While there are many small dog breeds available, one of the most popular breeds is the miniature dachshund. This breed differs from the standard sized dachshund only in size and weight, being less than eleven pounds. Because these are such small dogs, they are popular amongst those who have very little room, yet need a fury companion. The breed is most popular with urban dwellers as they rank in the top ten across seventy-six cities that were surveyed.

Miniature dachshund puppies were first bred in Germany around the time of the 17th century. The smaller miniature variety was developed primarily to hunt and dig for burrow-dwelling game like rabbits and badgers. Not only would they dig for these animals, but they were strong and active allowing them to drag their prey out of a burrow if needed. Being an intelligent breed, the miniature dachshund was easy to train with positive reinforcement and was bred primarily for this reason.

Being very creative in their personalities, miniature dachshund puppies quickly became popular amongst many in the art and literature community. The role of Toto in the Wizard of Oz was originally written for a miniature dachshund, but this was later changed due to post World War I hostility towards the Germans. Unfortunately for the breed, the dachshund’s overall popularity decreased substantially after the war as they were often portrayed as the Germans in war propaganda. After much information concerning the breed was made known, the popularity soon rose again quickly.

When allowed to socialize at an early age, miniature dachshund puppies are excellent for families with children and other pets. The breed is known to be playful and affectionate with a gentle approach to small children. Making friends is easy with the social behavior of the dachshund. They require only a weekly brushing to keep their coat beautiful and a daily walking for exercise. A drawback to consider with the miniature dachshund, however, is severe separation anxiety. They can adapt well to the confined space of apartment living, but if left alone on a daily basis, the dachshund can quickly become destructive.
Miniature dachshund puppies need a consistent relationship with their owners who will provide much needed love and affection. They are active and intelligent dogs, but also love to be a lapdog when it is not time to play. Their many attributes make them a very popular breed within the United States.