Dachshund Facts: What Every Owner Should Know

Before you fall completely in love with a dachshund (too late for most of us), it helps to know what you’re getting into. Here are the essential dachshund facts — the good, the stubborn, and the back-related.

Temperament

Dachshunds are loving, loyal, and notoriously stubborn. They are generally good with families, though they can be prone to snapping if mishandled — especially during grooming. Molly, one of the three dachshunds behind the original 3doxies.com blog, required a muzzle just to have her nails trimmed. Chloe and Odie never had that issue. Every dachshund has a personality all their own.

Life Expectancy

Dachshunds tend to live well into their teens — a trait common to smaller breeds. Some owners have reported their dachshunds living into their twenties. It is worth thinking about when you choose a puppy: this is likely a 15-year commitment, minimum.

Their Shape

The long, low-profile body is the dachshund’s most recognizable feature — and the source of the “hot dog” and “wiener dog” nicknames. Their forelegs are thick and built for digging; they were originally bred as badger hounds. The American Kennel Club recognizes two sizes: miniature (up to about 15 lbs) and standard (up to about 30 lbs). The miniature is by far the more popular size in the U.S. The AKC does not recognize the “teacup” variety.

Their Coat

There are three coat varieties: smooth, longhaired, and wirehaired. Smooth and longhaired are the most common. Coat colors range widely — predominantly red or black and tan, with dappled, cream, and single-color variations all recognized. Wirehaired dachshunds are less common but equally spirited.

Back Problems

Back problems are the most important health issue to understand before getting a dachshund. Their long spine puts significant stress on intervertebral discs and makes them prone to IVDD (intervertebral disc disease). Anti-inflammatory medication handles many less severe cases, but any dachshund showing signs of pain, reluctance to jump, or difficulty moving should be seen by a vet promptly.

Of our four dachshunds, two — Odie and Zoey — required surgery for IVDD. In both cases, disc material was compressing the spinal nerve to the point of paralysis. Both surgeries were successful and both made full recoveries.

Time is everything with IVDD. When Zoey went down, we called our vet at 4AM. We did not wait until morning. We described her condition, conveyed the urgency, and got her the emergency care she needed in time. The window between onset of paralysis symptoms and permanent nerve damage can be very short. If your dachshund loses the ability to use their back legs, treat it as an emergency — not a “let’s see how they are in the morning” situation. Know your vet’s after-hours protocol before you ever need it.

Exercise and Play

Dachshunds are more active than their short legs suggest. Daily walks are important for keeping them fit and their weight in check — excess weight puts additional stress on the spine. They are natural chasers and chewers; two of the original three doxies needed toys rated for aggressive chewers. Use a harness rather than a collar to avoid neck strain during walks.

Originally published at 3doxies.com on April 8, 2011. Updated for 1Dachshund by the copyright owner, Howard Young.