The miniature dachshund consistently ranks high in Japan’s popular breed ranking, but what physical and mental changes will occur depending on age and life stage? Miniature dachshunds, classified as small dogs, have a 13 to 16 years lifespan, but to spend as long as a day with your beloved dog, change and spend time according to the age and life stage of the miniature dachshund. Let’s understand and check the points you need to be careful about as an owner. In addition, we will explain how to enjoy old age with your dog, which is helpful for longevity.
How long does a miniature dachshund last?
The lifespan of a dog depends on the size of the body, and it is said that the larger the body, the shorter the lifespan, and the smaller the dog, the longer the lifespan. Therefore, the miniature dachshund is also one of the longest-lived dogs. Let’s take a closer look at the life of a miniature dachshund.
Life expectancy is 13-16 years.
The average lifespan of a small dog, a miniature dachshund, is about 13 to 16 years. This corresponds to 68 to 80 years old when converted to human age, and it can be seen that it falls into the longevity category. The average life expectancy seems to increase yearly due to a deep understanding of dogs, a stress-free breeding environment, and improvement in food quality.
There is also data that the world’s longest-lived miniature dachshund is 21 years old. If you convert this to human age, you will be 100 years old, so you can see that you lived very long.
Check out the life stages of miniature dachshunds.
Miniature dachshunds fall into the longevity category, but we still want them to live longer and healthier. To have a healthy and long life, let’s understand the life stage and check what you should be careful about as each body changes.
Growth period
The growing season of miniature dachshunds is from 3 to 10 months of age. This is the most critical time to lay the foundation for your dog’s body.
Humans slowly transform into an adult body over more than 10 years, but in the case of a miniature dachshund, it transforms into an adult dog in less than a year. Therefore, during the growth period, body tissues such as bones, muscles, and internal organs must develop at a tremendous speed, requiring about twice as many calories as an adult dog.
However, it does not just mean giving twice the amount of adult dogs. Growing puppies cannot digest large amounts of food at once due to their immature digestive function compared to adult dogs. Therefore, selecting food with an excellent nutritional balance and high calories sold for puppies is necessary and giving it in 2 to 3 divided doses.
Adult dog period
After the growth period, the adult dog period will come when the body’s function is fully completed. The adult dog period of miniature dachshunds is from 10 months to 7 years old.
By this time, you should switch from puppy dock food to adult dog food and be careful about how much you give. Many dogs have a solid appetite to eat as much as they offer, but it is strictly forbidden to spoil them and make them fat.
In particular, miniature dachshunds tend to strain the hip joints and back due to their short torso length, and the probability of developing a herniated disc is very high. Obesity also puts an excessive burden on the legs and hips, which not only increases the risk of herniated discs but can also cause a variety of lifestyle-related diseases. Be careful not to give too much rice and snacks.
Middle-aged and elderly
The middle-aged and elderly age of miniature dachshunds begins at the age of 7 and enters the elderly from the age of 12. If you convert the 7-year-old miniature dachshund to human age, it’s 44 years old, so it feels like you’re still young, but from this time on, changes that are hard to see begin to occur. Various signs of aging appear, such as breathlessness, awkward walking, increased water drinking and pee, and bumping into objects.
If your eyesight deteriorates, review your living environment and arrange furniture, so it does not easily hit objects. Immunity also weakens daily, so try to detect and prevent illnesses early, such as by conducting regular medical examinations.
Also, as it reduces physical activity and metabolism, it is recommended to feed a digestive senior dog diet with fewer calories than adult dogs.
How to enjoy old age with a miniature dachshund
The average lifespan of a miniature dachshund is as long as 13 to 16 years, and it will be one of the senior dogs from 7 years old. I spend a lot of time living as a senior dog, so I want to be able to enjoy my old life even if my body begins to decline. I am introducing how to enjoy old age with a miniature dachshund.
Actively take time for skinship.
Skinship with your dog may seem obvious, but it’s also essential to extend the life of your miniature dachshund. By taking a skinship with your dog every day and touching the whole body, you can immediately notice even the slightest changes, and above all, you can have a good time with each other.
As you enter old age, you will be less likely to play with toys as you would in adult dogs. As you spend more time sleeping, you tend to spend less time communicating, but take plenty of time for skinship to make you feel the same affection.
Inhale the outside air
As a miniature dachshund enters old age, it becomes difficult to go for a walk due to weakness in physical strength and legs. Of course, it is essential not to force yourself to go out because your immunity is weakened, but let’s breathe in the outside air for a change of mood.
Dogs are also stressful creatures, so take them outside within a reasonable range while taking measures such as shortening the walking time, hugging them, and putting them on a dog buggy.
Aim for an age-appropriate life and live longer!
We introduced the lifespan, life stage, and how to enjoy old age of miniature dachshunds. I want my dog not only to live longer but also to stay healthy and healthy forever. You can live longer by adjusting your diet and lifestyle according to your age, so don’t be pessimistic and enjoy a senior life close to your dog.
At what age is a mini Dachshund fully grown?
Dachshunds will be fully grown before their first birthday. Most Dachshunds pups will reach their adult weight and height around eight months old. They may continue to fill out slightly, but their growth rate will slow down significantly around this time.
Do Dachshunds get better with age?
When Do Dachshunds Calm Down? In my experience, Dachshunds start to calm down around 1. As with most small breed puppies, that 1-year mark can be a game-changer for many.
What is the average life expectancy of a miniature dachshund?
The life expectancy of a Miniature Dachshund has been estimated at 12 to 18 years if they remain in good health. Your Mini Dachshund can live for many years if they do not have serious health problems. About a fourth of them develop back problems, usually worse because the dogs are prone to obesity.
At what age do miniature dachshunds go into heat?
The heat cycle in Dachshunds, or the estrous cycle, is when your dog goes into estrus or heat. As a smaller dog, it is common for dachshunds to go into heat for the first time between 6-12 months. After the first heat cycle, your pup will go into heat every 6 months.
At what age should a mini Dachshund be spayed?
Professionals typically recommend getting your miniature Dachshund spayed between six and twelve months old.
How can you tell the age of a Dachshund?
By the time they reach their first birthday, they’re already 15 human years old; by 2, they’re the equivalent of 24 human years. From 2 years onwards, the increase is a steady 4 human years for every 1 dachshund year.
How can I make my Dachshund live longer?
To increase the dachshund’s life expectancy for your dog, the quality of your dog’s food matters, so be sure their diet mainly consists of protein with a bit of fat, carbohydrates, vitamins, and minerals added in. You can always check with your dog’s veterinarian to figure out what food they recommend giving your dog.
What is the longest a Dachshund has lived?
The world’s oldest living dog is a miniature dachshund named Funny, aged 21 years 169 days (as verified on 12 November 2020). The life expectancy of a miniature dachshund is 12-16 years. Funny lives in Osaka, Japan, with his owner Yoshiko Fujimura, who describes Funny as an adorable and friendly dog.