The famously long, low silhouette, ever-alert expression, and bold, vivacious personality of the Dachshund have made him a superstar of the canine kingdom. Dachshunds come in two sizes and in three coat types of various colors and patterns. Also called Doxie, Wiener dog, or Sausage dog, the Dachshund originated in Germany and was bred to hunt badgers — the name "Dachshund" means "badger dog" in German.
The Dachshund, also known as the Dackel or Teckel, is a German breed of short-legged, long-bodied dog of hound type. It was bred to scent, chase, and flush out badgers and other burrow-dwelling animals. The miniature Dachshund was bred to hunt small animals such as rabbits.
The Badger Dog of Germany
While Europeans had been using dogs to hunt those nocturnal, ground-burrowing carnivores since at least the Middle Ages, it wasn't until the late 17th century that the Dachshund began to take form. By the 18th century, German foresters and hunters began to breed their type consistently, paving the way for the breed we know today.
Creating a dog for such a highly specific and dangerous job required several dramatic modifications of the canine form. The dogs had to have short legs so they could easily fit in the badger holes, with legs slightly curved around the ribcage and tight, compact feet to push the soil behind the dog as it dug toward its quarry. The dog's ribcage had to be long and well developed, providing ample room for the heart and lungs to give the dog the endurance it needed to battle for hours underground.
The first verifiable references to the Dachshund, originally named the "Dachs Kriecher" ("badger crawler") or "Dachs Krieger" ("badger warrior"), came from books written in the early 18th century. Though the breed is famous for its use in exterminating badgers, Dachshunds were also commonly used for rabbit and fox hunting, for locating wounded deer, and in packs were known to hunt game as large as wild boar and as fierce as the wolverine. During the Great War, Dachshund owners took to calling their dogs "liberty hounds" to avoid the anti-German sentiment of the era.
Two Sizes, Three Coats
The Dachshund is a lively dog with a long body, short legs, a deep chest, and a tapering muzzle. They come in two sizes — standard (8–9 inches, 16–32 pounds) and miniature (5–6 inches, up to 11 pounds) — and three coat types: smooth, longhaired, and wirehaired.
The smooths are believed to be the original dogs. Longhairs resulted from selective breeding of smooths with varying coat lengths, while the addition of rough-coated terriers in the 1800s led to the wirehairs. In the 1800s, a boom in Germany's rabbit population led to the development of the miniature Dachshund. Dachshunds have a wide variety of colors and patterns, the most common being red, with base colors of single color (red, cream, or brown), tan-pointed, and, in wire-haired dogs, "wild boar." Patterns such as dapple (merle), sable, brindle, and piebald can occur on any of the base colors.
Bold to the Point of Rashness
The Dachshund is clever, lively, and courageous to the point of rashness, persevering in above- and below-ground work, with all the senses well-developed. Their temperament and body language give the impression that they do not know or care about their relatively small size — like many small hunting dogs, they will challenge a larger dog.
A Dachshund can be willful, headstrong, playful, and mischievous, but the breed is also smart and attentive. They can be fearless, relentless, and even reckless, but given sufficient exercise, they can be quiet house dogs. Dachshunds can be standoffish toward strangers and are quite vocal, some barking a lot.
Exercise and Activity
Even though they are small, Dachshunds need regular exercise to stay fit and build strong muscles to support and protect their back. They should lead active lifestyles with multiple daily walks, playtime, and activities to mentally stimulate them throughout the day. They love mental challenges like puzzle games or scent-tracking sports.
| Dog | Daily exercise | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Puppy | 3–4 short play sessions of 10–15 minutes | Keep walks gentle; avoid hard surfaces while growing |
| Adult | 30–45 minutes total walk or play | Split into two shorter sessions if preferred |
| Senior | 20–30 minutes of gentle walking | Slow the pace and shorten distance with age |
Dachshunds are great companion pets for people in smaller homes or apartments, as long as they get enough stimulation through walks and play every day. The breed is prone to intervertebral disk disease (IVDD) and should avoid activities that stress the back, including jumping on and off furniture. The Daily Exercise Guide offers ideas for exercising a small hound.
Training a Dachshund
Dachshunds are smart dogs, but they are also independent and often willful, so they can be a challenge to train. They can be stubborn and refuse commands, especially when chasing a small animal. Early, patient, positive-reinforcement training works best with this clever breed.
Their strong prey drive means they might not do well in homes with smaller animals they might see as something to chase. The Dog Training Guide and Puppy Care Guide offer a solid foundation.
Grooming a Dachshund
Coat care varies by coat type. Smooth Dachshunds have a short, smooth, shiny coat that needs minimal brushing. Longhaired Dachshunds have a thick, silky, often slightly wavy coat that needs regular brushing to prevent tangles. Wirehaired Dachshunds have a coarse outer coat with a softer undercoat and need occasional hand-stripping.
| Task | Frequency | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Brushing | 3–4 times a week | Brush in the direction of the coat and check for tangles |
| Bathing | Every 6–8 weeks or as needed | Use a mild dog shampoo |
| Nail trimming | Every 3–4 weeks | Trim when you hear nails clicking on the floor |
| Ear checks | Weekly | Look for wax, redness, or odor |
| Teeth brushing | 2–3 times a week | Dental chews help as a supplement |
| Professional trim or clip | Every 6–8 weeks | Keeps the coat tidy and hygienic |
All Dachshunds need daily opportunities to run and investigate. Routine care includes nail trimming, ear cleaning, and tooth brushing. The Dog Grooming Guide covers caring for all three coat types.
Feeding a Dachshund
A Dachshund should be fed high-quality food appropriate to its age, size, and activity level, typically in two small meals per day. Dachshunds are predisposed to obesity because of their small size, so careful portion control is essential to protect their long backs from excess weight.
| Life stage | Meals per day | Portion per meal (approx.) | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Puppy (under 6 months) | 3–4 meals | 1/4 cup | Use a small-breed puppy formula |
| Adult | 2 meals | 1/3–1/2 cup | Adjust to activity level and body condition |
| Senior (7+ years) | 2 meals | 1/3 cup | Consider a senior or joint-support formula |
Your veterinarian can recommend the right diet and portions.
Health and Veterinary Care
The typical Dachshund lifespan is 12 to 16 years. The breed is, unfortunately, susceptible to several health conditions, most notably intervertebral disk disease (IVDD), which can cause serious back problems. Dachshunds are also prone to orthopedic conditions, obesity, and some eye and heart problems. Responsible breeders health-test their stock, and owners must manage weight and protect the dog's back.
| Check-up | Frequency | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Wellness exam | Annual | Includes dental and weight check |
| Vaccinations | Annual booster | Follow your veterinarian's schedule |
| Heartworm prevention | Monthly (or as advised) | Year-round in most regions |
| Dental check | Annual cleaning as recommended | Watch for tartar buildup |
| Patellar luxation and dental screening | Discuss with your vet | Breeder screening (OFA/CERF) |
| Senior wellness checks | Start from age 8 | Early detection of age-related conditions |
The Signs of a Healthy Pet guide is a useful home checklist.
Home Environment
Dachshunds are playful and friendly dogs that can make great pets for a first-time dog parent. They can be great companion pets for people in smaller homes or apartments, as long as they get enough daily stimulation. However, their spunky temperament means playtime with children should be supervised, as they may play too rough for young kids, and children must be taught how to interact safely with dogs.
Dachshunds can be standoffish toward strangers and quite vocal, so some training is needed to redirect barking behaviors. If you're weighing whether a Dachshund fits your life, the Choosing the Right Pet guide can help you compare honestly.
Common Ownership Challenges
Owning a Dachshund means committing to a breed prone to back problems, so careful management of weight, jumping, and exercise is essential. They're smart but willful, can be a challenge to train, are quite vocal, and can be standoffish with strangers. Indulged Dachshunds may become snappy or extremely obstinate, and their strong prey drive means caution with small pets.
Yet for the right owner, the Dachshund is a superstar — a bold, lively, and endlessly charming companion in a long-and-low package.
Advantages and Disadvantages
Advantages
- Bold, lively, and entertaining
- Smart and attentive
- Good for apartment living
- Great for first-time owners
- Wide variety of sizes, coats, and colors
- Loyal and devoted
Disadvantages
- Prone to back problems (IVDD)
- Can be stubborn and willful
- Quite vocal/barky
- Predisposed to obesity
- Strong prey drive
- Can be standoffish with strangers
Frequently Asked Questions
How big do Dachshunds get? Standards stand 8–9 inches and weigh 16–32 pounds; miniatures stand 5–6 inches and weigh up to 11 pounds.
How long do Dachshunds live? Typically 12 to 16 years.
Are Dachshunds good family dogs? Yes — playful and friendly, though playtime with young kids should be supervised.
Are Dachshunds easy to train? They're smart but willful — patient, positive training works best.
Are Dachshunds good apartment dogs? Yes — as long as they get daily walks and play.
Are Dachshunds good with other pets? Their prey drive means caution with small animals.
Are Dachshunds good for first-time owners? Yes — they make great pets for first-time dog parents.
Why do they have long backs? Bred to fit in badger burrows while hunting.
Do all Dachshunds bark a lot? Many are vocal and need training to redirect barking.
What colors do Dachshunds come in? Red, black & tan, chocolate, dapple, brindle, piebald, blue, and more.
What is IVDD? Intervertebral disk disease — a serious back condition Dachshunds are prone to.
Should Dachshunds jump on furniture? It's best to prevent it to protect their backs.