Dachshund vs Miniature Pinscher
The two published breed profiles side by side: size, energy, grooming, lifespan, temperament ratings and health.
| Dachshund | Miniature Pinscher | |
|---|---|---|
| Size class | Small | Toy |
| Adult weight | 5 to 14.5 kg | 3.6 to 4.5 kg |
| In pounds | 11 to 32 lb | 8 to 10 lb |
| Adult height | 13 to 23 cm | 25 to 32 cm |
| Energy | Moderate | Very high |
| Grooming | Moderate | Low |
| Coat | Short to medium smooth | Short smooth |
| Shedding | Low | Moderate |
| Lifespan | 12 to 16 years | 12 to 16 years |
| Good with children | Fine with supervision | Fine with supervision |
| Good with other dogs | Usually good | Usually good |
| Country of origin | Germany | Germany |
The main differences
- The Dachshund is the bigger dog: 5 to 14.5 kg against 3.6 to 4.5 kg for the Miniature Pinscher.
- The Miniature Pinscher needs more exercise: very high energy against moderate for the Dachshund.
- The Dachshund takes more grooming (moderate) than the Miniature Pinscher (low).
- Life expectancy is similar: 12 to 16 years for the Dachshund and 12 to 16 years for the Miniature Pinscher.
Temperament
Dachshund: Faithful, versatile and good tempered, intelligent, lively and courageous to the point of rashness.
Miniature Pinscher: Alert, intelligent and friendly, the Miniature Pinscher is a small smooth coated dog with a high stepping gait. This is a distinct German breed rather than a scaled down Doberman.
Health worth asking about
Conditions each breed is reported to be predisposed to. Predisposed does not mean inevitable: it means ask the breeder for the parents' test results.
Dachshund
- Intervertebral disc disease (IVDD), diagnosed on neurological examination and MRI, and made worse by stairs, jumping and extra weight
- Hereditary eye disease screened under the BVA/KC/ISDS Eye Scheme
- Obesity, which adds strain to the long back
Miniature Pinscher
- Patellar luxation, graded by a veterinary orthopaedic exam
- Legg Calve Perthes disease, a malformation of the hip joint seen in young dogs
- Cervical dry disc disease affecting the neck, diagnosed on neurological examination and imaging
- Thyroid disease and heart defects, found on veterinary examination
- Inherited eye disease, screened by an ophthalmologist evaluation
Common questions
Which is bigger, the Dachshund or the Miniature Pinscher?
The Dachshund. Adults weigh 5 to 14.5 kg, against 3.6 to 4.5 kg for the Miniature Pinscher, going by the published breed profiles.
Which lives longer, the Dachshund or the Miniature Pinscher?
The published life expectancy is 12 to 16 years for the Dachshund and 12 to 16 years for the Miniature Pinscher. These are typical ranges across the breed, not a promise about one dog.
Is the Dachshund or the Miniature Pinscher better with children?
They score the same: fine with supervision with children. Any dog needs supervising around young children, whatever their breed rating.
Related comparisons
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Not veterinary advice. Breed information is general. Your own dog, and your own vet, always win.
Sources
Every figure on this page comes from the two breed guides, which cite:
- akc.org for adult weight and height, life expectancy, energy, grooming, shedding and the temperament ratings, coat type and health notes
- fci.be for country of origin
- akc.org for adult weight and height, life expectancy, energy, grooming, shedding and the temperament ratings, coat type and health notes
- fci.be for country of origin