Dachshund

Also known as: dackel, wiener dog, badger dog, sausage dog, Doxen

The name translates directly from German as "badger dog," and that's a literal job description: the short legs and long body were bred to follow a badger into its den and fight or flush it out underground. Three coat types exist under one breed standard: smooth, wire-haired, and long-haired, plus miniature and standard size divisions, so "a Dachshund" can mean eight quite different-looking dogs. An adult standard rarely exceeds 12 kilograms, though the miniature variety stays well under that. The long spine that suits tunnel work also makes the breed prone to disc disease, so stairs, jumping off furniture, and excess weight all carry more risk here than in a longer-legged dog. Despite the size, the bark carries well beyond what the body suggests, a trait bred in for alerting hunters working underground. Wire-haired Dachshunds tend to run the boldest and most terrier-like in temperament of the three coat types. They were originally packed in small groups for boar hunting too, not just badgers, which explains a stubborn streak that surprises first-time owners expecting a lapdog. Lifespan runs long for the size, 12 to 16 years.

Browse dog food sized right for this breed

Dachshund: how old in human years?

9–12 kgWeight
12–16 yrsLife expectancy

Pomeranian

FCI group: Dachshunds
FCI section: Dachshunds (no sections)
FCI: 148
Country of origin: Germany

Energy level

4/5
Trainability

3/5
Family friendly

4/5
Grooming need

2/5

At a glance

Height

Males not specified

Females not specified

Weight

Males 9–12 kg

Females 9–12 kg

Life expectancy

12–16 yrs

Coat

three coat varieties: smooth, wire-haired, long-haired (short)

Temperament & Family Life

Dachshund's average temperament and family-life score for this breed is moderate.

Family friendly 4/5
Good with children 3/5
Good with other dogs 3/5
Friendly with strangers 3/5
Intelligence 4/5
Trainability 3/5

Exercise, Energy & Space

Dachshund's energy and exercise needs are high.

Energy level 4/5
Exercise need 3/5
Apartment friendly 4/5
Prey drive 4/5
Hunting instinct 5/5

Guarding & Alertness

Dachshund's guarding and alertness traits are moderate.

Guarding instinct 2/5
Watchfulness 4/5
Barking level 4/5

Grooming & Care

Dachshund's grooming needs are low.

Shedding 3/5
Drooling 1/5
Grooming need 2/5

Living with the Dachshund

If a hole has appeared in the flowerbed and a muddy, deeply satisfied Dachshund is sitting next to it, congratulations: you have just read its job description. Bred in Germany to follow badgers underground, this dog has a strong hunting instinct, a superb nose, enough courage for a dog three times its size and a firm opinion on nearly everything. It is clever, but trains exactly as far as it sees the point, so treats, patience and a sense of humour get you further than sternness.

A day with a Dachshund means a few moderate walks with plenty of time to sniff everything, plus some play indoors. It is perfectly happy in a flat, but its back is no fan of stairs or leaps off the sofa, so lifting it or adding a small ramp is a good habit. It is alert and announces every passer-by it deems interesting, in a voice that sounds like a much bigger dog.

Within the family it is affectionate and loves a warm spot next to you on the sofa or under the duvet. It gets on with children who are calm and don't pick it up carelessly, and with other dogs and visitors it is polite but well aware of its own worth. Small animals in the garden count as quarry, so in open spaces the lead is your friend.

Grooming and coat

Dachshunds come in three coats, smooth, wire-haired and long-haired, and the care depends on which one you have. A smooth coat needs little more than a weekly once-over with a rubber brush or a damp grooming mitt, a wire coat wants regular brushing and the occasional hand-stripping of dead hair, and a long coat needs combing a few times a week, especially behind the ears and on the feathering. Shedding is moderate, and while you brush, look at the skin too, particularly the belly, which on those short legs sweeps through every patch of grass and leaves.

Long, hanging ears don't air well, so look inside once a week: they should be clean, pale and free of any unpleasant smell, and if your dog keeps shaking its head or scratching an ear, let your vet check it. After a walk in the woods or fields, check the eyes too, since they are the first thing to meet grass stalks and twigs, and wipe any discharge from the corners with a soft damp cloth.

How to do it:

By age:

Health and possible conditions

A Dachshund can keep you company for a long time, with a life expectancy of twelve to sixteen years. That long body on short legs is not just a charming silhouette but also a reason to look after the back and the waistline, and teeth, eyes and ears deserve a regular look from your vet too. Anything that worries you is for your vet to assess.

This is general information, not veterinary advice. For your own dog's health, tests and treatment, see a vet.

Intervertebral disc disease

The discs between the vertebrae act as shock absorbers; when one is damaged or bulges, it can press on the spinal cord and cause pain or even paralysis. You might notice your dog suddenly refusing the stairs, standing hunched and stiff, yelping when picked up, or dragging the hind legs. With that long back, the Dachshund is exactly the kind of dog for whom this matters, and if your dog can't walk or is in sudden severe pain, it needs a vet immediately.
Obesity

Obesity means carrying too much body fat, which puts strain on the joints, the heart and the whole body. Tell-tale signs are a waist that has vanished when you look from above and ribs you can no longer feel under your fingers. For a Dachshund, every extra kilo is extra load on an already long back, so talk to your vet about what a healthy weight looks like for your dog.
Patellar luxation (slipping kneecap)

A luxating patella is a kneecap that slips out of its groove, so the knee briefly can't bend and straighten normally. It looks as if your dog suddenly lifts one hind leg mid-run, hops a few steps on three legs, then carries on as if nothing happened. Low-slung Dachshunds love leaping off sofas, so if you see that hop, mention it to your vet.
Deafness

Deafness is a total or partial loss of hearing in one or both ears, either present from birth or developing later. In a Dachshund it shows as not coming when called, sleeping through the doorbell, or startling when you approach from behind. This breed is famous for having opinions, so selective listening is easy to mistake for poor hearing, and a hearing check belongs with your vet.
Dental and gum disease

Dental disease covers the build-up of plaque and tartar and the gum inflammation that can slowly damage the tissues holding the teeth in place. The first clue tends to be a smell rather than a sight, followed later by red gums or chewing on one side only. A Dachshund's long muzzle keeps the back teeth well out of view, so make its mouth a regular part of vet visits.
Epilepsy and seizures

Epilepsy is a condition in which bursts of uncontrolled electrical activity in the brain cause repeated seizures. A seizure can look like a fall onto the side with paddling legs, or a shorter spell in which the dog seems to switch off and doesn't respond to its name. If your Dachshund has one, note the time and how long it lasted and let your vet look for the cause; a seizure that doesn't stop within a few minutes, or seizures that come one after another, need a vet immediately.
Eye problems

Eye problems is an umbrella term for anything from inflammation and injuries to conditions that slowly dim the eyesight. You might notice a red or cloudy eye, more discharge, a half-closed eyelid, or a dog that starts bumping into furniture at dusk. A Dachshund lives close to the ground and loves to push through undergrowth, so check its eyes after every adventure and show any change to your vet.
Nasal disease

Nasal disease covers a range of problems inside the nose, from inflammation to foreign bodies, that get in the way of normal breathing through it. You might notice more sneezing than usual, discharge or blood from the nose, or a dog that starts snoring and breathing through its mouth when it never used to. The Dachshund is a true nose dog that sticks its snout into every burrow, so any change in how it breathes through its nose deserves your vet's attention.

Food for medium breeds — cheapest per kg

This list is chosen by the breed's weight (12 kg) rather than the breed itself: shops label food by dog size, so every breed of the same size gets the same list. Prices are updated daily.

≈ 170 g of dry food a day, from €9,43 a month For a neutered, normally active 10,5 kg dog. Calculate for your dog