How Much Should A Mini Dachshund Weigh and How Does That Compare To Standard Dachshunds?

Last Updated on July 14, 2021 by Marco

Miniature Doxies are as small as they are cute but exactly how much should a mini dachshund weigh and how does that compare to standard dachshunds? Knowing the expected weight of your Doxie is important if you want to be sure that everything is all right health-wise. Doxies are prone to obesity and can sometimes diverge from their expected weight. Plus, the line between mini and standard dachshunds can sometimes seem blurry.

How Much Should A Mini Dachshund Weigh?

The average weight of a dachshund is usually more than twice that of a mini dachshund. So, while an adult standard dachshund weighs around 20 pounds (or 9 kg), an adult mini dachs should weigh somewhere around 9 pounds (or 4 kg).

This comparison is important to know because some dishonest breeders will often sell smaller standard dachshund runts as “mini dachshunds” when they are not. This can often spell a lot of health issues for the little pup and lots of major vet expenses for you. The reason being that smaller standard dachshunds are usually smaller because of some underlying health conditions.

If a breeder is trying to trick you like that then this isn’t a breeder you should be working with. Plus, it’s likely a breeder that doesn’t adhere to the well-established and recommended breeding practices.

How Can You Make Sure That The Pup You’re Getting Is Truly A Mini Dachshund?

Visually differentiating between a mini Doxie pup and a small standard Doxie pup can be difficult as both are going to be extremely small. Fortunately, the way to make sure you’re getting what you want is simple:

• Ask for a birth and health certificate for your pup
• Ask for the health certificates of the parent mini Doxies
• Demand to see the two-parent dogs as well as your pup’s litter too

A lot of people skip the last step and a lot of breeders refuse to accommodate it when asked. It is crucial, however – if you see the parents of your mini dachs personally you can make sure that they are indeed mini Doxies themselves. What’s more, you can compare your future pup with the rest of its litter and ensure that it isn’t atypically smaller or bigger than the rest.

Plus, you’ll be able to inspect the parents’ physique and health too – not only should they clearly be mini dachs, but their chest circumference should be under 14 inches (35 cm) too.

If a breeder refuses to oblige you with any of the above three steps, it’s best to just walk away and look for your future mini Doxie elsewhere.

Read more about: Full Size Dachshund vs Mini Dachshund – 4 Remarkable Differences

Miniature Dachshund Weight Chart

If you want to make sure not only that you’ve been given a true mini dachs but also that it’s growing properly, you can just weigh your pup every month and compare its weight to this chart:

Of course, keep in mind that all these numbers are just approximations. It’s perfectly normal for a mini dachs’ weight to deviate from the norm a little bit. As long as that deviation isn’t too significant, however, (say, around 10% from the norm) there should be nothing to worry about. If your mini Doxie is weighing significantly more or less than the average, however, that may be a cause for concern. We’ll address the most probable causes of that below.

Also, note that there isn’t much of a difference between male and female mini dachshunds’ weight. This is simply a function of how light these dogs are. Mini Doxies weigh so little that – even though there are differences between males and females – these differences feel almost insignificant.

When Is The Dachshund Ideal Weight Reached?

Like other small dog breeds, mini dachshunds usually reach their maximum weight before their first birthday. A mini Doxie can “fill up” as soon as its 8^th month but will usually continue gaining a little bit of weight until its 11^th or 12^th month.

Naturally, the exact weight of your dachshund will ultimately depend on how you feed the dog and how much exercise you’re providing. Dachshunds are prone to getting overweight if you don’t limit their food but that’s obviously ill-advised.

What If Your Dachs Weighs More Or Less Than What’s Expected?

If your Doxie’s weight strays too much from the norm there can be a few explanations of that.

• Excessive weight may be due to overeating, not enough exercise, or a hormonal shift.
• Insufficient weight may be due to stress, anxiety, or depression, intestinal worms, and other parasites, or an ongoing illness the pup is struggling with.

Needless to say, you should get your dog to a vet as soon as you start suspecting that the problem is due to anything other than just an improper diet or exercise.

How Can You Easily Weigh Your Doxie?

If your mini dachs refuses to sit on the scale, there’s an easy cheat you can do. First, weigh yourself and note the exact number. Then pick up your mini Doxie and measure your combined weight. From there, a quick calculation should be enough to give you your mini dachs’ exact weight. Just make sure that your scale is accurate and precise enough.

What Can You Do To Maintain The Perfect Mini Dachshund Weight?

Obviously, the big three rules for maintaining a good physique are as follows:

• Good, nutritious, well-measured, and non-fat diet
• Ample exercise of about an hour outdoor time and plenty of indoor playtime
• Bi-annual vet checkups to make sure everything with your mini Doxie’s health is as it should be

Read more about: What Is The Average Lifespan Of A Miniature Dachshund?

Yordan

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.