OUR BREEDS
Long-Haired Mini Dachshunds
A Little Dog with a Big Personality
It’s easy to understand why Mini Dachshunds have become such an important part of Willow Creek Acres. They may be small, but their personalities, loyalty, and devotion can be anything but.
Our love for Dachshunds began after we purchased our first Dachshund in Wyoming. We began taking our Dachshunds along on road trips and quickly discovered what wonderful traveling companions they could be. Over time, they completely won our hearts.
Personality & Temperament
One of the qualities we especially love about Dachshunds is their loyalty. Many form an incredibly strong attachment to their favorite person and want to be close to that person as much as possible.
They can be affectionate, devoted, curious, outgoing, protective, and surprisingly watchful for their small size. As you can see in our own dogs, however, every Dachshund has an individual personality. Some of ours are true one-person dogs, while others are more outgoing and social with everyone around them.
That individuality is part of what makes getting to know each puppy so important.
Life with a Mini Dachshund
Their smaller size can make Mini Dachshunds appealing to families looking for a companion who is easier to take along on life's adventures. Our own experience traveling with Dachshunds was one of the reasons we fell so deeply in love with the breed.
They enjoy being part of everyday family life and can form very close relationships with their people. If you are looking for a little dog capable of giving you a tremendous amount of devotion and companionship, a Mini Dachshund may capture your heart the same way they captured ours.
Size & Lifestyle
Mini Dachshunds are small dogs with distinctive long bodies and short legs. Their compact size makes them adaptable to many different home environments, but small does not mean they lack personality or activity.
Like any dog, they need appropriate exercise, attention, training, and opportunities to be involved with their people.
Because of their long-backed body structure, families should also be thoughtful about activities that place unnecessary stress on the back, including repeated jumping from high furniture.
The Long-Haired Coat
We raise long-haired Mini Dachshunds. Their beautiful coats add to their distinctive appearance and require regular care.
Routine brushing helps prevent tangles and keeps the longer hair around the ears, chest, legs, and tail looking its best. Nail care, dental care, ear care, and normal veterinary care should also be part of their regular routine.
Health Testing
Our Mini Dachshund parents are Embark health tested.
We are happy to provide health-testing documentation to prospective Willow Creek Acres puppy families upon request.
Rough Collies
A Family Dog Close to Our Hearts
Rough Collies hold a special place in Melanie's heart because her connection to Collies goes all the way back to childhood.
Growing up, her family always had Collies and Shelties, and she remembers them as wonderful family dogs.
After years of breeding dogs—including raising and showing Shelties and raising Labrador Retrievers with a focus on hunting lines—Melanie eventually returned to the type of dog she had loved since childhood.
For Willow Creek Acres, Rough Collies felt like coming home.
Personality & Temperament
Rough Collies can be loving, devoted companions that enjoy being close to their people.
Our own Rough Collies show how individual personalities can vary even within the same breed. Sky is active, loving, and wants to be with his people all the time. Stoli is our calm, sweet girl with more of a “lay on the front porch with you” personality.
That combination of companionship and individuality is part of what we enjoy about the breed.
Life with a Rough Collie
For families considering a Rough Collie, it is important to remember that this is a substantially larger dog than a Mini Dachshund and requires the space, exercise, training, grooming, and daily involvement appropriate for a larger companion.
Rough Collies can enjoy being involved in family life and spending time alongside their people. Their size and coat also mean families should be prepared for more grooming and general upkeep than they would expect with a smaller dog.
Our goal is to help families think carefully about which breed—and eventually which individual puppy—is the best fit for their lifestyle.
The Rough Collie Coat
The Rough Collie's beautiful full coat is one of the breed's most recognizable characteristics, but that coat comes with a commitment to grooming.
Regular brushing is important to manage loose hair, help prevent mats and tangles, and keep the coat in good condition. Families should be prepared for shedding and for grooming needs to increase during heavier seasonal shedding periods.
Routine nail, ear, dental, and veterinary care should also be part of their ongoing care.
Health Testing
Our Rough Collie parents are Gensol health tested.
Health-testing documentation is available to prospective Willow Creek Acres puppy families upon request.
Passing Along the Blessing
For Melanie, raising Rough Collies brings her story with dogs full circle. She grew up with Collies and Shelties and knows personally the joy those dogs brought to her family.
Today, Willow Creek Acres hopes to pass along that same blessing to other families.
WHICH BREED IS RIGHT FOR YOU?
Both breeds have a special place at Willow Creek Acres, but they offer families very different experiences.
If you're drawn to a small, devoted companion with a big personality, a Long-Haired Mini Dachshund may be a wonderful fit.
If you're looking for a larger family companion with that classic Collie presence and a beautiful full coat, a Rough Collie may be the dog that captures your heart.
Whichever breed you're considering, we'll take the time to get to know you during our application and FaceTime Interview process and help guide you toward a puppy that may be a good fit for your family.
© Copyright 2026. Melanie R Graber.
All Rights Reserved.