Owning a Mini Dachshund can be a great experience, but you do have to be careful about your Mini Dachshund weight. Because they are so low to the ground and susceptible to back problems, weight plays a huge role in a Mini Doxie’s health and overall happiness.
It’s a good idea to know how much your Mini Dachshund should weigh and how you can maintain a healthy weight so your pup will be a healthy and happy companion to you for many years.
How much should a Mini Dachshund weigh? A Mini Dachshund should weigh less than 11 pounds when fully grown. If the dog weighs more than 11 pounds, he may be overweight or perhaps should be classed as a Standard Dachshund. A veterinarian can assess your dog’s health and let you know if he is overweight.
Average Mini Dachshund Weights
| Average weight at birth | 6-7 ounces |
| Average weight at 9 weeks | 3 pounds |
| Average weight at 12 weeks | 4-5 pounds |
| Average weight at 6 months | 5-6.5 pounds |
| Average weight at 12 months | 9-11 pounds |
If you have a Mini Dachshund and are concerned about his weight or want to make sure he is the proper weight, read on to learn more about how much your Mini Dachshund should weigh throughout his lifetime.
Mini Dachshund Weight By Age
It’s important to understand how much your Mini Dachshund should weigh at every stage in life. This will allow you to ensure your dog is on track and growing properly.
Mini Dachshund Birth Weight
The birth weight of a Mini Dachshund is usually between 6 and 8 ounces. The puppies are very small and fragile.
Over the first few weeks of life, they will grow larger and stronger. There may be a runt in the litter who is noticeably smaller at birth than the other puppies.
Mini Dachshund Weight at 9 Weeks
By 9 weeks old, Mini Dachshunds should weigh about 3 pounds. They should be eating hard food and completely weaned from their mother’s milk.
Mini Dachshund Weight at 12 Weeks
At 12 weeks old, Mini Dachshund puppies should weigh between 4 and 5 pounds. At this age, puppies are usually ready to be adopted and should be fairly independent of their mother.
Mini Dachshund Weight at 6 Months
At 6 months of age, Mini Dachshunds should weigh around 5 1/2Â to 6 pounds.Â
Mini Dachshund Weight at 12 Months
Mini Dachshunds are almost full-grown at 12 months old and should weigh between 9 and 11 pounds. Dogs who are larger at this age may be considered Standard Dachshunds.
Ideal Weight For Adult Mini DachshundÂ
The ideal weight for an adult Mini Dachshund is around 11 pounds. This will allow the dog to move around easily, and it is the right weight for such a small frame.
Mini Dachshunds are only around 9 inches tall, so in order to avoid obesity, their weight should be closely monitored.Â
What Is Overweight for a Mini Dachshund?
A Mini Dachshund over 11 pounds could be considered overweight, or it may just be a Standard Dachshund.
You will need to consider the dog’s height to determine if it really is a larger size Dachshund or just a Mini who is overweight.
How Much Should a Mini Dachshund Eat?
A Mini Dachshund puppy should eat about half a cup of food each day. An adult Mini Dachshund should eat about a cup of kibble each day.
Mini Dachshunds are very active, so they may need to eat more than once a day.Â
If you find that your dog does not eat all of his food in one setting and seems to be hungry throughout the day, you may want to try feeding him smaller portions more often throughout the day.
How To Tell If Your Mini Dachshund Is Overweight
The most common sign that a Mini Dachshund is overweight is a mobility problem.
Because Mini Dachshunds have such short legs, it doesn’t take much weight gain for their tummies to drag the ground.
Obesity can also make movement painful for your dog. They may no longer be able to run or jump or may seem lethargic.Â
Another sign can be the inability to feel your dog’s ribs. The ribs should be easy to find on a healthy dog, but when the dog is overweight, the fat can build up around the ribs so that you can’t feel them.
Mini Dachshund – Maintaining a Healthy WeightÂ
It’s much easier to maintain your Dachshund’s weight than try to help him lose weight. Here are some suggestions that can help prevent obesity in your dog and ensure he stays healthy.
Feed Frequently
Dachshunds need to eat several times a day. They have a lot of energy and are very active, which means their metabolism is fast. They may not eat much during each meal.
If your Mini Dachshund isn’t being fed often enough, he may overeat when you do feed him and eventually become overweight. Feed your dog several small meals during the day.
Provide Plenty Of Exercise
Your Dachshund should get plenty of chances to play and burn some energy. Take your pup on a walk at least once a day and allow them to run around in the house or in a fenced-in yard.
Do not keep your dog in a crate all day or limit his ability to move and run.
Offer The Right Foods
Your Mini Dachshund should eat a healthy, balanced diet every day.
Whether that consists of a high-quality kibble or homemade offerings is up to you, but check with your vet to make sure that your pup is receiving all the nutrients he needs.
Allow Your Dog To Rest
While you might not think of sleep as a factor in your dog’s weight, it can be. Dachshunds need to get plenty of rest so their metabolism stays on track.
If your dog is not sleeping well or long enough each day, he may not feel like playing and could become overweight.
Related Questions:
Why Are Dachshunds Always Hungry?
Dachshunds seem hungry all the time because they have high metabolic rates.
Because they are so full of energy and are so active, they burn calories quickly and need to eat small meals often to continue to be active.
If your dog seems hungry, try feeding him a small amount of food more frequently throughout the day.
If your dog is getting plenty to eat and still seems abnormally hungry, schedule an appointment with your vet to rule out a parasite or health problem.
How Much Exercise Does a Mini Dachshund Need?
Dachshunds need a lot of exercise to stay healthy. They are very active and enjoy walking and running.
Plan on providing 30-60 minutes of exercise per day. This can be broken up into several different play/exercise sessions instead of one long one.
Taking your dog for a walk once a day is a good start, but you may want to consider adding an extra walk three times a week and ensuring your dog has plenty of outside time too.
Because they are so small, dachshunds gain weight quickly and easily, and failing to provide them with enough exercise could cause health problems.
Closing ThoughtsÂ
If you have a Mini Dachshund and are concerned about Mini Dachshund weight, there are a lot of things to keep in mind. Dachshunds are small, so their weight can fluctuate quickly.
The best way to ensure your dog stays healthy is to feed him a healthy diet and allow for plenty of exercise. If your dog has a health problem that affects his weight, a veterinarian can offer more nutritional advice.
