Dachshund
About the Dachshund
Temperament
Physical Characteristics
| Size Category | Small (10-25 lbs) |
|---|---|
| Height | 5-9" |
| Weight | 11-32 lbs |
| Coat Type | Smooth |
| Coat Length | Short |
| Colors | |
| Hypoallergenic | No |
Care Requirements
Exercise Needs
Moderate (30-60 min/day)
30 minutes per day recommended
Grooming
Moderate - Weekly
Mental Stimulation
★★★★★Moderate mental stimulation needed
Drooling
★★★★★Living Conditions
Cost of Ownership
| Purchase Price | $500-$2,000 |
|---|---|
| Annual Cost | $1,000/year |
Costs vary based on location, breeder, and individual needs. Annual costs include food, veterinary care, grooming, and supplies.
Health Considerations
Like all breeds, Dachshunds may be prone to certain health conditions:
Regular veterinary check-ups and proper care can help prevent or manage many health issues.
Best For
- Apartment Living
- First-Time Owners
- Guard Dog
Guides for your Dachshund
The story behind the Dachshund
The Dachshund was developed in the German lands, with recognisably short-legged badger dogs described from around the seventeenth and eighteenth centuries and refined into a defined breed during the nineteenth. Foresters and hunters wanted a dog whose long body and short legs allowed it into setts and burrows, whose loud voice could be heard underground, and whose nerve let it face badger and fox in a confined space. Three coat varieties emerged, the smooth first, with longhaired and wirehaired forms produced through crosses to spaniel-type and terrier-type dogs. Size divisions followed, smaller dogs being used on rabbit. German breed clubs organised in the later nineteenth century and registries elsewhere soon accepted the dog. Hunting use continues in parts of Europe, but the Dachshund is now overwhelmingly a companion and one of the most widely kept small breeds.
Originally bred for: Badger hunter, Underground earth dog, Rabbit and fox hunter. You can trace how working roles shaped today’s breeds across our dog guides.
Feeding a Dachshund
Weight management is the whole story for a long-backed dog, because every extra pound loads the spine. Feed measured portions, deduct training treats from the total, and keep a clear waist. Puppies should grow at a steady rate instead of being pushed with rich food.
Watch for: No ingredient allergy defines the breed. The dietary priority is body condition rather than avoidance, since obesity is genuinely linked to back trouble in long-bodied dogs. Where skin or digestive symptoms appear, ask a veterinarian to investigate before restricting what the dog eats.
Start with the Dachshund feeding guide, then compare our picks for the best dog food for small breeds.
Mealtime extras: training treats worth keeping in your pocket. Everything else lives in our dog nutrition and feeding hub.
Living with a Dachshund
Day to day, the basics matter most: how much exercise your dog needs, how often to get out for a walk, and how much sleep is normal.
For play and enrichment, browse our favorite dog toys and interactive toys for rainy days.
Gear that fits the breed makes life easier: a well-sized dog bed, a comfortable no-pull harness.
Raising a puppy? Work through crate training and the teething timeline — or see how old your dog is in human years with our dog age calculator.
Want the long read? Our full Dachshund breed profile covers temperament and living needs in depth.