A Chocolate Dachshund Puppy Became the Smallest Dinosaur Around

A very long puppy in a very green costume stands on the sidewalk and gazes upward with melting brown eyes. The dinosaur hood has little spikes along its top and a long tail trailing behind, and the soft chocolate ears fall right out from under it. Dry leaves dot the concrete, a blue bag rests near a porch, and the soft grey of an autumn morning sits over the whole street. It is the world's cutest dinosaur, and it is still learning how to roar.

Dachshunds have long backs and short legs, which means care for the spine matters. Puppies should avoid jumping off high furniture or going up and down many stairs, and it helps to use ramps, support the body when lifting, and keep them at a healthy weight. They are also curious, brave, and sometimes stubborn, so patient, reward-based training is best. For costumes, choose a snug but flexible outfit that doesn't tug on the back or neck, and keep the walk short. Your vet can talk with you about protecting a Dachshund's back as the puppy grows.

Let's call this baby Rexie. He might be a stegosaurus, or perhaps a velociraptor, but he is mostly a small pup who would like to know about snacks. The sidewalk is his prehistoric kingdom, and the first sniff is already underway.