Dachshund
Height20–23 cm (8–9 in)
Weight7–15 kg (15–33 lbs)
TypeHound
Life Expectancy12–16 yrs
OriginGermany
Bold and tenacious with a distinctive elongated body, the Dachshund is a spirited companion. Originally bred for hunting badgers, they are fearless, clever, and endlessly entertaining.
Breed Ratings
Personality
Intelligence
3/5
Trainability
2/5
Playfulness
4/5
Energy Level
3/5
Social
Good with Kids
3/5
Good with Dogs
3/5
Good with Strangers
3/5
Lifestyle
Apartment Friendly
4/5
Exercise Needs
3/5
Watchdog Ability
4/5
Barking Level
4/5
Care
Shedding
2/5
Grooming Needs
2/5
Health Robustness
3/5
Where Are Dachshunds From?
Dachshunds were engineered in 15th-century Germany with one specific job: going underground after badgers. The name literally means “badger dog.” That elongated body and those short, powerful legs allowed them to enter narrow burrows and fight animals that outweighed them. Standard Dachshunds hunted badgers and wild boar; miniatures were developed later for rabbit hunting. This vermin-hunting heritage explains nearly everything about the Dachshund personality.
What Is It Like Living With a Dachshund?
Dachshunds possess a boldness that borders on recklessness. They have zero concept of their small size and will challenge dogs five times their weight without hesitation. They’re fiercely loyal to their chosen person, often becoming protective to the point of resource guarding. Dachshunds are clever and independent-minded — they were bred to make decisions underground without human direction, so they naturally question why they should listen to you now. Training a Dachshund requires humor, patience, and an understanding that obedience comes on their terms.
How Much Exercise Does a Dachshund Need?
Despite their size, Dachshunds need 45–60 minutes of daily exercise. They have more stamina than people expect and genuinely enjoy long walks at their own pace. Avoid activities that stress the spine: jumping on and off furniture, running down stairs, or rough play with larger dogs. A ramp for the couch and bed isn’t pampering — it’s spinal injury prevention.
How Often Do You Need to Groom a Dachshund?
Smooth-coated Dachshunds need minimal grooming; longhaired varieties require brushing every few days; wirehaired Dachshunds need hand-stripping twice yearly. The breed’s most serious health concern is intervertebral disc disease (IVDD) — roughly 25% of Dachshunds will experience some degree of back problems during their lifetime. Obesity dramatically increases this risk, making weight management the single most important health decision a Dachshund owner makes. Other concerns include patellar luxation, progressive retinal atrophy, and dental issues due to their small jaws.
Are Dachshunds Healthy?
Dachshunds suit apartment dwellers, singles, seniors, and people who appreciate a dog with outsized personality and genuine comedic timing. They’re not great for households with very young children (their backs are fragile) or owners who want a reliably obedient dog. The fact that surprises people: Dachshunds were so associated with Germany that their popularity plummeted in America during both World Wars. They were temporarily rebranded as “liberty hounds” to avoid anti-German sentiment.
Our Honest Take on the Dachshund
Dachshunds punch far above their weight in personality and stubbornness — they were built to hunt badgers and argue about it afterward. They're wonderful companions for the right owner, but their spinal fragility is a genuine financial and emotional risk.
Common Mistakes New Owners Make
- 1Letting them jump on and off furniture freely. Intervertebral disc disease (IVDD) affects 1 in 4 Dachshunds. Repeated jumping impacts compress the spine over time. Ramps and steps to furniture, enforced from puppyhood, meaningfully reduce IVDD risk.
- 2Treating stubbornness as stupidity. Dachshunds are smart — they simply have strong opinions about whether your requests are reasonable. They respond well to positive reinforcement and poorly to harsh methods.
- 3Getting miniatures as 'low-maintenance' because of size. Miniature Dachshunds are not easier to own than standards — they're often more anxious, more vocal, and equally prone to IVDD.
- 4Assuming small size means easy exercise. Dachshunds were built for stamina and need 30–45 minutes of daily walks. A sedentary Dachshund becomes overweight, which dramatically worsens IVDD risk.
Who Should Think Twice
Dachshunds are wrong for families with very young children who don't respect small dog boundaries (Dachshunds bite when cornered), owners who can't financially absorb IVDD surgery ($3,000–$6,000 if it occurs), or people wanting a dog that excels at off-leash recall in open areas. Their prey drive and stubbornness make reliable off-leash behavior nearly impossible.
Real Costs in 2026
Standard Dachshund puppies: $800–$2,000 in 2026. Miniatures from reputable breeders: $1,000–$2,500. Annual costs are low otherwise: food ~$20–$30/month, routine vet $300–$500. The financial wildcard is IVDD surgery — $3,000–$8,000 depending on severity and your location, and it's not rare. Pet insurance ($30–$50/month) that covers hereditary conditions is strongly recommended.
Living With a Dachshund: Year by Year
Dachshund puppyhood is misleading — they're tiny, cute, and seem manageable for the first 6 months. The true breed personality emerges around month 8: stubborn, vocal, highly opinionated, and remarkably brave for their size. Adolescence (1-2 years) is when the territorial barking peaks; expect alarm barking at every doorbell, delivery, neighbor, and unfamiliar sound, often for the dog's entire life regardless of training. Prime adulthood (2-9) is genuinely entertaining — Dachshunds have outsized personalities, form intense one-person bonds, and are surprisingly athletic for their proportions. The breed's defining medical issue dominates senior planning: roughly 25% of Dachshunds will experience IVDD (intervertebral disc disease), often suddenly and catastrophically, with surgery costs of $5,000-10,000 or paralysis as outcomes. Most live 12-16 years, but the back disease can hit at any age. Owners are surprised by how loud, how stubborn, and how genuinely brave (sometimes recklessly so) these dogs are.
The Training Reality
Dachshunds are intelligent but uniquely uninterested in pleasing humans — they were bred to work independently underground, and that genetic independence shows in every training session. Most are reliably housetrained by month 8-12, later than almost any other breed; many small Dachshunds never become 100% reliable, especially in cold weather. Marker training with very high-value rewards works in short sessions; long sessions produce a dog that quits. The ceiling is moderate: solid obedience in a controlled environment is achievable, but distracting environments collapse training quickly. Off-leash recall is unreliable for life — Dachshunds will chase prey scent and ignore everything else. The breakthrough most owners need is accepting that Dachshund 'training' is more management than mastery; you teach behaviors, then manage environments to set the dog up for success. Barking is particularly difficult to extinguish — the breed was bred to bark at quarry, and that instinct never fully turns off.
A Day in the Life
Morning walk is 20-30 minutes — Dachshunds need real exercise despite their size, and bored Dachshunds bark, dig, and destroy. They cannot safely jump on or off furniture (IVDD risk), so ramps or strict lifting policies are mandatory; this is non-negotiable, not optional. Most sleep 13-15 hours, often burrowed under blankets — the breed loves enclosed spaces and many will spend hours in a covered bed or under a couch cushion. They bond intensely with one person and may guard that person from other family members or visitors. Surprising things owners learn: Dachshunds are remarkably loud for their size, bay rather than just bark, are notoriously difficult to housetrain, will dig holes in any soft surface (couches, beds, gardens), and can develop possessive aggression around food and toys faster than most breeds.
How Dachshunds Compare to Similar Breeds
Compared to a Miniature Schnauzer (similar size), Dachshunds are more stubborn, less trainable, and have substantially higher back disease risk; Schnauzers are more biddable but more vocal. Compared to a Cavalier King Charles Spaniel, Dachshunds are healthier and longer-lived but louder and harder to train. Compared to a Corgi (similar body shape), Dachshunds are more independent and less athletic; Corgis have similar back issues but better trainability and more energy.
Great For
- Apartment living
- Allergy-conscious homes
- Home security
Think Twice If
- You need a quiet dog
- You're a first-time owner
Are Dachshunds Prone to Health Issues?
Dachshunds are predisposed to: intervertebral disc disease, obesity, dental issues, patellar luxation. Regular vet visits and a healthy diet help prevent common issues.
Health Robustness
3/5
How Much Does a Dachshund Cost?
Purchase Price
$500–$2,000
Monthly Food
$35
Annual Vet
$500
Annual Grooming
$100
Est. First Year
~$2,270
Est. Annual
~$1,020
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Frequently Asked Questions
How much does a Dachshund cost?
A Dachshund puppy typically costs $500–$2,000. The estimated first-year cost including food, vet visits, and grooming is around $2,270, with ongoing annual costs of approximately $1,020.
How long do Dachshunds live?
Dachshunds have an average lifespan of 12 to 16 years. Common health concerns include intervertebral disc disease, obesity, dental issues, patellar luxation.
Are Dachshunds good with kids?
Dachshunds score 3/5 for being good with children. They can do well with children when properly socialized, though supervision is recommended.
Do Dachshunds shed a lot?
Dachshunds have a shedding level of 2/5. They are relatively low shedders but still need occasional grooming.
Are Dachshunds good for apartments?
Dachshunds score 4/5 for apartment friendliness. They adapt very well to apartment living and don't require a large yard.