if your pet is lucky not only with the owner, but also with genetics, then he has a chance to meet even his 20th anniversary.

To extend the life of your four-legged friend, you need to follow these simple guidelines.

• In order to prevent viral diseases, it is necessary to vaccinate your pet every year, as well as to protect against ticks during the period of their activity.
• Regular visits to the veterinarian and testing 2 times a year will identify a possible disease or disruption of the work of some organ at an early stage. After all, it is known that it is better to prevent the disease than to treat it later.
• Sterilization of females and castration of males prevents tumors of the genitals, and in females - also mammary glands.
• One of the weakest points of the dachshund is the spine. Therefore, it is necessary to avoid excessive load on him and various injuries that the animal can get by jumping even from a small hill - a chair or a sofa.

Mini-dachshunds can vary not only the color of the coat, but also its length and texture. According to this parameter, they are usually divided into three types:

• short-haired (or smooth-haired);
• long haired;
• Wire-haired (the rarest kind).

With short-haired dachshunds the least of all, since the length of their hair does not exceed 3 cm. It is enough to wipe such dogs after walking with a wet cloth, and you can use the brush no more than 1-2 times a week. Long-haired and hard-haired dachshunds have a much richer head of hair and also undercoat, which means they will need extra care - periodic haircuts and daily combing.

From each other, these two species differ quite strongly. They have different hair textures.

• Long-haired hair is soft, smooth and soft to the touch, slightly curly. The longest coat is on the ears - because of this peculiarity in full face, they somewhat resemble spaniels. Wavy "strands" hang from the sides, the chest just below the neck is also covered with thick curly hair, and the tail is crowned by the body.
• Wire-haired dachshunds are distinguished by abundant vegetation, mainly on the muzzle - they have a mustache and a beard, which makes them a bit like terriers. They also have elongated, hard, coarse hair on the chest and on the body, although their length is less than that of the previous type.

The main difference from a dwarf dachshund from the usual are only its dimensions - height at the withers, girth of the sternum and weight. They are smaller than the standard variety. It can also be noted that mini-dachshuks have a more stubborn, capricious and obstinate character than their progenitors.

For the rest of the indicators (color and length of wool and other external parameters), all representatives of this breed are almost identical. The hunting qualities are developed equally in both ordinary and small dachshunds.

Buying a puppy should be in the kennel, which has all the necessary documents for carrying out activities on breeding dogs. Preference should be given to experienced breeders who have been successfully working on the market for a long time. In choosing a nursery, you can rely on the recommendations of friends or at least read reviews about a specific "seller" of taxes on the Internet. You can also seek advice from cynological communities.

Diligent breeder must provide the future owner with all the necessary documents: veterinary and puppy passports, as well as pedigree dogs.Between him and the future owner of the puppy should be a contract of sale, confirming the fact of the transaction.

It is necessary to obtain information about the puppy's parents, it is advisable to see the mother and ask for a photo of the father, to know his character. In appearance, the parameters and behavioral characteristics of the parents can be judged on how their baby will be when he becomes an adult. This data is especially important if you plan to use their descendant for breeding or participation in exhibitions.

And finally, the most important stage is the immediate choice of a puppy. To determine which baby to make a four-legged member of your family, see the tips below.

• Rate the appearance of the puppy. It should be of medium build: not overfed and too fat, but not thin and bony. Choose a puppy with a well-defined muscular corset and with straight, without bends, tail and back.
• One of the main parameters is the quality of wool. It should be silky and shiny, and its color - rich and bright. Dull cover may indicate health problems or lack of vitamins and trace elements in the body. Also, the wool should be uniformly thick, have no bald patches and dandruff.
• A moist nose, clean ears and the absence of purulent discharge from the eyes are essential components of a healthy puppy.
• Be sure to open and inspect the mouth of the baby. Normally, the gums are also the tongue of a small “taxy baby” of bright pink color, and there should be as many teeth in the mouth as it should be at his age.

Watch all the babies and choose an energetic, playful, fun and brave puppy, but not showing aggression towards your brothers and sisters. A puppy with pronounced leadership qualities can give you a lot of trouble with its stubborn wayward character - you have to spend more time, effort and nerves on his upbringing.

For a small pet you need an eye and an eye. His curiosity and heightened activity can lead to damage to your property, especially at the stage when teeth are cut at the baby. Therefore, hide shoes, wires and all your belongings away from puppy teeth, and instead of them, offer the little ruffian to gnaw on toys and bones from the pet shop.

Caring for dachshund should be comprehensive. It must necessarily include regular brushing. This is an unpleasant procedure for dogs, so you need to start it as soon as possible so that your pet is used to it. Teeth are cleaned to get rid of plaque and to prevent caries and tartar. This is done with special veterinary drugs at least 1 time per week.

Also, from a young age, a dog needs to cut its claws. "Manicure" can be done in a veterinary clinic or at home by purchasing special tweezers. But carrying out this procedure yourself, you must be careful not to touch that part of the claw where the blood vessels begin.

Dachshund wool care is also very important, especially if it is long. Hair should be regularly combed with a special comb. First they follow in the direction of hair growth, and not only their back, chest and abdomen are scratched, but also their paws and tail, and then they brush it in the same places, but against the coat. Such a massage will help not only prevent the appearance of mats and eliminate dust and loose hair, but also improve blood circulation and remove excess sebum.

If the dog's coat has ceased to shine, and even more so has started to fall out strongly, then this is a reason to consult a doctor and pass the necessary tests. The reason may be unhealthy diet, lack of nutrients, as well as various diseases.

Once every 3 months, the pet must be treated from internal and external parasites. Anthelmintic agents fight the first, and the second are destroyed with the help of drops on the withers. Since dachshunds, especially short-haired, are very thermophilic, in cold weather they need to be walked in warm clothes, and in rainy clothes - in waterproof overalls. After the walk, they wipe their paws with a wet and then dry cloth. Once or twice a month, wash the dogs with a special shampoo in warm water. It is not recommended to bathe small dachshunds up to six months old. Do not be lazy and regularly inspect the ears of your pet, clean them with sulfur with a cotton swab. If you suspect an ear mite, immediately contact your veterinarian. Since the dwarf and rabbit dachshunds are mini-dogs, they can be taught to walk at home in the tray.

This is one of the main questions facing the man who started a pet. If they become a dwarf dachshund, then you need to take into account the fact that this breed has a greater tendency to obesity. It means that you can not overfeed it in any case, since excess weight leads to shortness of breath and other serious health problems.

First of all, you need to decide on the type of food: whether it will be “drying” or natural food. But keep in mind - you need to choose something one, you can not combine industrial feed and "naturalku" because these two types of food are digested in the stomach in different ways. Their combination will lead to a violation of the function of utilities.

If you stopped your choice on dry food, then give preference to premium brands - cheap food contains mostly flavoring dyes, and in expensive foods they have more protein and other ingredients needed for dogs.

The advantages of a dry feed over a natural one are that it is balanced - it contains all the vitamins and trace elements necessary for dogs in the right proportions. But, of course, you can not exceed the daily dosage - the amount of the daily norm, depending on the weight of the animal, the manufacturer indicates on the package.

If you decide to feed a four-legged pet "naturalka", then this does not mean that you should give him food from your table. Salted, peppered, spicy and fatty foods are not recommended for dogs, so for your four-legged pet you will have to cook it separately. Taxa requires a large amount of protein - it can get it from meat (chicken or beef) and lean fish, you can still give cottage cheese, eggs and dairy products.

It is better to boil the meat, because raw contains at least more protein, but at the same time more helminths, because of which pet wormstock will have to be more often. Pork for dogs, especially for dwarf dachshunds, is a forbidden product, as it is very fat. Nor can dogs be given tubular bones - they can damage the sensitive esophagus of small dogs. In addition to protein, the dog's diet must include energy sources - carbohydrates. They are contained in cereals, it is better to choose buckwheat, oatmeal or rice, you can even mix them. Grains are cooked in water or meat broth. The last option for dogs is most preferable - such porridge will smell like meat.

It is necessary to give vegetables and fruits to the tax - either in its natural form, or in the form of vitamin and mineral supplements, which are sold in pet shops. Sweet for a dwarf dog is contraindicated. You can not feed her cookies, candy, chocolate.

Food should not be given to the dachshund immediately after cooking. - it needs to be cooled a little so that your pet does not burn its mouth and throat. Food must be fresh. After your four-legged friend has eaten, the cup of food must be removed. But the water should be in constant access.It is enough to feed an adult dachshund 2 times a day - in the morning and in the evening, but at the same time. And it is advisable to do this not before, and after the walk - walking on a full stomach to your pet will be much harder.

Puppies up to six months require 5 meals a day, closer to 6 months, you can reduce it to 4 times a day. After half a year, in adolescence, food should be given to dachshunds 3 times a day, and starting from the age of one year old, feeding should be reduced to 2 times.

Any dog ​​needs to communicate with the owner, and dwarf dachshund because of its nature - especially. If you give a small pet attention, care and affection, then he will repay you with incredible love and devotion.

In the next video, you can take a look at the dwarf dachshund in motion.