Last Updated: 28/05/2025
Dachshund Breed Guide | Health & Nutrition
Wondering whether a Dachshund would make a good addition to your family? Take a look at our comprehensive Dachshund Breed guide for facts and care tips.
Author: Dr Samantha Wycherley BVSc
Reading Time: 22 minutes - medium read
A Complete Breed Guide for Dachshund dogs
Dachshunds are well known for their distinctive long body, short legs & quirky nature. Dachshunds typically have big personalities! They are a very popular breed in Australia and loved worldwide. Dachshunds make excellent companions and are well suited to family life.
Find all your Dachshund essentials including toys, treats, collars harnesses and more in our Dachshund Shop.
Facts about the Dachshund
| Breed size: | Place of origin: | Other names: |
| Small | Germany | Sausage Dog, Doxie |
| Breed group: | Energy level: | Weight range: |
| Hunting | Moderate | Standard: 7 - 14kg, Miniature: 4 - 5kg |
| Life expectancy: | Tendency to bark: | Height range: |
| 12 - 16 years | High | Standard: 20 - 23cm, Miniature: 12 - 15cm |
| Drool factor: | Coat length: | Colours: |
| Low | Short to long | Around 15 colours in multiple patterns such as brindle and dapple |
| Shedding factor: | Overall grooming needs: | Social needs: |
| Moderate | Low | High |
Do Dachshunds shed?
Dachshunds, like all dogs, do shed. Dachshunds are however considered a low shedding breed and their hair is usually very manageable. The long haired dachshunds will have more noticeable hair around the house.
Regular brushing and bathing can help to reduce the amount of hair that drops around the house.
How much does a Dachshund puppy cost?
Prices can range from $2000 - $6500. It's important to remember to include vet costs, pet insurance, high-quality food and puppy supplies in your budget.
How long do Dachshunds live for?
The average lifespan of a dachshund is 12 - 16 years.
Are Dachshunds good pets?
Dachshunds make great family pets. They are typically very loyal and love to be with their family. They can be stubborn so do require consistency and persistence in their training.
Do Dachshunds bark a lot?
Dachshunds do have a tendency to bark. They are brave and curious dogs and were originally bred for hunting (hunting dogs are bred to bark to communicate). They will often bark to alert you to the arrival of people to the house, dogs walking past their house, birds in the backyard etc.
They can also bark for other reasons such as boredom. If barking has become a problem then the first step is to work out why your dog is barking. Our article How to stop your dog barking can help.
How big do Dachshunds grow?
There are two different sizes of dachshund - miniature dachshunds and standard dachshunds.
Miniature dachshunds usually weigh around 4 - 5kg whereas the standard dachshunds can get up to 14kg.
How do I find a good Dachshund breeder?
There are some important things to consider when trying to find and choose a breeder especially during these high demand times for purchasing puppies. There is the option of adopting from a shelter or alternatively searching for a registered breeder who is a member of the Australian National Kennel Council and has their own breeder registration number. Have a look at the following article for more tips on finding a reputable breeder - How to Find a Good Breeder.
Dachshund History
Dachshunds were originally bred in Germany - hence their German name! The name Dachshund means 'badger dog' - 'Dachs' means badger and 'Hund' means dog. The reason they were given this name is because they were bred to hunt badgers. Their short legs enabled them to fit in badger holes and their brave and bold nature meant they weren't afraid to take on an aggressive badger!
Dachshunds were recognised by the American Kennel club in 1885 and are now one of the most popular breeds worldwide.
Dachshund Personality
Dachshunds are bold, energetic and loyal. They are full of character and do have a tendency to be quite stubborn. They will bond closely with their family but might not always do what you want them to!
For more information on socialising and training your Dachshund, take a read through:
For more information on socialising and training your Dachshund, take a read through:
Dachshund Health Problems
Whilst Dachshunds are generally healthy dogs with a long life expectancy, there are some health issues that they are predisposed to.
Intervertebral Disc Disease
The biggest health problem facing dachshunds is IVDD (intervertebral disc disease). This is more common in dachshunds than any other breed. IVDD occurs when the disks that sit in between the vertebrae of the spinal column bulge or burst and therefore press on the spinal cord. When the spinal cord is compressed this can lead to pain, weakness, bladder & bowel control issues and in the most severe cases - paralysis.
Treatment can range from cage rest and pain relief to spinal surgery although successful treatment is not always guaranteed.
The best way to reduce the chances of a dachshund developing IVDD is to keep them at a healthy weight as excess weight will put extra pressure on their back.
Top Weight Loss Foods for Dachshunds
It's also a good idea to prevent dachshunds from jumping down from heights e.g off the couch, out of the car. This can make them more likely to injure their backs. Investing in a ramp or stairs is a good idea to help your Dachshund get up and down from heights a little easier.
Ear Infections
Although the long floppy ears of a dachshund are an endearing feature, they can make them prone to developing ear infections. The floppy ears tend to trap moisture and limit air circulation which can lead to yeast and bacterial infections.
A good way to help prevent ear infections is to use a cleaner such as Virbac Epi Otic in the ears after bathing or swimming. Epi Otic has a drying agent to help reduce moisture in the ear canal.
For more information, take a look at our article Why Does my Dog Keep Getting Ear Infections?.
Dachshund Diet and Nutrition
Dachshund Puppies
Dachshunds puppies are one of the cutest puppies you will find! A premium, complete and balanced small breed puppy food is the best way to ensure that your Dachshund puppy is receiving all the nutrients they need for growth.
It's always very exciting bringing a new puppy home however they can be a lot of work too so it's a good idea to be prepared and read up on all the must know puppy information in our New Puppy Guide.
For further tips, check out the Common Mistakes Puppy Owners Make and our puppy food, feeding and training guides.
Nutrition for Dachshund Puppies
Our Vets recommend the following premium diets for Dachshund puppies, to ensure they thrive during puppyhood. Premium diets contain consistent, highly digestible ingredients, and often contain additional beneficial ingredients such as omega fatty acids and antioxidants for skin, coat and immune health.
Nutrition for Adult Dachshunds
For more information, check out our vet guide to the Best dog food for Dachshunds.
Further Reading
Want to know more? Check out our Discover Page for more tips from our expert vets on keeping your pets happy and healthy.
