Mellissa's Mini
Dachshunds Home 🐾
15+ Years of Dedication to Raising Healthy and Happy Dachshunds
I am passionate about uniting loving families with their perfect Dachshund companions.
🐾 Contact Me🐾 Welcome A Loving Dachshund Companion Into Your Family. 🐾
Ready to welcome a Dapple Dachshund into your family?
I am a dedicated breeder of quality Dapple Dachshunds, offering puppies in all coat types—smooth, long, and wire-haired—and in an array of stunning colors, including dapples, brindles, and creams. At Mellissa’s Mini Dachshunds Home, I take pride in raising healthy, happy puppies that bring love and joy to their forever families.
I strictly adhere to AKC standards to ensure my Dachshunds are not only beautiful but also healthy, ethically bred, and well-socialized. Raised in a loving family environment, each puppy interacts with adults, children, and household pets, ensuring they are ready to thrive as cherished companions.
🐾 Why Choose Me ? 🐾
- My Puppies are ready to go home at 8-10 weeks, ensuring they are fully weaned and properly socialized.
- I provide a one-year health guarantee against life-threatening genetic issues.
- All my puppies come with proof of AKC registration and spay/neuter contracts for responsible ownership.
- 💛 Bring home a loyal companion who will fill your life with love and joy.
Contact me today or browse my available puppies to find the perfect addition to your family!
🐾 Bring Home A Loyal Companion! 🐾
Contact me today or browse my available puppies to find the perfect addition to your family!
HEALTH
Dachshunds are generally a healthy breed and can be expected to live 12 to 16 years with proper care. Maintaining their health involves focusing on:
- Diet and Exercise: Keep your Dachshund on a nutritious diet and ensure they get enough exercise to maintain a healthy weight and muscle tone. Obesity can strain their long back and lead to serious injuries.
- Preventing Back Injuries: Protect your Dachshund's long back by limiting activities that involve high-impact jumps or rough play. Always monitor their activities to avoid risks, such as jumping onto furniture or climbing stairs excessively.
- Ear Care: Dachshunds can get ear infections if their ears aren’t kept clean. Regularly inspect their ears for dirt or wax buildup and clean them gently with a vet-approved solution. With proper care and attention, your Dachshund can enjoy a long, happy, and healthy life by your side.
GROOMING
Dachshunds are moderate shedders, relatively clean, and rarely have a noticeable odor. Their grooming needs depend on their coat type:
- Smooth-Coated Dachshunds: Minimal grooming is needed. A quick wipe with a soft cloth or a light brushing keeps their coat shiny.
- Wirehaired Dachshunds: Regular brushing is essential to prevent tangles and mats. Occasional hand-stripping will maintain their unique texture.
- Longhaired Dachshunds: Thorough brushing is required to prevent mats and tangles, especially around their ears and legs. Regardless of coat type, all Dachshunds benefit from occasional nail trimming, ear cleaning, and dental care to stay fresh and healthy!
EXERCISE
Dachshunds may be small, but they’re full of energy and need regular exercise to stay healthy! Proper exercise helps keep their muscles strong, minds stimulated, and prevents behavioral issues.
- Daily Walks: A couple of short walks each day help keep their muscles strong and their mind stimulated. Regular walks are key to maintaining a healthy weight.
- Playtime Fun: Interactive toys, gentle fetch, or indoor games are great for burning off energy, especially in bad weather. Mental stimulation is just as important as physical activity!
- Avoid Overexertion: Protect their long back by avoiding stairs, jumping, or rough play. With the right balance of activity, your Dachshund will stay fit, happy, and ready for cuddles!
TRAINING
Dachshunds are intelligent and eager to please, but their independent streak can make training a fun challenge! Here are some tips to help you succeed:
- Start Early: Begin training as a puppy to establish good habits and build a strong bond. Consistency is key!
- Positive Reinforcement: Reward good behavior with treats, praise, and playtime. They respond best to encouragement and patience.
- House Training: Be patient—Dachshunds can take a bit longer to learn. Stick to a routine and celebrate their progress.
- Basic Commands: Focus on key commands like sit, stay, and come. Short, fun training sessions work best to hold their attention. With love, patience, and persistence, your Dachshund will grow into a well-mannered companion!
NUTRITION
A balanced diet is essential to keep your Dachshund healthy, happy, and full of energy! Here's what to keep in mind:
- Portion Control: Dachshunds are prone to obesity, so measure their meals carefully to maintain a healthy weight.
- High-Quality Food: Choose dog food rich in protein, healthy fats, and essential nutrients to support their energy levels and coat health.
- Avoid Over-Treating: Treats are great for training, but moderation is key to prevent unnecessary weight gain.
- Age-Appropriate Diet: Puppies, adults, and seniors have different nutritional needs—adjust their diet as they grow.
- Hydration: Always provide fresh, clean water to keep them hydrated throughout the day. With the right nutrition, your Dachshund will thrive and stay by your side for many happy years!
Let Numbers Speak For Us 🐾
I pride Myself on providing loving homes for my puppies and creating happy families!
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5-Star Reviews
Recent Testimonials From Our Happy Clients
Welcome Home, Daisy! Our experience with Mellissa's Mini Dachshunds Home was absolutely amazing. From the moment we inquired about adopting Daisy, Mellissa guided us through every step of the process with exceptional kindness, professionalism, and care. Daisy was lovingly handed to us, wrapped snug in a cozy blanket, showing how much love and attention she received in her first home.
Alabama, 2025
🐾 What Are Dachshunds?
Dachshunds are scent hound dogs bred to hunt badgers and other tunneling animals, including rabbits and foxes. Hunters even used packs of Dachshunds to trail wild boar! Today, this heritage makes them excellent family companions, show dogs, and small-game hunters.
But don’t let this pup fool you. Dogs of this breed might be small, but they are big in personality! As legendary literary critic and humorist H.L. Mencken once said, “A half a dog high and a dog and a half long,” this small, drop-eared dog is tough enough to take on badgers. In fact, that’s how they got their name:
Dachshund Meaning:
The name “Dachs” means badger, and “Hund” means dog. Together, it translates to “badger dog.”
Fun Nicknames:
Over time, Dachshunds have earned many nicknames, including Wiener Dog, Sausage Dog, and Doxie. And for those who know them best, their bold, loving, and loyal nature wins hearts. If you’re looking for a dog that adores nothing more than to follow you around the house, this may be the breed for you!
Available Puppies ➡Choose Your Category
🐾 My Breeding Practices
At Mellissa’s Mini Dachshunds Home, I take a thoughtful and balanced approach to breeding. I don’t rely on just one trait—whether phenotype, genotype, or a combination—but instead focus on ensuring the health, soundness, and temperament of every dog in my program. My goal is to produce not only beautiful but also healthy, well-adjusted companions.
Vaccinations:
Proper vaccination is a crucial part of your puppy’s health and well-being. At Mellissa’s Mini Dachshunds Home, I ensure that all puppies receive age-appropriate vaccines to protect them from life-threatening diseases.
- 🐾 Core Vaccines: Puppies are vaccinated against essential diseases like distemper, adenovirus, and parvovirus.
- 🐾 Schedule: Puppies receive their first set of vaccinations at 6–8 weeks of age, with a follow-up schedule provided for their new families.
Spay/Neuter:
Spaying and neutering are essential steps in responsible pet ownership. These procedures help control the pet population, prevent certain health issues, and can improve behavior.
- 🐾 Health Benefits: Spaying your female dog reduces the risk of uterine infections and certain cancers, while neutering your male dog helps prevent testicular cancer and behavioral issues.
- 🐾 Behavioral Benefits: Neutered dogs are less likely to roam, mark their territory, or display aggressive behaviors.
My Dogs:
I try to obtain what I feel are the best bloodlines in temperament, type, and health. Temperament has become a huge focus for us. Adding dogs into my family incorporates into my breeding program only for what I can provide to the he/she deserves as a companion rather than raised purely for breeding.
My Puppies:
From the moment they are born, my puppies are raised with care. Early socialization and exposure to a loving family environment are crucial steps to ensuring they are healthy, confident, and ready to bring joy to their future homes.
Socialization:
Socialization is one of the most important aspects of raising a happy and well-adjusted puppy. It involves exposing puppies to new experiences, environments, sounds, and interactions early in life. At Mellissa’s Mini Dachshunds Home, I take great care to ensure my puppies are well-prepared for the world:
- 🐾 Early Exposure: I expose puppies to household noises like the vacuum, television, and doorbells, as well as outdoor environments.
- 🐾 Positive Reinforcement: I use positive interactions to build trust and confidence.
Training:
Training should start the day you bring your puppy home. Early and consistent training leads to a well-behaved and confident dog. It helps build trust, good manners, and ensures your puppy understands their role within your family.
- 🐾 Key First Commands: Begin with simple commands like “sit,” “stay,” and “come.”
- 🐾 Short Sessions: Puppies have short attention spans, so keep training sessions to 10–15 minutes.
Nutrition:
Proper nutrition is the foundation of a healthy, happy dog. At Mellissa’s Mini Dachshunds Home, I am committed to providing the highest quality diet for my puppies and dogs. Nutrition plays a vital role in their growth, health, and development for years to come.
Understanding Dachshund Spine Health:
Dachshunds are known for their long backs, which make them unique and adorable but also prone to spine-related issues like Intervertebral Disc Disease (IVDD). Caring for their spine is crucial to avoid discomfort and ensure a long, healthy life.
- 🐾 Maintain a Healthy Weight: Excess weight puts extra strain on their spine. A balanced diet and regular exercise help keep your Dachshund fit and healthy.
- 🐾 Use Ramps or Steps: Provide ramps or steps for your Dachshund to access furniture or climb stairs, reducing the risk of back injuries from jumping.
- 🐾 Proper Handling: Always support their chest and hindquarters when picking them up to avoid putting stress on their back.
- 🐾 Regular Vet Check-ups: Routine check-ups help monitor their spinal health and catch any potential issues early.
By taking these precautions, you can help your Dachshund live a happy, active life free from back pain or injury.
🐾 Important Health Checks! 🐾
Regular vet check-ups are essential for a happy, healthy Dachshund!
Have questions? I encourage all puppy owners to reach out with any questions about spaying and neutering. Whether it’s through a phone call, text, or email, I am happy to assist.