Dachshund
A long, low German hunting dog in three coats and three sizes, bold and clever, with a big bark and a mind of its own.
At a glance
- Size
- Small
- Height at the withers
- Males 20–27 cm · Females 19–26 cm
- Weight
- Males 5–12 kg · Females 4–11 kg
- Life expectancy
- 12–16 years
- Exercise
- 45–60 min a day
- Grooming
- Once a week
- Coat
- Smooth, Wire-haired, Silky, short, long
- Colours
- Red, Yellow, Black and tan, Chocolate, Merle, Brindle
- Bred for
- Hunting by scent, Terrier work, Companionship
- Country of origin
- Germany
- FCI
- Group 6, no. 148 · Scent hounds
Breeders on Kuldo
- Kennel Grævlingehøj (Haderslev, Sønderjylland)
Living with the breed
| Affectionate with family | 5/5 – Very high |
|---|---|
| Good with children | 3/5 – Moderate |
| Good with other dogs | 3/5 – Moderate |
| Good with cats | 3/5 – Moderate |
| Open to strangers | 2/5 – Low |
| Energy | 3/5 – Moderate |
| Playfulness | 4/5 – High |
| Needs mental stimulation | 3/5 – Moderate |
| Easy to train | 2/5 – Low |
| Prey drive | 4/5 – High |
| Watchful and protective | 4/5 – High |
| Barking | 4/5 – High |
| Shedding | 2/5 – Low |
| Grooming effort | 2/5 – Low |
| Drooling | 1/5 – Very low |
| Good for first-time owners | 3/5 – Moderate |
| Suits apartment living | 4/5 – High |
| Adaptability | 4/5 – High |
| Copes with being alone | 2/5 – Low |
| Copes with heat | 3/5 – Moderate |
| Copes with cold | 2/5 – Low |
Kuldo's own guidance from the breed's typical traits. Every dog is an individual, so talk to the breeder.
Is it the right breed for you?
Great if you …
- want a small dog with a big personality
- enjoy daily walks but not marathons
- like a loyal, cuddly companion
Think twice if you …
- want a quiet dog
- cannot prevent jumping or manage weight
- need an easily trained dog
Care
Temperament
Lively, courageous and affectionate, often with a strong opinion of its own. Can be wary of strangers and quick to bark.
Exercise
Needs a couple of brisk walks daily plus sniffing games; scent work and earthdog trials suit it, but avoid repeated jumping.
Grooming
Smooth coats need little care; long coats need brushing several times a week, and wire coats need hand-stripping a few times a year.
Training
Clever but stubborn; short, upbeat sessions with food rewards work best, and house training can take patience.
Health
The long back makes intervertebral disc disease the main concern, and some countries X-ray breeding dogs for disc calcification; eye disease and, in some varieties, Lafora epilepsy also occur. Ask the breeder for results.
Health tests breeders usually do
- Spine
- Eye examination
DNA tests
- PRA (cord1)
- Lafora disease (NHLRC1)
Ask the breeder to show you the parents' results.
About the breed
The Dachshund comes from Germany, where hunters bred short-legged dogs to go to ground after badgers and to track game. The name simply means badger dog. Today it comes in smooth, wire-haired and long-haired coats, and in standard, miniature and rabbit sizes, which the FCI places in its own group.
In the home a Dachshund is usually devoted, funny and very attached to its people. It is also brave, vocal and independent, and it may guard its family and belongings. Owners should protect its back by keeping it lean and limiting jumping and stairs.
Did you know?
A striped Dachshund named Waldi was the official mascot of the 1972 Munich Olympics.