Doxiepoo – Dachshund Poodle Mix Breed Guide

What is a Doxiepoo?

Doxiepoos are a Dacshshund Poodle mix. They are usually produce by breeding a purebred Dachshund with a purebred Toy Poodle. However, with their increase in popularity you can now sometimes find second or even third generation Doxiepoo dogs. These are puppies with two Doxiepoo parents.

The Doxie Poodle mix is a recently mixed breed, and therefore it can be hard to predict what to expect. Doxiepoo puppies can take after either parent (or land somewhere in-between) in terms of their appearance, temperament, and health issues. Because of this, it is important to be knowledgeable about both parent breeds as aspects of both can be present in a Doxiepoo.

Where Do Doxiepoo Dogs Come From?

The Doxiepoo is a relatively recent cross, growing in popularity. Twenty years ago this mix would be very rare and hard to find, but today they are more prevalent. To learn more about the background of the Doxiepoo, we need to get to know their parent breeds.

The Dachshund originated in Germany and can be traced back at least 600 years. Its name is a German word that translates to “badger hound”. This is due to the fact they were bred specifically to hunt badgers, with their low-to-the-ground bodies and long back proving to be perfect for navigating badger dens. Once introduced into America, this breed found immediate love and popularity among the masses.

The Poodle was used as water retrievers. A useful companion to duck hunters because of their incredible swimming ability and intelligence. From there, they started to become a luxury dog, with many nobles all over Europe fawning over the dog’s extravagant coat and graceful demeanor. The Toy Poodle variation was first bred in America in the 20th century, to serve as a city-dwelling companion.

Doxiepoo Appearance

The first generation Doxiepoo will have short legs. In generations after that they could either have long or short legs, depending on which parent they take after. They are likely to have an elongated body, narrow muzzle and floppy ears.

The Dachshund sits on short stout legs, leaving them low to the ground. They have a long body, large floppy ears, and a very keen nose. Their coat can come in three main variations—short and smooth, long, or rough and wiry.

The Poodle, on the other hand, stands on much taller legs and is higher up off the ground. They are graceful, elegant dogs with short floppy ears. The coat of the Poodle is iconic. It is curly, dense, and naturally corded. It can either be kept long or regularly clipped to a short trim.

Coats, Colors, Grooming and Shedding

There can be a lot of different coat variations in Doxiepoos, due to the many variations naturally present in the Dachshund. Dachshund dogs have short, long or wirehaired varieties.

The Doxiepoo could have a curly, corded coat like the Poodle, or they could take after the characteristics of the Dachshund coat, whichever variation that may be. However, the odds are the your Doxiepoo will have a medium length, wavy coat.

Grooming requirements depends on what kind of coat the Doxiepoo has inherited. If your dog takes after the Poodle, it may be fairly high maintenance. Daily thorough brushing will be necessary or clipping the hair to a shorter trim to make it more manageable. On the other hand, if they take after a Dachshund coat, weekly brushing may suffice. It’s recommended you trim your Doxiepoo’s claws once a month and brush their teeth regularly.

Are Doxiepoos Hypoallergenic?

The Doxiepoo might be a low shedding dog, if their coat is very curly like their Toy Poodle parents is. However, they produce allergen carrying saliva and dander, like any dog breed. This means that there is always the potential for a dog allergy to be triggered in an allergic owner, regardless of coat type.

Size, Height, and Weight of the Dachshund Poodle Mix

Doxiepoo size varies a lot, but as a rule of thumb you can expect a dog that is around 5-10 inches tall and weighs 6 – 20lbs. This is quite a range, but that’s because their parents have surprisingly different proportions.

The Dachshund comes in two varieties—standard and miniature. Clocking in at between 8 to 9 inches as standard and 5 to 6 inches as miniature, the Dachshund is a small dog. The reason for its low height is that the Dachshund has been specifically bred to have a type of dwarfism known as achondroplasia.

The Toy Poodle reaches up to 10 inches tall, the Miniature can reach up to 15 inches, and the Standard can reach up to 22 inches. Doxiepoos are most commonly bred from the Standard Dachshund and the Toy Poodle.

As for the weight of the Dachshund, the Standard variation weighs 16 to 32 lbs, whereas the Miniature can weigh 11 lbs or lower. The Toy Poodle weighs around 4 to 6 lbs, the Miniature around 10 to 15 lbs, and the Standard can weigh anywhere between 40 to 70 lbs. The weight of Doxiepoo’s can vary a lot, even amongst the most common cross of the Toy Poodle and the Standard Dachshund.

Doxiepoo Behavior and Temperament

The Doxiepoo is a curious, intelligent dog. However, they can be stubborn and independent too. They have a tendency to be wary around people they do not know, which can result in tension or perhaps even aggression towards strangers if they are not socialized properly from a young age. However, they do make good watch dogs because of this.

If they take after the Dachshund they may prove to be guarded around strangers and have more of a stubborn, independent nature than if they take after the Poodle. The Doxiepoo is likely to be very intelligent due to having two intelligent parent breeds, though how easy to train they are can vary.

Doxiepoo Exercise

The Doxiepoo should have similar exercise requirements to its parents. Despite their small stature, both the Dachshund and the Poodle are active dogs that require a good amount of daily exercise. A moderate length walk for each dog twice a day suits them nicely.

Training Your Doxiepoo

Doxiepoo dogs take well to positive, reward-based training. However, the Dachshund sometimes proves to be more of a handful to train than the eager Poodles have a sometimes stubborn and easily distracted nature.

Depending on if the Doxiepoo takes after the Dachshund in temperament, you may find them to be more of a challenge to train. It may require a lot of patience.

It’s recommended that you train your Doxiepoo from a young age, as they can become rather disobedient if not. Socialisation is also very important, as the guarded nature of the Dachshund can sometimes present itself in the Doxiepoo as aggression to strangers or other dogs.

Designer Dog Health

As the Doxiepoo dog is a cross between two recognized purebred breeds it is known as a “designer dog.” But designer dogs have found themselves in the middle of hot debate and controversy in recent years.

Advocates of Pedigree dogs express concerns about the health of these mixed breeds and suggest many of these dogs come from inexperienced greedy breeders hoping to capitalize on a fad. However, a study performed in 2013 analyzed over 27 000 dogs of both purebred and crossbred backgrounds and found that purebred dogs were more at risk of certain genetic disorders.

According to another study that took place in 2013, Mixed breeds also seem to live 1.2 years longer than their purebred counterparts. This is thought to be due to higher genetic diversity in crossbreeds resulting in a generally healthier dog—a concept known as hybrid vigor. As long as the cross is bred intelligently and raised well, there is no reason a mixed breed dog will be any less healthy than a purebred.

Dachshund and Toy Poodle Health

Unfortunately, both parent breeds are known to suffer from some health issues that could present themselves in your Doxiepoo. The Dachshund has a type of dwarfism known as achondroplasia. This causes the short stout legs that the breed is known for. However, coupled with the Dachshund’s long back, this can cause some very serious health issues.

Intervertebral disc disease is a serious issue that can stem from achondroplasia. It is a spinal problem where strain on a dog’s back can cause a disc in the spine to rupture or become herniated, causing severe pain and inflammation. In severe cases, this can lead to paralysis.

Both the Dachshund and the Poodle are known to suffer from a patellar luxation. This is where the kneecap can slide out of place and become dislocated, causing sudden lameness. Another health risk that is prevalent in both breeds is hip dysplasia. This is where the dogs hip joint does not develop correctly, causing painful arthritis.

Poodles are known to suffer from many eye problems such as cataracts, progressive retinal atrophy (PRA), lens sclerosis, and corneal degeneration. These issues can cause vision loss and in severe cases lead to blindness. The Dachshund is also at risk of developing some of these conditions but to a lesser degree.

Doxiepoo Health

A Doxiepoo can be at risk of these issues, especially for conditions that are prevalent in both breeds such as patellar luxation and hip dysplasia. It’s possible that a Doxiepoo may have the short legs and long back iconic of a dwarf breed if they take after the Dachshund. This may lead to a significantly higher risk of serious issues like intervertebral disc disease.

In this case, it is recommended you take measures to reduce the strain on your Doxiepoo’s back. Not allowing them to jump on and off furniture, or run up and down stairs can help reduce damage. It is incredibly important you check the health of the parent breeds before purchasing a Doxiepoo puppy.

Feeding Your Doxiepoo

Doxiepoos should be fed high-quality dog food. However, caution must be taken to never overfeed them. Obesity can be a real problem in dogs, and even more so if the Doxiepoo has the Dachshund’s signature stout legs.

Are Doxiepoos Good Pets?

The Doxiepoo is a friendly and loyal dog and will quickly become attached to members of the family provided they have been raised well. They would do best within a medium-sized family where they are able to fulfill their daily exercise requirements.

This is doubly important if the Doxiepoo has inherited the Dachshunds long back and short legs, as the exercise can strengthen their potentially weak back.

They are able to get along with other family dogs provided they have been socialized with them since early life.

It’s possible that Doxiepoos may suffer from separation anxiety if not dealt with at a young age. Therefore, it may be best for Doxiepoos to live in families where they will not be left all alone for extended amounts of time.

Are Doxiepoos Good With Kids?

If you have children they must not be rough with the Doxiepoo. Their small height coupled with potential achondroplasia can lead to injury. Young kids must be supervised with a Doxiepoo at all times, and taught not to intrude on their spaces and to read the dogs’ signs of wanting to be left alone.

Doxiepoo Puppies

If you decide to purchase a Doxiepoo puppy, there are a few precautions you should take. You’ll find many breeders selling Doxiepoo puppies online or through local avenues such as newspapers. However, some Doxiepoo breeders don’t care about the welfare of the litters they produce. This can lead to unhealthy puppies who inherit many health issues from their parents.

To make sure you purchase a healthy lively puppy, always be sure to check the medical backgrounds of both parent dogs. The Poodle, in particular, will require a recently passed ophthalmologist evaluation, PRA Optigen DNA test, and a patellar evaluation. Ask to see proof of these.

It is recommended to meet and see both parent dogs. Make sure that they are able to move properly without showing any signs of pain or lameness, and that they have a friendly demeanor.

Is the Doxiepoo the Right Dog for You?

Doxiepoos can potentially be loving and very family-centric dogs. However, they are at risk for some serious health problems. It is recommended that you fully insure your Doxiepoo to be protected from potentially expensive vet bills.

They can also be rather high maintenance in both grooming and exercise, so only ever purchase a puppy if you are able to put the time in daily to properly look after them. Training can also potentially be a challenge.

For these reasons, the Doxiepoo is not a dog recommended for first-time dog owners. Despite these concerns, the Doxiepoo is a small intelligent mixed breed that could be an excellent addition to your family.

Alternative Hybrid Dog Breeds

Not sure the Doxiepoo is the right fit for your family? Then check out these other cute mixed breeds!

• Cockapoo
• Cavapoo
• Mini Labradoodle

Find Out More About Doxiepoo Dogs

• Dachshunds
• Toy Poodle
• Miniature Poodle
• Standard Poodle

References and Further Reading

• Bellumori TP et a. 2013. Prevalence of inherited disorders among mixed-breed and purebred dogs: 27254 cases (1995-2010). Journal of the American Veterinary Association.
• O’Neill DG et al. 2013. Longevity and mortality of owned dogs in England. The Veterinary Journal.
• Parker HG et al. 2009 An Expressed Fgf4 Retrogene Is Associated with Breed-Defining Chondrodysplasia in Domestic Dogs. Science.
• Priester WA. 1976. Canine intervertebral disc disease – Occurrence by age, breed, and sex among 8,117 cases. Theriogenology.
• Priester WA. 1972. Sex, Size, and Breed as Risk Factors in Canine Patellar Dislocation Journal of the American Veterinary Medical Association.
• Witsberger TH et al. 1996. Prevalence of and risk factors for hip dysplasia and cranial cruciate ligament deficiency in dogs. Journal of the American Veterinary Medical Association.
• Petrick SW. 1996. The incidence of eye disease in dogs in a veterinary academic hospital: 1772 cases Journal of the South African Veterinary Association.