An energetic combination of feisty and courage, the Terrier Dachshund mix is arguably the most adorable of all designer Dachshund breeds.
In the most basic sense, the Dachshund Terrier is a small to medium-sized canine breed resulting from the cross between the Dachshund and the Terrier. Or more accurately, a mix between a Dachshund and any of the breeds under the Terrier family.
This could result in a multitude of mixes. However, the most popular Terrier species used in this mix include the Jack Russell Terrier, Yorkshire Terriers, Cairn Terriers, Fox Terriers & Wire-haired Terriers.
The crossbreed of Dachshund and Yorkshire Terrier is commonly known as “Dorkie”. That between a Jack Russell Terrier and a Dachshund is referred to as ” Jackshund or Jackweenie”. “Doxie Cairn” is the name given to the hybrid of a Cairn Terrier and Dachshund and so forth.
Whether in terms of personality or aesthetics, the Doxie & Terrier mixes have a lot of options to offer. Although their personality and appearance have a lot to do with the attributes of the contributing bloodline, the pups can inherit some of the best traits from their parents.
Generally, Terrier Dachshunds are affectionate, playful puppies with a strong penchant for cuddling.
One fascinating thing about this hybrid is that if they dislike a person they meet for the first time, it is for life. They can never like them.
You might be interested in Dachshund Pomeranian Mix: A Complete Guide This Beautiful Hybrid
| Dachshund Terrier Mix Facts | |
|---|---|
| Breed type | Designer breed |
| Average weight | Up to 32 pounds |
| Average height | Up to 23 inches |
| Life span | Up to 20 years |
| Coat type/color | Depends on the parent breeds |
| Temperament | Energetic, lively, active, friendly, affectionate, loyal, stubborn |
| Shedding level | Minimal |
| Health Problems | Eye problems, intervertebral disc disease, epilepsy, patellar luxation, digestive tract diseases, etc |
| Grooming Needs | Low to moderate maintenance |
| Price | $700 - $1000 |
Where Do Dachshund Terrier Mix Come From?
There is an unlimited number of possible combinations resulting from a mix between a Dachshund and a Terrier. Coupled with the fact that there are many Terrier breeds, it makes it difficult to trace exactly the origin of the Dachshund Terrier hybrid.
Even though the Terrier Dachshund gained popularity in recent years, both parent dogs were developed hundreds of years ago.
The Dachshund can be traced back as far back as the 15th century. The name is of German origin meaning “badger dog” from Dachs (“badger”) and Hund (“hound”, “dog”). The Dachshund is a creation of German breeders but has been kept by royal courts all over Europe, including that of Queen Victoria and the Spanish legendary painter, Picasso. They were commonly used for badger & fox hunting and in packs were known to hunt game as large as wild boar.
Terriers, on the other hand, were bred in England in the early 1900s, to rid barns & stables of vermin and to dig out unwanted burrowing rodents. Fittingly, their name originates in the Latin word ” terra” meaning “earth”.
Lower-class citizens used the terriers for rat hunting as a sort of recreation while upper classes used them for fox hunting. They were also bred to fight each other in pits. But when dog fighting was outlawed in the late 1900s, these dogs were thereafter kept in a homely and friendly environment.
You might be interested in Blue Heeler Rat Terrier Mix: What To Expect From This Designer Dog
Dachshund Terrier Mix Appearance
Each mixed breed of a Dachshund and a Terrier can be different from one another in terms of physical appearance. It is not surprising though, because just as there are differences in the Dachshund breeds, there are many more Terrier breeds with notable differences too.
For example, a Jackshund ( a Dachshund mixed with a Jack Russell Terrier) is short-haired while a Dorkie (a Dachshund mixed with a Yorkshire Terrier) is long-haired.
Their color combinations are also totally unpredictable and largely dependent on the parent dogs. The same goes for the eyes, ears, nose, the shape of the jaws, etc.
Therefore, it is impossible to know how your puppy will eventually look if you do not do a background check on the parent breeds.
You might be interested in Golden Retriever Dachshund Mix: All About This Striking Combination
Size and Weight
Just as you cannot predict the physical features of your intended pup, you cannot know in advance what their size, shape, or weight will look like.
Generally, the Dachshund Terriers are usually small to medium dogs weighing up to 32 pounds.
It is not uncommon for a large Dachshund to produce a small-sized puppy. This is so because sometimes the size of the Doxie plays a vital role in determining how big a mix will appear.
Coat
There are a lot of coat types and color combinations associated with this crossbreed. It will most likely look like the fur of the parents.
In most cases, the Dachshund Terrier mix usually inherits the coat type seen in the Doxie parent. The reason for this is unknown.
There are 3 coat assortments evident in the Dachshund breed. They include –
- A short-haired coat
- A long-haired coat and,
- A wire-haired coat.
The coat appearance of Terriers varies from the smooth coated English Toy Terrier and the rough coated Airedale Terrier to the hairless Rat Terrier.
Concerning the coat color, there could be a wide range of combinations of black, brown, tan, cream, white red, blue & tan, fawn, gray, etc.
Stature
The Dachshund Terrier mix can reach a height of about 14 inches at the shoulders although it may range between 12-14 inches. For a Jackweenie, it could reach as much as 23 inches.
Generally, they are known to have a small stature coupled with weak bones. This vastly affects their movements over time. Obesity have been established to be contributing factors to this issue.
Ultimately, the stature of this crossbreed largely depends on the particular terrier which is crossed with the dachshund parent.
Life Expectancy Of A Dachshund Terrier Mix
The Terrier Dachshunds generally live long lives. One reason for this is that they are very healthy. Most of the health issues they have are minor & not life-threatening.
Another reason for their longevity is that they eat healthily. They are not fussy or voracious eaters, although they have a high tendency for weight gain if left unchecked.
A Dachshund Terrier mix will live for up to 15 years. In one case, the oldest Dachshund Terrier ever lived, lived for 20 years!
Also Read: Corgi Dachshund Mix Info, Pictures, Facts & FAQs
Dachshund Terrier Mix Temperament
The temperament of the Terrier Dachshund is not so different from its parent dogs.
Below are a few of the common traits you find in this mixed breed –
From the Feisty Terrier side
- Energetic & Cheerful – It does not matter which dog you mix with a Terrier, you will always get energetic and lively puppies. Even if you are not a dog lover, you can remain indifferent after being around such an adorable pooch. There are simply no dull moments with them.
- Confident & Determined – Any dog capable of facing out a vermin or something large, needs to be brave and confident. The tenacity is honed so well that they can assume the position of the boss in your home if you don’t from the onset assert yourself to be one.
- Alert & Active – With a knack for being constantly alert, a Dachshund Terrier will quickly take any action they feel might be necessary when they sense danger. They also can be reactive to other dogs.
From the Loyal Doxie side
- Affectionate & Loving – These dogs have a lot of love to give. They are known to have strong attachments to their favorite family members and follow them around the house. These doggies make great lap dogs & are known to give superb cuddles.
- Loyal & Friendly – Terrier Dachshunds are very protective of their owners and can be standoffish with strangers. They can also be friendly and territorial. All they need is early socialization & proper training and they’re good to go.
- Stubborn – Unfortunately, these puppies can inherit the stubbornness of their Dachshund parent. This would require adequate training, much patience & enticing treats before you can begin to see some positive changes.
Dachshund Terrier Mix Health Problems
There are persisting fears about the health risks for both parents & the progeny when practicing crossbreeding. The Dachshund and the Terrier have different health to deal with as purebreds. Dog breeding can only double the risk of the offspring.
Just as the Dachshund has a problematic issue with its back especially Intervertebral Disc Disease (IVDD), so also the Terrier parent battles eye conditions such as cataracts, glaucoma, keratoconjunctivitis sicca (dry eyes), retinal atrophy, etc.
Other prevalent health issues commonly seen in the Dachshund Terrier hybrid include –
- Globoid Cell Leukodystrophy
- Epilepsy
- Gastric dilation
- Craniomandibular Osteopathy (CMO)
- Hypothyroidism
- Patellar Luxation
- Skin allergies
- Corneal ulcers etc.
Taking Care Of Your Dachshund Terrier Mix
Caring for a Dachshund crossed with a Terrier takes time & effort on the part of the owner. Food, exercise, & grooming must be provided to ensure that your doggie stays happy & healthy all the time.
Food
Dachshund Terriers are not picky eaters and will simply go with whatever you provide them. However, you mustn’t choose low-quality food for them. Provide only the best.
To prevent them from getting obese or overweight, furnish them with adequate portions of food fortified with a lot of protein & enough vitamins. When you do this, you can be certain of a happy and healthy puppy.
Grooming
Fortunately, Dachshund Terriers are low-maintenance pups. Every potential owner would love to hear that. Also, they will be excited to know that the pooch they want to purchase requires brushing at least once or twice a month. However, if your doggie inherits a rather long hair like that of a Yorkshire Terrier parent, you might have to brush them more often.
Since they are low seasonal shedders, you can devote your spare time to other parts of their body that need grooming such as the teeth, eyes, ears, etc.
Brush the teeth of your Dachshund Terrier daily to prevent tooth decay, tartar buildup, or crooked teeth. Cut the nails at least once a month. Inspect the eyes and ears with clean cotton wool to identify the early development of eyes or ear infections or inflammation.
Exercise
Energetic & active, your furry friend needs at least an hour of outdoor and indoor exercise every day. Although it’s petite in stature, size is not a hindering factor. It makes them ideal for almost any living condition. They love being active and curious so try to build a fence or wall around the house to prevent them from roaming about.
Also Read: Beagle Dachshund Mix: A Complete Guide to the Doxle
Training Your Dachshund Terrier Mix
As an eager-to-please dog, the Dachshund Terrier will surely train for pleasure and see it as an opportunity to bond with their owners.
However, training one with the stubbornness of the Dachshund can be challenging. Training sessions are started at an early age & take several sessions to instill a positive behavior or achieve some level of correspondence in them. Patience is needed while doing this as it is easy to give up when met with so much resistance.
Positive reinforcement has been found to work on the parent breeds, making it ideal for owners to train their Dachshund Terrier with ease. The training method can also include having fun with your dog by going on quick runs & catches. Use treats, praise, and gifts as your positive reinforcement techniques.
Should You Get A Dachshund Terrier Mix?
Overall, the Dachshund Terrier mix is best fitted for owners who would enjoy a fun time with it. They are energetic and playful dogs who cherish every moment you spend with them.
No matter how small they might look, they can be fiercely protective of their owners, which is adorable to behold. And they do not require a lot of grooming. They can, however in the course of training.
Additionally, if you’re looking to lose some weight, this breed is a good fit for you. It is ideal for those who go on a regular jog
