It’s been known for a long time that Labs and Dachshunds are two of the world’s favorite dog breeds.
They’re both very loyal, intelligent, and loveable all around.
Not only that, but they’re also great family dogs since they interact with kids as well as adults in a very respectful and playful manner.
Other Designer Breeds:
- Border Collie Lab Mix – Meet the Wonderful Borador
- German Shepherd Corgi Mix (Corman Shepherd) – Smart and Loyal Mix
Another reason that we all love them so much is that they’re usually pretty low maintenance. Even long-haired Dachshunds and Labs don’t shed at a crazy rate like many other dog breeds, which makes it a little easier on the clean-up.
The short-haired versions of both breeds hardly shed at all, meaning you don’t have to spend every day sweeping and vacuuming up their hair.
But there’s one blaring question that everyone has about these breeds. Something seems a little bit interesting about the fact that a strongly-built, tall Labrador could mix with the tiny, low-to-the-ground, short-legged Dachshund.
What on Earth do they look like?
When anyone looks at a Lab, they immediately know what kind of dog it is. Labs have such defining features, from their ear shape to their snout.
Dachshunds also have strong features, with a pointy snout and thin, floppy ears. How can these two dog breeds possibly mix without making it look nothing like either of them?
In truth, these ‘Doxidor’ mixes (as they’re called) result in some of the most adorable puppies on the planet. They’re also loyal to the bone.
All they want is to make you, their owner, happy with what they’ve done.
There has to be a number of questions on your mind, so let’s dive in and answer everything you need to know about the Dachshund Lab Mix!
How Big Do Dachshund Lab Mix Get?
Obviously, the first thing you’re probably wondering is what they look like. Made up of two different breeds with such prominent features, it’s hard to imagine what the results could possibly be!
Given that a Lab is generally a medium to a large sized dog, the Dachshund Lab mix gets a bit of height and weight boost over a pure-bred Dachshund.
You’ll also find that the mix is generally a bit more muscular and chunkier than a Dachshund, due to the fact that labs are naturally hunter and fishermen dogs.
The average height of the Dachshund Labrador mix is about 15 to 25 inches, heavily depending on the mother and the father of the offspring. Since both dogs have strong genes, the puppy usually ends up looking much more like the father, though it retains some of the features of the mother.
At about 30 to 40 pounds, the Dachshund Lab mix is definitely quite a bit heavier than a typical Dachshund.
However, it’s also much smaller than a Lab.
In fact, many Labs are twice the weight, while many Dachshunds are half of the Doxidor’s weight. It’s pretty much a perfect combination as a result of the wildly different standard weight of both breeds.
One thing that people sometimes find is that Doxidors are prone to getting a little overweight. Since the Lab in them has a nature to pull weight up to higher numbers, excessive eating can overwhelm the dog quickly.
Keep an eye on their feeding habits, because being overweight with such small legs and joints can cause pain in the long-run.
You’ll also notice that they get a little big in the face, which is completely natural.
While a puppy Doxidor might have the thin and narrow features of a Dachshund, the Lab’s genes eventually overtake them causing their faces to grow a little.
Dachshund Lab Mix Appearance
A Dachshund is usually physically defined by two features: Its long back, and its short legs. Both of these features are very prominent in the Dachshund Lab mix, although the legs get a little bit of a boost.
In fact, a Doxidor’s legs are usually about twice the length of a Dachshund’s, making it significantly taller.
The back of a Doxidor is basically identical to the back of a Dachshund. Its long, narrow bone structure makes it look more like a wiener dog than a lab as far as the body-build goes.
Of all the features that come from the Dachshund, the back is definitely the most familiar.
The aforementioned face of this adorable mix looks much more similar to a Lab than a Dachshund.
Labs have naturally muscular faces, with defined cheekbones and eyes. They also have a very uniquely appearing snout, which also shines through in the Doxidor.
You’ll also see that its ears are very similar to a Lab’s ears.
As far as color goes, both breeds of dogs have a wide variety of shades of browns, blacks, and yellows.
Since they can be very similar, you can expect the same in a Doxidor.
If one parent has a completely different color than the other, then you’ll either get A) a mix of the two shades or B) a shade matched with the parent who has more dominant genes.
The best way to explain a Dachshund Labrador mix is to note the following features:
- A Labrador’s facial structure.
- The Dachshund’s long back.
- A perfect mix of both dog breeds’ height and weight, splitting right down the middle.
- The color shade of both parents mixed, or of the parent with dominant genes.
Temperament
When most people think of a Lab, the first traits that come to mind are its loyalty, intelligence, and loving nature.
Labs are typically referred to as America’s favorite dog and for good reasoning! They’ll do anything to please their owners, even if it inconveniences themselves.
There are not many dog breeds that’ll go to the extent of a Lab’s loyalty.
The Dachshund, on the other hand, is known for being bold. They say that TNT comes in small doses, and a Dachshund is the perfect example of that! They love their owners, but they can be known to show a bit of aggression towards others.
It’s not because they hate being social, but they’re so protective of their owners that they can be a little over the top sometimes.
With such contrasting traits, the few similarities usually take hold of a Doxidor’s temperament. Both dog breeds are loyal to a fault.
They’re also protective of their owners, and they can experience separation anxiety very quickly. For this reason, it’s always a good idea to try to have someone home with them as much as possible.
Getting two Doxidors is also a good solution since they could keep each other occupied.
Much like any other mix of dog breeds, the most influential bit that results in their overall temperament is the environment they were raised in.
Since they’re so different from one another in many ways, your training methods and the way you interact with them will be the deciding factor.
Who Are They Most Suitable For?
Dachshund Lab mixes are excellent family dogs, since they’re so great at interacting with children as well as adults. They’re also very energetic, as both breeds of the mix are natural hunting dogs.
However, due to their energy as well as a Dachshund’s tendency to bark a lot until trained otherwise, Doxidor’s aren’t good apartment dogs. Although many other small dogs are perfect for apartments, this mix doesn’t do well for many different reasons.
For starters, you have the aforementioned energy levels of the Dachshund Lab mix. They love to run, play, and run some more all day long.
You’ll need a big backyard to keep these pups satisfied, and most apartments don’t come with a yard at all.
Then there’s the fact that both dogs are barkers. Since they’re so protective of their owners, as well as what they think is their property, any little sound or light movement will send them off on a barking spree that won’t end until they feel that they’ve scared off the threat. While it can be tamed and eventually completely shut down, you wouldn’t want to do that in an apartment.
If you have a decent sized yard with an interactive and loving family, Dachshund Labrador mixes are up there contending for the best mixed dog breed for you!
Just don’t expect them to leave you alone, as they love attention and cuddling.
Dachshund Lab Mix Health & Wellness
The Dachshund’s signature long back is actually a focal point for spinal issues. Due to the fact that it’s much longer than most other dog breeds, they’re far more likely to have spinal pain and diseases.
Labs, on the other hand, often experience joint pain and arthritis in their later years. This can be prevented if you don’t allow them to jump from great distances, among other protective measures.
Also, it might be hard to handle, but try not to pick them up once they’re fully grown.
Both breeds have problems with overeating, which simply means you’ll have to regulate their feeding times. If you put a lot in front of them, they’ll eat it.
Talk to your local veterinarian for tips and suggestions based on your dog’s height, weight, and breed.
Victoria Nelson is a lifelong animal lover. She grew up in a small farm with a wide variety of pets that included dogs, cats, cows, fish etc. A published author since 18, she loves writing, and nothing makes her happier than writing about animals and sharing useful animal care tips.
