How Much Does a Miniature Dachshund Cost?
Miniature Dachshunds are quite lovely with their floppy ears and large eyes. This wonderful breed is a tiny spectacle that comes with a large price. Having a Dachshund is no easy task, especially if you want a dog from a reputable breeder. So, how much does a Miniature Dachshund cost? Let’s take a look.
How Much Does a Miniature Dachshund Cost?
Before getting your hands on this cute canine, the first question to ask is: How much does a Miniature Dachshund cost? Most fur parents need to know the cost that comes with taking home a furry companion.
When it comes to a Miniature Dachshund, it typically ranges from $150 to as much as $3,500 depending on where you get the puppy. Several factors affect the price of a Miniature Dachshund such as its bloodline, which breeder you choose, and the location.
Factors that Affect the cost of a Miniature Dachshund
Variations in price can come as a shock to those who pay a lot for their Dachshund when they find out that an acquaintance got it for a much lesser price. There are important reasons why spending more can be better than spending less. The factors that affect how much a Miniature Dachshund costs are the following:
Dog’s Lineage
A Miniature Dachshund’s lineage determines how expensive it can be. Knowing the dog’s lineage allows the new pet parents to know about the health history of its ancestors and other specific genetic details. The Dachshund should also be registered to a recognized Kennel Club for it to have an official pedigree.
Miniature Dachshunds that come from champion bloodlines are more expensive. This is because their ancestors have competed and won an official dog competition. This elevates the rank and the price from Miniature Dachshund’s without a champion ancestor.
Breeder
Be careful when looking for a breeder. Buying your Miniature Dachshund from a reputable breeder may be a bit more costly, but it ensures that the pup was bred properly while making its health a priority.
Some breeders only focus on developing rare colors and physical characteristics to top up the price. Often, the result of this kind of breeding is canines with a lot of health issues. To find a reputable breeder, a simple search on the internet will do.
The American Kennel Club also has a Breeder of Merit Program. Breeders included in this program are guaranteed to produce mini Dachshunds that are extremely valuable.
Health
Professional breeders take the puppies to the vet for vaccinations and other health tests before they sell them. Thus, it can spike up the price of Mini Doxies. Some of the breeders will give you an option to get the pup tested.
For canines with records and a traceable history, you can know possible health problems that may arise. The record will show whether the Miniature Dachshund has an ancestor with an illness, which may be hereditary. If you can see an “OFA” beside the ancestor written on the record, it means that hip dysplasia laced its genes.
If the record shows that the ancestors do not have or only have a few health problems, the price of the Doxie pup becomes more expensive.
Color
Rare-colored Mini Doxies tend to be more expensive than their standard-colored variations. The Dachshund is one of the breeds that enjoys a variety of colors. They can be one-colored, two-colored, or even sport a few patterns in their coat.
One-colored can either be red or cream, while two-colored Dachshunds can be a combination of two of these colors: black, tan, chocolate, cream, fawn, grey/blue. Patterned Doxies may have dapple, brindle, sable, piebald, or double dapple patterns. A double dapple Doxie, however, has a greater risk for health problems.
Some of the more expensive coat colors are English cream, piebald brindle, blue and tan, sable, and piebald.
Gender
In most breeds, the females cost more than the males. This is because they are bought with the intention of breeding. Some breeders take this opportunity to put a hefty price on female pups.
Other breeders, however, do not want their pups to be used for breeding so they have them spayed and neutered before selling. If you want to buy a mini Doxie for breeding, ask the seller about the pup’s spay/neuter condition first.
Coat
The coat of a Dachshund also affects its price. Typically, Miniature Dachshunds have short or long coats. Doxies with these coats are similar in price. The rare ones with wiry coats, however, are priced more due to their exclusivity.
What if I Can’t Afford to Buy a Miniature Dachshund?
Given the above factors, buying a Doxie can cause strain on the pocket. If you cannot afford to get a Miniature Dachshund from a reputable breeder, you might be tempted to consider backyard breeders or puppy mill breeders. These breeders usually breed for the sake of profit alone. They may not be aware of the health conditions that the pup can take on from the method of breeding they use.
A better option for you to get a Miniature Doxie for a small price is through adoption. Check out your local rescue shelters for Dachshunds. Sometimes, the breed is available in shelters, and you can find either puppies or adult Miniature Dachshunds that were abandoned and in need of a new family.
How much does a Miniature Dachshund cost from a shelter? Adopting from rescue shelters is the least expensive method of all.
It can range from $0 to $300 depending on the shelter’s rules. This amount usually goes to spaying/neutering, de-worming, microchipping, and other things that the Doxie needs for its new home. Some shelters even include new pet supplies and assistance in dog training in the total fee you pay them.
Things to Look Out for When Selecting a Miniature Dachshund
No matter where you get your Miniature Dachshund, it is essential that you have some knowledge of what to look for. Whether it is from a reputable breeder or not, you have to check for things to ensure that you are getting the best mini Doxie.
The breeder should be knowledgeable. Ask questions about the breeding process, the dog’s health, temperament, etc. The answers you receive will tell you how well the breeder knows what he/she is doing. From there, you can gauge whether the Mini Doxie comes from a good line.
Also, check a pup’s energy and vitality. Puppies should be energetic. If a pup seems to be dazed or has a lack of interest, it might be sick. Also look for signs of hair loss, vision or hearing problems, as well as diarrhea or other signs of possible illness.
Observe the dog’s socialization skills, especially if you are considering an adult. Puppies can still be trained to socially interact, but you’ll have a hard time dealing with an adult Dachshund that has behavioral issues toward strangers and other dogs. For puppies, check for aggression towards littermates and people.
Inspecting the canine’s living environment before buying is essential. Clean surroundings means that the dogs are well taken care of, but if there is poop everywhere and the surroundings are a total mess, it can lead to diseases such as parasitic infection and fleas.
Other Expenses
Aside from the money you spend on acquiring a Miniature Dachshund, you also have to think about other expenses. A report published by CNBC said that owners underestimate the cost of owning a pet. The lifetime cost for owning a dog range from $27,074 to $42,545! The amount varies depending on the size of the dog, as well as the medical conditions it might suffer from during its lifetime.
So, how much does a Miniature Dachshund cost yearly? Let’s factor in its needs and calculate:
Dog Food
Since a mini Doxie is a small dog, you don’t have to feed it as much as a large dog breed. You can spend around $15 to $30/month depending on what you feed your lovely pooch. That equates to $180 to $360 per year for the food alone. Of course, you need to look for high-quality dog foods that have real meat and nutritious content. The brand of dog food also affects the price you have to spend to feed your mini Dachshund.
Treats and Toys
Treats and toys make your adorable mini Doxie happy. Treats are also needed for training, while toys keep them mentally stimulated and physically active. Owners tend to spend around $35 to $250 annually to ensure that their Doxies have the best toys and tasty treats all year round.
Grooming and Dental Care
Mini Doxies can shed a lot. Wirehaired Doxies, however, may shed less. Whether they shed more or less, you still need to take care of their grooming needs. If you hire a professional groomer, you have to spend $30 to $50 per session, which makes it around $600 for an entire year. You can minimize this cost if you groom your pet yourself. All you have to do is invest in a high-quality grooming kit that includes nail clippers, brush, toothbrush, shampoo, and the like.
Vet Visits
The Dachshund is generally a healthy breed, but any dog can be prone to health problems that may warrant medical care in the future. Yearly vet visits may range from $300 to $1500 per year. It depends on what your Mini Doxie suffers from as well as the tests and treatments it needs to become well.
Vaccinations are also important for canines. Core shots like rabies and DHLPP may range from $75 to $120. Other shots may be more expensive. You can scout vet clinics in your area and compare the prices to see which one offers an affordable rate.
Supplies
Supplies such as a dog crate, dog leash and collar, food and water bowls, dog bed, and the like do not necessarily need a monthly budget. You can just purchase once and replace every few months or years as needed. The longevity of these supplies is dependent on the quality of the brand you choose.
You’ll probably spend around $30 to $250 for supplies each year.
Training and Other Expenses
Dog training helps canines to be more sociable. This also prevents behavior issues such as biting and nipping. If you take your dog to obedience schools, you need to pay for its session. The average dog training session ranges from $30 to $80 per class. Enrolling your pooch in a training school is an expensive venture and may cost you several thousands annually.
Other possible expenses include pet sitters, dog walkers, and boarding kennels.
