Originally bred for hunting the Dachshund’s unique build enabled them to chase animals in their burrows. With a surprisingly loud bark and plenty of energy, there’s never a dull moment with a Dachshund around!
Facts & advice
Dachshund
A loyal companion who’s plucky and alert
Vital stats
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| Size: | Small to medium (miniature or standard-size) |
| Coat: | 3 varieties: short-haired, long-haired and wire-haired |
| Exercise | 1 hour a day |
| Life span: | 12 – 13 years |
| Breed group: | Hound |
| Temperament: | Playful, loyal, independent |
Dachshund temperament & personality
Dachshunds are bright, loyal and courageous. These little dogs have large barrel chests to give them stamina while hunting – a trait that can also translate into lots of running around and barking.
- Dachshunds are utterly devoted to their owners and make for extremely loyal companions.
- Provided they are well socialised from a young age, Dachshunds can also be good with children and cats.
- As a vocal breed, Dachshunds have a tendency to be a little noisy and standoffish with strangers, so are better suited to slightly older children who will take any barking or territorial behaviour in their stride.
Dachshund training & exercise
Training is an important part of owning a Dachshund to help keep them safe and secure.
Training tips
- As scent hounds, Dachshunds are hardwired to pick up smells and chase prey, so good recall and lead training from an early age is recommended.
- Dachshunds can be easily distracted so training sessions may be more successful in short bursts.
Keeping them happy
- For a small breed, Dachshunds have a lot of energy so it’s important they get plenty of physical and mental stimulation to prevent them from getting bored as this is when destructive behaviours can creep in.
Exercise
- For an adult Dachshund, regular playtime combined with at least a 60-minute walk should be about right.
- Try to stop your Dachshund running up or downstairs and jumping up a lot, as this can cause back problems, a common issue in the breed.
Game ideas
- Try a game of hide and seek – hide their favourite toy and let them sniff it out.
Common Dachshund health conditions
There are certain health conditions that affect Dachshunds more frequently than other dog breeds. We’ve outlined some of our recent claims data to help you understand some of the health issues we see more in Dachshunds than in other dog breeds. If you’re buying a puppy, you can increase your chances of having a happy and healthy dog by choosing a reputable Dachshund breeder.
As a so-called dwarf breed, your Dachshund is unfortunately prone to back problems. One of the most common illnesses is intervertebral disc disease (IVDD), which affects around a quarter of UK Dachshunds. If your dog seems to be moving oddly or less, contact your vet and try to limit your dog’s movement (for example, by keeping them in their crate) to limit further injury. Diagnosis may involve an MRI or CT scan followed by a visit to a specialist.
Dachshunds can suffer from stomach upsets, including vomiting, diarrhoea and abdominal pain (gastroenteritis). If your pet shows signs of this illness, your vet will want to rule out more serious issues before suggesting a course of treatment. Solutions will vary depending on the cause, but can involve rehydration via a drip.
Dachshunds are susceptible to dental problems, ranging from overcrowded teeth to gum disease. Once your dog’s adult teeth grow, you should start a daily brushing routine, which will help keep bacteria at bay and also give you a good chance to health-check their mouths. Left untreated, dental issues can lead on to other Dachshund health problems affecting the heart, kidneys and liver.
A fairly common disorder for Dachshunds of middle age and beyond, Cushing’s disease is caused by a problem with the adrenal gland, creating a hormone imbalance. Symptoms to look out for include an increased need to go to the toilet, excessive thirst, a saggy belly and fragile skin that heals slowly. Commonly caused by a tumour on the gland, your vet will commonly prescribe medication to manage Cushing’s disease in the long term.
The skin is the largest organ of a dog’s body and a number of disorders can affect it. Like other dogs, Dachshunds can suffer from allergies that lead to dermatitis (skin inflammation). Allergies can be caused by many different items, including things that are inhaled (such as pollen or dust mites), items that are eaten (for example, wheat), items that the dog comes into contact with (for example, washing powders), or bites from parasites such as fleas. Another skin problem, pyoderma (meaning ‘infection of the skin’) is usually caused by bacteria, fungi (‘ringworm’) or yeasts. Skin disorders can be managed using various treatments, usually required long-term, which means the dog can get on with enjoying life.
Dacshund grooming
There are three varieties of Dachshund coat – short-haired, long-haired and wire-haired – all of which have slightly different requirements.
- The amount your Dachshund will shed depends on their coat type, but as a breed they only shed moderately, if at all.
- The short-haired Dachshund requires very little brushing, while the long-haired variety need almost daily grooming to prevent matting, particularly around their ears and legs. For the wire-haired variety, you’ll also need to brush their bushy beard.
Dachshund nutrition
It’s important to keep your Dachshund a healthy weight to help allieviate any pressure on their backs and joints which are prone to issues.
- Adult dogs require two meals a day, and the portion size will depend on whether you have a standard-size or miniature Dachshund. Stick to the recommended portion on the food packaging and if in doubt, consult your vet.
- Vets recommend feeding a high-quality pet food to ensure your dog gets all the nutrients they need to remain healthy.
Dachshund frequently asked questions
There are three types of Dachshund coat – short-haired, long-haired and wire-haired – and all shed in slightly different quantities. However, in general Dachshund are considered to be low to moderate shedders, with long-haired varieties tending to drop the most fur. There’s nothing you can do to stop your Dachshund from shedding, but regular brushing and trips to the groomers will help to keep your pet’s coat in tip-top condition!
There’s a reason for Dachshunds’ unique body shape. Dachshunds were originally bred to be scent hounds, and their long slim bodies made them perfect for following smaller prey, such as badgers and rabbits, into their warrens. Their role was to flush out these underground animals for hunters. Today, their scent hound background means they love to sniff, dig and chase so try including these activities into walks and playtime.
Dachshunds are generally even-tempered and affectionate, which combined with their smaller size makes them an ideal companion for children. However, they can be vocal and snappy if play gets too boisterous so they’re usually better suited to slightly older children. As with all dog breeds, Dachshunds should be supervised around children to make sure everyone stays safe and happy.
Whilst they are relatively low-shedding Dachshunds are not generally considered to be hypoallergenic. Wire-haired varieties of the breed tend to be the lowest shedding and therefore may be slightly better suited to those with allergies than long- and short-haired varieties. It’s important to remember that no dog breed is 100% hypoallergenic. However, there are some breeds that are better suited to allergy sufferers than others.
Whilst they are not aggressive by nature, Dachshunds’ feisty personalities can come across to some as unfriendly. However, whilst they can be a little vocal, Dachshunds are generally loyal and loving companions. Early and consistent socialisation can mitigate any unwanted barking or snappiness and help you to nurture a confident and sociable dog who will take meeting new dogs and people in their stride.
Dachshunds can be taught to swim, but due to their long bodies and short legs it’s not something they’re built for. If your dog does have a love for the water, it’s usually best to keep them confined to smaller pools or ponds to stop them from getting exhausted too quickly. As Dachshunds often suffer from back and joint problems, swimming can be a helpful alternative form of exercise for older dogs or pets suffering from conditions such as arthritis.
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Dachshund insurance considerations
Dachshunds sometimes suffer with certain health conditions and may require treatment. Petplan dog insurance offers peace of mind that they will always be protected.
We always offer these things as standard:
Physiotherapy
Physiotherapy & pet therapies
Along with physiotherapy, which is covered within the Vet Bills benefit, we also cover Pet Therapies like herbal medicine, homeopathy and acupuncture. You can also claim for hydrotherapy, up to £500 per illness/injury in dogs and cats (no additional limit for rabbits).
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