Dog breed
Dachshund
The Dachshund is a short-legged, long-bodied hunting dog from Germany, developed to work underground in fox and badger dens. The standard Dachshund is the largest of the three sizes and comes in three coat types: smooth, wirehaired and longhaired. It has a big voice, the courage of a much larger dog and plenty of opinions of its own.
- FCI Group IV · Dachshunds · standard no. 148
- Weight
- 7–14.5 kg
- Height
- 20–23 cm
- Lifespan
- 12–16 years
- Origin
- Germany
Temperament
The FCI standard describes the Dachshund as friendly by nature, neither timid nor aggressive, and at the same time a passionate, persistent hunter with an excellent nose. In practice, that means a dog that is cuddly and funny at home but can completely "switch off its ears" on a walk once it picks up a scent. The AKC gives it top marks for affection and for barking: a Dachshund loudly announces every mail carrier, and its deep, booming voice surprises visitors. The varieties differ a bit in temperament: breeders describe wirehairs as more terrier-like and feisty, and longhairs as gentler. It usually gets used to cats, but it treats rodents and birds as prey. It can be stubborn, so training takes patience and good rewards.
- Energy
- calmvery energetic
- Affection
- independentvelcro pet
- With children
- not idealgreat
- With other pets
- difficultgreat
- Trainability
- stubborneager to learn
- For first-time owners
- for experienced ownersyes
- With strangers
- waryoutgoing
- Playfulness
- dignifiedeternal puppy
- Shedding
- minimalheavy
- Grooming
- easydemanding
- Being left alone
- strugglescopes well
- Apartment living
- needs a house and yardgreat in a flat
- Barking
- quietvocal
- With other dogs
- difficultgreat
- Protectiveness
- lowhigh
- Drooling
- hardly anya lot
- Cold tolerance
- feels the coldexcellent
- Heat tolerance
- strugglescopes well
Scores of 1–5 compare the breed with other breeds of the same species, based on the sources at the bottom of the page. Every animal is different. How we score traits
Who is the Dachshund for?
The Dachshund suits people who want a small dog with a big personality and a sense of humor, who enjoy walks in the woods and don't mind loud barking. It does well in an apartment if the building has an elevator or the owner is willing to carry the dog up and down stairs. It's a weaker choice for anyone wanting a perfectly obedient off-leash dog, for homes with rodents or birds, and for neighbors who are sensitive to noise.
Pros
- small but tough and brave
- very devoted to its family
- does well in an apartment
- long-lived
Challenges
- prone to disc disease
- loud, frequent barking
- strong hunting instinct
- stubborn about recall
Size and looks
| Height at the withers | males 20–23 cm, females 20–23 cm |
|---|---|
| Weight | males 7–14.5 kg, females 7–14.5 kg |
| Lifespan | 12–16 years |
| Coat | short |
| Colors | red, black and tan, chocolate and tan, dapple, brindle, wild boar (wirehaired) |
| Country of origin | Germany |
| Classification | Group IV: Dachshunds |
| Also known as | Standard Dachshund, Teckel, Dackel, Doxie |
Care and exercise
The Royal Kennel Club recommends up to an hour of exercise a day, and a Dachshund will gladly walk more, especially in the woods with its nose to the ground. More important than the length of walks is protecting the spine: keep the dog lean, limit jumping off the couch and bed (steps or a ramp help), and when you pick it up, support the chest and hindquarters at the same time. Grooming depends on the variety: a smooth needs a weekly wipe-down, a wirehair needs hand-stripping two or three times a year, and a longhair needs brushing several times a week. Start recall training as early as possible and practice on a long line, because the hunting instinct can be stronger than any command. Dachshunds love food and are expert beggars, so measure meals and count treats as part of the daily ration.
How much should the Dachshund eat?The calculator starts from this breed’s typical weight: calories and grams a day.Health and breed-related conditions
VCA considers spinal health the most important topic in this breed: the Dachshund's build predisposes it to intervertebral disc disease, which can lead to pain or paralysis of the hind legs. The risk rises with excess weight and strenuous activity. The Royal Kennel Club recommends spinal screening for this disease before breeding, through a program run with Dachshund Health UK, and an eye exam as good practice. The AKC and VCA also list patellar luxation, Legg-Calvé-Perthes disease, hypothyroidism and cataracts. The AKC gives a life expectancy of 12–16 years.
- intervertebral disc disease (IVDD)The breed's most important problem; excess weight and jumping from heights increase the risk.
- obesityEvery extra kilogram puts strain on the long spine.
- patellar luxationThe AKC recommends a patella evaluation for breeding dogs.
- Legg-Calvé-Perthes diseaseDegeneration of the head of the thighbone in young dogs, listed by VCA.
- hypothyroidism and Cushing's diseaseHormonal disorders seen more often in adult Dachshunds.
- defects from breeding two dapplesPuppies of two dapple parents are at risk of deafness and eye defects; the UK breed club does not register such litters.
Health tests to ask the breeder about
- spinal X-rays for disc calcification
- eye exam (ECVO)
- patella evaluation
- cardiac exam
This is general breed information, not a diagnosis. If something worries you, talk to your veterinarian.
Breed history
The Dachshund has been known since the Middle Ages. Short-legged dogs that did well working underground were selected from German scent hounds, called bracken, and the breed grew from them. The name Dachshund means "badger dog" in German, and the AKC notes that the breed's history in Germany goes back about 600 years. Alongside the smooth coat, breeders developed a wire coat that protected the dog in brush and a long coat that handled cold better. The oldest breed club, the Deutscher Teckelklub, was founded in 1888. For decades Dachshunds have been bred in three sizes and three coat types, giving nine varieties.
Fun facts
- The Deutscher Teckelklub, the oldest Dachshund club, was founded in 1888.
- The FCI defines Dachshund sizes not by height but by chest girth: from over 37 cm up to 47 cm for standards.
- Dachshunds are the only breed with a separate group of their own, Group 4, in the FCI classification.
- Since 2010, Britain's Royal Kennel Club has not registered puppies from two dapple parents.
Frequently asked questions
How much does a standard Dachshund weigh?
The AKC gives 16–32 pounds, or about 7–14.5 kg, for the standard size. The FCI standard gives no weight, only chest girth, and standard Dachshunds from European breeders are often lighter than American ones.
Do Dachshunds shed?
Yes, though moderately. Smooths shed the most, wirehairs shed little once hand-stripped, and longhairs need regular brushing to keep the coat from matting.
How long do Dachshunds live?
The AKC and VCA give 12–16 years. Keeping the dog lean and protecting its spine from strain are key to a long, active life.
Which Dachshund is best for a first-time owner?
Many people recommend the longhair as the gentler variety, and the wirehair for active owners who can handle a terrier-like temperament. More important than the variety, though, is choosing a breeder who looks after spinal health and the parents' temperament.
This breed also appears in
Sources
- 1FCI standard nr 148 – Dachshundfci.be
- 2AKC – Dachshundakc.org
- 3Royal Kennel Club – Dachshund (Smooth Haired)royalkennelclub.com
- 4VCA – Dachshundvcahospitals.com
Last reviewed: November 12, 2026. Spotted a mistake? Tell us.
