Miniature Dachshund vs Leonberger - Breed Comparison

Miniature Dachshund vs Leonberger - Breed ComparisonBoth Leonberger and Miniature Dachshund are originated from Germany. Leonberger may grow 62 cm / 25 inches higher than Miniature Dachshund. Leonberger may weigh 72 kg / 159 pounds more than Miniature Dachshund. Leonberger may live 7 years less than Miniature Dachshund. Leonberger may have more litter size than Miniature Dachshund. Leonberger requires Moderate Maintenance. But Miniature Dachshund requires Low Maintenance

Basic Information

Group:
Working dog
Hound dog
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Germany
Germany
Height Male:
65 - 80 cm
25 - 32 inches
13 - 18 cm
5 - 8 inches
Height Female:
65 - 80 cm
25 - 32 inches
13 - 18 cm
5 - 8 inches
Weight Male:
40 - 77 kg
88 - 170 pounds
3 - 5 kg
6 - 12 pounds
Weight Female:
40 - 77 kg
88 - 170 pounds
3 - 5 kg
6 - 12 pounds
Life Span:
8 - 10 Years
14 - 17 Years
Litter Size:
6 - 14
3 - 5
Size:
Giant
Small
Other Names:
Gentle Leo, Leo, Gentle Giant
Badger Dog, Wiener Dog, Sausage Dog, Mini Sausage
Colors Available:
sandy or yellowish, tan, Reddish-brown
cream, chocolate etc, black, Red, black and tan
Coat:
Thick double-coat - straight or wavy
Long or short
Shedding:
Moderate
Moderate
Temperament:
Affectionate, Alert, Cheerful, Courageous, Curious, Docile, Energetic, Friendly, Gentle, Independent, Intelligent, Lively, Loving, Loyal, Outgoing, Playful, Protective, Quiet, Responsive, Social, Territorial
Affectionate, Alert, Cheerful, Curious, Energetic, Friendly, Gentle, Independent, Intelligent, Lively, Loving, Loyal, Outgoing, Playful, Quiet, Responsive, Social, Stubborn, Sweet, Territorial
Grooming:
Moderate Maintenance
Low Maintenance
Trainability:
Easy
Easy
Hypoallergenic:
No
No
Kids Friendly:
No
Yes
New Owners Friendly:
Yes
Yes

History

leonbergerHailing from Germany, and more specifically the city of Leonberg, the Leonberger is a giant dog breed.

A resident of Leonberg, Germany, was looking to develop a dog that resembled a lion and in 1846 it was announced that such a dog had been developed by crossing a Newfoundland, Saint Bernard and Pyrenean Mountain dog.

It was after 2010, when the Leonberger Club of America joined the American Kennel Club, that the strict breeding rules were no longer mandatory for all Leonbergers.

miniature dachshundThe Dachshund breed is ancient and was developed in Germany sometime around the 16th century.

It was in 1870 that Dachshunds first came to the United States to be used for hunting. During the 19th century, German hunters wanted smaller dachshunds.

The Dachshund was crossed with toy terriers. The coat comes in three coats – smooth-, long-haired and wire-haired. There is just one size of Miniature Dachshund in the UK and the United States.

Description

leonberger puppy - descriptionAs a giant breed, the Leonberger stands at between 65cm and 80cm in height. He weighs a hefty 40 – 77kg both males and females.

These dogs are described as being dimorphic. It means that there is quite a difference in the looks of the males and females, with the male dogs being heftier and larger than the females.

The head of the dog is large, he has almond-shaped, dark brown eyes and the ears are medium sized and floppy. The tail is long and he has webbed feet which makes him a good swimmer too.

The thick, double coat can be straight or wavy and comes in different colors such as reddish-brown, tan, sandy or yellowish and the hairs can be tipped with black. He sheds quite a bit so will need regular brushing.

The Leonberger can have between 6 – 14 puppies and these puppies are like big, fat, cuddly, fluffy teddy bears. Don’t be tempted to just buy one because of his wonderful looks because they turn out to be huge dogs that eat a lot and the coat can take quite a bit of effort to keep groomed.

Temperament:

Fondly referred to as the Leo, this giant beautiful dog is social and in spite of his size, he should never be left alone in the backyard for long periods of time. He needs to come indoors from time to time to enjoy some interaction with his human family.

He is a family dog, and with training and socialization, he becomes a well-rounded, confident, obedient pet, quiet and content and sensitive to his owner’s moods.

Even though he becomes a great family pet, you need to think twice before you decide to own one of these large dogs as he can be costly to feed.

miniature dachshund puppy - descriptionComing in a range of colors such as red, black, black and tan, cream, chocolate etc, the coat of the Miniature Dachshund can be long or short. Both male and females stand at between 13 – 18cm and weigh between 3 and 5kg.

These dogs are characterized by the long back and very short legs with floppy ears and a long tail. The face is always bright and alert.

Temperament:

The Miniature Dachshund is a small dog and can happily adapt to life in the city as well as in the countryside. This is because with their exercise needs, they don’t require a huge garden but can in fact, exercise indoors.

They’ve always been bred to hunt and are independent and feisty. They’re also intelligent and will do well with training and socialization.

They are also devoted to their families and are known to bark when strangers come near their family. They’ve got a lot of energy and just love being involved with games or going on a walk. Consider him when going on a walk though as his little legs have to take many more steps as compared to your one step.

They can be stubborn, but are friendly, lovable little pets, they aren’t suited for homes with toddlers unless the children have been taught to be exceedingly gentle and kind with animals, especially small, fragile ones like this. They can so easily get hurt.

Characteristics

leonberger dog - characteristicsDon’t be deceived by the looks of the big Leonberger because he isn’t aggressive, but quiet and calm. Large he may be, but he isn’t sluggish either and he will certainly require exercise such as a long, fairly lively walk every day.

They’re intelligent dogs too and respond well to socialization and training. He is a social dog and wants to enjoy plenty of interaction with his human family members.

These dogs are often used as rescue- and therapy dogs as they are so loving and sensitive. Give him lots of love and good care and you’re going to have the most wonderful pet that lives up to the saying – dogs are man’s best friend.

miniature dachshund dog - characteristicsThe Miniature Dachshund has lots of qualities which make him such a splendid pet. He is intelligent, brave, bold and loyal with his human family.

He is fun-loving and energetic and thrives on lots of games and walks. He is versatile in nature and also loves to take things easy indoors with his family.

These little dogs form strong bonds with their family and don’t like to be left on their own. When you have one of these as a pet you’re allowing a whole lot of joy into your home.

Health Problems

leonberger puppies - health problemsLeonbergers are strong, generally healthy dogs. It is said that very large dogs like this don’t live as long as smaller dogs and they also face more health issues. Orthopedic issues such as hip dysplasia are more common with large breeds.

Hip Dysplasia:

An orthopedic problem like this is a misalignment of a joint. This large dog also tends to develop elbow dysplasia too. Fortunately today, hip- and elbow dysplasia is controlled because of efforts of breeders to have their Leonbergers screened.

Nonetheless it is important to know about this ailment. The word ‘Dysplasia’ is referring to an abnormality of development. With both hip- and elbow dysplasia, there is abnormal development of the joints, and osteoarthritis can build up, causing lameness for your giant canine.

Cancer:

Cancer is sadly a leading cause of death in dogs over the age of 10 years. Lymphoma is a blood-related cancer – a tumor of the lymph nodes. Dogs can develop different forms of lymphoma. The warning signs are a lump or a wound that won’t heal, swelling in the bone and abnormal bleeding.

Luckily cancer is very treatable in dogs, but you need to get your dog to the vet as soon as possible.

miniature dachshund puppies - health problemsBe very careful with the Miniature Dachshund because of their long backs. You don't want to be allowing him to be jumping off chairs etc as their backs are prone to injury. To solve the problem you can buy special stairs and ramps for small dogs.

They can live to be between 12 and 14 years of age when looked after well.

A disease that is fairly common in the Miniature Dachshund is Intervertebral Disc Disease, a condition where the cushioning discs between the vertebrae of the spinal column bulge or burst into the spinal cord space, pressing on the nerves and causing nerve damage and worse, paralysis.

Symptoms of the disease include among others

  • whimpering or whining in agony
  • pain in rear legs as well as weakness
  • unwillingness to jump and reduction in activity levels
  • hunched back
  • loss of bladder- and bowel control

Caring The Pet

leonberger dogs - caringThat long coat of the Leonberger is going to require some brushing at least twice a week. He is also a moderate shedder and you want to get rid of all that loose hair and to keep him looking well groomed.

Diet:

A proper, nutritious diet is an essential part of having healthy, happy dogs and if you’re unsure about how to feed your giant pet, speak to your veterinarian.

The best diet for dogs is always very debatable, but essentially it needs to be kept simple. Try and invest in the very best commercially manufactured dog food for large breeds. Every dog wants a tasty home-made morsel from time to time. Add in cooked chicken, brown rice as well as cooked or raw vegetables. Raw meat can also be added in from time to time.

You want to avoid feeding the Leonberger puppy a high protein diet as this encourages rapid growth and you want to avoid that.

miniature dachshund dogs - caringDachshunds can put on weight quickly and you want to avoid this at all costs as extra weight can put strain on the back.

If you feed your Mini Dachshund commercially manufactured dog food, choose the best quality ones, high in vitamins and minerals and avoid some of the cheaper ones that use unwholesome fillers, colorants, sugar and lots of salt, all of which can be toxic for your pet.

Of course home-made food is always best, but not any foods either. It is best with any dog to keep their foods simple and consistent so as to avoid stomach problems. Chopped up boiled chicken, brown rice or pasta and some cooked vegetables such as potatoes carrots and spinach will do wonders for him. Make sure that there is a constant supply of fresh, cool water for him.

Grooming:

A good brush of the coat twice a week will do fine for your Miniature Dachshund. Remember to check him over for fleas and ticks when you brush him and to feel for any unusual lumps. Keep the nails trimmed.

Check both eyes and ears for infection. There are ways to keep the inside of long eared dog breeds clean and dry, but if you’re unsure there are always professional groomers who will do the job for you, and clean their teeth at the same time. You can brush your dogs teeth 2 or 3 times a week to avoid plaque build up, gum infection and tooth loss.

Comparison with other breeds

  1. Leonberger vs English Bulldog - Breed Comparison
  2. Leonberger vs German Shepherd - Breed Comparison
  3. Leonberger vs Golden Retriever - Breed Comparison
  4. Leonberger vs Labrador Retriever - Breed Comparison
  5. Leonberger vs West Highland White Terrier - Breed Comparison
  6. Leonberger vs French Bulldog - Breed Comparison
  7. Leonberger vs Beagle - Breed Comparison
  8. Leonberger vs Yorkshire Terrier - Breed Comparison
  9. Leonberger vs Poodle - Breed Comparison
  10. Leonberger vs Rottweiler - Breed Comparison
  11. Leonberger vs Boxer - Breed Comparison
  12. Leonberger vs English Pointer - Breed Comparison
  13. Leonberger vs Siberian Husky - Breed Comparison
  14. Leonberger vs Doberman Pinscher - Breed Comparison
  15. Leonberger vs American Bully - Breed Comparison
  16. Leonberger vs Abruzzenhund - Breed Comparison
  17. Leonberger vs Affenpinscher - Breed Comparison
  18. Leonberger vs Afghan Hound - Breed Comparison
  19. Leonberger vs Aidi - Breed Comparison
  20. Leonberger vs Airedale Terrier - Breed Comparison
  21. Leonberger vs Akbash Dog - Breed Comparison
  22. Leonberger vs Akita - Breed Comparison
  23. Leonberger vs Africanis - Breed Comparison
  24. Leonberger vs Askal - Breed Comparison
  25. Leonberger vs Atlas Terrier - Breed Comparison
  26. Miniature Dachshund vs English Bulldog - Breed Comparison
  27. Miniature Dachshund vs German Shepherd - Breed Comparison
  28. Miniature Dachshund vs Golden Retriever - Breed Comparison
  29. Miniature Dachshund vs Labrador Retriever - Breed Comparison
  30. Miniature Dachshund vs West Highland White Terrier - Breed Comparison
  31. Miniature Dachshund vs French Bulldog - Breed Comparison
  32. Miniature Dachshund vs Beagle - Breed Comparison
  33. Miniature Dachshund vs Yorkshire Terrier - Breed Comparison
  34. Miniature Dachshund vs Poodle - Breed Comparison
  35. Miniature Dachshund vs Rottweiler - Breed Comparison
  36. Miniature Dachshund vs Boxer - Breed Comparison
  37. Miniature Dachshund vs English Pointer - Breed Comparison
  38. Miniature Dachshund vs Siberian Husky - Breed Comparison
  39. Miniature Dachshund vs Doberman Pinscher - Breed Comparison
  40. Miniature Dachshund vs American Bully - Breed Comparison
  41. Miniature Dachshund vs Abruzzenhund - Breed Comparison
  42. Miniature Dachshund vs Affenpinscher - Breed Comparison
  43. Miniature Dachshund vs Afghan Hound - Breed Comparison
  44. Miniature Dachshund vs Aidi - Breed Comparison
  45. Miniature Dachshund vs Airedale Terrier - Breed Comparison
  46. Miniature Dachshund vs Akbash Dog - Breed Comparison
  47. Miniature Dachshund vs Akita - Breed Comparison
  48. Miniature Dachshund vs Africanis - Breed Comparison
  49. Miniature Dachshund vs Askal - Breed Comparison
  50. Miniature Dachshund vs Atlas Terrier - Breed Comparison