Last Updated on May 12, 2022 by Marco
So, you want a tiny Doxie but you’re not clear exactly what to expect. Let’s find out how big are miniature dachshunds exactly and why that’s important. Are they impractically small or are they still pretty sizable? After all, the way certain sub-breeds are named is often misleading – some “large” breeds are medium-sized, some “toy” dogs are actually just small, and so on. Does this apply to the mini Doxie, how big are miniature dachshunds, and what does this mean for their health, price, necessary care, and more?
How Big Are Miniature Dachshunds?
The exact numbers you can expect to see on your weight scale and tape measure are as follows:
- Up to 11 pounds of weight (<5 kg), usually about 9 or 10 pounds (~4 kg)
- 5 or 6 inches of height at the shoulder (12.7 to 15 cm), meaning that you should measure from the floor to the base of the neck
- About 12.5 to 13 inches of torso length (30 to 35 cm), counted from the base of the head to the base of the tail
And that’s how big a full-grown miniature dachshund usually is. Of course, the dog can be heavier but that would typically indicate that you have an overweight Doxie on your hands. A standard dachshund’s weight starts from 16 pounds (7.3 kg) up so if your mini Doxie is somewhere between 11 and 16 pounds, either it’s overweight or you’ve got a mixed breed dog.
As for the length of mini dachshund dogs, the reason why it’s technically only the torso that’s measured is to avoid confusion, miscalculations, tail length variation, and so on. So, if you see someone boasting with a 20-inch or 50 cm Doxie, they are either measuring the head and tail too or they have a standard dachshund.
Learn more about: 9 Main Miniature Dachshund Health Issues You Should Know
Miniature Dachshund Weight Chart
To give you a more detailed idea of how big are miniature dachshunds as they age, here’s a month-by-month miniature dachshund weight chart:
| Miniature Dachshund Age | Male Mini Dachs Weight | Female Mini Dachs Weight |
| 1 month | Less than 2.2 lbs (or 1 kg) | Less than 2 lbs (or 1 kg) |
| 2 months | Still less than 2.2 lbs (or 1 kg) | Still less than 2 lbs (or 1 kg) |
| 3 months | About 2.2 lbs (or 1 kg) | About 2.2 lbs or 1 kg) |
| 5 months | About 4.5 lbs (or 2 kg) | 3.3 to 4.4 lbs (or 1.5 to 2 kg) |
| 7 months | About 6.5 lbs (or 3 kg) | 4.5 to 5.5 lbs (or 2 to 2.5 kg) |
| 9 months | About 8.5 to 9 lbs (or 4 kg) | 6.5 to 7.5 lbs (or 3 to 3.5 kg) |
| 11 months | 9 lbs (or 4 kg) | Up to 9 lbs (or 4kg) |
Is The Health Of A Miniature Dachshund Worsened By Its Smaller Size?
So, we figured out how big are miniature dachshunds but what does this tell us about their health? We are used to expecting extra health issues when dealing with the miniature versions of other standard breeds – is this true for the mini Doxie as well?
In a word – no. Or, at the very least, not in theory. Mini dachshunds don’t have any significant increase in their health risks compared to standard dachshunds. So, don’t worry, a mini Doxie’s IVDD isn’t going to be worse or anything. However, that can change when some breeders don’t apply the appropriate breeding practices for mini dachshunds in an attempt to “mass produce” them.
So, if you’re getting a dog bred by a puppy mill or another disreputable breeder, there might be some extra health issues to watch out for. Those aren’t inherent to the breed, however – bad breeding practices can affect any dog breed.
Are Miniature Dachshunds More Expensive?
On average and as of now – yes, mini Doxies are somewhat more expensive than standard dachshunds. That’s not because there’s anything “better” or “worse” about either dog, it’s just because mini Doxies are in-demand right now and that drives up their price. Plus, smaller dogs have smaller litters and mini Doxies tend to have 1-2 pups less per litter compared to larger dachshunds which also contributes to their slightly higher price. Still, the difference isn’t all that major – the dog’s coat and color usually contribute much more to price hikes.
FAQs
What is the size of a miniature dachshund?
According to most kennel clubs such as the AKC (American Kennel Club), a miniature dachshund should always weigh less than 11 pounds (<5 kg). So, the expected adult weight of these dogs is around 9 or sometimes 10 pounds (~4 kg).
Anything larger than that wouldn’t necessarily be a “standard dachshund” as they are supposed to be a minimum of 16 pounds (7.3 kg) or more. However, an 11 to 16-pound Doxie would either be a severely overweight miniature dachshund or some sort of a cross that’s unrecognized as purebred by kennel clubs.
On the other hand, anything that’s less than 8 or 9 pounds (<4 kg) would be considered a toy, teacup, or rabbit/kaninchen dachshund. These extra small Doxies aren’t recognized as purebreds by the vast majority of kennel clubs, however. That’s because the breeding of such an extraordinarily tiny dachshund usually involves a lot of ill-advised breeding techniques and results in unhealthy animals.
As for height, a miniature dachshund should be around 5 to 6 inches tall at the shoulder (12.7 to 15 cm). We usually use weight as a point of measurement as it’s easier to track and is more relevant for the dog’s health.
How long is a full size mini Dachshund?
An adult and full size miniature dachshund should be somewhere between 12.5 and 13 inches long (30 to 35 cm). Do keep in mind how this length is measured, however. The correct approach is to only look at the length between the base of the neck to the base of the tail. Essentially, this means that you’re measuring your dog’s torso and not its entire body.
This is done to ensure better consistency when comparing measurements done by different people as well sa to account for certain small and insignificant variations in tail length. After all, the key here isn’t just to measure dachshunds for fun but to establish a breed standard and to make sure that all dogs within it are healthy and well-proportioned.
So, if you see someone boasting online that their miniature dachshund is 20 inches or 50 cm, they are either measuring their mini Doxie wrong or they are talking about a standard dachshund.
Jordan is an animal–lover who specializes in dachshunds. He has owned and cared for dachshunds since he was a child, and his passion for these unique dogs has only grown with time. Jordan is an avid researcher and learner, and spends a large portion of his free time studying the history, behaviour, and health of dachshunds. He has a knack for training and socializing his own dogs, and loves introducing them to new experiences. When not caring for his own pets, Jordan likes to volunteer at local animal rescue shelters, helping to find homes for abandoned dachshunds. He is a true animal advocate, and dedicates his time to ensure that all animals receive the love, respect, and care they deserve.
