Mauxie Dog Breed

The Mauxie dog breed, as a hybrid, is not an official member of any breed group. Neither does any info exist about this crossbreed's true origin; while a Dachshund and Maltese mix has probably existed naturally for a long time, breeder or breed club has claimed its creation. The Maltese and Dachshund mix likely gained popularity during the designer dog "explosion" in North America in the late 20th century. These sweet, loyal little dogs make excellent companion pets for families of any size--and they're especially good for seniors and for those living in apartments.

A few Mauxie breed facts: they're small-sized, averaging nine inches at the shoulders in height and 15 pounds in weight; their coat length and texture can vary, but is most often medium to long and soft and doesn't shed too much; and they're very sensitive and will suffer separation anxiety if left alone.

Some advantages and drawbacks to owning a Mauxie:

A Mauxie is the offspring of two breeds that are both friendly, protective, and fun-loving--which makes the typical Mauxie an ideal companion dog. These small hybrids can vary a lot in coat length and texture; since the Dachshund can have a short, long, or wiry coat, the Mauxie's coat possibilities are numerous--but they're most often medium- to long-haired. Mauxie coats may or may not be hypoallergenic depending on inherited traits.

In regards to temperament: the Mauxie is sweet, intelligent, confident, and sometimes stubborn. These hybrids are also pretty suspicious of and defensive around unknown people and animals, so they make good watchdogs. They get along well with kids, but might not socialize too well with other pets--which means the Mauxie might be best suited for a "one-pet" household. The Mauxie is very smart, too, and can respond well to training, but their potential stubbornness means they may need a few repetitions when learning commands, tasks, or tricks. In any case, firm, consistent, reward-based training methods are best.

Another important piece of Mauxie information is that these dogs are great in apartments. They're small, so they don't need a lot of space to move around in--and they don't need a ton of exercise (though a short walk or two, plus a few minutes' outdoor playtime, will be good on a daily basis).

The Mauxie, due to hybrid vigor (in which a crossbred dog inherits the healthiest traits of its parent breeds), is very healthy. Even so, these hybrids may suffer ailments common to the parent breeds including patellar luxation, hypoglycemia (low blood sugar), epilepsy, and various eye problems (the most serious of which is Progressive Retinal Atrophy, or PRA). Mauxie dogs with longer spines like the Dachshund might also be prone to back issues like Intervertebral Disk Disease (IVDD). Potential owners are advised to ask breeders for health screenings for the dog and/or its parents, or they can have their own veterinarians do the screenings.

Life expectancy for the Mauxie is 12-15 years.