Doxie Pin Basics
These small designer dogs are affectionate, devoted companions that will secure a spot in your heart as soon as you meet them. The Doxie Pin is a mixed breed dog whose parents are Miniature Pinscher and the Dachshund- so you can expect a few of both breed’s traits to be present in this crossbreed. Not unlike his mom and dad, this hybrid will be of compact stature, short hair, and adorable looks. The unique combination of genetics, in this case, serves to “mellow” out the often nervous behavior seen in Pinschers and to minimize health issues that the Doxie’s iconic wiener body is prone to.
Some might say that the Doxie Pin has an unusual combination of traits: they are friendly, sweet, and playful, and yet, they can be a bit shy and timid, too. They are sensitive souls and it’s not hard to see it. With timely socialization and training, though, this designer dog won’t become fearful and meek their lovely nature will be out for the world to see, and not just reserved for their closest family members.
The Doxie Pin is a perfect pet for singles and seniors, as well as families with children. In fact, you could say that this designer dog and his big heart could have a place in any family, regardless of its shape and size! But, if you want to make sure that the Dachshund-Min Pin mix is really the right pet for you, read on.
The Doxie Pin is friendly, loyal, cuddly, and playful.
Origin
In the 1980s, the Labradoodle took the world of dog breeding by the storm. A breeder was asked to produce a hypoallergenic dog that would be able to serve as a seeing eye dog for his blind client. The idea was sparked- to combine two purebreds, the Poodle and the Lab. What was initially a litter of mixed breed puppies that didn’t catch anyone’s attention became the world’s first designer dog breed and set off a trend that is going strong decades after. Even now, more and more hybrid breeds pop up each day, with the possibilities for combinations practically endless. Unfortunately, not many of these designer dogs have a clear origin story like the Labradoodle has.
The Doxie Pin is one of the more recent mixes and there’s not much known about where these crossbreeds came from. The best guess is that the breed was created sometime in the last two decades, in the United States, not unlike the majority of hybrids. However, while it might not have a well-documented history, this breed is rapidly growing in popularity. And to no one’s surprise, as the family tree of this designer dog truly is remarkable.
Pedigree
The Doxie Pin is the offspring of a Dachshund and a Miniature Pinscher. As a mixed breed dog, he is not recognized by the American Kennel Club, UK Kennel Club, or Canadian Kennel Club. The lack of recognition by major canine organizations, who don’t consider designer dogs to be actual breeds, means that there won’t be any official pedigree papers for your Doxie Pin puppy.
Nevertheless, if you got your pet from a reputable breeder, you have nothing to worry about. The two breeds that parent this breed are well-known and have been popular pet choice for decades- if not centuries. The Dachshund started out as a hunting companion in 16th century Germany, the same country where the Miniature Pinscher was first bred, circa 2 centuries after. Today, both of the breeds are popular companions for families all over the world- and their mix shows promise to be the same.
Food/Diet
A healthy, well-balanced diet will be the foundation for your pet’s wellbeing. Without their nutritional needs properly met, canines have a poor quality of life and can often end up sick due to an inadequate diet. Luckily, the Doxie Pin doesn’t have a demanding palate. Not unlike most dogs, this hybrid will do best on high-quality dry food. Kibble is a convenient way of getting all of those important nutrients in the right ratio to your pet’s bowl, but it’s important to pick out the one that’s formulated to meet your dog’s unique needs. For the Min Pin-Doxie mix, this would be dry food for small dogs, which takes into consideration their petite frame and activity level both. Additionally, the food should be suitable for their age group- puppy, adult, or senior.
When it comes to how much food you should give to your Doxie Pin, it’s best to stick to the manufacturer’s recommendations. Don’t free feed your dog, but rather split their daily serving into two meals. These hybrids are particularly prone to obesity, so it’s important not to overindulge their appetite. Excess weight can lead to various health problems and will have a big influence on the quality of your pet’s life.
Not unlike his mom and dad, this hybrid will be of compact stature, short hair, and adorable looks.
Training
There’s no denying that the Doxie Pin is a smart little dog. They’re also very close to their owners and will be very eager to please them, so it’s safe to say that this hybrid is very trainable. In fact, this breed is a good choice for beginner dog owners. As long as you rely on positive reinforcement methods of training, you shouldn’t have any issues with teaching your new pet how to behave. Granted, the Doxie Pin can inherit a bit of a stubborn streak from his Dachshund parent, but it will only mean you need to be a bit more patient with the process. After all, no one is immune to treats and praise- no matter how mulish they are!
In addition to the basic obedience training and housebreaking (which is a starting point for many dog parents), you should make sure your Doxie Pin gets timely socialization. It will make sure that they get along with other dogs and pets in the household, and enjoy the company of children.
As a breed, the Doxie Pin can be prone to some behavioral issues such as separation anxiety, obsessive digging, or barking, Fortunately, it’s not often the case that these hybrids are affected, and when they are, it’s easy to solve it with training. Promote independence and crate training your puppy to counteract the fear of being alone, and go through obedience training to ensure your pooch reacts to the command stop (digging or barking).
Weight
An adult Doxie Pin will weigh between 10 and 25 pounds, depending on which parental breed they favor more. They usually aren’t as short as the Dachshund, and their maximum height is about 9 to 13 inches.
Temperament/Behavior
The Doxie Pin manages to pack a big heart and personality into a small body. These dogs are a blend of both of their parents, inheriting both the good and the bad traits of the Dachshund and Miniature Pinscher. Of course, this also means that a lot will depend on which parent’s genes are more dominant in the mix. For instance, if the Doxie prevails, it’s likelier that the puppy will be a bit strong-willed, energetic, but also very sweet and loving. In case it turns out that the Min Pin is the parent your puppy takes up after, expect a spirited, feisty little thing with a penchant for mischief.
In general, regardless of their quirks and breed-specific traits they often inherit, these designer dogs are friendly, loyal, cuddly, and playful. They usually get along well with children and other pets if socialized on time. Doxie Pin will make strong bonds with their families, never wanting to be away from them for long. Their personality makes them a wonderful companion for seniors and singles, although they do well in bigger families, too- as long as they are in the center of everyone’s attention.
Common Health Problems
With all designer dogs, unpredictability is all but guaranteed. The same goes for their health. While some believe that crossbreeds have the advantage of ‘hybrid vigor’, and are therefore more robust and resilient than purebred dogs, it’s not always the case. Sometimes, mixed breed dogs are simply at risk for health problems typical for both of their parents rather than none. In the end, it all depends on your puppy’s luck and good breeding.
The Doxie Pin is a relatively healthy dog, but there are some potential problems to look out for. Canine disk disease, hip and elbow dysplasia, patellar luxation, Legg-Calve Perthes disease, and eye issues are some of the most common ones. Additionally, you should make sure to brush your dog’s teeth daily, as their susceptibility to plaque buildup often leads to early tooth loss.
Life Expectancy
The average life expectancy for the Doxie Pin is 12 to 15 years.
Exercise Requirements
The Doxie Pin can be a spirited little pooch, but even with all that energy, they’re not high-maintenance when it comes to their activity needs. As small dogs, they won’t need much exercise to tire out- a bit of zoomies around the apartment or a game of fetch in the backyard and they’ll be all set for a session of cuddles and a nap. Even so, you should make sure not to skip on their daily exercise, as lack of activity leads to obesity and overall poor health. Circa 30 to 60 minutes of daily walks and playtime will be enough to keep your Doxie Pin happy and healthy. Just don’t let them off leash in unsecured areas or let them play on their own in the backyard- these pooches are notorious escape artists.
In addition to physical activity, these smart dogs will need mental stimulation, too. Boredom will lead to destructive behaviors such as digging and chewing, so make sure their need for intelligent challenges is met- either with puzzle toys or engaging interaction.
This breed is a good choice for beginner dog owners, as they’re highly trainable but not high-maintenance when it comes to their activity needs.
Recognized Clubs
The AKC doesn’t recognize the Doxie Pin as an actual breed, and neither do any of the other international canine organizations. However, there are a lot of smaller canine clubs that do recognize the Doxie Pin, and these include the American Canine Hybrid Club, Designer Breed Registry, Designer Dogs Kennel Club, Dog Registry of America, and International Designer Canine Registry.
Coat
The Dachshund comes in 3 different coat types (short, long, and wiry), and it complicates things a bit for all mixes of this breed. However, even though all combinations are possible, it’s the type with short, smooth hair that’s most often used in designer dog mixes. The Min Pin also has a similar coat, so it’s likely your Doxie Pin puppy will have short hair, too. Grooming these dogs is not demanding- brushing them a few times a week will keep their coat shiny and free of loose hair.
As for the possible coat colors, Doxie Pin is most often black and tan or black and rust, and red. The rarer combinations are merle, fawn, or wheaten.
Puppies
Since this is a small breed dog, Doxie Pin litters can have 2 to 6 puppies. Needless to say, Doxie Pin puppies are as cute as a button- but tiny and fragile, too. If you have children in the household, don’t leave them alone with the puppy, as they could inadvertently hurt them.
Even if your puppy is just a few months old, you should start with training and socialization. It’s never too early to learn! Teaching your puppy manners on time will save you a lot of trouble in the long run, and make sure that your fur baby grows up to be a friendly, sweet dog.
Photo credit: Liliya Kulianionak/Shutterstock; Crystal Alba/Shutterstock; Voyagerix/Shutterstock
