If you want a family pet that’s tiny, absurdly energetic, very joyous, and kind of a trickster, look no further than the miniature pinscher and dachshund mix – the pocket dynamo pet. A cross between two small but very lovable and popular breeds, the Min Pin Doxie is guaranteed entertainment for any home.
At the same time, however, Doxie Pins do come with a few peculiarities that need attention. To learn whether this breed is right for you, we’ve tried to cover all the basics below.
What Does The Miniature Pinscher and Dachshund Mix Look Like?
As you’d expect, this lapdog breed is quite small. Doxie Pins typically don’t grow beyond 9 to 13 inches in height (23 to 33 cm) and 10 to 25 lbs in weight (4.5 to 11 kg). The exact range will depend on the parents’ size and a bit of chance.
As for this breed’s coat, it’s usually short to medium length, straight, and somewhat dense. It can either be a solid color or bi-colored. The main colors you’ll see include black, brown, tan, red, fawn, merle, and wheaten.
The shedding of this breed is pretty low and easy to manage with weekly brushings. It’s not hypoallergenic, however, so keep that in mind.
Learn more about: How Much Do Miniature Dachshunds Cost and Why?
What Are The Key Personality Traits Of The Min-Pin Mix?
If you want a dog that loves you to a nearly absurd degree, few will be a better option than the Doxie Pin. As both miniature pinschers and dachshunds are very affectionate and easily attached, their cross is often the same. These dogs love to play but they also love to snuggle and are ideal lap dogs.
At the same time, the dachshund vein in this crossbreed makes them quite independent too. This doesn’t contradict their affectionate nature – it just means that they love to snuggle with you on their own terms. They are also very kid-friendly even with small children. Some socialization is required, of course.
A slight drawback of that independence, however, is that the miniature pinscher and dachshund mix can be a bit challenging to train. Obedience training is a must from early on in their lives if you want a dog that doesn’t just ignore everything you say. This can be coupled with anti-bark training if you live in an apartment too.
Another crucial point about these dog’s temperaments is that they are very prone to separation anxiety. This is something that both parent breeds have in common as does their offspring. Separation anxiety means that your Doxie Pin absolutely cannot tolerate being left home alone for extended periods of time.
To avoid problems such as depression, disobedience, and destructive tendencies, we recommend considering some of all of the following tips:
- Make sure you or a family member are always with your Doxie Pin
- Employ the services of a dog walker or a dog sitter
- Arrange playdates with a fellow dog owner
- Buy plenty of anti-anxiety interactive dog toys
- Get a second dog
How Much Exercise Does A Dachshund Miniature Pinscher need?
45 to 60 minutes a day divided between two brisk walks in the park are usually enough for the Doxie Pin. Does this contradict with us calling them “pocket dynamos” – not really. Because while two quick walks are enough for their outdoor activities, the miniature pinscher and dachshund mix will still be very active indoors.
This isn’t a sign that you haven’t given them enough time in the park – that’s just how these dogs are. The Doxie Pin is small enough to happily play with toys indoors, chase balls, labor away at puzzle feeders, and much more. They’ll happily wrestle too with a seemingly endless energy supply until they suddenly get exhausted and fall to seel in your arms.
In short, Doxie Pins are both full of energy and pretty easy to keep in shape. Do keep in mind that it’s important to keep them in shape, however, as they are prone to obesity if not exercised enough.
How Healthy Os The Dachshund Min-Pin Mix Exactly?
The miniature pinscher and dachshund mix isn’t necessarily an “unhealthy” dog. If anything, their health is a bit so-so. They can be completely healthy for two full decades or they can be riddled with health problems.
A big part of that is due to genetics – which parent the pup has taken what from and what exactly the parent’s lineage was. That’s exactly why we always recommend getting your pup from reputable breeders only. Such breeders work really hard trying to avoid inbreeding and the passing on of undesirable genetic predispositions.
Furthermore, a reputable breeder will always offer you a health certificate for the pup you’re buying. In fact, many will also give you health certificates for the pup’s parents and will let you see them in person together with their litters.
Going through all that can help you avoid any or all of the following health risks:
- Intervertebral Disc Disease
- Legg-Calve Perthes Disease
- Obesity
- Patellar Luxation
- Hip Dysplasia
- Elbow Dysplasia
- Ear infections
Of course, a proper diet, regular and moderate exercise, together with routine vet check-ups are also a must.
Pros and Cons Of The Miniature Pinscher and Dachshund Mix?
Pros:
- A fantastic family pet
- Easily adaptable to both apartments and houses
- Easy to look after even if you’re a first-time dog owner
Cons:
- A few health issues to look out for
- Separation anxiety is an issue
- These tricksters require patience and training
Is The Miniature Pinscher and Dachshund Mix Right For You?
If you want an indoors-type dog that can easily exhaust most of its energy at home, the Doxie Pin is a good choice. These dogs make for great family pets and are great fun to be around. At the same time, however, they do have some health concerns you should look out for.
Additionally, as adaptable as they are to their circumstances, they really can’t stand being left alone. So, you should only get such a dog if you’re free and willing to look after it.
