Its also best to stay away from feeding them fattening human food. Its not rocket science I know, but it seems our intelligence has nothing to do with it when it comes to our fur babies, we simply need someone like you to tell it to us straight. You simply divide the current weight by their age in weeks and multiply the result with 52: 78 pounds would be the expected weight of your adult-sized Dachshund. Since you just changed his amount of food recently, I would wait to see if he slims down a little from that. Good luck to you guys. Please check with your veterinarian before your dog undertakes a new exercise routine, you introduce a new food, treat or supplement, or to confirm that anything I suggest here is a good fit for your dog. Going by your US standards, Reggie is a small standard. If that wont work for you guys, you can consider getting her involved in an indoor sport like agility. Our handy interactive puppy growth chart and calculator takes all the hard work out of predicting your puppys potential adult size. However, there is a section on what to do if your Dachshund needs to gain weight at the end. They tell themselves, I guess he could lose a pound or two but dont see it as a big deal. Heres a typical Miniature Dachshund size chart by age: For Miniature Dachshund pups, try our interactive Miniature Dachshund size chart and growth calculator. She sits in front of me and harasses me for treats. have to push into their skin a lot to feel them). We feed raw meat and never have a problem with our Doxie mix being overweight, though he was when we adopted him. Great post! SoWhat kind of diet do we give our pooches for a healthy weight? There are a few ways you can minimize calories from treats: As Ive mentioned before, Im a firm believer that Dachshunds can get outside and be just as active as your neighborhood lab. Dachshund is a small sized breed, and can weigh anywhere between 8 to 32 pounds. Thank you for your kind words. Thanks for any suggestions. Im confused as the vet said that if he had a bit of a mix from another breed in him then his weight would be acceptable. Pet obesity is an epidemic that needs to end, and the change starts with you. Dont let those short legs fool you: Dachshunds are athletic and love to be outdoors, and daily exercise is just as important to their health as is their eating regime. I recently got a foster dog who was severely underweight, so trying to help him gain weight has been a whole new adventure (especially when Barley is pretty certain she needs a snack any time hes getting something and she absolutely does not need to put on any weight). Hi Jessica, thank you for writing this article. As you know, puppies can grow fast. Of course an occasional mini wheat, popcorn or cheerio might end up in her mouth as well activity level could be better, but we go on 30 to 60 minute walks 3 to 4 times a week. A tiny bit of peanut butter should not be a make or break issue with his weight. Read more by clicking the button below. I feed him science hill puppy food, 1/3 cup 2x a day. I came here looking for harness information and found this timely write-up. I am very happy to see that you recognize that he could lose some weight and are seeking help though. So have decided to have a Thyroid Test done on Rudie just to see the truth. With slight variation, both Miniature and Standard Dachshunds experience the most rapid growth rates until the age of 6 months. Just started last 2 weeks, was eating 1 cup per day , 1/2 cup 2x a day. If you want to switch to scheduled feeding instead, this article I wrote on my other Dachshund blog may be helpful. I am going to try to give her less. Check out these 24 little known ways to fatten up your dog healthily by clicking on the button below. We said no we would find out what worked to control seizures and above. Hi Sue. Hi Rachel. Genetics play a huge role in predicting a Dachshunds full-grown size. My question is if its too early to diet? She eats 1/4-1/3 cup of food twice a day (depending on her look at activity level) for a total of 1/2 to 2/3 cup a day. Required fields are marked *. If she wont stop going after your other dog, then I would physically separate them for a short period until your Doxie calms down. https://www.facebook.com/YouDidWhatWithYourWeiner, http://youdidwhatwithyourweiner.com/lets-get-real-is-your-dog-fat/, https://youdidwhatwithyourweiner.com/lets-get-real-is-your-dog-fat/, https://www.darwinspet.com/resources/transitioning/dog/, https://keepthetailwagging.com/5-steps-to-transition-a-dog-to-raw-dog-food/, https://formydachshund.com/free-feeding-vs-scheduled-feeding-your-dachshund-which-is-better/, https://youdidwhatwithyourweiner.com/how-to-get-your-dachshund-to-walk-in-a-harness-or-jacket/. That being said, I admit that I dont know each individual dogs story. If she is overweight, I would talk to your vet and then consider cutting down her meal size. It also helped to control his weight & energy. I understand hes scared but its important to get him past that. Here in Canada our winters are so brutal that I find it harder during that time to keep the pounds off. Thank you for explaining. Dealing with extreme weather (heat or cold) can be challenging. Several times during every walk I have to pick him up and carry him away from the distraction so we can continue our walk. You should never ever overfeed your dogs too much carbs as they get stored as fat in the body if they are not used. Thanks. We know they exist. While I dont discourage the occasional treat, its important that youre careful not to over-do it. Be sure to check out our review of the Best Puppy Food to help your pooch grow up healthily. A body score of 3 is typically considered ideal. Hi Jessica. Ok. The best way to tell if she is a proper weight is by looks and feel. Its very interesting how different countries judge differently. I have had mini dachshund, 14 y/o passed to rainbow bridge on 01/31/18. Dogs cant speak up and tell us how they are feeling about the extra weight. Check out the chart in this article: http://youdidwhatwithyourweiner.com/lets-get-real-is-your-dog-fat/. Eventually, I started extending the time in between visits outside (by 30 minutes)and it became less necessary to physically go outside with them. What would be a better choice to put the pill(s) in? September 16, 2016 By Jessica Rhae 61 Comments, I get a lot of questions about the Dachshund breed, and, because our blog is one centered around being active with your Dachshund, one of the common question I hear is Do you think my Dachshund is fat?. Hello. However, you can make a body conditioning assessment on your own. On average, small dogs take 9 months to reach their adult weight. My email is Jessica@PetTalkMedia.com? Here are 7 of the best dog foods for weight gain that can help your underweight dog get back its glory. This article may help with his refusal to walk: https://youdidwhatwithyourweiner.com/how-to-get-your-dachshund-to-walk-in-a-harness-or-jacket/ As if the cute looks arent enough, Dachshund is well-known for a playful personality and loving nature. The classification is solely based on size all sized Dachshunds are the same breed. Otherwise, they are genetically the same breed. nice weekend to you too! I know youre not a vet, Vets have all the great Medical information and skill we need, but you have so much lived dachshund experience and knowledge that no Vet could ever study for. He becomes an 18 lb brick on a leash. Also, she terrorizes my chi who is older and doesnt like to play by pulling her tail! You can learn more about the topic from this article. I have a dachshund that appears to be overweight (a couple of pounds). Minis can have standards and standards can have minis. Jessica, finding this post was one of the best things for my little Buddy! document.getElementById( "ak_js_1" ).setAttribute( "value", ( new Date() ).getTime() ); This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. If your dog is severely overweight, he could indeed be in some pain. Hi Salina. Theres also the Tweenie Dachshund, which falls right between the Miniature and Standard Dachshund full-grown sizes, weighing around 12 to 15 pounds. On training and photo days, she does get a couple of handfulls of small treats but that is usually on days that we hike so she is burning a lot of calories. Unless it accidentally drops on the floor and she gets it before we can, she doesnt get any table scraps or processed people food. https://formydachshund.com/free-feeding-vs-scheduled-feeding-your-dachshund-which-is-better/. My kids dislike walking him because of his stubborness. Most reputable breeders will but many are more focused on the money than making sure the dog is a good fit for someone. Now she has become more of a couch potato. He also doesnt get enough exercise because hes very scared to go outside, so 1x around the block is about all I do with him. For example, we are doing a photo shoot today which will involve a lot of treats so they got a light breakfast and will get a light dinner. Our vet has recommended he goes on a diet. Maintaining a proper weight can be challenging for some dogs. I promote hiking and being active with your Dachshund on my blog, and with my Adventureweiner Club, to bring awareness to, and combat, obesity.I. As an Amazon Associate, the owner of this site earns a commission from qualifying purchases. Many dog foods contain a lot of fillers (empty calories) like corn. After reading your blog and other info, I realise I just dont care that if hes not a mini, and that I want to be very transparent with the new owners about these facts when it comes time for the bambinos to go to their new loving homes. Talk to your vet and look at the chart in this post to assess where you think she falls on the scale: https://youdidwhatwithyourweiner.com/lets-get-real-is-your-dog-fat/. That requires a deep understanding and a wide study in the field of pet nutrition to truly determine it; so much that it warrants a university degree. Heres a useful article we wrote on how to choose a responsible breeder. Their ideal weight may be 1-3 lbs heavier than their current weight. (17lbs) she told me that this bordered on abuse; that her organs could shut down; that she might have cancer. Standards are between 16 and 32 lbs. Below is an example of what youll get as a result at the end of the calculation! Id prefer that he hang out in the 17lb range because, despite his muscular frame and deep barrel chest, I feel that 19 seems a bit too much. Asking questions and researching is the first step. In addition, carrying extra weight is terrible for a Dachshunds back. It can be even more frustrating when your dog is overweight and you are trying to get them to lose it. My dachshund is quite small for a standard, but because of her breastsize she is a standard. Good girl Gretel! Learn more - from $15 (Dogs) / $9 (Cats) per month, See Chart from Association for Pet Obesity Prevention, Click Here To Learn More About These Pet Food Startups, Click To See Our Recommended List Of High Fiber Dog Foods, Click To See The 8 Best Healthy Dog Foods. Most people come to be with questions about their dog being overweight so that is a nice problem to have Im not a veterinarian but I can share what I do know with you. A Veterinarian can examine a dogs bone and body structure to make recommendations for ideal weight. Ive spoken to several veterinarians about their weight and have been assured that seeing a rib or two does not necessarily mean a Dachshund is too skinny. In the Netherlands we normally dont take the weight as measurement for the type (rabbit, miniature, standard), but the size of the breast. Its unfortunate that the breeder did not tell you that. Found a breeder that had a mini smooth father and long coat mini mother. I also like Natures Variety with the raw coating. I edited your comment so your email wasnt listed publicly. If they didnt go, thats ok but I wanted them to 1) have enough time to go amid potential distractions and 2) learn that outside is where potty is to happen. This is the main reason why pets all over the United States are getting obese. Do take note that the puppy weight chart is just an estimate. Hi Jessica, I was wondering if you could recommend a good dry dog food for dachshunds? Our other dog, Buckey a lab mix, is such a slow eater. I adjust their food up and down according to our currently actuvity level and sometimes even on a daily basis. Thats great! We had our mini Dixie 18 yrs and finally lost him. They arent cheap but they are a good way to fit walks in during the cold months. When we got him at one year old he was 12 lbs. This helps you to know exactly what you are in for. With winter approaching, a season we often see weight gain, we are looking at ways to nip this in the butt. So, if your Dachshund is fat, its VERY important to recognize it to be honest with yourself in order to help your dog live their best life. There are seasons where we are able to get out more than others and we see no weight change. In the Dachshund breed, mini vs standard is a classification based solely on weight. Sounds like you keep your pup at a healthy weight. Rougie is very active, not walking yet around block b/c of winter but he plays outside quite a bit with my golden who is 11y/o. Ive been putting the pill and one-half in a little ball of peanut butter, but Melvin is gaining weight! According to the Association for Pet Obesity Prevention, obesity is our pets #1 health threat. I would ask your vet about that. But what about Dachshunds who weigh between 12 to 15 pounds? Sometimes you can leave the amount the same but they still lose weight because their body better processed whats in the food. Think about the fact that she may be hungry for better quality food. In other words, all Dachshunds are the same breed. Although they exist, they do not have an official classification by the AKC. Most notably, if youre adopting your Dachshund puppy from a breeder, you can already get a better picture by looking at the parent pups. In other words, their chest and belly are equal distance from the floor. My Chester is a smooth coat but his hair is definitely longer than Gretels. I take them out several times between the time I get home and bedtime. I have heard of dogs losing weight when switched to a raw diet. (/9/9/2017) and holding. These little guys are referred to as Tweenie Dachshunds. However, as Dachshund owners know, there are many more size variations than that. The vet tech tells me he is overweight but that hes only supposed to be 14lbs, is there any way I could send you a picture of him and get your opinion? For example, walking him on the grass/dirt instead of the a street or sidewalk. You can consult with a dog trainer or animal behaviorist to try and determine where the fear comes from. My vet says he is well over weight. Also, DogTread sells treadmills specifically designed for dogs. However, as with people, the perfect amount of food for your Dachshund is a case-by-case situation, and should be adjusted according to the exercise levels of your pup. I hear ya there. Check out these guides on best dog food for puppies here. Treats can definitely cause weight problems. Copyright 2022 You Did What With Your Weiner. The rabbit, miniature and standard. I am guilty of over-treating. In this Dachshund size guide, you will learn all about the size and growth patterns of Dachshunds. If your puppy's adult does not fall within the range of weights provided, it would be best to contact a veterinarian. and terrified at everything 2-1/2 years ago. With winter in Texas, well be able to stay out longer (summers we went a bit shorter) and shave off some pounds. The American Kennel Club breed standard has categorized two Dachshund sizes the Miniature Dachshund size and the Standard Dachshund size (sometimes also referred to as Large Dachshund). Im actually getting ready to publish a blog post about my recommended treats but its not quite ready yet. Do you think the exercise alone will be enough to make a difference if he is overweight? Its never to late to change. If your Dachshund is classified as 4 or 5 on the chart, your pup is overweight. (We live in a wooded area so its not a big deal that he digs and he gets plenty of opportunity to dig in our fenced in back yard.) Every dogs frame size is different. The American Kennel Club (AKC) recognizes two sizes in the AKC Dachshund breed standard standard and miniature. It could just be that your girl wants to play and your Chi doesnt different energy levels. So I guess hes closer to standard than miniature. the breeders comments nearly destroyed me; my friends want to be reincarnated as one of my dogs (I have a mini dachshund and a PBGV, both in excellent health). However, being too thin, and not eating enough food, can lead to nutrient deficiencies and other health issues. If so, the only way you can solve the second breakfast is to stop doing that or shut Buckley in a separate room with his food until he is done. She isnt very active and I dont want to stress her we are cutting back on her food to approx one handful dry dog food (1/4 cup or less each time). Id appreciate any help I could get! But there are a couple more out there that look good too. Could you give me your top 2 dry dog foods that I could try? Mini parents can have a standard and visa versa. Although it can be painful to hear from a stranger, those that dont live with your dog every day, and who dont have an emotional attachment like you do, can offer objective feedback about your Dachshunds weight. Im hoping after the baby is here and Im all healed, we all will get out for some walks! Please go to the Instagram Feed settings page to create a feed. Breeder of Rougie, Doxie I have now, states he is mini, Honestly I dont know. Im no veterinarian, but Ive owned Dachshunds for 15 years, Ive blogged about them for almost 8, Ive organized the Dachshund club for over 6, and I was a Doxie walker and sitter (yes, I stuck primarily to the long and low) during my 3 years of grad school. A lot of the time we give in and just come home. I know there are pups that exercise indoors that way. Thanks for your replythink I must have misunderstood, because of the tweeniething ???? Firstly, smaller dogs reach their full size a lot sooner than large or giant breed dogs. We now have a wired hair Dachshund mix & she eats Freshpet as well. She hikes for at least 3 hours, and goes on one or two 30-minute walks, most weeks. Sometimes people ask me if there is something wrong with them. Dachshunds have made themselves a name thanks to their distinctively long bodies compared to their small size. (They share a father who topped out at a 14lb and each of their mothers were around 12). You can also look for solutions online (search for things like desensitization, fearfulness, and reactive dogs). Sign up to TheGoodyPet mailing list for tools & knowledge to be a better Pet Owner! Your email address will not be published. Due to the extreme temperatures, weather disturbances, & seizure activity this summer I didnt get out to hike & play as often as I would have which resulted in weight gain. Both her parents are larger and Im so happy that Doortje (her name) stayed small! Our second issue is walking Odie can be is such a pain in the butt. Ever since weve had her at 9 weeks old she literally gobbles up her food within seconds. Ive been trying to be better about it though and have managed to get them out to walk at least every other day for the last couple of weeks. my vet explained that the kind of protein in her food could be making her almost high, like a race horse. And, ironically, this became the driving forces behind the rise of these healthy pet food startups, as their founders seek to provide their own proper and much healthier alternatives. When I read that mini parents can have a standard, I quickly whipped out my measuring tape and sure enough, I believe Fritz is a standard! Lets have a look at the Standard Dachshund size chart by age: If youve adopted this cute little pup to your family, try our interactive Standard Dachshund size chart and growth calculator to predict their adult weight! No seizures in past 5 months, would appreciate any advice you can give. I googled ideal Dachshund body weight after a trip to the vets and so glad I found this lovely blog! It sounds like you are on the right track. Reggie eats occasional kibble, cooked chicken (small portion) and cooked chicken livers (small portion) and has the few odd treats thrown in between. In the standing pictures, they have a slight waist but its hard to make out. and I constantly stress over if Im feeding her enough ( she is still a pup, 7 months) or not as she is still growing? However, the amount DOES count too. after speaking with my vet who assured me that Truffles is lean, not sick (normal blood work; negative fecal) I changed food and increased her calories. thank you Truffles is almost 7yrs old, standard wire spayed female. Staying active is key to weight loss, and will ensure your dog is not only staying fit, but happy as well. Also, the size of the parents is not always an indicator of the size the offspring will be full grown. Glad we were able to chat over messenger about it. Were luckily to live in Seattle where that is rarely something we have to worry about. In the end it doesnt matter as long as they are healthy and having a good life ???? Remember: your 16 lb standard Dachshund may actually be an overweight miniature. The Dachshund community has fittingly deemed them tweenies.. Speaking of unnecessary weight how often are you handing out treats? The first ingredient on the label should be meat (or the second at the very least). Most Dachshunds, at an ideal weight, weight between 5 and 35 lbs. Click here or the button below to learn more about these bespoke food brands. My Gretel is 11 lbs. Thank you for such a great an informative article! my breeder recently came down on me very hard regarding her weight. Yule weights 7kg (15.4 pounds) and is a very lean boy. Would you be willing to email me a few pictures of your pup? But also that he may not be a miniature at all, what a revelation, that hadnt even crossed my mind. Carbohydrates. Although the AKC has stated that Miniature Dachshunds can weigh 11 pounds or less, they often stay in the 8 to 11 pound weight range. she lives to run. Weve also created an interactive Dachshund size chart and puppy growth calculator, which helps predict your puppys full-grown size! I used to work at a pet store and we considered Taste of the Wild a good entry level grain free food. When is the last time you checked your dogs weight? Hi Nina. Below is the general chart for dogs. Having a puppy though, I definitely understand the need for training. If your dog needs to lose weight, feed less. Im a passionate pet parent that shares what I know about Dachshunds and adventuring with small dogs. Weve always fed her Royal Canin Miniature, first the puppy until 10 months as recommended, and now the adult. Hes just a tall mini! Fortunately, we are talking about a single pound but my huMom knows thats how obesity starts, one pound at a time. On days when it IS too hot here, I walk Gretel in the early morning when its cool or in the evening. Hes just shy of 9in tall and weighs 19.2 (weighed this past Monday during a quick Vet visit for his bordatella booster) Liesl is 12.6lbs and just shy of 8in tall. She is 7 kg. Dachshunds have a way of totally disarming their owners with those hilariously convincing eyes (Im sure you all know the look Im talking about). Good luck! Use a small portion of your Dachshunds kibble, set aside from their daily allowance, and give that throughout the day as treats, Feeding your dog the same amount of food but one that has more calories per cup (volume). You look at your dogs ribs while they are standing up and you cant see them and you cant easily feel them under the skin (ie. I concur that quality of food is important. this am. Its necessary to give him exercise though. You may want to consider taking your pup to the vet to rule out any medical conditions as a cause too. What matters most is how they look and feel according to the body conditioning chart. However, the AKC has classified two sizes of Dachshund the Miniature Dachshund size and Standard Dachshund size, where the Standard Dachshund is larger than the Mini. And thats not necessarily two years off of a healthy life either. Each dog is different. Ive definitely heard that raw or gently cooked food can help reduce dog odor. You look at your dogs ribs when they are standing up and you can see all of them from a distance. 24 Obscure Ways To Fatten Up Your Dog Healthily. As we can see from the Dachshund size chart above, the Standard Dachshund is the larger of the two, and typically stands 8 to 9 inches tall at the shoulder, and weighs anywhere between 16 to 32 pounds. Alternately, you can post a few pictures to our Facebook page here: https://www.facebook.com/YouDidWhatWithYourWeiner Most of our fans there have Dachshunds and would be happy to offer additional advice. Natures Variety is a bit better but Acana/Orijen is one of the highest quality grain free foods out there. If this little dog has already stolen your heart, youve probably ended up here to do some research before bringing your new family member home. I thought about feeding him Raw, but I dont know how to change him over! I've owned 3 of my own, shared in the lives of thousands of others through their owner's stories, and have been studying the breed for over 10 years.