Dachshund: Your Complete Guide
The dachshund, nicknamed the sausage dog, is an iconic dog breed. These dogs are well-known for their long bodies and fun personalities that make a great companion for many looking for a loving and playful dog.
If you plan on getting a dachshund, whether from a breeder or by adopting one, it is important to educate yourself on the characteristics of this breed. This will ensure you know enough about these dogs so that you can set realistic expectations for what it is like to have one at your home.
In this dog breed article, we will cover everything you need to know about the dachshund. We’ll go over everything from the breed’s physical characteristics and temperament to exact care needs and health. Read to the end to get your complete guide to the dachshund dog breed.
Quick Look at the Dachshund
Below is a quick look at dachshunds in terms of their physical characteristics, temperament, intelligence, trainability, grooming needs, and lifespan. We will cover each point in much more detail in the coming parts of our article.
| Weight/Height | 5-6 inches / Under 11 pounds (miniature)
8-9 inches / 16-32 pounds (standard) |
| Coat Type | Short or long-haired, depending on the variety |
| Grooming Needs |  |
| Shedding |  |
| Temperament | Affectionate, fun-loving, independent, curious |
| Good With Kids | |
| Good With Other Animals |  |
| Intelligence | |
| Easy to Train | |
| Energy Level | |
| Barking Habits | |
| Lifespan | 12-16 years |
What Is the History of Dachshunds?
The dachshund’s history dates back to 15th century Germany. Literally translating to “badger dog,” the dachshund was utilized as a companion for hunting badgers and other burrow-dwelling animals. Since this was the primary purpose of the dachshund, breeders began selectively breeding dachshunds with longer bodies, which equipped them with the iconic long body we all recognize now.
The long body that enabled them to dig deep into a badger den wasn’t the only trait that these dogs got as a result of selective breeding. Many long-haired dachshunds we have today descend from dogs that were purposely bred for working in rural areas full of thorny branches.
Their history as hunting dogs may surprise those who have just started to learn about this breed as they don’t appear anything like other, more common hunting dogs, making them a unique breed in this regard. However, their personality proves that they are hardy dogs that have many of the traits you would expect from a strong-willed hunting dog – more on the breed’s temperament below.
As for what purposes dachshunds serve today, they are mainly kept as companion animals – and a popular one at that. According to the AKC, the dachshund is currently the 6th most popular dog breed in the United States.
What Do Dachshunds Look Like?
The dachshund comes in various colors, though the black and tan coat color is perhaps the most common among all the color potentials. Other fairly popular coat colors include chocolate and tan, wild boar, black and cream, red, and cream. Although quite rare, dachshunds can also have wheaten, blue and tan, fawn and tan, black and cream, and chocolate-colored coats.
With all these coat color potentials, there’s a dachshund for everyone. However, you might have difficulties finding rare coat colors as not every dachshund breeder will work with these dogs.
What Size Is a Dachshund?
As mentioned in the quick looks table above, the dachshund has two varieties – the standard and the miniature. The standard variety can be considered a small-to-medium dog weighing 16 to 32 pounds and standing between eight and nine inches tall at the withers. The miniature variety, on the other hand, stands five to six inches tall at the withers and typically weighs under 11 pounds.
Considering the above ranges for both varieties, most prospective owners should be able to accommodate a dachshund. However, always work with a responsible breeder and learn the history of the dog you’re adopting to ensure you get the right variety.
This is particularly important if you want to fly with your dachshund as most standard dachshunds don’t fit airline requirements for flying in the passenger cabin. For instance, American Airlines has a 20-pound limit on both the carrier and a pet’s weight, which a medium-sized standard dachshund can easily exceed.
What Is a Dachshunds Coat Type and Length?
In addition to the standard and miniature varieties, there are also short-haired and long-haired dachshunds. These dogs can be either standard or miniature, the size doesn’t have an impact on which coat type the dachshund has.
Depending on which coat type your dachshund has, their grooming needs will be different. Generally, long-haired varieties have higher grooming needs, though both are fairly low-maintenance compared to many other dog breeds.
What Is a Dachshund’s Temperament?
The dachshund might be overall small, but these dogs have big personalities – much bigger than what their size might suggest. With their history as hunting dogs they are extremely dedicated and strong-willed dogs that do anything on their mind. If a dachshund has a goal in mind, they will go after it no matter what.
This level of dedication is fun when you watch them solve dog puzzles or try to understand something new, but it can have its downsides as it also means that dachshunds can act independently. This makes them fairly challenging to train as they tend to have a mind of their own and don’t always enjoy taking direction from their owner. However, their devoted and affectionate nature somewhat balances them out.
While these are just a couple of points to note about the dachshund’s temperament, here’s more on their personality from family life and aggression to barking tendencies and more.
Are Dachshunds Good With Kids?
Dachshunds are generally good with kids but aren’t as open towards them as renowned family dogs like the Labrador or golden retriever. Like many of their other personality traits, this primarily depends on individual temperament. While some dachshunds are great with kids, others might not tolerate their behavior.
Due to this, it is essential for prospective dachshund owners to teach their kids how to act around dogs. For example, teach kids to be quiet and calm around dogs or to avoid touching them while eating or drinking. If kids are behaving nicely, a dachshund will get along with them just fine. In fact, the playful personality of the dachshund can make them great playmates for active children who know when to be quiet.
Are Dachshunds Good With Other Animals?
Dachshunds are social dogs that do well with other dogs in the family. They don’t have a desire to challenge other dogs and fit well into households with dogs as long as a dachshund is well-socialized. Dachshunds can also learn to coexist peacefully with kids, provided that they are raised in the same house.
However, the same can’t be said for small prey animals. Due to their long history as hunting dogs, dachshunds typically struggle to let go of their high prey drive. This can make them dangerous around small animals like guinea pigs or hamsters. If you keep small animals, keep this in mind before adopting a dachshund or purchasing a puppy from a breeder.
Are Dachshunds Aggressive?
Dachshunds aren’t prone to aggression at all. They are generally easy-going dogs that want to get along with everyone and tend to welcome strangers with a wagging tail. Aggression shouldn’t be a concern for prospective owners.
However, any dog can act in unwanted ways, and this also applies to dachshunds. If a dachshund isn’t socialized properly and isn’t corrected for bad behavior, they can act in ways that aren’t typically expected from this breed. Coupled with their independent minds, a dachshund can quickly become too difficult to manage. Always prioritize socialization to ensure your dog becomes a well-mannered pup, regardless of breed.
Do Dachshunds Bark?
Dachshunds are well-known barkers. They are among the most vocal dog breeds, almost always using their voice to communicate with the owner. The hunting background also elevates their barking tendencies making them bark at pretty much anything on the move.
Although their barking tendencies can be worked on through training, this can be a big concern for those living in apartments with noise restrictions. If you have thin walls, you might want to consider another dog breed.
Are Dachshunds Affectionate?
Dachshunds are one of the most affectionate dogs around. These dogs bond strongly with every family member and enjoy participating in household activities. After a day full of fun, a dachshund will turn into a lap dog that wants endless cuddles and kisses.
This affectionate nature on top of their sociable personalities makes dachshunds warm up to strangers quickly and enjoy social interactions with friendly dogs during walks. With these traits, it is safe to say that dachshunds have huge hearts despite their small size.
Are Dachshunds Intelligent?
When it comes to intelligence, we can put the dachshund in the average category. They aren’t particularly smart, but it would be unfair to call their intelligence low.
Still, a dachshund’s intelligence shouldn’t be underestimated. They are strong-willed dogs that find ways to do what they have their minds set on, whether it is to get a bag full of treats or use their nose to find something.
Are Dachshunds Energetic?
Dachshunds aren’t the most capable in terms of their physical abilities considering their body type. They have long bodies with short legs that don’t make them a good candidate for agility training or rigorous physical activity.
However, this doesn’t mean that they don’t require much physical exercise. Dachshunds are active dogs that benefit from daily walks. They should be walked for at least 45 minutes a day in addition to playtime to keep them happy and healthy.
Are Dachshunds Easy to Train?
As mentioned above, the dachshund tends to have an independent mind which can make training difficult. Therefore, dachshunds don’t have a natural desire to please their owners by doing what they’re told.
While this temperament makes them fairly challenging to train, you can ease the process by finding what motivates your dachshund and using it to your advantage during training. For example, most dachshunds would consider a tasty treat as the highest value reward, while others may enjoy a quick game of fetch. Always use what motivates them most to reward your dachshund for the behaviors you want to encourage.
Are Dachshunds Good Watchdogs?
Dachshunds can be considered good watchdogs as they are alert and use their bark often. You can count on these dogs to alert you. However, some dachshunds might bark a little too much – at almost everything – which can make owners quickly take their dogs barking less seriously or bring complaints from neighbors.
If a dachshund barks too much, it can quickly make you ignore their barking. This will ultimately make them ineffective watchdogs. It ultimately comes down to a dachshund balancing their vocal side.
Are Dachshunds Good Service Dogs?
Dachshunds aren’t preferred when it comes to service dog work. This is primarily due to their trainability and reliability because of that. Dachshunds are difficult to train for tasks service dogs commonly perform, especially advanced commands. They also aren’t reliable due to their independent minds and high prey drive. A dachshund can pick up an attractive scent and leave the handler in pursuit of it.
However, a dachshund can become an excellent emotional support animal and provide therapeutic benefits to their handler through companionship, which they excel at with their affectionate personalities.
How to Care for a Dachshund?
Dachshunds require an involved owner to live a fulfilling life. They certainly aren’t among low-maintenance dogs that would be content with minimal attention. In addition to everything we’ve discussed above, here’s more on what it takes to care for a dachshund, covering their grooming, health, and feeding needs.
Understanding all these will enable you to make an informed decision on whether the dachshund is the right dog breed for you.
Do You Need to Groom a Dachshund?
Dachshunds are low-maintenance in terms of grooming. This applies to both long-haired and short-haired dachshunds. These dogs only need to be brushed using a rubber grooming mitt (for the short-haired variety) or a pin brush (for the long-haired variety) every week or so. This brushing frequency is enough to maintain shedding and keep their coats in top condition, though you can up it to two to three times a week if shedding becomes a problem.
Other than brushing the coat, dachshunds don’t need any professional grooming. Still, you can take them to a professional groomer for deshedding and meeting their other grooming needs like nail trimming, ear cleaning, and so on.
Do Dachshunds Shed?
Dachshunds are low to average shedders. As long as you brush a dachshund regularly, you won’t even notice shedding much at home. Still, they shed enough to trigger allergic reactions in people who are allergic to pet hair.
What Health Problems Do Dachshunds Have?
Dachshunds can lead long, healthy lives, but like all dog breeds, they are also prone to developing certain health conditions. These are primarily orthopedic conditions that can affect their mobility such as luxating patella and intervertebral disc disease. All dachshund owners must educate themselves on the early signs of these to ensure their dogs get the care they need as soon as possible.
Additionally, dachshunds are prone to developing eye problems like progressive retinal atrophy and cataracts. Puppies can also inherit heart issues which can significantly reduce their lifespan. With all that can affect a dachshund, it is essential for prospective owners to work with a responsible breeder who screens the health of their breeding stock.
How Long Do Dachshunds Live?
Dachshunds live 12 to 16 years on average, slightly longer than most other dog breeds that are around the same size.
What Should a Dachshund Eat?
Like all dogs, dachshunds need a diet that benefits their health. This means that your dachshund should eat dog food appropriate for their age, activity levels, and adult weight. You can get recommendations from your veterinarian or by consulting an animal nutritionist.
If you’re completely new to shopping for dog food, discover the best dog foods for dachshunds to get started on finding the most appropriate diet for your dachshund.
Is a Dachshund the Right Dog for Me?
The dachshund is a fun-loving dog breed with an affectionate and playful side. These dogs pair the best with individuals, couples, and families who live an active lifestyle and enjoy the outdoors. Dachshunds have a curious side that makes them enjoy outdoor adventures more than many other dog breeds. Coupled with their loving side, you get a dog that lives life to the fullest.
If you’re up for the care needs of a dachshund and can be patient with training your dog, then the dachshund will be an excellent fit. Given that they are sociable and bond strongly with every member of their family, the possible challenges of owning a dachshund will reward you in the end by having a dog that’s loyal and loving.