Smooth Miniature and Kaninchen Dachshund

Temperament

The Dachshund is an independent and lively breed with a marked hunting instinct inherited from its origin as a burrow dog. Despite its small size, it behaves like a big dog: brave, alert and very attached to its family. It gets along well with older children who understand its particular anatomy and accepts other dogs without issue if socialised from puppyhood. It is a breed suited to active families and also to seniors seeking an affectionate and alert companion, provided its need for daily walks is respected. Its vocal tone is distinctive: the Dachshund barks to alert, not out of anxiety.

Care

The smooth (short-haired) Dachshund is easy to care for: a weekly brush with a rubber glove is enough, with an occasional bath and no grooming parlour or stripping. Ears should be checked regularly and nails trimmed every three to four weeks. Exercise should be moderate and without abrupt jumps from sofas or stairs to protect the spine. At our kennel in Dénia we accustom puppies to brushing, ear and nail handling, and the lead from five weeks of age, so they arrive home with basic care routines already established.

Adult size

The FCI and the RSCE classify the Dachshund by chest circumference, measured from fifteen months of age, not by weight. We breed two varieties. The kaninchen (rabbit) is the smallest, with a chest circumference of up to 30 cm. The miniature has a chest circumference of more than 30 cm and up to 35 cm. Above 35 cm the Dachshund is considered standard size, and we do not breed that variety. Body length always takes precedence over height: the Dachshund keeps its characteristic elongated silhouette in every variety.

Family life

It gets along well with families with children over six years old, provided they are taught not to pick it up and to respect its back. It gets on well with other dogs and can live with cats if introduced from puppyhood. It is a breed suited to flat living thanks to its size, on the condition that repetitive stair climbing and jumps from height are avoided. We serve families in Dénia, Valencia, Alicante, Benidorm and Murcia, and many of them live in flats without any issues. The Dachshund needs companionship and does not cope well with being left alone for many hours: if no one is home during the day, it is worth considering another option.

History and origin

The Dachshund is a German breed whose name comes from Dachs (badger) and Hund (dog). It was developed in 16th-century Germany to hunt badgers inside their burrows, taking advantage of its low, elongated silhouette and brave temperament. The FCI classifies it in Group 4 — Dachshunds, a group exclusive to the breed, and distinguishes three sizes and three coat varieties (smooth, wire-haired and long-haired), giving a total of nine recognised combinations. The official standard is maintained by the Deutscher Teckelklub. At 4Patas we breed only the smooth (short-haired) variety, in miniature and kaninchen sizes, in chocolate and chocolate dapple (merle).

Nutrition

A quality kibble formulated for small or medium breeds is recommended, with animal protein as the first ingredient. Puppies eat three to four times a day until six months of age; adults eat twice a day. Weight management is especially critical in this breed: excess weight directly increases the risk of back problems. Excessive treats, table scraps and bones that could splinter should be avoided.

Breed-specific health

The condition most commonly associated with the Dachshund is intervertebral disc disease (IVDD), resulting from its elongated spine. To reduce the risk it is advisable to maintain a lean weight, avoid jumps from height, limit stair use during growth, and use a harness instead of a collar on daily walks. Other recommended check-ups include ophthalmological examination and periodic hearing assessment. Puppies are delivered with vaccinations and deworming up to date, an official veterinary booklet and health certificate — full details of our protocol can be found on the guarantees page.