Doxin vs Dachshund vs Doxie – What’s The Difference?

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You’ve probably heard sausage dogs (or weiner dogs) referred to by names like Doxie, Doxin, Doxen, and Dachshund. We’re taking a look at the difference between the doxin vs dachshund breed.


Doxin vs Dachshund Difference


Okay, that was a trick question. There is no difference between a doxin vs dachshund! They refer to the same dog, and are just different ways of spelling breed’s name phonetically. And I’m sure you’ll agree that Doxin is a lot easier to spell!


doxin vs dachshund

In addition to the name Dachshund, this hugely popular dog breed also goes by other names such as:

  • Dashies
  • Doxin
  • Doxie
  • Dachs
  • Teckel
  • Dachel
  • Doxen
  • Dotson
  • Dachsels
  • Doxy
  • Daxen
  • Doxhund
  • Wiener
  • Weiner
  • Hot dog
  • Sausage dog


English vs German Spellings of Doxin vs Dachshund


While you now understand that Doxin is just another way of spelling Dachshund phonetically, you might be wondering why the spellings of Weiner vs Wiener are both acceptable in the dictionary. Even kennel clubs recognize that both of these names are correct.

The reason for this is that Wiener is a German word, and Weiner is the English version. In each language, these spellings phonetically give you the sound “wee-ner”. So if you’re thinking about getting a dachshund, you can relax knowing that you can spell “weiner” either way.


The Origin of the Doxie / Doxen / Doxin / Dotson / Weiner / Sausage Dog Breed


The Dachshund (pronounced “daks-hund”) originated from Germany hundreds of years ago. Also known as a “Doxin” or “Doxen” – this breed was kept to hunt badgers. Obviously they are the perfect shape for wiggling into badger dens, and they’re easily trained to do so. The name literally means Badger (dachs) Dog (hund) in German.

After the two World Wars in the 20th century, these cute little weiner dogs were commonly referred to as Badger Dogs to avoid associations with Germany – who obviously wasn’t very popular at that time!


Different Types of Doxin / Dachshund


While the doxin vs dachshund dog is one and the same, there are 15 different colors of the weiner dog. While you’re probably most used to seeing them in black and tan variations, they are also bred in the following colors:

  • Red
  • Blue & Cream
  • Black & Cream
  • Black & Tan
  • Blue & Tan
  • Cream & Chocolate
  • Chocolate & Tan
  • Fawn
  • Fawn & Cream
  • Cream
  • Fawn & Tan
  • Black
  • Chocolate
  • Wheaten

Dachshunds can also vary in patterns within these colors – so you might see doxins on the street with patterns including:

  • Dapple
  • Double dapple
  • Brindle
  • Piebald
  • Brindle Piebald
  • Double Piebald

While these dachshund variations are available if you really want one, be aware that the official standards for dachshunds under the AKC rules is very rigid. This is to prevent breeding problems that can cause unwanted health problems.


doxin vs dachshund
Doxin vs dachshund – they’re one and the same!


The double dapple pattern we mentioned above is especially discouraged, as these pups can suffer from serious health problems including deafness, blindness, and serious malformations. For this reason, anything outsided of the accepted patterns and colors mentioned in the AKC guidelines are not eligible for registration with kennel or breed clubs as pedigree dachshund or doxin dogs.

In addition to colors and patterns, doxies also have different types of coat:

  • Smooth
  • Long haired
  • Wire haired

Plus, you can find them in standard size and miniature. Mini doxins are especially cute! If you want to own one of these mini dachshunds and show them at kennel events, be aware that they’re not technically classed as a separate type of doxin. So you’ll need to enter a mini doxin in the “under 5kg” class.


Fun Facts About Doxins / Dachshunds


Dachshund cross breeds also have a bunch of cute names associated with them


  • Dusky: Dachshund husky cross
  • Doxle: Dachshund beagle cross
  • Doxiepoo / Doxiedoodle / Doxiepoo: Dachshund poodle cross
  • Doxbull: Dachshund pitbull cross
  • Daug: Dachshund pug cross
  • Dachshund shepherd cross: This one should be obvious!


Mini dachs


If you think the miniature dachshund is tiny – did you know there’s a variation of the dachshund that is even tinier?

The mini-dachs or mini-doxin is around five times smaller than the standard dachshund. While the standard doxie can weigh around 15kg as adults, the Kaninchen (or “Rabbit”) Dachshund breed can be as tiny as 3.5 kg when fully grown. This sub-breed is recogmized in more than 80 countries—but not in the UK or USA.


Were there Dachshunds in Ancient Egypt?


In images from tombs and temples across Africa, and notable in Egypt, there is artwork that depicts a dog very much like the dachshund. Did they originate from there perhaps? And somehow find their way across the world to begin a new line of work hunting badgers in Germany? We’ll never know for sure, but it’s a fascinating theory.


doxin vs dachshund
An ancient egyptian dachshund?


Dachshunds were at the forefront of cloning technology


A dachshund from the UK was sucessfully cloned in Seoul in 2017 from a 12 year old doxie called Winnie. The dog’s owner won the chance to have her beloved dog cloned – a procedure that would typically cost around $60,000.

Minnie Winnie (aka Winnie 2) even gave birth to healthy pups a few years later.


Doxins were the first Olympic mascot


At the first Olympic games in 1972, a multi-colored dachshund called Waldi became the official games mascot. The games designers even planned out the route of the marathon in the shape of the dachsund!


Hot dogs were originally called “dachshund sausages”


We’re glad they changed the name to hot dogs – because that’s quite a mouthful (excuse the pun).

We know that Dachshunds are often called wiener dogs because they resemble sausages. But when hot dogs were first made available on the market, they were seen to resemble doxins, so were branded as the “Dachshund sausage“.


Dachshund racing is actually a thing


Yep – Dachshund racing began in the 1970s in Australia, and is now popular around the world. Of course, it’s not a serious sport – just an event for dachshund enthusiasts. If you’re keen to see what doxins look like at top speed – check out the Wienerschnitzel Weiner Nationals in California.


Dachshunds have been the world’s oldest dog – twice


Doxins typically live between 12 to 15 years, which is longer than many dog breeds. Out of the 23 dogs mentioned in the Guiness book of records as being the longest lived pups – two of them are dachshunds.

Chanel held the record for oldest Doxie at 21 years of age. Another Doxie called Scolly followed closely behind, living to 20, and a Terrier-dachshund cross is also featured, living to 20 years of age.


Dachshunds got the Royal seal of approval


While Queen Elizabeth 2 preferred corgis, Queen Victoria’s preference was the dachshund. She is one of the reasons this breed is so beloved in the UK. She is famously quoted to have said “Nothing will turn a man’s home into a castle more quickly and effectively than a dachshund.”


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BarkZine is a small team of devoted dog owners – so we understand what it’s like to be obsessed with your pup! We consult with veterinarians and dog behavior experts to bring you the best advice for your furry companions.

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BarkZine is a small team of devoted dog owners – so we understand what it’s like to be obsessed with your pup! We consult with veterinarians and dog behavior experts to bring you the best advice for your furry companions.