Doxiepoo Basics
The Doxiepoo is also known as the Doxiedoodle, Dachshundpoo or Dachshunddoodle… but Doxiepoo is arguably the cutest to say and easiest to pronounce. Depending on how much the Doxiepoo takes from its parents, the may have the poodle’s hypoallergenic fur and ease of trainability. The more they take from their Dachshund parent, the greater their chance of having short fur and a longer, lower frame.
In general, the Doxiepoo is a well-mannered dog who has no problem being their master’s sole source of affection and attention. However, should your Doxiepoo be introduced to children when their puppies, he will no doubt grow up thinking they are all siblings. They do not easily take to other pets unless they have be socialized at a young age. For this reason, we recommend the Doxiepoo being the only pooch in the house – trust us, they’ll provide enough entertainment for a lifetime of laughs!
If you’re consistent, keep a positive attitude and always reward good behavior with treats, Doxiepoos will no doubt learn every trick in the book… and then some.
Doxiepoo Origin
The Doxiepoo is a mix between a Dachshund and Toy Poodle. The Poodle originated in Germany (not France ) and were mostly used as water retriever dogs. When hunters would shoot ducks, Poodles were the four-legged swimmers who would get them from lakes and rivers. They are easily trained, mischievous and don’t like to be left alone.
Dachshunds also originated in Germany but unlike Poodles who retrieved the hunted, they were the hunters! When they branched out into Great Britain, they were bred to become companions rather than hunters. Today, they are mostly companion dogs who are always up for a good movie, cuddled snugly in your lap.
For the past two decades, many purebred dogs have been cross-bred to make new designer dog breeds that combine the likeness and characteristics of two different breeds. The Doxiepoo is the result of mixing a purebred Dachshund and a purebred Poodle.
Pedigree
The Doxiepoo is a mix between a Toy Poodle and Dachshund.
Food / Diet
These dogs have a tendency to overeat or become overweight due to too many treats or dog food. In order to control you Doxiepoo’s weight, only feed them 1.5 to 2 cups of premium dog food divided between one to three sittings and don’t treat them to too many doggy biscuits. Remember, a treat is only a treat if given sparingly!
Depending on how much the Doxiepoo takes from its parents, the may or may not have the poodle’s hypoallergenic fur and ease of trainability.
Training
Poodles are known to be some of the easiest dogs around to train. They require fewer repetitions and rewards than other breeds to know when they have done something correctly. Dachshunds, on the other hand, are rather stubborn when it comes to learning new things. They are easily distracted and aren’t the best for impatient pet parents. Depending on how much the Doxiepoo takes from either parent, they may be difficult to train at first. But if you’re consistent, keep a positive attitude and always reward good behavior with treats, Doxiepoos will no doubt learn every trick in the book and then some.
Weight
Doxiepoos can be as small as a toy dog breed when they are fully-grown adults or they can grow up to a medium-sized dog, depending on how much they take from each parent. This can make them weigh anywhere between 10-30 pounds.
Temperament / Behavior
Affectionate and loyal, the Doxiepoo loves to be by their favorite person’s side no matter where they are (the bathroom is no excuse to part from this little dog!). They are very much people-oriented and love to kiss their families to death. However, be prepared to have little mini-me’s of your Doxiepoo at every corner of your home, as they are prone to shed no matter how much they take from either parent. It’s just a matter of how long or short their fur is and how much they shed, not if they shed.
These little guys are surprisingly good watchdogs who will immediately bark at any sign of a stranger in their humble abode (even if you invite them in), which is not uncommon in small breeds. Unfortunately, this may prove to be annoying, especially if they are afraid of loud noises like trucks passing through or lightning (although most dogs are scared of the latter). The good news is that once they recognize the newcomer is no threat to them, they warm up to their presence and will resume their cuddly personality once again.
Although they do well with kids, they are not known to be the friendliest towards other pets if they haven’t been properly socialized. Should you acquire a Doxiepoo pup, do remember to socialize them early on with other animals such as dogs and cats so they are familiar with them and don’t think of them as enemies. If you socialize them correctly, they should be friendlier towards other animals and humans alike.
Common Health Problems
Because it is a cross-bred dog, the Doxiepoo can inherit any of its parents’ health issues. Dachshunds are at-risk for canine crushing disease, eye care problems, hip dysplasia, intervetebral disk disease, urinary tract problems, heart disease, patellar luxation and seizures. Toy poodles are subject to just as many genetic diseases, including Immune Mediated Hemolytic Anemia (IMHA), slipped stifle, diabetes, epilepsy, heart disorders, ear infections, skin problems and digestive tract problems.
Do remember that just because this breed is susceptible to these health issues does not mean they will inherit them. However, as dogs get older, they are at more at-risk to develop them. To keep onto of your dog’s health, always remember to take them to the veterinarian for routine check-ups.
Life Expectancy
This designer dog breed can live from 10-15 years.
Exercise Requirements
A fair amount of exercise is required to keep these dogs in shape and burn their energy. This could be in the form of a walk around the neighborhood, a trip to your local dog park or even a few games of indoor fetch following by some tug of war with their favorite toy.
Affectionate and loyal, the Doxiepoo loves to be by their favorite person’s side no matter where they are!
Recognized Clubs
The Doxiepoo is recognized by the American Canine Hybrid Club (ACHC), Designer Breed Registry (DBR), Designer Dogs Kennel Club (DDKC), Dog Registry of America (DRA) as well as the International Designer Canine Registry (IDCR). It is not recognized by the American Kennel Club, as it is considered to be a hybrid breed.
Coat
Doxiepoos can have a variety of different hair lengths, colors and textures. Like the Dachshund, their fur can be short and coarse and require little to no grooming. However, should they take on the Poodle’s characteristic coat, which is longer and curlier, they will require regular brushing and perhaps a trim here and there to keep their fur in tip-top shape. Colors range from black, brown, tan, grey, white or a combination or two or more of these colors.
Puppies
Like all puppies, Doxiepoo pups are incredibly small and special care needs to be taken when handling them at a young age. Always be present when a young child is handling these small dogs, even when they are grown up, as Doxiepoos don’t take lightly to children who pull their fur, ears or tails.
Photo credit: Daniel Norton/Flickr; Ray Larabie/Flickr
