Mauxie Basics
Feisty and gorgeous, the Mauxie leaves no one indifferent. This popular designer dog breed was created by crossing the short-legged Dachshund with the fluffy Maltese. The unusual mix between two breeds produces a beautiful dog with soft fur, big soulful eyes, and a sparky personality that makes them a fun companion to anyone. As the descendant of two dog breeds that stay petite even when fully grown, the Mauxie will also stay small throughout its lifetime. Ideal if you’re looking for a pet for an apartment!
Although they can be strong-headed and distrustful of strangers, Mauxie dogs are, above all, sweet and affectionate pets. They’ll bond deeply with their special human and be fiercely loyal to their families. If you want a pet with a memorable personality and looks, and don’t mind putting some extra effort into grooming, then the Mauxie is the pooch for you.
Apartments or house, singles or big families- this versatile designer dog will fit in every household.
Origin
For most -if not all- designer dogs, their origin is surrounded by a veil of mystery. The reason for this? Well, before they were dubbed designer dog breeds and were intentionally bred, these hybrid pooches were a product of accidental mating. As these pups were called mutts or simply mixed breed dogs until recently, it’s hard to pinpoint when and where their history as an actual breed begins. For the Mauxie, same as it is with most designer dogs, their story probably began sometime in the last two decades on the territory of the United States.
What this crossbreed dog lacks in its own origin story, his parents more than make up for in their rich histories. The Maltese is considered the oldest of European toy breeds and the Dachshund, lovingly known as the Wiener dog, traces its origin to a few centuries back.
Pedigree
To obtain official pedigree papers for a puppy, it has to be purebred and recognized by the American Kennel Club. Naturally, as the Mauxie is a mixed breed dog, it can’t have a certified pedigree. In fact, most of these dogs come to their furever families through adoption rather than purchase, so pedigree papers weren’t even an option in any case.
However, even though a Mauxie puppy can’t have a pedigree, it doesn’t mean their parents won’t have one. If you’re getting a designer puppy from a reputable breeder, they will be able to provide papers for one of the purebred parents and give you more insight into your new pet’s family history. Both of the parental breeds are in good standing with AKC and should have a well-documented lineage to prove their purebred ancestry.
Food/Diet
Dogs, in general, are not picky eaters. Not only that they’re omnivores, but they’re also pretty greedy when it comes to food, so the chances are you won’t have any problem getting your pet to eat what you serve them. In the case of the Mauxie, that should be a high-quality kibble optimized for small breed dogs. In addition, the blend you’re choosing for your pet should be suitable for their age (puppy, adult, senior) and their activity level (moderate).
It’s worth noting that Maltese mixes can inherit this breed’s sensitivity to certain ingredients in pet food. If your Mauxies displays signs of food allergies, simply switch their kibble for a grain-free dry food or try transferring to a homemade diet (after consulting with a specialist vet, of course).
You can also count on your Mauxie to have a healthy appetite, but it doesn’t mean you should overindulge them with treats and kibble. These designer dogs are prone to obesity and can quickly gain weight. To avoid dozens of health issues that come with your pet being overweight, make sure to follow the serving recommendations.
Although they can be stubborn and distrustful of strangers, Mauxie dogs are, above all, sweet and affectionate pets.
Training
The Mauxie is an intelligent breed. These hybrids are fast learners and eager to please their owners, and in most cases, training them should not be difficult. However, sometimes your mixed breed puppy can inherit a stubborn streak from one of its parents, and housebreaking them can require a bit more effort than usual. Fortunately, positive reinforcement training does wonders even with strong-willed pooches. Using treats and praise to coax your pet into learning basic commands is guaranteed to work.
Their bright minds and inquisitive nature also make the Mauxie a good choice for agility training. They’ll have fun learning how to do it, and their athletic inclinations will definitely work to their advantage in this canine sport.
Additionally, as Mauxie can be quick to nip if provoked, you should make sure to include socialization and behavior training from an early age. Teaching your pooch that they shouldn’t bite if provoked could go a long way, especially if there are young children in the home. Granted, you should also make sure to teach the kids not to tug on their new pet’s tail or try to pick them up when they don’t want it. Not only it will prevent unfortunate situations, but it will also make sure your Mauxi isn’t injured during playtime.
Weight
Even though there is a weight difference between the Maltese and the Dachshund, it’s still not enough of a difference to matter: their offspring will be a small breed dog. The Mauxie will weigh between 10 and 20 pounds in their maturity. The closeness to either end of the scale will depend on your puppy’s sex and which parent they favor more. If your designer dog takes up after the Maltese, they’ll weigh less.
Temperament/Behavior
While no one can deny that the Mauxie looks adorable as heck, it’s not just their looks that make this designer dog so popular. This Wiener Dog and Maltese mix flaunts a friendly, extroverted, and affectionate personality that disarms everyone who meets them. Their wagging tail and sweet nature are often reserved for humans only, though, as these hybrids tend to be bossy towards other dogs. Granted, not all Mauxie dogs are prone to “ small dog syndrome”, especially if you socialize them on time.
Affectionate and cuddly, these pooches can become a bit clingy if you let them. They’ll cherish every moment spent with their family, whether it’s in front of the TV or on a walk in nature. Their lively but adaptable character makes the Mauxie a great pet for families of all shapes and sizes- this hybrid will fit in everywhere!
Even though their petite frame makes them a smart choice for apartment dwellers, the Mauxie can be a bit of a barker which is not ideal for living in a building. They’re bold, territorial and have a high prey drive- all of which means that these dogs tend to react loudly to the passerby, mailmen, unsuspecting squirrels, and others who dare trespass on their street. Of course, if you train your new pet to keep the barking down to a minimum, there shouldn’t be any issues.
Common Health Problems
There is a common belief that hybrid breeds are healthier and more robust than purebred dogs. Unfortunately, while this is a widespread theory, there is no real proof that it’s true. For some designer dogs, in fact, the opposite can be said, as they can inherit congenital issues from to different breeds rather than just one. Regardless, the Mauxie is a relatively healthy pet.
Owing to its parents, this Maltese and Dachshund mix can suffer from eye and bone issues. These include hip dysplasia, intervertebral disc disease, canine glaucoma or cataracts. Additionally, congenital heart issues such as patent ductus arteriosus can be an issue for this breed.
Apart from common concerns linked to the breeds in its ancestry, the Mauxie is prone to bad dental health and obesity not unlike most dogs of this size. To prevent any problems in these areas, feed your pooch a well-balanced diet and be vigorous about their oral hygiene.
Life Expectancy
Most designer dog breeds are so rare and recent that it’s impossible to tell what their life expectancy is. In fact, most hybrid dogs haven’t been around long enough for us to ascertain what’s their lifespan! Luckily, a lot can be determined simply by looking at the traits of the parental breeds. For the Mauxie, you can expect a lifespan of 12 to 15 years. With proper preventive care and good living conditions, your mixed breed pooch will get to its senior years without any issues along the road.
Exercise Requirements
Even though one of its parents started out as a hunting dog, the Mauxie is not an overly active breed. Ideally suited to be a companion, this hybrid needs a moderate amount of daily exercise, and won’t require intense activities to burn off extra energy. A Mauxie will do well with 60 minutes of activity daily.
Although this breed’s activity needs can be met indoors, due to their petite size, it will do them good to spend some time outside, in nature or in a dog park- on a daily basis. Playing with a ball, Frisbee or letting your pooch socialize with other four-legged friends will keep them happy and content. Additionally, you should get your new pet a few puzzle or interactive dog toys that will keep their active, bright mind engaged and entertained.
Ideally suited to be a companion, this hybrid needs a moderate amount of daily exercise.
Recognized Clubs
The American Kennel Club might be the biggest, most prestigious canine organization in the US, but it’s far from only one. There are plenty of groups that work on improving breed standards and acting as champions for hybrids and designer dogs. Those canine clubs that recognize the Mauxie include the American Canine Hybrid Club, Designer Breed Registry, Designer Dogs Kennel Club, Dog Registry of America, and International Designer Canine Registry.
Coat
In case you didn’t already know it, the Dachshund comes in 3 different coat varieties: short hair, long hair, and wiry hair. This complicates things for the Mauxie’s final look: there’s even more differences and inconstancies than there usually is with designer dogs. In most cases, the combination of either of the Dachshund types with the Maltese results in a wavy, long hair that’s either coarse or soft to touch. As for the colors, there really is no saying what the Mauxie puppies can end up flaunting. From white and cream to bi-color and tri-color combinations of black, brown, chestnut, to pied and many in between, these designer dogs are truly unique-looking.
Regardless of the coat type of its Wiener Dog parent, these dogs can be a handful to groom if you’re not used to long-haired dogs. Daily brushing, baths every few weeks and even visits to a grooming salon should all be a part of your new pet’s beauty routine.
Puppies
If you want to see what the definition of tiny but fierce is, take one look at Dachshund-Maltese mixed puppies. Even from an early age, the big personality of the Mauxie shines through. These cute dogs are bold, lively and goofy from day one! Sometimes, though, they can be somewhat bull-headed, so training them in their puppyhood is an absolute must.
An adult Mauxie, if socialized on time, is a friendly, sweet pooch that adapts marvelously to various settings. Apartments or house, singles or big families- this versatile designer dog will fit in every household. As they don’t need much exercise to stay happy, either, these petite pooches make great companions to pet owners in their golden years, as well.
