What is a Tweenie Dachshund?

Dachshunds, no matter their size, are lovingly referred to as a variety of adorable nicknames such as Weiner dogs and badger dogs.

But size does matter when it comes to correctly identify your Doxie’s weight class.

“Miniature” and “Standard” refer to the weight class, or category, of a Dachshund. Genetically, they are the same breed.

Did you know there are actually only two sizes of Dachshund recognized by the AKC and other registries?

You may have heard about tweenie Dachshunds, which is what brought you straight to this article.

Tweenie is an unofficial classification of some Dachshunds.

If you’re interested to find out what exactly a tweenie Dachshund is, you’ve come to the right place. 

How Much Does a Tweenie Dachshund Weigh?

A tweenie Dachshund is one that falls between the miniature and standard size classifications.

A standard Dachshund grows to weigh between 16-32lbs at 12 months of age, while a miniature can not exceed 11lbs at 12 months of age.

Note: Some Dachshunds are done growing at 12 months but some, because of genetics or calorie consumption, continue to gain a little weight after 12 months.

This means that a healthy adult tweenie Dachshund weighs 12-15lbs.

If your Dachshund is overweight, you may actually have a tweenie Dachshund stuck in standard body shape.

Dachshunds are highly prone to obesity, and it’s crucial to keep them at an appropriate weight.

Weight can fluctuate depending on your Dachshund’s exercise routine and diet. This is normal.

However, if you plan to show your Dachshund in a ring, they have to be in the correct weight class; either 11lbs and under for miniature or 16-32lbs for standard. 

If your Dachshund is fit and trim, but does not fit into these two weight classifications, then your dog does not conform to the breed standard and cannot be shown.

Additionally, in the US and UK, all registries (including AKC) only recognize miniature and standard Dachshunds. There is no other official classification.

Adult tweenie Dachshund weighs between 12 to 15 pounds when at a healthy weight.

It is important to note, however, that outside of the US and UK there is a Kaninchen, or “rabbit” Dachshund. It is a classification for a smaller miniature Dachshund.

A rabbit Dachshund weighs under 8 lbs, and has a chest measurement of 11.8 inches, at 12 months of age. 

Tweenie Dachshunds have affectionately earned the name for their 12-15lb weight class between a miniature and standard Dachshund, but they are not officially recognized by the AKC or other registries. 

Put another way, there is no official classification for tweenie Dachshunds.

Furthermore, there is no such thing as a “toy” or “teacup” Dachshund.

These designer dogs are generally intentionally bred to be incredibly small, and oftentimes end up having a plethora of health issues. 

Is There a Way to Predict How Big My Dachshund Puppy Will Get?

Predicting the final weight of a puppy is difficult.

However, to help predict the full grown weight of your Dachshund puppy, here are a couple commonly-recommended equations to use.

First, take your puppy’s weight in pounds and divide it by his age in weeks. Then, multiply that number by 52 (as that is the number of weeks in a year).

That should give a rough estimate of how much your Dachshund, or any dog breed, will weigh when full grown.

So, in this equation, a puppy that weighs 3 lbs at 8 weeks could potentially be 19.5 lbs (3/8*52=19.5)

There are two main mathematical methods to determine the full-grown weight of your Dachshund puppy.

You can also try this mathematical method for predicting your Dachshunds weight, if you know how much they weigh at six weeks old:

Take your Dachshund puppy’s six week weight and double it, then double it again.

For example, a Dachshund who weighs 3lbs at six weeks old will weigh 12lbs fully grown. This is a rough estimate of how much your dog will weigh in adulthood.

These two equations are common recommendations, and will yield different results, but calculating both ways can give you a range of weights your Dachshund is most likely to fall between when full grown.

In my personal experience with my puppy, her full-grown weight was closer to the second equation.

However, I was prepared for her to be much larger than that. If the first equation had been an accurate prediction, she could have been 32 lbs!

Can Two Purebred Miniature Dachshunds Produce a Tweenie?

Standard, miniature, tweenie, rabbit, kaninchen – all of these are names for different size classifications of the Dachshund.

No matter what you call your Dachshund, the breed is the same on the inside.

Therefore, it’s possible for two miniature Dachshunds to have a litter of puppies that will grow into tweenies or standards, rather than being miniatures like their parents.

Conversely, two standard Dachshunds can have puppies that are smaller than they are and only grow to be tweenies or miniatures. 

Stray away from breeders who are selling tiny Dachshunds for absurd amounts of money, especially if they are being labeled as “toy” or “teacup.”

These are merely small miniatures. There is nothing genetically special about them.

Always do your research to find a reputable breeder buying a Dachshund.

Keep in mind though, a breeder may be able to guess what size the puppies from a litter will be full grown but they can’t guarantee it.

If your Dachshund gets bigger than 11 lbs, but it says “Miniature” on their registration papers, it doesn’t necessarily mean that your breeder purposely deceived you (in fact, it’s unlikely).

This inability to always predict the adult size of your dog may result in them selling you a Dachshund with “Miniature” on their papers (they are registered as babies so this size classification is just a guess) when, in fact, yours grows to be a tweenie or small standard.

This is genetics. It doesn’t necessarily mean they are a bad breeder or that they lied to you.

How Long Do Tweenie Dachshunds Live?

Tweenie Dachshunds have the same life expectancy as the miniature and standard.

The Dachshund lifespan ranges from 12 to 16 years old.

Several factors determine the longevity of any dog breed, including diet, physical health, and underlying health conditions.

Common health concerns for Dachshunds are obesity, IVDD and heart disease.

For these reasons, it’s crucial to keep your Doxie on a quality diet and offer plenty of exercise.

Final Thoughts

If your Dachshund weights 12-15lbs, they can be classified as a tweenie. Standard Dachshunds typically weigh 16-32lbs (they can be larger though) and miniature Dachshunds weigh 11lbs and under at 12 months of age.

Ultimately tweenies are an in-between size. Dachshunds who don’t quite fit into the miniature or standard weight class can be considered tweenies. 

Does it really matter what you classify your Dachshund as?

No, unless you plan to put them in a show ring. Weight and size only truly matter when it comes to gaining official recognition for your Dachshund. 

Note: some in between sizes may allowed to show in “open” categories but it’s up to the judge and Dachshunds that meet the breed standard more closely always do better in the show ring.

So unless you plan to head into the ring to win some ribbons, enjoy your Dachshund as they are, and don’t forget to give them some extra smooches! 

About the Author: Through her 17 years of owning and caring for Dachshunds, and almost 10 years researching and writing about them, JW has become a respected expert in the Dachshund community. Read more about her here.