Dachshund: temperament, sizes, back health, and care

Few breeds are as instantly recognizable as the Dachshund, the wiener dog, doxie, or sausage dog. Behind that long body and those short legs is a hunting hound bred to go underground after badgers: brave, blessed with an outstanding nose, equipped with a surprisingly big bark, and famously stubborn.

That same body shape explains the breed’s biggest health risk, intervertebral disc disease, and much of the prevention is in your hands. This guide covers the AKC and FCI numbers, what Dachshunds are like at home, how much exercise and food they need, how to protect their backs, what they cost, and what to know about adoption.

Quick facts

Dachshund history

Dachshund means “badger dog” in German (Dachs is badger, Hund is dog). In Germany the breed is also called Dackel or Teckel. Over several centuries, German hunters bred short-legged dogs that could follow badgers and foxes into their dens and bark to tell the hunter where the quarry was.

The longhaired coat is thought to come from spaniel crosses and the wirehaired from terriers and schnauzers, although those crosses are poorly documented. The smallest FCI size, the rabbit Dachshund, was bred for narrow rabbit burrows. The American Kennel Club recognized the breed in 1885, and the FCI places it in a group of its own. Today most Dachshunds are companions, but in Europe many still work, especially tracking wounded game.

Dachshund temperament

Dachshunds are deeply attached to their people and enjoy burrowing under blankets as much as a day outdoors. But a dog that worked alone underground, face to face with a badger, had to be bold and make its own decisions, and that shapes almost everything about its personality:

• Brave and confident: they don’t realize they’re small and will stand up to much larger dogs.
• Independent and stubborn: they understand what you’re asking; they just need a good reason to do it.
• Vocal: a deep, loud bark makes them great watchdogs, which needs managing in an apartment building.
• Nose-driven with a strong prey drive: they track scents, dig, and chase small animals.

Wirehaired Dachshunds are often described as more terrier-like and longhairs as mellower. That’s a loose generalization; breeding lines (field or companion) and training matter more than coat type.

Dachshunds, kids, and other pets

With respectful kids over about 6–8, Dachshunds are fun, tireless playmates. The main risk is their back: a child who lifts the dog awkwardly or drops it can injure the spine. Have kids pet the dog while sitting on the floor and leave the lifting to adults.

Well-socialized Dachshunds usually get along with other dogs, but watch rough play with big ones. Cats raised with them are usually fine; rabbits, hamsters, and guinea pigs trigger their hunting instincts.

Training a Dachshund

Dachshunds learn fast when they see what’s in it for them, so positive reinforcement with high-value treats works far better than repetition. Keep sessions to about 5 minutes, 2–3 times a day. Priorities:

1. Socialization between about 3 and 12–14 weeks: people, street noise, and calm, vaccinated dogs.
2. Potty training: Dachshunds have a reputation for being slow to house-train, especially in rain or cold. Take your puppy out often and reward every success on the spot.
3. Recall: an interesting scent can beat your voice. Practice on a 15–30 ft (5–10 m) long line before letting your dog off leash in open areas.
4. Barking: don’t yell (to your dog, you’re barking along). Reward quiet and teach a “go to your bed” cue for the doorbell.
5. Waiting to be lifted: teach your dog to sit by the couch, bed, or car instead of jumping. It’s one of the best things you can do for its back.

Dachshunds also love to dig. Rather than just forbidding it, give them a dig box or a blanket pile with hidden treats; our guide on why dogs dig explains the behavior.

How much exercise does a Dachshund need?

They’re hounds, not couch potatoes. As a guideline, an adult standard Dachshund needs 45–90 minutes of activity a day split into 2–3 walks, and a miniature needs 30–60 minutes. Strong core muscles help support the spine; what you want to avoid is repeated impact:

• Jumping off the couch, the bed, or out of the car.
• Climbing lots of stairs every day.
• Rough play with big dogs and skidding on slippery floors.
• Standing up on the hind legs to beg or greet.

Walk your Dachshund on a harness instead of a collar, especially if it pulls: it takes pressure off the neck, where disc problems can also occur. Our harness vs. collar guide explains how to pick one that doesn’t rub behind the front legs, a common problem with their deep chest.

Dachshund health: back problems (IVDD) and other conditions

Why Dachshunds are prone to disc disease

Intervertebral disc disease (IVDD) is the breed’s most important health problem. Dachshunds are chondrodystrophic: the same genetics that give them short legs make their spinal discs age prematurely. The discs lose their cushioning, sometimes calcify, and can rupture after a jump or even with no obvious cause, pressing on the spinal cord.

By the most widely cited estimates, roughly 1 in 4 or 5 Dachshunds will show signs of disc disease during their lifetime, most often between 3 and 7 years of age. It can affect the neck, but the middle and lower back are the most common sites.

Warning signs by severity

Owners often mistake back pain for a stomach problem because the dog hunches and tenses up. If you’re unsure, review the signs your dog is in pain and call your vet.

How to protect your Dachshund’s back

1. Keep your dog lean. Extra weight loads the spine. You should feel the ribs easily and see a waist from above. If your dog is carrying extra pounds, here’s how to help overweight dogs slim down.
2. Prevent jumping. Use ramps or pet steps for the couch and bed, or keep your dog off the furniture. Always lift it in and out of the car.
3. Limit stairs. A few steps now and then are rarely a problem for a fit, healthy adult, but several flights a day add up. Carry puppies and dogs with a history of disc disease.
4. Lift correctly. One hand under the chest and the other under the hindquarters, keeping the back level. Never lift by the front legs or armpits.
5. Exercise regularly and moderately. Daily walks beat a sedentary week followed by a long weekend hike.

For mild cases, vets usually prescribe several weeks of strict crate rest with pain management. When there’s significant loss of movement, decompressive spinal surgery may be the best option, and the sooner it’s done, the better the outlook.

Other common conditions and health tests

A breed risk doesn’t mean your dog will develop a condition; responsible breeding and regular checkups make a real difference.

In the UK and the Nordic countries, screening programs X-ray breeding dogs’ spines between 24 and 48 months of age to count calcified discs, a useful indicator of IVDD risk in their puppies. Also ask for an eye exam by a veterinary ophthalmologist and the DNA tests relevant to the variety (cord1-PRA for miniature longhairs, Lafora for miniature wirehairs).

Grooming: coat, ears, and teeth

Avoid routinely clipping a wirehaired coat: it softens, fades, and sheds water less well. Check the long, floppy ears weekly, since they trap moisture; trim nails every 3–4 weeks if they don’t wear down; and brush the teeth daily, because tartar builds up early.

Feeding a Dachshund

Feed for your dog’s ideal weight, not its current one. As a rough guide, an adult Dachshund needs:

The range depends on activity, age, and whether your dog is spayed or neutered. Calories per cup vary a lot between foods, so check the bag and measure with a kitchen scale or a real measuring cup. Feed puppies 3–4 meals a day until 4–6 months, then 2, and keep treats under 10% of daily calories.

Is a Dachshund right for you?

A Dachshund is a great fit if you want a small dog with a big personality, enjoy daily walks and scent games, have patience for a dog that thinks for itself, and live in a house, a ground-floor unit, or a building with an elevator.

It’s probably not the best fit if:

• You live in a walk-up and can’t carry your dog up and down several times a day.
• Barking bothers you or your neighbors are sensitive to noise.
• You want a dog with flawless off-leash obedience.
• You’re regularly away more than 6–8 hours a day.

If you’re comparing breeds, see our list of the best small dog breeds for apartments.

How much does a Dachshund cost? Price and adoption

In the U.S., a Dachshund puppy from a breeder who health-tests the parents typically costs roughly $1,500–$3,500, depending on region, size, coat, and lines. A very low price usually means no health screening. Ask to meet the mother, see test results, and get a written contract, and don’t bring a puppy home before 8 weeks.

Adoption is a great option. Shelters and Dachshund rescues have purebreds and mixes of all ages, and an adult’s personality is already known. Adoption fees typically run about $50–$300 and usually include vaccines, a microchip, and spay or neuter surgery. Our guide to adopting a dog walks you through it.

Frequently asked questions

What’s the difference between a miniature and a standard Dachshund?

Mostly size. In the U.S., miniatures weigh 11 lb (5 kg) or less as adults and standards 16–32 lb; dogs in between are often called “tweenies,” which isn’t an official category. Temperament is similar. Both sizes share the same back risk, so weight control and jump prevention matter just as much for a mini.

How long do Dachshunds live?

Typical life expectancy is 12–16 years, and some live longer. What matters most is keeping your dog lean, caring for its teeth, protecting its back, and getting yearly vet checkups, which should become twice-yearly after about age 8. Overweight Dachshunds face a higher risk of disc disease and joint problems.

Why does my Dachshund bark so much?

Because barking was its job: underground, its voice told the hunter where the quarry was. Dachshunds bark at noises, out of boredom, or for attention. It helps to meet their need to sniff, reward calm moments, and teach an alternative behavior for the doorbell. Yelling usually ramps up the excitement instead of calming it.

Can a Dachshund with IVDD walk again?

Many can, especially with prompt treatment. Mild cases often recover with strict rest and pain management, and early surgery greatly improves the odds in severe ones. Dogs that don’t regain full use of their legs can still live good lives with a dog wheelchair and rehab. A first disc episode raises the risk of another, so prevention is lifelong.

Are Dachshunds good for first-time owners?

They can be, if you know what you’re signing up for. They’re affectionate, portable, and adapt well to city life, but their stubbornness, barking, and back care take consistency. If it’s your first dog, consider adopting an adult with a known temperament or signing up for a positive reinforcement training class right away.

Sources

• American Kennel Club (AKC): official Dachshund breed standard and breed profile.
• Fédération Cynologique Internationale (FCI): Dachshund breed standard No. 148.
• Merck Veterinary Manual: intervertebral disc disease in dogs.
• Dachshund Breed Council (UK): IVDD X-ray screening program and prevention advice.
• Dachshund Club of America: breed health information.