DogMatchUp

Dachshund vs Toy Fox Terrier

Comprehensive comparison of two popular breeds to help you decide which one might be the better fit for your lifestyle and preferences.

Dachshund
Small

Dachshund

Hound Group

Toy Fox Terrier
Toy

Toy Fox Terrier

Toy Group

Quick Comparison

Size

Dachshund Small
Toy Fox Terrier Toy

Lifespan

Dachshund 12-16 years
Toy Fox Terrier 13-15 years

Exercise Needs

Dachshund 3/5
Toy Fox Terrier 4/5

Grooming Needs

Dachshund 3/5
Toy Fox Terrier 3/5

Breed Overview

Dachshund Overview

Dachshunds, with their distinctive long bodies and short legs, embody a perfect blend of charm and determination. Their smooth, wirehaired, or longhaired coats come in various colors, complementing their alert, intelligent expressions and paddle-shaped paws. Standing 8-9 inches tall, these compact hounds possess muscular bodies designed for tracking prey into burrows, while their long, tapered muzzles and powerful jaws reflect their hunting heritage.

Origin: Unknown
Life Expectancy: 12-16 years
Size: Small
Temperament: Friendly, Curious, Spunky

Toy Fox Terrier Overview

Toy Fox Terriers embody elegance and agility in a compact frame, featuring a distinctive V-shaped head, erect ears, and a sleek, muscular body. Their short, smooth coat comes primarily in tricolor or white with black and tan markings. Alert and spirited, these diminutive terriers combine the refined grace of a toy breed with the bold, fearless nature of their terrier heritage.

Origin: Unknown
Life Expectancy: 13-15 years
Size: Toy
Temperament: Friendly, Alert, Intelligent

Key Differences

  • Energy Level: Dachshunds are less energetic than Toy Fox Terriers, requiring less daily exercise.
  • Grooming: Dachshunds require less grooming attention compared to Toy Fox Terriers.
  • Temperament: While both breeds are intelligent, Dachshunds tend to be more outgoing with strangers than Toy Fox Terriers.
  • Trainability: Dachshunds may be slightly easier to train due to their Dachshund's higher intelligence ranking.
  • Living Situation: Toy Fox Terriers adapt better to apartment living, while Dachshunds typically prefer homes with more space.

Detailed Comparison

Below is a comprehensive side-by-side comparison of the Dachshund and Toy Fox Terrier, covering everything from physical characteristics to care requirements.

Basic Information

Feature Dachshund Toy Fox Terrier
Size Small Toy
Life Expectancy 12-16 years 13-15 years
Country of Origin Unknown Unknown
Breed Group Hound Group Toy Group

Physical Characteristics

Feature Dachshund Toy Fox Terrier
Height
5-9 inches
13-23 cm
9-12 inches
22-29 cm
Weight
11-32 lbs
5-15 kg
3-7 lbs
2-3 kg
Coat Type Short, dense coat Medium coat
Coat Length Short Medium
Shedding Occasional Occasional

Temperament & Behavior

Feature Dachshund Toy Fox Terrier
Temperament Friendly, Curious, Spunky Friendly, Alert, Intelligent
Energy Level
3/5
4/5
Intelligence
2/5
1/5

Compatibility

Feature Dachshund Toy Fox Terrier
Good with Children
3/5
3/5
Good with Other Dogs
4/5
3/5
Apartment Friendly
3/5
3/5

Temperament & Personality

Dachshund Temperament

Friendly Curious Spunky

The Dachshund is known for being friendly, curious, spunky, making them better suited for homes without young children. Their moderate intelligence means they can be trained with consistent effort. They're typically friendly with strangers, making them poor guard dogs but excellent social companions. Their moderate energy level makes them adaptable to different lifestyles, though they still need regular exercise.

Toy Fox Terrier Temperament

Friendly Alert Intelligent

The Toy Fox Terrier is characterized by being friendly, alert, intelligent, which makes them better for households without small children. With their moderate intelligence, they can learn with consistent training methods. They're naturally cautious around strangers, which enhances their ability to serve as watchdogs. Their high energy requires substantial daily exercise and activities to keep them physically and mentally satisfied.

Temperament Comparison

When comparing the Dachshund and Toy Fox Terrier, there are notable differences in their temperaments that potential owners should consider:

Sociability with Strangers

Dachshund
4/5
Toy Fox Terrier
3/5

Good with Children

Dachshund
3/5
Toy Fox Terrier
3/5

Side-by-Side Trait Ratings

GOOD WITH YOUNG CHILDREN

Dachshund

Not Recommended Good With Children

Rating: 3/5

Toy Fox Terrier

Not Recommended Good With Children

Rating: 3/5

GOOD WITH OTHER DOGS

Dachshund

Not Recommended Good With Other Dogs

Rating: 4/5

Toy Fox Terrier

Not Recommended Good With Other Dogs

Rating: 3/5

ENERGY LEVEL

Dachshund

Low High

Rating: 3/5

Toy Fox Terrier

Low High

Rating: 4/5

TRAINABILITY / INTELLIGENCE

Dachshund

Challenging Easy to Train

Rating: 2/5

Toy Fox Terrier

Challenging Easy to Train

Rating: 1/5

GROOMING NEEDS

Dachshund

Low High

Rating: 3/5

Toy Fox Terrier

Low High

Rating: 3/5

Care & Maintenance

Dachshund Care Requirements

Exercise Needs

3/5

Dachshunds require moderate daily exercise, including about 30-60 minutes of physical activity. This can include walks, play sessions, and moderate activities like walking and interactive play.

Grooming Requirements

3/5

With their short, dense coat coat, Dachshunds require moderate grooming. This includes regular brushing to prevent matting and reduce shedding. Occasional professional grooming may be beneficial.

Toy Fox Terrier Care Requirements

Exercise Needs

4/5

Toy Fox Terriers need substantial daily exercise, including at least 60-90 minutes of physical activity. This should include walks, play sessions, and more intense activities like running, swimming, or agility training.

Grooming Requirements

3/5

With their medium coat coat, Toy Fox Terriers require moderate grooming. This includes regular brushing to maintain coat health and reduce shedding. Occasional professional grooming may be helpful.

Health & Lifespan

Dachshund Health Profile

Average Lifespan: 12-16 years

Common Health Issues:

  • IVDD
  • PRA
  • Obesity
  • Patella
  • Heart

Toy Fox Terrier Health Profile

Average Lifespan: 13-15 years

Common Health Issues:

  • Patellar Luxation
  • Von Willebrand's
  • Legg-Calve-Perthes
  • Heart Murmurs
  • Lens Luxation

Pros & Cons

Dachshund

Pros

  • Adaptable to various living situations
  • Affectionate with family
  • Good watchdogs
  • Minimal grooming needs

Cons

  • Can be stubborn during training
  • Prone to back problems
  • May be vocal
  • Can be challenging to housebreak

Toy Fox Terrier

Pros

  • Highly intelligent
  • Low maintenance grooming
  • Good for apartment living
  • Long lifespan

Cons

  • Can be stubborn
  • May be yappy
  • Prone to dental issues
  • Not ideal with very young children

Ready to Find Your Perfect Match?

Now that you've compared the Dachshund and Toy Fox Terrier, explore more breeds or use our breed matching tool to find the perfect dog for your lifestyle.