A great deal of consideration is required when purchasing or adopting a dog. Prospective pet owners are urged to adopt from shelters rather than buy from breeders, but regardless of how you acquire your pet, it’s crucial to thoroughly research the breed you’re getting to ensure you can provide appropriate care for your animal.
One woman was left gobsmacked when she brought home what she believed to be a mini dachshund, only to watch in disbelief as it grew into something quite different. Jessica Collins posted a video on TikTok explaining she bought her puppy, Winston, from a breeder who assured her he was a mini dachshund.
In the initial photos of her slideshow, Winston could easily be cradled in one hand by Jessica, as the puppy was tiny and utterly adorable. If the dog were indeed a miniature dachshund, this should have remained possible, given that the breed typically weighs between 10 and 12 pounds on average.
However, just a few snaps later, Winston can be seen stretching from Jessica’s shoulders to her knees, now described by the woman as “jumbo-sized”.
As it turns out, Winston is not a mini dachshund at all.
Jessica later learned from the breeder that while Winston’s mother is a mini dachshund, his father is a standard version of the popular breed. This means that although there was a possibility Winston could have been a mini like his mum, it was never a certainty, and he has instead grown to be a full-size dachshund.
Dachshunds were originally bred in Germany during the 15th century for badger hunting, and swiftly became among the globe’s most beloved dog breeds, with the American Kennel Club placing them 6th in their 2024 rankings.
Miniature dachshunds, however, didn’t emerge until the 19th century and were developed as people sought a smaller and more companionable variant of the breed as hunting declined in popularity.
The miniature version is nearly identical to the standard, but while standards measure between seven and 12 inches and weigh up to 30 pounds, minis typically stand just four to seven inches tall, weighing up to 12 pounds.
Winston, though, apparently surpasses even the standard dachshund dimensions. Jessica claims he currently tips the scales at a staggering 18kg (39 pounds), placing him well above the typical weight of a full-sized dachshund.
Despite her pooch not being the petite size she anticipated, Jessica still adores Winston wholeheartedly – and viewers of her viral clip were swift to express how adorable he is.
One person said: “He’s a stunning boy, though!” Another added: “I always forgot how big standard ones get! I don’t understand why we don’t see them more! They’re beautiful.”
Some critics questioned the manner in which Jessica was holding Winston in some of the snaps, voicing worries she might be inadvertently causing harm to his back. Due to their elongated spines, dachshunds are more prone to disc herniation, but Jessica has since clarified that she no longer holds him in such a way.
She replied: “He’s not allowed upstairs or to jump on furniture. The photos of me holding him are from when he was young. He’s too heavy to lift up now!”
