Facts About Miniature Long-Haired Dachshunds

Miniature Dachshunds are descendants of the longer and taller Standard sized relatives. In the early 1800s in Germany, the rabbit population was becoming a problem, so German breeders decided to try create a smaller Dachshund that could hunt the rabbits easily in their small dens. At the time, the owners were more concerned about size and hunting ability than about appearance, so they didn't make any distinctions among short, long and wire-haired dogs. These differences only began to matter when the pups entered the show rings.

In the early 1900s, Miniature Dachshunds became a popular breed in the United Kingdom. In 1935, the Miniature Dachshund Club was approved and registered by the English Kennel Club. Just 14 years later, the Club requested and received recognition for Miniature Long-Haired Dachshunds as a separate breed. In the United States, these little, long-haired pups are shown in different divisions within the Dachshund class.

Miniature Long-haired Dachshunds have short legs and long bodies, which are perfect for hunting small animals that burrow underground. The ideal weight for an adult Miniature Long-Haired Dachshunds is between 8 and 11 pounds, so they are the perfect size to snuggle on your lap during a good movie.

Long-haired Dachhunds were bred with German spaniels to create the long, flowing hair. Their fur is soft and silky, and grows longest on their neck, chest, ears and legs. The longest fur grows on their tail and fans out like a flag. Miniature Long-haired Dachshunds come in a variety of colors, including brown, black, tan, red and dapple.

Miniature Long-haired Dachshunds were bred initially to be good hunting dogs. As a result, all Dachshunds can be stubborn and independent, which are good qualities in a hunting dog. They also can be be a little bit aloof or suspicious of strangers, and nipping is common in under-socialized dogs.

Dachshunds can get bored easily, leading to digging, excessive barking, and other destructive behaviors. So, while Miniature Long-haired Dachshunds are small, they are not just lap dogs. They require a moderate amount of exercise and interaction to be happy members of the family. Some breeders claim that the Miniature Long-haired Dachshunds are calmer than their relatives as a result of the spaniel traits in their lineage, but they still need to be an active member of your family to be happy.

Because of their long bodies, back injuries are common in Miniature Long-haired Dachshunds. Dog breeder and trainer Michele Welton estimates that 25% of Dachshunds experience a back injury in their lives.

Miniature Long-haired Dachshunds also are prone to a degenerative eye disease that causes blindness, called Progressive Retinal Atrophy (PRA). If you buy your puppy from a breeder, be sure to ask for evidence that both parents are free from this defect.