A happy Dachshund on an outdoor path

Dachshund Insurance, Care and Health Advice

Dachshunds have become extremely popular dog breed - they seem to be everywhere at the moment. They come in two sizes (miniature and standard) and with three different coat varieties – smooth-haired, long-haired and wire-haired. They may be small and cute, but they have a fearless attitude and a big personality.

And don’t think that just because they have short legs, they won’t need walks. Dachshunds may be a small breed but love lots of walks and playing games. This breed guide will provide you with all the information you need to look after a Dachshund, from puppy to adult.

Dachshund Facts

Dog breed type icon
Type
Hound
Dog breed lifespan icon
Lifespan
12 - 16 years
Dog breed size icon
Size
Small
Dog breed weight icon
Weight
9 - 12 kg
Dog breed height icon
Height
20 - 28 cm
Dog breed temperament icon
Temperament
Fearless, stubborn and loving
Dog breed exercise icon
Exercise
20-30 mins 2x per day
Dog breed grooming icon
Grooming
Low and high maintenance

Is a Dachshund Right for Me?

Also known as doxies, sausage dogs and weiner dogs, these fearless, lively little characters will melt anyone’s heart. The breed can need a lot of attention so is best suited to someone with a lot of love and time to share. Dachshunds can be high energy, stubborn, independent and may act tough with a big-dog bark, but they’re sensitive and gentle and should be handled with care.

A long-haired Dachshund asleep in a blanket

What are Dachshund Puppies Like?

From a young age Dachshund puppies are playful, sometimes feisty, and eager to explore their new environment. They may be small, but they have big personalities. Remember to handle them correctly so their backs are always supported. Puppies should be socialised while they’re still young, so they grow into friendly, out-going dogs with no behavioural problems. 

A Dachshund leaping through a field

Life with a Dachshund

Despite being a small dog, dachshunds have bold temperaments. They’re curious and have the instinct to hunt, so you may find that they’re not always the most obedient dog. However, they do make good family pets and become very attached, meaning Dachshunds are prone to separation anxiety.

In general, they’re well behaved, but they do love digging. So, keep an eye on them when they’re in the garden so they don’t escape next door. They were originally bred to hunt badgers, foxes and rabbits underground which explains their passion for digging!

Dachshunds love company so if you have to leave your Dachshund home alone, they may bark in protest. 

Caring for Your Dachshund

Dachshund puppies need to be fed small amounts, 3-4 times a day. Reduce this to 2 meals a day for adult dogs. Dachshunds are small dogs and can easily become overweight if fed too much.

Follow the feeding guidelines on the food packaging to make sure you aren’t over or underfeeding. Your vet or weight management nurse can also give you advice on how to keep your Dachshund at a healthy weight.

There are different coat types that need different type of attention. For the low maintenance smooth-haired Dachshund, the smooth coat just needs a weekly brush to stop their coat from matting and reduce shedding. Wire-haired and long-haired Dachshunds will be more high maintenance and will need more grooming.

While grooming, it’s a good idea to check their eyes, ears and teeth to make sure there aren’t any signs of infection. Their eyes and ears can be gently cleaned with a damp cloth. And don’t forget to brush your dog’s teeth every day to prevent dental disease. Use a soft bristle toothbrush and doggy toothpaste to keep their teeth healthy and their breath fresh.

Dachshund clothing may be fun but there are important reasons for your dog to have its own clothes. Jumpers and coats will keep your dog warm during the colder months. And because they have short legs, the coats will help to keep them clean when the ground is wet and muddy.

The Dachshund is an independent breed and not always very obedient. But, with patience and lots of praise (and a few treats), you should be able to train them. Dog training classes are a good place to socialise your dog and pick up training tips.

Start their toilet training early as puppies are always easier to train than adults. Give them the chance to go to the toilet in the chosen toileting area regularly whether on a puppy pad or in the garden.

Dachshunds were bred for hunting badgers so were used to lots of exercise. Try to walk your dog for 45-60 minutes every day. This should be split into two walks. Exercise will help to keep them fit and at a healthy weight (and you'll benefit too).  

Pet Insurance for Dachshunds

Super cute and dinky Dachshunds may be, but it’s good to know as a potential owner, they are known to suffer health problems. So it’s a good idea to think about pet insurance for your Dachshund before you bring them home.

Everypaw’s Lifetime Dog Insurance policies are available with a range of vet fee cover levels that may help when it comes to illness and injuries. Plus all our policies come with unlimited access to a team of vets and vet nurses and additional benefits like Complementary Treatment and Physiotherapy. 

Start a quote

Common Dachshund Health Problems by Vetstream

The most common, well-known health issue linked to this breed is intervertebral disc disease due to their long backs. There are also some other conditions that you should be aware of. We have got together with veterinary experts Vetstream, to give you an idea of what to keep an eye out for in your Dachshund.

Intervertebral Disc Disease (IVDD) is the most common health condition affecting Dachshunds. Intervertebral discs are pads between the vertebrae (the bones in the spine). These pads can bulge, rupture or slip out of place (a slipped disc). This is painful and can also lead to paralysis, where your dog will be unable to move.

Strict cage rest will be needed along with drugs to reduce the inflammation and pain. In more severe cases, surgery will be necessary. It’s common for dogs to suffer from IVDD more than once in their life.

An IVDD screening programme is now available, and all 6 varieties of this breed are recommended to participate. 

Generalised Progressive Retinal Atrophy (PRA) is a hereditary eye disease that causes retina degeneration which can lead to blindness over months or years. Early signs of the condition include poor vision at night (night blindness), this then progresses to total blindness. Cataracts can also develop. Check with your breeder if they have carried out clinical eye screening (KC/BVA/ISDS) to check for any eye conditions.

Currently, there’s no treatment available for this condition, but blind dogs can still live happy lives. A DNA test (for cord-1 PRA) is available for miniature Dachshunds to identify those carrying the gene mutation. 

Lafora Disease (LD) is an inheritable form of epilepsy, most commonly seen in the miniature wire-haired Dachshund. The disease is progressive which means that it gets worse over time. Affected dogs have ‘myoclonic’ seizures that appear as brief jerks or shudder movements. Dogs are usually awake during these seizures, but they can also happen when they’re asleep.

The seizures can be brought on by flashing lights, sudden movements or sounds that are close to the dog’s head. Affected dogs may struggle walking in sunlight and doggie sunglasses may be helpful. Medication can be given to help reduce the seizures, but there's no cure. While not usually fatal, the condition can lead to other health problems like incoordination, blindness and dementia.

A Lafora DNA test is now available for miniature wire-haired Dachshunds.

Dachshunds are also prone to distichiasis, a disorder affecting the eyelashes. Extra eyelashes grow and develop in abnormal places. This causes irritation to the eye, especially if the hairs are coarse and stiff, and can lead to corneal ulcers. Surgery to permanently remove the hairs is usually required.

Quick Dachshund Q&A

All three of the Dachshund coats will shed, but wire-haired Dachshunds generally shed the least. 

The average lifespan is 12-16 years. Miniature Dachshunds also have similar life expectancy. A lot of times their lifespan is affected by diet, exercise and any health problems they might develop.

Being overweight will mean they’re more likely to suffer from back, heart and joint problems.

The name is pronounced Dahks-hund or Dahks-ind. The name means badger dog in German (from ‘dachs’ (badger) and ‘hund’ (hound or dog).

Try to keep your Dachshund as horizontal as possible. Put one hand underneath their upper body (chest and ribcage area) and spread your fingers to support as much as possible. Then place your other hand under their rump area to support their lower body (again spreading the fingers).

Slowly lift them, keeping their body level. Don’t let their lower body hang or droop and keep supporting their lower back when moving around. Letting their lower backs get too low can be uncomfortable for them and can lead to back problems over time.

To place your dog back down, lower them very gently while still supporting their back. Never support them with their upper body only and never drop them heavily back to the ground! Also don’t let them twist or turn when you pick them up.

If your Dachshund looks or sounds at all uncomfortable, gently set them back down. Always show your friends and family the correct way of holding your Dachshund. 

Dachshunds are generally good with children if they’ve been taught how to handle them correctly. But it may be best not to let children pick up a Dachshund just in case they drop them. Children should also know how to recognise the signs when the attention has become too much for a dog. Young children should always be supervised when around dogs.

That’s All You Need to Know About Dachshunds

This fearless, stubborn but loving breed is understandably popular. They’re best suited to homes that can give them lots of attention. Their independence and hunt instinct can make them difficult to train, but with perseverance comes success.

Despite their small size, they love going for walks and can cover longer distances than you’d expect. Dachshunds can suffer from back problems and other breed-related conditions though, so be sure to keep an eye out for any signs of potential problems.

Content provided from Vetstream's Vetlexicon Canis

Vetlexicon is the world’s largest peer-reviewed online clinical reference source. All our content is written and peer-reviewed by over 1,000 of the world’s leading veterinarians, ensuring relevance, accuracy and quality.

 

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