Dachshund Doberman Mix: The Adorable Doxie Dobie
As the name suggests, the Dachshund Doberman mix is the result of combining two breeds—the Dachshund and the Doberman. This mixed breed is not an easy one to find, but if you stumble upon one of them and can’t resist their cuteness, we have a few tips to help you get the most out of their caring and loving nature and tone down their less desirable behaviors. Dachshunds were a great Picasso’s inspiration. These beauties have a charm that lots of people can’t resist.
Introduction to the Dachshund Doberman Combo
Given the vast difference in their looks, it is not easy to tell what your Doxie Dobie would look like, but in the majority of cases, your furry mixed friend would inherit Dachshund’s low-to-the-ground, elongated body with short legs. The Dachshund Doberman crossbreed is most commonly eight to nine inches tall at the shoulder, weighing 16 to 32 pounds, with sleek, short hair. If one of the parents is a Dachshund with longer, wavy fur, the puppy may inherit longer hair. Even if you take in a dog with the sleek coat variety, you will not spend too much time grooming your dog, as both of these breeds are known as moderate shedders.
If possible, you should look at their parents’ behavior and try to figure out as much as you can about the puppy. But if you are adopting, and there is no way of telling what the puppy will be when it grows up, make sure to spend as much time as possible with the dog before actually taking it home.
Best Dog Food for Dachshund Doberman Mix
3 Reasons Not To Get A Doxie Dobie
- Doxie Dobies hates being left alone. Without company, they may easily develop separation anxiety. Both of these breeds are known for their undivided loyalty, and leaving them on their own is never an option. If you cannot commit to spending most of your time with them, don’t get a Doberman Dachshund puppy, as they will be at risk of developing negative behaviors, such as constant barking or chewing.
- They have a genetic predisposition for aggressiveness. They inherited this trait from Dachshunds, which were once bred to chase vermins out of their dens. This trait, paired with Doberman’s propensity for same-sex aggression, may result in a belligerent dog that may, among other things, bite strangers and even their owners!
- Dobie Doxies can easily assume an alpha role in your home. You should, by all means, try not to fall prey to their dominance assertion. This trait is hard to get rid of once they adopt it, so don’t allow this type of behavior and make sure you train them consistently.
3 Reasons To Get A Doberman Dachshund Mix
- They are extremely loyal. The Doberman Dachshund combination’s commitment to the owner truly comes to the fore. They are instinctively protective of their family and home, and they will grow into reliable and affectionate companions. Of course, you should develop this trait carefully from the beginning through consistent training.
- They are mild shedders and don’t require too much grooming. It will be enough to brush your dog regularly, or if your Doxie-Dobie variety is smooth, wipe them using a damp cloth between two baths. If you’re living in a climate with cold winters, they may need a sweater when leaving the house.
- Their playful nature makes them great companions. They always want to be part of any family activity. Although they may seem clingy, if you teach them boundaries from early on, you will find this feature adorable. This applies especially to homes with children as your pooch’s playful spirit works in perfect harmony with kids’ energy!
Physical Appearance and Personality Of Your Doxie Dobie
Weight | 16–32 pounds |
Height | 8–9 inches |
Size | Standard, Medium |
Coat type |
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Coat color |
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Shedding | Low to moderate |
Eyes |
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Nose | Black |
Ears | Large and floppy |
Temperament | Intelligent, alert, courageous, stubborn |
Life expectancy | 10–14 years |
Hypoallergenic | No |
Kid-friendly | Yes, if introduced to children early |
New owner friendly | Yes, if adopted/bought as puppies |
Breed recognition | Not recognized as a breed |
The physical appearance of the two breeds is vastly different. As their breed name suggests, Dachshund (‘Dachs’ + ’Hund’ stands for ‘badger’ + ’ dog’ in German) initially served as a companion in the hunt, chasing out burrow-dwelling animals out of their dens. This explains their characteristically elongated bodies and short legs.
Dobermans have a more elegant appearance and compact build, and their aristocratic aura has made them perfect watchdogs.
Despite these apparent differences in their physical appearance, Dobermans and Dachshunds do share a feature that is not instantly recognizable but is common to both breeds: their muscular build. Doxie’s barrel-like chest is full of muscle, while Dobies boast full-body strength and are known as highly enduring working dogs.
When it comes to personality, these two breeds share many similar personality traits, such as being courageous, alert, energetic, and fiercely loyal. If trained properly, you can bring out the best in your Doberman Dachshund puppy and turn them into loving, caring, frisky balls of fun that know their way around other dogs, humans, and even kids!
By following these guidelines, you will turn the Dachshund Doberman combo into protective, caring companions bursting with energy and ready for action at any time of the day! An early introduction to children will also highlight these traits, and you will not be surprised to see the pooch spending lots of time with your kids, taking care of, or even taking naps with them!
Grooming Habits of Dachshund Mixed Doberman
Brushing frequency | Brushes for Dachshund Doberman mix |
Once or twice a week in low- and once a day in high-shedding season |
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Even though they are mild shedders, the combination of the Doberman and the Dachshund still needs some attention when it comes to grooming. Use a bristle or slicker brush regularly, once or twice a week, during the low-shedding season. In high-shedding season, you should brush them more frequently, ideally once every day, to avoid excessive hair around the house and save yourself some vacuuming time! Of course, if your hybrid inherits longer hair, you will have to adapt the brushing frequency accordingly.
The hygiene of your dog should be maintained regardless of the breed, and the Dachshund Doberman mix is no exception.
Health Issues Affecting the Dachshund Doberman Mix
If your new pup is cared for properly, you are likely to have a healthy dog. Dachshund Doberman puppies can inherit the medical conditions of their parents or any of the health issues prevalent in either breed. If possible, you should always consult the medical records of the dog’s parents or ask for as much information as possible from the adoption center or the previous owner. Below you may find some of the typical conditions that affect this particular breed mix.
- Intervertebral disc disease (IVDD): It is one of the most common health issues in Dachshunds. In severe cases, it causes the bulging or bursting of the cushioning discs between the spinal column bones, which may lead to the discs pressing the nerves in the spinal cord and causing excruciating pain or even paralysis. Back problems are often in Doxies, so dog parents need to take good care of their beauties.
- Cervical vertebral instability (Wobbler syndrome): Dobermans usually suffer from this disease, which manifests as spinal cord compression in the neck region. Although inheritance is one of the factors, you should make sure you are not overfeeding your dog and thus risk causing this highly common condition.
- Obesity: Obesity affects not only your dog’s overall health condition and longevity but may also trigger more acute health issues, such as the ones mentioned above. Make sure to feed your dog high-quality, nutritious food, and provide them with plenty of exercise to prevent excess body fat from accumulating.
- Dilated cardiomyopathy: This condition affects Dobies more than any other breed. It is found in almost half of all Dobermans and leads either to sudden death or congestive heart failure. Again, lots of physical activity and healthy food will lessen the risk of this condition.
Other conditions that may strike this particular mixed breed are cataracts, ear infections, hip dysplasia, or gastric torsions. Remember that regular visits to the vet, ideally no less than twice a year, will help to improve your dog’s overall physical condition, keep your pooch healthy, and prolong their lifespan.
Major concerns | Minor concerns | Occasional tests |
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What Should Your Doberman Dachshund Eat?
The Dachshund Doberman loves to munch. Knowing this, you will need to learn to resist their cuteness to develop healthy eating habits in your dog.
An essential guide for Dachshund Doberman mix puppies looks something like this:
- Two–four months old: four meals a day
- Four–six months old: three meals a day
- Six–eight months old: two three meals a day
Starting from eight months of age, your Dachshund mixed with Doberman can start having two meals per day. Ideally, there should be an 8–12-hour interval between the meals. Choose food for your little munchkins from the best puppy food brands on the market.
Wet or dry? Well, we will leave this to your Dobie Doxie to choose as it is something of purely individual preference. If you’re in doubt about the best food for your dog, feel free to consult our lists of best senior dry dog food, best dry dog food brands, and best-canned dog food.
To assist in your search, we prepared our selection of some of the best dog-approved food in the market:
- Blue Buffalo Wilderness: treat your Dachshund Doberman mix puppy with this wet grain-free turkey and chicken-based food that, among other things, supports your young dog’s cognitive development.
- Purina Pro Plan SAVOR: this brand of dry chicken and rice-based dog food promises to provide your furry friend with everything it needs. Live probiotics in this food will support the dog’s digestive and immune system, while crunchy kibble gives this food a texture your dog will enjoy.
- Taste of the Wild High Prairie: it contains real beef, bison, roasted lamb, and roasted venison. It is both delicious and nutritious, and grain-free, providing your dog with complete and balanced nutrition.
Make sure to maintain your canine’s dental hygiene as well! Go check out our top 10 best dog dental chews list and find your dog’s favorite.
We also took the time to find out what food brands you shouldn’t feed your pooch. Check out our list of worst dry dog food out there!
Also, make sure to scan through our reviews for the following dog food brands:
Training Your Dachshund Doberman Mix
Depending on your dog’s predominant genes, training can be either a pleasure for both of you or a nightmare, mostly for you.
If your furry friend takes more after his or her Dachshund predecessors, you’ll be in for a ride. Although remarkably intelligent, this breed is known to be as stubborn as a mule. Arm yourself with nerves of steel as you are bound to get frustrated from time to time. Here are a few tips on how to carry out this rather challenging task:
- Keep sessions short. Sessions should last between five and ten minutes at most due to their short attention spans. Naturally, puppies have an even shorter attention span, so make sure you make the most out of those ten-minute exercises.
- Make sure you both have fun. Don’t make the puppy bored—it will make the training less painstaking, as these playful creatures like to have a good time.
- Playtime is important. Dachshunds like to play, and they need to be stimulated. Interchange training sessions with playing sessions in order not to lose his or her attention.
- Apply positive reinforcement. This is always a good idea, so make sure you have plenty of toys, gifts, and treats to keep your dog stimulated to learn new commands. To help you choose among the many treats available, we made a list of the worst dog treat brands you should never give to your canine!
Things will be entirely different for both of you if your puppy takes more after his Doberman side. Dobies are obedient, and as they were once used as working dogs, training comes naturally to them. Just follow these simple steps, and the whole process of training will work like a charm.
- Set a routine and follow it. Dobermans adjust well to a set routine, so make sure your dog knows exactly when it’s time for eating, playing, and training.
- Reinforce his or her actions by always keeping treats close. You will see your dog moving on to more complex commands slowly but steadily.
How Much Exercise Does A Dachshund Doberman Mix Need?
Regardless of whether your new puppy takes after his Doberman or Dachshund parent, if you’re not the outgoing and active type, you should reconsider getting one of these bouncy creatures.
They will need at least an hour of exercise every day, and any extra time spent outside will be a bonus for both you and your Dachshund Doberman hybrid.
Of course, you can break up the 60-minute exercise into walks of 20–25 minutes each and add 10–15 minutes of playtime to the mix. This way, you make sure your dog is having fun during his or her daily activities.
If you fail to keep them busy with regular exercise, not only will you put their health at risk, but you will also risk having your stuff destroyed by chewing! Chewing is the most common way for these dogs to express their unhappiness and anxiety, so if you start noticing this type of behavior, don’t get mad at them. Instead, take them out and spend some quality time with them.
How Does Doxie Dobie Rank On the Family Dog Scale?
As with any other dog breed, the Doxie Dobie combination will fit perfectly into your family, provided they come into your life as puppies and are given proper training. Appropriate socialization is crucial, so don’t fret too much if they are shy. Just take baby steps and let them learn their way around other people, children, and dogs.
They have the potential to be perfect companions to little children. This will work best if you keep an eye on your kids while playing with the puppy. Small children can hardly understand the dog’s limits, which may lead to injuries.
As they grow up together, you will see how their play adapts to their age. Stimulate your dog, but let the little furry fellow follow its own pace, and don’t pressure it into adopting a specific desired behavior. Remember, the last thing you want is to trigger their stubbornness—it’s their most effective and most annoying weapon.
Take A Look at These Other Adorable Dachshund Combos
If you have doubts about getting this particular Doxie cross, check out these other cute Dachshund mixes and find the perfect fit! Also, see our list of best dog breeds to adopt!
In the table below, you can find some adorable Doberman mixes.
Doberman Lab Mix | Doberman German Shepherd Mix |
Doberman Husky Mix |
Dachshund Doberman Mix FAQ
Why do Dachshunds look like Dobermans?
Dachshunds and Dobermans share certain physical traits, such as a sleek body, pointed ears, and a similar coat coloration. These similarities may be attributed to common ancestry or specific breed characteristics that have been passed down through generations.
Why do Dobermans and Dachshunds look alike?
While they share some physical features, it’s important to note that Dobermans and Dachshunds are distinct breeds with different histories and purposes. The resemblance might be coincidental, or it could be a result of selective breeding for specific traits.
Is a Dachshund related to a Doberman?
No, Dachshunds and Dobermans are not closely related. They belong to different breed groups and have distinct origins. Dachshunds are hound dogs originating from Germany, primarily used for hunting small game, while Dobermans are a breed developed in Germany as guard dogs.
What dog looks like a Doberman?
Several breeds share physical similarities with Dobermans, including the Rottweiler, Boxer, and Manchester Terrier. However, each breed has its own unique characteristics and temperament.
Why are Dobermans so clingy?
Dobermans are known for forming strong bonds with their owners, often exhibiting a clingy or loyal behavior. This can be attributed to their history as working dogs bred for personal protection and companionship. Their loyalty and need for human interaction make them naturally inclined to stay close to their owners.
References:
- https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dobermann
- Stigen, Øyvind, and Øyvor Kolbjørnsen. “Calcification of Intervertebral Discs in the Dachshund: a Radiographic and Histopathologic Study of 20 Dogs.” Acta Veterinaria Scandinavica, vol. 49, no. 1, 2007, doi:10.1186/1751-0147-49-39.
- Simpson, Siobhan, et al. “A Predictive Model for Canine Dilated Cardiomyopathy—a Meta-Analysis of Doberman Pinscher Data.” PeerJ, vol. 3, 2015, doi:10.7717/peerj.842.