The Dachshund, or Sausage Dog, was originally bred to hunt badgers, which is the reason for their unusual and adorable appearance.
Their short legs and long body are very distinctive, but their build can make them quite prone to obesity, so it’s important for owners to know how to assess what weight their pooch should ideally be.
In this guide, we’ve laid out all the key information you need to properly manage the weight of your Dachshund.
The Dachshund, or Wiener dog, comes in many different sizes, but there are two main varieties, which are the Miniature Dachshund and the standard Dachshund.
Both types are small dogs, and according to the American Kennel Club (AKC) breed standard:
Most Dachshund puppies will be fully grown by the time they’re eight months old, but not all Dachshunds will grow this quickly, and some will take 12 months to reach their adult height and weight.
A typical Dachshund puppy will have reached its adult height by six months old but will continue to gain weight for a little while longer. This is the same for both the Miniature and standard varieties, and there isn’t much difference in size between males and females.
The ideal healthy weight for a Dachshund varies widely, depending on whether the dog is a standard or miniature size.
However, most Dachshund owners will know that the Dachshund breed has an even greater variety of sizes than this. In Germany, there is an even smaller size than the miniature, which are known as Rabbit Dachshunds.
These tiny dogs are the same breed but will only weigh a maximum of 3.5kg when fully grown. So, figuring out what your dog’s weight should ideally be can be a little tricky, but the best way is to make sure you know what variety of Dachshunds you have.
Like many other dog breeds, Dachshunds are prone to weight gain and obesity if their diet isn’t properly monitored and they don’t get enough exercise.
One of the simplest ways to tell if your dog is overweight is if you can’t see or feel their ribcage, as this means they are carrying excess fat. This test will be more difficult to perform on longhaired Dachshunds due to their long coat.
For a more accurate measurement of how much your Dachshund weighs, you should take them to the vet to be weighed, and they will also be able to give you advice on how to help your Dachshund lose weight.
Dog nutrition can be a hard formula to get exactly right, but, as with most other dogs, you should feed your Dachshund high-quality dog food that’s packed with protein and nutrients to help them grow into a strong and healthy pooch.
You can, of course, give them a few treats as well, but this should be limited, as too many are bound to negatively affect your Dachshund’s weight.
The name Tweenie Dachshund has become popular amongst owners for describing Dachshunds that have an adult weight that is between 5kg and 7kg. This means that their size is in between the standard and miniature varieties of Dachshund, but the Tweenie size is not officially recognised.
Usually, at six months old, a Mini Dachshund will have reached its full adult height but will not yet be at its adult weight and, at this age, will usually weigh around 2.5kg.
The standard and miniature are the only two sizes of Dachshund that are officially recognised, and a Dachshund that weighs below 4.9kg, which is the normal weight for a miniature, is not classed as a Teacup Dachshund but is actually just a Mini Dachshund that is smaller than usual.
Although Dachshunds can be quite susceptible to gaining weight due to their unusual stature, owners who are armed with the right information about their dog’s weight should find it relatively easy to keep them healthy and happy.
With the right care and attention to their diet, you can help to keep your pooch looking nice and trim!
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