Everyone loves a Dachshund. They are some of the funniest dogs with a big personality. But, do you know what’s even better than a Dachshund? A Doxiepoo. These new Doodles are taking the world by storm and for a good reason! But before you go off buying an adorable little Doxiepoo, you should probably do some research first. Lucky for you, we have all you need to know about Doodles. We will go through all the pros and cons of owning a Doxiepoo.
Origins
Before we start talking about all the terrific aspects of the Doxiepoo, it’s essential to know where they come from. The Doxiepoo is a hybrid dog. That means that they are not technically their own breed, but a mixed breed. Doxiepoos are half Dachshund and half Poodle. They are one of the newest Doodle breeds and only come into the limelight in the early 2000s. But, we can get a better look at this breed by looking at their purebred ancestors.
Standard Dachshunds are designed to be a burrowing dog. And Smaller breeds were used to help hunt down rabbits out of their warrens. Because of this, it isn’t uncommon to see Dachshunds scratching around in blankets, bedding, and soil. They are very affectionate and moderately easy to train. They make great companion dogs with a mild temper and packed with energy.
The Poodle was originally bred for water sport hunting. They love to swim and have the perfect waterproof coat to do it. When mini versions came about, it wasn’t long before people realized that they offered great friendship. They quickly became lapdogs, and that is how most of the world sees them today. No one believes that they have a strong prey drive and need for training and purpose.
Pros Of Owning A Doxiepoo
Now that we know the lineage of the Doxiepoo, we can start talking about how they fit into our lives. We will explore all the excellent characteristics they have inherited from their purebred parents. And we will discuss how they blend perfectly to make an excellent companion.
Hypoallergenic
Some Doxiepoos are hypoallergenic, but not all. If you are wanting a hypoallergenic Doxiepoo, you will want to look for a puppy with curly hair. The kinkier the hair, the less it will shed. Low-shedding dogs are great for less clean-up, mild allergies, and people with asthma. It does not mean that you will not be allergic to the dog. Since all dogs produce saliva, urine, and dander, you will always be allergic to dogs.
Temperament
The Doxiepoo has a fantastic personality. They are outgoing and love most people. They are incredibly loyal to their families and love company. But don’t let that sweet face fool you. The Doxiepoo is full of energy and will love to tease you. Each puppy has a sense of humor, unlike the other. You will find that they can be mischievous and a tad bit ornery. But above all else, they are very affectionate and passionate dogs.
Intelligence And Training
Another impressive feature of the Doxiepoo is its willingness to learn. They love to please their owners and respond well to positive reinforcement training. With a little patience and understanding, your Doxiepoo will learn very quickly. They understand more than what you expect a dog to do, so don’t let them fool you into thinking they can’t achieve something. This is another antic to get away with whatever they want.
Size
The small size of a Doxiepoo makes them perfect for different things. Smaller dogs cost less annually than larger breeds. They do not eat as much, cost much to groom, and don’t require a ton of space. The Doxiepoo size makes them great for apartments or smaller homes. The average Doxiepoo grows up to weigh 6-30 pounds depending on the size of the parents.
Easy To Exercise
Doxiepoos may be considered high energy, but they don’t take much to tire out. A 30-minute walk a day is easy enough for them, though they may want to explore longer. They also love short playtimes throughout the day to keep them busy. You won’t have to worry about hours upon hours of exercise as you do with some larger Doodles.
Awesome With Kids
Doxiepoos are gentle and smart dogs. They are generally very patient too, which makes them a great candidate for homes with children. No matter how well your dog may act with children, it is crucial to teach boundaries. It only takes an instant for something to go wrong, so never leave children and dogs alone.
Uncommon
One of the great things about Doxiepoos is that they are not common. Being a rare breed has some advantages beyond making you look unique to other Doodle owners. One advantage is that since not a lot of people know about them, bad breeders haven’t gotten their hands on the gene pool yet. You are less likely to find Doxiepoos in puppy mills since it takes a lot of searching to find one. But it is not impossible, so always do your research. And since these dogs are not mass-produced, they are likely to be very healthy puppies from the beginning.
Long Lifespan
The best part about a Doxiepoo is that they have a long lifespan. Since their average life is 12-15 years, that gives you plenty of time with your best friend. Some Doxiepoos can even live beyond this average. With proper breeding, diet, exercise, and vet appointments, your dog could live much longer.
Cons Of Owning A Doxiepoo
Unfortunately, no breed is perfect. There is a downside to every dog breed, and the Doxiepoo is no exception. You will want to take a look at this part of the list more closely than the positives.
Grooming
The biggest con of any Doodle is the grooming. You will not only have to spend time daily brushing their coats, but you will also have to invest financially. The average Doodle owner should have three types of brushes and combs to help release tangles. You will also need to have a variety of other grooming supplies should your dog every need to be a bath.
In addition to this, Doxiepoos will need to be groomed by a professional. Every 6-12 weeks, they will need to have their hair trimmed to keep up with maintenance. The longer their hair is, the harder it is to manage. Grooming is the price you pay for having a hypoallergenic dog.
High-Energy
While exercising your Doxiepoo is relatively easy due to their size, they still have a lot of energy. They continuously want attention and to play. If you don’t give them what they need, they turn to bad behaviors. If you do not have a lot of time to spend with your dog playing, they may not be the best fit.
Hard To Predict
One of the hardest things about mixed breeds is how to predict them. Doxiepoos are a new designer breed, and it is hard to pinpoint the mix to an exact science. The hardest thing to predict is their coat type. Litters can have a wide variety of coat types. If you are looking for a specific coat type, you may be disappointed. Some Doxiepoos shed very little, but some shed the same as all short-haired dogs.
Barks A Lot
Doxiepoos are known to have a protective personality. They bark a lot at any sound or movement around your home. Barking could be a significant aspect to help warn you of danger. But, if you live in an apartment, it could be troublesome for your neighbors.
Cost
Another good thing to consider is the price point. The average Doxiepoo costs $250-$2,000. This is a vast price range between one breed, so what’s the difference? Well, some breeders don’t do a lot of genetic testing for their dogs, so this brings the cost down. These dogs have no guarantee of their genetics or health. Also, lower-priced puppies could likely come from backyard breeders. Higher priced puppies should come with DNA testing and good breeding to back up the cost. Sometimes breeders charge more for these dogs because they are the only breeder. As long as you are interviewing breeders and inspecting everything with your own eyes, you can be sure that you spend your money well.
Medical
Most people think that mixed breeds are superior because they are healthier. While this is true to an extent, it is also wrong. Hybrids are prone to getting any disease that the parents have. And because genetics is not an exact science, even small chances of an illness can produce ill puppies. Knowing what Doxiepoos are prone to can help you evaluate their health certificates and testing better.
And since Doxiepoos are so new, we still do not know precisely what they are prone to. Both of the parent breeds are prone to a variety of ailments, such as:
- Eye diseases
- Skin conditions
- Joint problems
- Back issues
- Obesity
- Cushing’s disease
- And more
Any reputable breeder will have a DNA test done on both parents to verify that they are a good match. If the probability of producing sick puppies is too high, they will not continue with the match.
Socialization
All dogs need to have socialization with people and animals. And this is no different for your Doxiepoo. If you do not introduce them to new things, it can be harder for them to adjust as they get older. If you wait until they are over a year, they may never adapt to new environments.
Do You Love The Doxiepoo?
If you can see through the pros and cons with no hesitation, it sounds like they are an excellent match for you. If not, stick around for the next Doodle we talk about. They may just be the right one for you.