Dachshund

Short, occasional flights are generally fine for a fit adult, but many owners limit stairs and carry their dog up long ones, especially puppies and seniors. Jumping down from sofas and beds is the bigger worry, because landing loads the front of the spine. A ramp or low step for favorite furniture, taught early, is an easy habit that removes most of the daily jumping.

Not in any clear way. Both sizes carry the gene behind the short legs and share a similar risk of back disc disease. Miniatures can have more dental crowding and are more easily hurt if dropped or stepped on. Weight control matters equally: a 5 kg miniature carrying an extra kilo is as overloaded as a 10 kg standard carrying an extra two.

The breed was chosen for a loud voice, because hunters needed to hear the dog underground and dig down to it. Today that instinct fires at doorbells, delivery vans and falling leaves. You will not remove it, but you can reduce it: limit views onto the street, reward calm behavior when the doorbell rings and add daily scent games, which tire the brain more than walking does.

Many do, particularly when raised alongside a cat from puppyhood. Their prey drive targets small animals that run, so introductions should be slow, with the dog on a lead and the cat able to reach high places. Pet rabbits, guinea pigs and hamsters are a different matter; keep them securely separated, since the breed was literally developed to hunt rabbits.

For grooming time, the smooth coat is simplest: a weekly rub with a mitt and the odd bath. Wirehairs need hand-stripping a few times a year but shed little in between and handle wet weather well. Longhairs need the most brushing to stop tangles. Breeders often mention temperament differences between coats, but the individual dog and its line matter more.