Sheltie Dachshund Mix: The Shethund of Your Dreams
If you’re a first-time owner looking for a social, intelligent dog that’s eager to please, your search is over. We give you the Sheltie Dachshund cross—an independent yet loyal pooch that will follow your every move and make for an excellent family pet.
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Introduction to the Doxie Sheltie’s Parental Breeds
Getting to know the true nature of designer dogs is usually mission impossible. More often than not, these dogs are a product of incidental breeding, and adopting one most likely means you are taking in a rescue dog.
We strongly advise against getting a dog from irresponsible breeders. They often provide no information about the puppy’s parents or try to hide some of it to sell the dog. If you’re unsure whether you can trust a breeder, consider adopting a dog.
Let’s start by breaking down these parental breeds. This approach will help you learn more about the dog’s parents and the traits this particular combination may inherit.
Best Supplements for Sheltie Dachshund Mix
Choosing the best supplements for a Sheltie Dachshund mix, often referred to as a Sheltie Dachsie, involves addressing their potential health needs. A balanced multivitamin can provide essential nutrients, while omega-3 fatty acids, such as fish oil, may support skin and coat health.
Joint supplements with glucosamine and chondroitin can be beneficial, especially considering potential joint concerns in Dachshunds. As individual health requirements may vary, it’s important to consult with a veterinarian to determine the most suitable supplements for your Sheltie Dachsie’s well-being.
- Joint health support for dogs: cosequin, the #1 veterinarian recommended retail joint health supplem
- Omega-3 fatty acids: each soft chew also contains omega-3 fatty acids to help support skin and coat
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- This natural fish oil additive supplement works to support your pal’s skin, coat, hips and joints, heart and immune system.
- The premium salmon oil is rich with omega-3 and -6 fatty acids from EPA and DHA to promote soft skin, a shiny coat and good overall health.
- May also help support proper hip, joint, heart and immune function.
- Makes a yummy alternative to capsules or soft chew supplements—simply add to your pet’s favorite meal.
- Great for small, medium and large breed dogs or cats.
- Your sidekick deserves a shiny coat and healthy skin she can feel proud of and show off.
- A therapeutic blend of organic horsetail, dandelion, spirulina and bladderwrack help maintain hair shafts and follicles to promote healthy skin and hair.
- Give your gorgeous girl the capsule whole or mix it into her food.
- PetAlive supplements are made from lab-tested, raw ingredients with no added fillers, gluten, artificial colors, flavors or preservatives.
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The Dachshund
One of the Doxie Sheltie’s parents is the famed Dachshund—a short-legged, sausage-like badger dog created hundreds of years ago in Germany. Many years before they became the protagonists of thousands of Dachshund memes, they played the leading role in helping their owners get rid of vermins by flushing them out of their underground tunnels.
Fast forward to this day, and the Doxie proudly takes the 12th place among the most popular breeds to own. An amusing Dachshund fact is that this breed inspired Picasso greatly. To learn more about these adorable dogs, hop over to our ultimate Dachshund guide or study these ten facts you should know about them.
The Shetland Sheepdog
The Sheltie Dachshund’s other parent is the Shetland Sheepdog, a small but hardy herding dog hailing from the eponymous islands of Scotland. Commercial livestock farming outgrew them in time, and larger breeds have taken their place.
Nowadays, they are rarely used for herding and are usually kept as farm dogs or family pets. They are a good fit for families because they know their way around children, both big and small. They are fiercely loyal canines who rank exceptionally high among the most intelligent breeds. Shelties are sturdy and agile dogs, highly resemblant of Rough Collies to whom they are loosely related.
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Three Reasons Not to Take in a Dachshund Sheltie Cross
It wouldn’t be fair only to sing praises to this cute cross. To help you decide whether this mix is right for you, here are three reasons against adopting the Weenie Sheltie:
- Barking is their forte
- Their herding instincts run deep
- They are heavy shedders
Barking Is Their Forte
Shethunds are loud creatures—they get it from both of their parents. If you aren’t remarkably tolerant of barking, their high-pitch voices will drive you crazy because they will keep you posted about anything they hear. Apart from keeping you safe, Sheltie Weenies will use barking as a way to express anxiety and stress. Although this type of behavior can be tackled through training, this is no easy task for dog owners with no experience in dog training.
Their Herding Instincts Run Deep
The fact that they are rarely used as herding dogs today doesn’t mean Shethunds have lost their herding and hunting instincts entirely. Without an adequate amount of exercise and proper training, they will chase after anything that moves. This doesn’t necessarily mean that they will hurt any smaller animal on the loose. Still, they may frighten your guinea pig and stress it out. Dealing with their herding instinct is easier when they are puppies. With older dogs, it will cost you more nerves and time and can sometimes even be futile.
They Are Heavy Shedders
Unless you’re into collecting dog hair for knitting sweaters, we advise you to reconsider getting a Doxie crossed with Sheltie (although dog hair sweaters can be a profitable business!). Shetland Sheepdog’s genes seem to be dominant in this mix. This cross means that the cross sheds hair at a rapid rate. They lose their hair all year round, with the shedding season peaking in fall and spring. Brushing them several times a week will be necessary to keep your vacuuming time to a minimum.
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Three Reasons to Take in a Dachshund Shetland Sheepdog Mix
If you still have doubts about whether this combination is the right pick for you, check out these three reasons to adopt a Shethund:
- They are social and inquisitive
- They are quick learners
- They make great family dogs
They Are Social and Inquisitive
If you’re shy or have trouble starting a conversation, let this cross do the talking for you! They are highly social and curious and will take an interest in other people and dogs alike. Don’t be surprised if you find yourself talking to strangers in the street more often when strolling with your pooch—it’s their thing to bring people closer together.
They Are Quick Learners
When pairing any breed with the Dachshund, there is a risk you’ll end up with a stubborn pooch that tends to disobey their owners and makes a great challenge in training. This risk is reduced to a minimum when they are combined with a Sheltie. Shetland Sheepdog’s eagerness to please seems to prevail over Doxie’s stubbornness. When this trait is coupled with the former’s remarkable intelligence, you get a clever dog that won’t make much fuss during training sessions.
They Make Great Family Dogs
A sweet and gentle personality is a trademark of this cross. Combine this with their high sensitivity, and you get a loving, caring pooch that obeys and respects all members of the household equally. If socialized timely and properly, they will get along with children, adults, and seniors by carefully gauging their needs and adapting to them.
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Dachshund Sheltie Cross’ Appearance and Temperament
Each designer dog inherits the personality and physical traits of both parental breeds, which means that they vary greatly in size, color, and temperament. We’ve prepared a short overview of the most likely physical and personality features of the Sheltie Doxie mix.
What Does a Doxie Sheltie Look Like?
The Shethund is a short- to medium-sized pooch with a muzzle that resembles the Sheltie and an ever-alert facial expression. Ears, this cross can be either long and floppy or, less commonly, perky with tips falling forward. The legs appear to be shorter with large paws, while their bodies are usually slightly elongated like the Dachshund’s, but much more agile and sturdy.
The Sheltie Weenie mix has a double coat—the hair of the topcoat is most often straight, while the undercoat is fluffy and can be either smooth or wiry. When it comes to the fur color, the Shethund sports a brown, sable, or tan coat, sometimes splattered with white patches. If one of the parents is a rare Blue Merle Sheltie, the puppy may even have blue eyes.
Sheltie Weenie’s Personality
Thanks to the Sheltie in the mix, the temperament of these pooches is sweet and gentle, and they will only manifest hard-headedness if treated roughly. They are playful and respond well to friendliness. They may be aggressive to strangers occasionally, but this shouldn’t be an issue if the dog is socialized on time.
They are strongly attached to their family and are intensely loyal, following their owners everywhere they go. The Shethund is highly energetic and needs plenty of daily exercise to be happy. If not, they may get anxious and become destructive.
| Weight | 10–18 pounds |
| Height | 8–16 inches |
| Size | Small to medium |
| Coat type |
|
| Coat color |
|
| Shedding | High |
| Eyes |
|
| Nose | Black |
| Ears |
|
| Temperament | Playful, loyal, smart, brave |
| Life expectancy | 12–13 years |
| Hypoallergenic | No |
| Kid-friendly | Yes, if properly socialized |
| New owner friendly | Yes |
| Breed recognition | Not recognized as a breed |
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The Sheltie Dachshund Mix in a Family Environment
The Shethund has the potential to become a perfect family pet. All it takes is proper and timely socialization, which means an early introduction to the youngest members of the family. Once they learn their way around children, the Weenie Sheltie combination’s playful nature will go well with children’s curiosity and high energy levels.
When introducing your kids to this mix, make sure you don’t leave them unsupervised. Little children might not understand the dog’s nature, which may result in some injuries.
The dog may be frightened by children because of their unpredictable behavior. Although the Shethund will not bite, they may nibble, which is enough to scare the child and inhibit their bonding with the dog.
Dachshund Sheltie Mix Grooming Requirements
As for the Dachshund Sheltie mix grooming, we mentioned already that the Shethund is a heavy shedder. The dominance of Sheltie’s genes means that this mixed breed’s coat is almost never smooth. You will be dealing with a double-coated pooch with medium to long hair. On a positive note, the Shethund sheds in clumps, rather than leaving individual hairs around the house, which can be pulled or brushed from the coat easily.
Brushing them two times a week will suffice, but in the high-shedding season, you will have to do it daily. Use all-natural dog shampoos when you bathe your pooch.
Teeth should be brushed at least weekly. Clip your pooch’s nails whenever they grow too long. Usual outside activities and frequent walking on hard surfaces can spare you nail clipping by filing the dog’s nails.
| Brushing frequency |
Brushes for Sheltie Dachshund Mix |
| Twice a week (low-shedding season)
Daily (high-shedding season) |
|
Shethund Trainability
Thanks to their Sheltie-inherited intelligence, the Shethund falls in the high-trainability category. They learn quickly and love to please their owners. Even if you are not well-versed in training dogs, you shouldn’t experience any significant difficulties teaching them new commands. Make sure you follow our simple guide to the best ways to train your puppy and Dachshund to potty training.
The Dachshund is known as quite independent and stubborn, especially when compared to the Sheltie. Mixing these two usually brings out the Sheltie’s obedience.
Research has found that an average Sheltie takes fewer than five repetitions to learn a new command!
Always remember that these kinds of creatures don’t respond well to punishment and take a gentle approach with them. Fill your pockets with treats and gifts! Avoid these five common mistakes people make during obedience training.
Potential Health Issues in the Shetland Sheepdog Dachshund Mix
Designer dogs are a relatively new occurrence, and the majority of them are not bred in controlled circumstances. It is nearly impossible to predict what health conditions may strike them. The Shethund is no exception in this regard, so we’ll provide an overview of the most common health issues found in their parental breeds.
- Dermatomyositis
- Kneecap dislocation
- Intervertebral disk disease (IVDD)
Dermatomyositis is an inherited condition affecting the dog’s skin, muscles, and blood vessels, and it’s one of the most frequent diseases found in shelters. The symptoms—which are usually seen before six months of age—vary from subtle to severe. Mild cases can be treated and include rigorous lifestyle changes, such as avoiding sunlight. In the most severe cases, an affected dog may be hospitalized.
Kneecap dislocation, or patellar luxation, causes the dog’s knee to pop out of place. Lifting one of their hind legs and stretching it out is usually a symptom of this condition. If you notice this movement, it’s time to go to the vet. This is one of the most common joint abnormalities in small dogs and is equally present in the Dachshund and the Sheltie. To keep your dog’s joints healthy, you need to provide them with the best care and nutrition.
Intervertebral disk disease (IVDD) is one of the most common health issues affecting Doxies. Given that the Dachshund’s genes decide the stature of this mix, the Wiener Sheltie can suffer from IVDD too. The condition manifests as the erosion of intervertebral discs. If left untreated, the condition can lead to paralysis and shorten the dog’s lifespan. You should take your pooch to the vet as soon as you notice they are reluctant to jump or are showing signs of back problems and weakness in hind legs.
Some other less frequent health concerns that mostly come from the Doxie side are seizures and skin problems. In keeping your dog’s health at the desired level, make sure to take the pooch to the vet for regular hip, eye, and thyroid examinations and run blood tests on them at least once a year.
| Major concerns | Minor concerns |
Occasional tests |
|
|
|
Shethund Exercise Needs
If you’re not the most active type, but you are not a couch potato either, you’ll get along with this cross just fine. The Shethund falls into the category of moderately active dogs, which means an hour of exercise a day should be enough.
You can split those 60 minutes into two 20-minute walks and an additional 20-minute workout. In deciding the workout type, you can let your imagination run wild: fetch, frisbee, tug-of-war, or swimming.
Remember to keep it interactive—this mix will enjoy anything you do as long as the little fellow is part of it.
Picking the Best Food For the Sheltie Weenie Mix
Picking the right food for your furry friend is an easy task—you’ll just have to test a couple of them until your best pal gives their seal of approval.
What we can do to help is point out some of the worst dry dog food brands you should keep away from and suggest certain brands that have found their way to our best dry dog food for small dogs list. If you own a little munchkin, make sure to provide them with the best puppy food brands on the market. As for the grandma and grandpa doggos, they need food for the elderly, which you may find in the best dry senior dog food.
For your convenience, we selected a couple of dog-approved food brands your pooch can feast on:
- Purina Pro Plan FOCUS Sensitive Skin & Stomach Adult Wet Dog Food. This soy- and artificial-color-free dog food brand is for pooches with a sensitive belly, while high salmon content promotes healthy skin and coat.
- Wellness Complete Health Adult Deboned Chicken & Oatmeal Recipe Dry Dog Food. This is probably one of the best grain-inclusive kibbles you can find, rich in chicken-based protein, promoting the overall health of your pooch.
- Nature’s Logic Dry Dog Food. Thanks to the near-perfect fat-to-protein ratio, this beef-based food has no synthetic vitamins or minerals and is 100% natural.
Teeth health is frequently overlooked by dog owners. Make sure you brush your dog’s gnashers regularly. If you miss brushing your dog’s teeth, treat them with one of these top 10 best dog dental chews.
Sheltie Dachshund Mix FAQ
1. What is a Sheltie Dachshund Mix?
A Sheltie Dachshund Mix, also known as a Sheltie Dachshund Cross or Sheltie Dachshund Hybrid, is a designer dog breed resulting from the intentional crossbreeding of a Shetland Sheepdog (Sheltie) and a Dachshund. This mix combines the characteristics of both parent breeds, creating a unique and potentially diverse combination of traits.
2. How big do Shelties get?
Shetland Sheepdogs, commonly known as Shelties, are small to medium-sized breeds. On average, adult Shelties typically weigh between 14 and 27 pounds and stand around 13 to 16 inches tall at the shoulder. However, the size of a Sheltie Dachshund Mix can vary depending on the specific traits inherited from each parent breed.
3. What do Shelties die from?
Like all dog breeds, Shelties can be susceptible to certain health issues. Common causes of death in shelters may include genetic conditions, heart disease, cancer, and age-related ailments. Regular veterinary check-ups, a balanced diet, and a healthy lifestyle can contribute to a longer and happier life for Shelties.
4. Sheltie Chow Mix
It seems there might be confusion in the question, as the Sheltie Dachshund Mix is a cross between a Shetland Sheepdog and a Dachshund, not a Chow. However, suppose you are interested in a mix involving a Sheltie and a Chow Chow. In that case, it’s essential to research both breeds’ characteristics to understand the potential traits and care requirements of the resulting mix.
5. What does a Sheltie look like?
Shelties are known for their distinct appearance, resembling a small Rough Collie. They have a long, flowing double coat that comes in various colors, including sable, black, and blue merle. Shelties have a striking fur mane around their neck and a plume-like tail. They possess an expressive face with almond-shaped eyes and erect ears. The overall impression is one of elegance and intelligence. Keep in mind that the appearance of a Sheltie Dachshund Mix can vary, depending on the influence of both parent breeds.
Take a Moment to Appreciate These Other Irresistible Dachshund Mixes
Once you’ve seen a Dachshund mix, it’s hard to consider any other crossbred puppy! This is why we made sure you don’t miss out on these other adorable Doxie combos:
References:
- https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Shetland_Sheepdog
- https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dachshund
- Coren, Stanley. The Intelligence of Dogs: How Intelligent Is Your Dog? Headline, 1995.
- Paula Lopez De La Oliva Cases, and James Grierson. “Patellar Luxation in Dogs.” Companion Animal, vol. 24, no. 6, Feb. 2019, pp. 293–298., doi:10.12968/coan.2019.24.6.293.
- Ferguson, E. A., et al. “Dermatomyositis in Five Shetland Sheepdogs in the United Kingdom.” Veterinary Record, vol. 146, no. 8, 2000, pp. 214–217., doi:10.1136/vr.146.8.214.
