Miniature Dachshund vs Billy - Breed Comparison | MyDogBreeds

Miniature Dachshund is originated from Germany but Billy is originated from France. Miniature Dachshund may grow 50 cm / 19 inches shorter than Billy. Miniature Dachshund may weigh 27 kg / 59 pounds lesser than Billy. Both Miniature Dachshund and Billy has almost same life span. Both Miniature Dachshund and Billy has same litter size. Miniature Dachshund requires Low maintenance. But Billy requires Moderate maintenance

History

miniature dachshund - historyThe Dachshund breed is ancient and was developed in Germany sometime around the 16th century.

It was in 1870 that Dachshunds first came to the United States to be used for hunting. During the 19th century, German hunters wanted smaller dachshunds.

The Dachshund was crossed with toy terriers. The coat comes in three coats – smooth-, long-haired and wire-haired. There is just one size of Miniature Dachshund in the UK and the United States.

The Billy (or Billie) Dog is a rare breed developed in France and mostly still only found in France. Created in the 19th century by Monsieur Gaston Hublot de Rivault and named after his home, Chateau de Billy, he is hunting dog of high quality. The Billy dog was developed by crossing the Poitevin’s original three lines – the Larrye, the Ceris and the Montemboeuf. In developing the Billy, Rivault favored the colors found in the Ceris and Montemboeuf strains as opposed to the tricolors of the Larrye strain. The Billy is a scent hound from all the lines leading back to the monks of the Saint Hubert Monastery in the middle ages, in Belgium, then refined in Gaul (France). The Billy line was considered the most elegant French breed and they were the last breed to come from that large scent hound type that the French nobility and royalty loved to breed.

In 1886 the Federation Cynoloquique Internationale established the standard for the Billy breed. The breed was a great hunter with resilience, speed, scenting and fortitude. The Billy hunted in large packs in pursuit of Wild Boar and Roe Deer. This was accomplished by the crossing of great hunters developed for their specific skills. The Ceris was amazing in its skill to hunt down wolves and hares. The Montemboeuf was a large, elegant dog that hunted wild boar and Larrye for his strong scent ability. Since these three breeds were true French breeds, the Billy was a true aristocratic scent hound in a pure scent hound line.

This gregarious, handsome dog became extremely popular in France in the 19th century. Unfortunately, the World Wars of the 20th century would take their toll on this rare breed and they were almost extinct by the late 1900’. There were only two hounds left by the end of the Second World War. Anthony Rivault, the son of Gaston, set about saving the breed by incorporating the lines of Harrier, the Poilevin and the Porcelaine with the two remaining hounds. From there the breed has been revived and is no longer on the verge of extinction. They are still rare and certainly not “popular”, but they are excellent hunters, especially hunting in packs. Today they are considered one of the breeds used to develop the Grand Anglo-Francais Blanc et Orange in France and there are several packs that hunt roe deer in France, while a couple packs are used to hunt wild boar.

Description

miniature dachshund puppy - descriptionComing in a range of colors such as red, black, black and tan, cream, chocolate etc, the coat of the Miniature Dachshund can be long or short. Both male and females stand at between 13 – 18cm and weigh between 3 and 5kg.

These dogs are characterized by the long back and very short legs with floppy ears and a long tail. The face is always bright and alert.

Temperament:

The Miniature Dachshund is a small dog and can happily adapt to life in the city as well as in the countryside. This is because with their exercise needs, they don’t require a huge garden but can in fact, exercise indoors.

They’ve always been bred to hunt and are independent and feisty. They’re also intelligent and will do well with training and socialization.

They are also devoted to their families and are known to bark when strangers come near their family. They’ve got a lot of energy and just love being involved with games or going on a walk. Consider him when going on a walk though as his little legs have to take many more steps as compared to your one step.

They can be stubborn, but are friendly, lovable little pets, they aren’t suited for homes with toddlers unless the children have been taught to be exceedingly gentle and kind with animals, especially small, fragile ones like this. They can so easily get hurt.

The Billy dog is powerful, beautiful and built extremely well. He is large but he should also be light weight and lean. He has an athletic look, powerful muscles, and strong bones. He has floppy ears, dark eyes with dark rims and a white coat. This breed has a medium size head with a domed forehead and square muzzle. The ears are high on the head, flat and floppy while the neck is long and strong. Shoulders are also long and the back broad, the thighs muscular and the feet round. He has a long fluffy tail. The coat is short and can be seen through to the skin. He has white skin with brown spots and the fur is white or off white. The females are smaller than the males. He is a great family companion as well as a hunter. They have high pitched voices and they can be howlers. They have a strong prey drive and are great hunters. They can be great companion dogs for any family, just watch them with small children and small animals. They are big enough to need a lot of space and a lot of exercise. Scent hounds can be stubborn, and that trait is not lost on the Billy dog.

Characteristics

miniature dachshund dog - characteristicsThe Miniature Dachshund has lots of qualities which make him such a splendid pet. He is intelligent, brave, bold and loyal with his human family.

He is fun-loving and energetic and thrives on lots of games and walks. He is versatile in nature and also loves to take things easy indoors with his family.

These little dogs form strong bonds with their family and don’t like to be left on their own. When you have one of these as a pet you’re allowing a whole lot of joy into your home.

Even though the Billy Breed is very rare and faced potential extinction it is a terrific sporting dog who loves children, other dogs, and adults. He could be a good family dog if his exercise needs are met. He is social, gregarious, and gentle with people. They are happiest in a pack and do not do well in a one dog household. They form extremely strong bonds with their people and household. They are friendly and outgoing. This makes them a poor choice for guard dog. They have an exceptionally well-developed prey drive do they might be aggressive toward any animal smaller than them. This includes the family cat, other smaller dogs, hamsters etc.

Health Problems

miniature dachshund puppies - health problemsBe very careful with the Miniature Dachshund because of their long backs. You don't want to be allowing him to be jumping off chairs etc as their backs are prone to injury. To solve the problem you can buy special stairs and ramps for small dogs.

They can live to be between 12 and 14 years of age when looked after well.

A disease that is fairly common in the Miniature Dachshund is Intervertebral Disc Disease, a condition where the cushioning discs between the vertebrae of the spinal column bulge or burst into the spinal cord space, pressing on the nerves and causing nerve damage and worse, paralysis.

Symptoms of the disease include among others

  • whimpering or whining in agony
  • pain in rear legs as well as weakness
  • unwillingness to jump and reduction in activity levels
  • hunched back
  • loss of bladder- and bowel control

Despite their history of almost becoming extinct the Billy dog is a hearty and healthy group. They do tend to get Bronchitis and colds due to the short, thin coat. Keep them indoors during winter. Another area of concern is the ears. They are prone to ear infections so keep their ears clean. They should not be exposed to cold weather. The Billy life expectancy is 10-14 years which is very good for such a large dog.

Caring The Pet

miniature dachshund dogs - caringDachshunds can put on weight quickly and you want to avoid this at all costs as extra weight can put strain on the back.

If you feed your Mini Dachshund commercially manufactured dog food, choose the best quality ones, high in vitamins and minerals and avoid some of the cheaper ones that use unwholesome fillers, colorants, sugar and lots of salt, all of which can be toxic for your pet.

Of course home-made food is always best, but not any foods either. It is best with any dog to keep their foods simple and consistent so as to avoid stomach problems. Chopped up boiled chicken, brown rice or pasta and some cooked vegetables such as potatoes carrots and spinach will do wonders for him. Make sure that there is a constant supply of fresh, cool water for him.

Grooming:

A good brush of the coat twice a week will do fine for your Miniature Dachshund. Remember to check him over for fleas and ticks when you brush him and to feel for any unusual lumps. Keep the nails trimmed.

Check both eyes and ears for infection. There are ways to keep the inside of long eared dog breeds clean and dry, but if you’re unsure there are always professional groomers who will do the job for you, and clean their teeth at the same time. You can brush your dogs teeth 2 or 3 times a week to avoid plaque build up, gum infection and tooth loss.

Feeding

The Billy dog is large, muscular and lean. Do not overfeed him, but you can safely free feed. Watch to be sure he does not gain too much weight and if he does go to two feedings per day.

Health issues

As previously mentioned this is a healthy, long-lived dog. Watch for ear infections and keep him out of extreme cold.

Exercise/Games

This is a very athletic, active hunter, who needs a lot of exercise. Daily walks are good, but he needs 45 to 60 minutes of exercise every day. Remember he was bred to hunt and loves to do so. Find activities that let him use his athletic skills and strong sense of smell. He needs a big yard to romp in. He will excel at obedience, barn hunt and agility. A lure game might be good also, but he would be happier with a scent oriented “find it” game.

Basic Information

Group:
Hound dog
Hound dog
Origin:
Germany
France
Height Male:
13 - 18 cm
5 - 8 inches
58 - 68 cm
22 - 27 inches
Height Female:
13 - 18 cm
5 - 8 inches
56 - 66 cm
22 - 26 inches
Weight Male:
3 - 5 kg
6 - 12 pounds
22 - 32 kg
48 - 71 pounds
Weight Female:
3 - 5 kg
6 - 12 pounds
20 - 29 kg
44 - 64 pounds
Life Span:
14 - 17 Years
12 - 15 Years
Litter Size:
3 - 5
3 - 5
Size:
Small dog
Giant dog
Other Names:
Badger Dog, Wiener Dog, Sausage Dog, Mini Sausage
Chien de France-Comte
Colors Available:
cream, chocolate etc, black, Red, black and tan
White or off-white; may have orange or lemon patches or mantle.
Coat:
Long or short
harsh, short
Shedding:
Moderate
Moderate
Temperament:
Affectionate, Alert, Cheerful, Curious, Energetic, Friendly, Gentle, Independent, Intelligent, Lively, Loving, Loyal, Outgoing, Playful, Quiet, Responsive, Social, Stubborn, Sweet, Territorial
Alert, Courageous, Friendly, Independent, Intelligent, Loyal, Outgoing, Stubborn
Grooming:
Low maintenance
Moderate maintenance
Trainability:
Easy
Moderate
Hypoallergenic:
No
No
Kids Friendly:
Yes
Yes
New Owners Friendly:
Yes
Yes

Comparison with other breeds

  1. Irish Wolfhound vs Billy - Breed Comparison
  2. Francais Blanc et Orange vs Billy - Breed Comparison
  3. Billy vs American Staghound - Breed Comparison
  4. Scottish Deerhound vs Billy - Breed Comparison
  5. Great Dane vs Billy - Breed Comparison
  6. English Mastiff vs Billy - Breed Comparison
  7. Newfoundland Dog vs Billy - Breed Comparison
  8. Neapolitan Mastiff vs Billy - Breed Comparison
  9. Leonberger vs Billy - Breed Comparison
  10. Bully Kutta vs Billy - Breed Comparison
  11. Mountain Burmese vs Billy - Breed Comparison
  12. Gaddi Kutta vs Billy - Breed Comparison
  13. Billy vs Bernese Mountain Dog - Breed Comparison
  14. Billy vs Anatolian Shepherd - Breed Comparison
  15. Billy vs American Mastiff - Breed Comparison
  16. Billy vs Alaunt - Breed Comparison
  17. Billy vs Alangu Mastiff - Breed Comparison
  18. Billy vs American Molossus - Breed Comparison
  19. Pyrenean Mastiff vs Billy - Breed Comparison
  20. Bisben vs Billy - Breed Comparison
  21. Moscow Watchdog vs Billy - Breed Comparison
  22. Nebolish Mastiff vs Billy - Breed Comparison
  23. Miniature Dachshund vs Beagle - Breed Comparison
  24. Miniature Dachshund vs Dachshund - Breed Comparison
  25. Miniature Dachshund vs Beaglier - Breed Comparison
  26. Miniature Dachshund vs Bluetick Beagle - Breed Comparison
  27. Miniature Dachshund vs Basset Artesien Normand - Breed Comparison
  28. Portuguese Podengo vs Miniature Dachshund - Breed Comparison
  29. Petit Basset Griffon Vendeen vs Miniature Dachshund - Breed Comparison
  30. Pomeranian vs Miniature Dachshund - Breed Comparison
  31. Pug vs Miniature Dachshund - Breed Comparison
  32. Miniature Schnauzer vs Miniature Dachshund - Breed Comparison
  33. Papillon vs Miniature Dachshund - Breed Comparison
  34. Miniature English Bulldog vs Miniature Dachshund - Breed Comparison
  35. Miniature Dachshund vs Maltese - Breed Comparison
  36. Miniature Dachshund vs Boston Terrier - Breed Comparison
  37. Miniature Dachshund vs Maltipoo - Breed Comparison
  38. Miniature Dachshund vs Cavalier King Charles Spaniel - Breed Comparison
  39. Miniature Dachshund vs Bichon Frise - Breed Comparison
  40. Miniature Dachshund vs Jack Russell Terrier - Breed Comparison
  41. Miniature Dachshund vs Cockapoo - Breed Comparison
  42. Miniature Dachshund vs West Highland White Terrier - Breed Comparison
  43. Miniature Dachshund vs Cavapoo - Breed Comparison
  44. Miniature Dachshund vs Corgi - Breed Comparison
  45. Miniature Dachshund vs Cavachon - Breed Comparison

View/Compare Breeds

Popular Dog Breeds