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Dog · FCI group 4

Dachshund

The Dachshund is an alert and energetic hound from Germany with a long back and short legs. Bred for underground hunting, it combines a strong hunting spirit with loyal companionship. It requires daily exercise and careful handling to protect its spine.

  • Friendly
  • Independent
  • Passionate
  • Alert
  • Vocal
Dachshund
OriginGermany
Size
Small
Adult weight
3.5 to 14.5 kg
Height at the withers
12.7 to 22.9 cm
Lifespan
12 to 16 years

This is general guidance. Always ask your vet.

How big does a Dachshund get?

An adult Dachshund weighs 3.5 to 14.5 kg and stands 12.7 to 22.9 cm at the withers.

Kennel clubs do not set separate height or weight standards for males and females. Size classifications range across Standard, Miniature, and Rabbit varieties based on weight, height, or chest circumference.

[S8][S9][S10][S11][S12]

How long does a Dachshund live?

A Dachshund lives 12 to 16 years.

General life expectancy spans 12 to 16 years, though variations occur across varieties and studies.

[S13][S14][S15][S16]

What health problems are common in the Dachshund?

The most common in the Dachshund are: Intervertebral Disc Disease (IVDD), Progressive Retinal Atrophy, Patellar Luxation, Mitral Valve Disease and Congenital Heart Defects, Periodontal Disease.

3 to 7 years

Intervertebral Disc Disease (IVDD) [S16]

Spinal disc extrusion that causes pain and neurological problems.

Progressive Retinal Atrophy [S27][S28]

A genetic eye disorder that causes progressive vision loss.

Ask your vet about:

  • OFA/CAER annual veterinary ophthalmologist examinations
  • Commercial DNA gene mutation tests
12 months or older

Patellar Luxation [S28][S29]

A condition where the kneecap slips out of its normal groove.

Ask your vet about:

  • OFA patellar palpation exam

Mitral Valve Disease and Congenital Heart Defects [S28][S29]

Structural or degenerative conditions that affect heart valve function.

Ask your vet about:

  • Veterinary cardiac auscultation
  • Echocardiography
2 to 3 years

Periodontal Disease [S30]

Bacterial inflammation and tooth decay resulting from crowded dental alignment.

What is a Dachshund's temperament like?

The Dachshund is a friendly, passionate hunter with an even temper and independent mind. It possesses a persistent prey drive and a strong, carrying bark.

[S1][S5][S8][S17]

How much exercise does a Dachshund need?

A Dachshund needs 30 to 60 minutes of exercise a day.

Provide daily leashed walks and low-impact play on flat surfaces. Strictly avoid jumping on furniture or running down steep stairs to protect the spine.

  • Energy3 / 5
[S5][S12][S18][S19][S20][S21][S22]

How does a Dachshund handle heat and cold?

Low ground clearance puts the chest and belly close to hot pavement, damp grass, or cold ground. Minimal body mass causes rapid heat loss in cold or wet conditions.

  • Handles heat3 / 5
  • Handles cold2 / 5
[S8][S17][S21]

How much does a Dachshund shed, and how do you groom it?

Smooth coats need weekly brushing with a curry mitt. Longhaired coats require brushing two to three times a week. Wirehaired coats need weekly combing and hand-stripping two to three times a year.

Smooth, longhaired, or wirehaired varieties

  • Shedding3 / 5
[S1][S12][S20][S22][S24][S25][S26]

Is a Dachshund good with children and other pets?

Dachshunds do well in apartments with daily walks, though you must manage their barking. They fit best with older children who handle them safely. Supervision is necessary around small animals due to their hunting drive.

  • With children3 / 5
  • With other pets3 / 5
  • In an apartment4 / 5
[S5][S12][S21][S22]

Is a Dachshund easy to train?

Dachshunds are independent thinkers and require patience. Use positive reinforcement with food rewards and short sessions. Harsh methods cause defensive behavior.

  • Ease of training2 / 5
[S5][S11][S18][S20]

What does a Dachshund eat at each life stage?

  • PuppyFeed a complete, balanced small-breed puppy diet that meets growth standards. Monitor calorie intake closely to prevent rapid weight gains that stress the spine.
  • AdultOffer adult maintenance food with moderate calorie density and quality protein to maintain a lean body score. Keep treats under ten percent of total daily calories.
  • SeniorProvide a senior or weight-management formula with lower calorie density for a slowing metabolism. Choose foods with omega-3 fatty acids for joint and spine support.

Where does the Dachshund come from?

Developed in Germany with records reaching back to the Middle Ages, the Dachshund originated from scent hounds to hunt badgers and foxes underground. The Deutsche Teckelklub e.V. was formed in 1888, and the American Kennel Club recognized the breed in 1885.

Country of origin: Germany.

[S1][S2][S3][S5][S6]

Fun facts about the Dachshund

  • A Dachshund named Waldi served as the first official Olympic mascot at the 1972 Munich Games. [S3][S37][S38]
  • The marathon course of the 1972 Munich Olympic Games was mapped out in the shape of a Dachshund. [S37][S39]
  • The breed's short legs come from an expressed FGF4 retrogene insertion that causes dwarfism for underground hunting. [S1][S30]
  • The name 'hot dog' comes from 19th-century German immigrant sausages known as Dachshundwurst that resembled the breed. [S4]

Tips by life stage and weather

  • PuppySupport your puppy's chest and hindquarters every time you lift it to protect its back.
  • PuppyEstablish a consistent housebreaking and crate schedule early to help with stubborn habits.
  • AdultPlace ramps next to sofas and beds so your dog does not jump off elevated surfaces.
  • AdultKeep daily walks on flat terrain and incorporate scent games to meet hunting needs safely.
  • SeniorMonitor your older dog's weight carefully to eliminate extra physical strain on its long back.
  • SeniorHave your veterinarian perform routine dental checks to manage crowded teeth.
  • Hot seasonWalk your dog in early mornings or evenings because its belly is close to hot street pavement.
  • Hot seasonProvide clean drinking water and shady resting spots to prevent overheating on warm afternoons.
  • Cold seasonDress your Dachshund in a warm sweater on cold days to prevent rapid body heat loss.
  • Cold seasonKeep cold walks brief since the dog's low chest and abdomen touch freezing ground.
  • Rainy seasonDry your dog's chest and belly thoroughly after walks to avoid chills from wet ground.
  • Rainy seasonInspect and clean its folded ears every week to keep moisture from causing ear canal issues.

In the Kiba Vet app, your pet's breed profile shows a tip of the day based on its age and the weather where you live.

This is general guidance. Always ask your vet.

Checked against sources; veterinary review pending. Updated on September 29, 2026.

Written with the help of AI from the cited sources and checked fact by fact against them by a second model.

Sources

Every health fact and every number on this page comes from these sources. Identifiers from Wikidata (CC0).