Breeds / Small
Dachshund puppies
Faithful, versatile and good tempered, intelligent, lively and courageous to the point of rashness.
The facts
- Size class Small
- Country of origin Germany
- Adult weight 5 to 14.5 kg
- Adult weight in pounds 11 to 32 lb
- Adult height 13 to 23 cm
- Energy level Moderate
- Grooming Moderate
- Coat type Short to medium smooth
- Shedding Low
- Typical lifespan 12 to 16 years
- Good with children Fine with supervision
- Good with other dogs Usually good
About the Dachshund
The Dachshund was built in Germany to go underground after badger and fox, which is the whole explanation for their shape: a long body and short legs let them follow quarry down a tunnel and keep working in a space no other dog can enter. They weigh 5 to 14.5 kg and stands 13 to 23 cm, and comes in smooth, longhaired and wirehaired coats across two sizes. The character is pure earth dog: bold out of all proportion, comic, opinionated and loud.
They need real daily walks, not because they burn much energy but because muscle along the back protects the spine. Keep them off furniture and stairs, and keep them lean. Grooming depends on coat, from a wipe over for smooths to hand stripping a couple of times a year for wires. Barking is scored 5 out of 5 and needs managing early. If you do one thing for a Dachshund, keep them slim, because extra weight is what turns a long back into a disc injury.
What to expect at eight weeks
At eight weeks a Dachshund puppy is sleeping around 18 to 20 hours a day, is not house trained, and cannot hold on for more than an hour or two at a stretch. A small breed puppy at eight weeks is light enough to carry everywhere, which is exactly how you get them socialised before the vaccination course finishes. They will still need four meals a day. Expect moderate energy, in short bursts separated by long naps. Grooming needs are moderate, so build the brushing habit now while the coat is still short and easy. The socialisation window is open and closing: everything they meet calmly now, from vacuum cleaners to men in hats, is easier for the rest of their life.
Health worth knowing about
Conditions this breed is reported to be predisposed to. Predisposed does not mean inevitable, it means ask about it.
- Intervertebral disc disease (IVDD), diagnosed on neurological examination and MRI, and made worse by stairs, jumping and extra weight
- Hereditary eye disease screened under the BVA/KC/ISDS Eye Scheme
- Obesity, which adds strain to the long back
Your Dachshund puppy's first six months
- Vaccination schedule, dated for your country.
- Worming and parasite schedule.
- Feeding calculator. Set expected adult size to Small for a Dachshund.
- Adult size predictor, to check growth against the 5 to 14.5 kg adult range.
- Puppy names and the first week checklist.
Kit sizes: crate 30 inch (30 x 20 x 23 in, 76 x 51 x 58 cm) for an adult of up to 14.5 kg; chew toys made for small breeds. Worked out the same way as the crate size calculator. PetMD bases a crate on the dog's own measurements, not weight or breed alone, so measure once the puppy is home.
Buying guides for this
Other small breeds
More on the Dachshund
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Not veterinary advice. Breed information is general. Your own dog, and your own vet, always win.
Sources
- akc.org for adult weight and height, life expectancy, energy, grooming, shedding and the temperament ratings, coat type and health notes
- fci.be for country of origin
- Health notes from Dachshund breed information at https://www.akc.org/dog-breeds/dachshund/. Discuss any of these with your own vet.
Photo: Katemil94, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons, cropped. All photographers are listed on the photo credits page.