Dachshunds are small, adorable dogs with long bodies and short legs. If you love dogs who enjoy spending time in the house, but are also at home in the outdoors, consider buying a dachshund as your next pet.
They are famous for their curious disposition. they love to explore and investigate new spaces, making them a great pet for someone who likes to live with a busy mind.
Dogs like these are often called “wiener dogs” or “sausage dogs”. However, they have another nickname: The fearless friend.
Dachshund Dog Traits
Dachshunds are small but mighty. They are diminutive in size, but strong in spirit. They enjoy the refined lifestyle associated with house pet but are equally at home outdoors.
- Small
- Active
- Loyal
- Active
- Energetic
- Live longer than most breeds
- Eager to please
- Don’t eat a lot
There are three varieties of dachshunds, including smooth, wirehaired, and longhaired. Each type has its own personality and characteristics, so check out the ones you’d like best before making a buying decision. Size varies from miniature to standard.
Please do your research before buying a new pet and consider adopting from a dog rescue, shelter or adoption organization. If you decide to buy from a breeder, ask for references and inquire whether a health guarantee in included in the purchase price.
Many new owners are attracted to the breed for their small size. Apartment and owners of small houses looking for potential pets who will thrive in small surroundings looking for small-sized dogs often consider them.
They are known for their devotion to their owners and love to near them. They enjoy being petted and cuddled and will often follow their owners around the house.
They are intelligent and trainable. Weiner dogs are smart and can be trained to do a variety of tricks and commands. They are eager to please their owners, which helps make training easier.
These little guys are good watch dogs despite their small size. The breed has a big bark and is not afraid to use it. They will alert their owners to any potential intruders or strange noises.
They are good with kids and make great family pets. They are playful and enjoy spending time with their human family.
The breed is generally low maintenance and doesn’t require a lot of grooming. They are low maintenance when it comes to exercise.
They are social and get along with other dogs in most cases, although social traits do vary a little from individual dog to individual dog.
Stubborn at times but always playful and spunky as youngsters, they provide a lot of entertainment and fun for their owners.
Dachshunds are small dogs that look cute when they’re puppies and even cuter when they’re adults. They have short legs, long bodies, and big heads with ears that stick out.
If you’ve ever seen a puppy run around excitedly, you know how much fun they are.
Reasons to Buy a Dachshund for Your Next Pet Dog
1. Dachshund dogs need little space, whether indoors or outside. But if you don’t give them enough room to move around, they’ll always find something interesting to do.
2. With plenty of open spaces for them to play, they’ll have a great time running, exploring, and playing fetch. They love being active, which means they’ll burn off extra calories.
3. Shorthair dogs shed very little. The long- and wire-haired varieties do shed more, but since they’re so diminutive the volume of hair that is shed remains minimal compared to larger dogs.
4. Dachshunds make ideal companions for people who live alone.
5. When you buy a dachshund, you’re investing in a lifetime companion. Every wiener dog loves attention from its owner, especially when it comes from treats.
6. As a smaller breed, they won’t go through dog toys and treats as quickly as a larger breed does. This will save you money in the long run.
7. It’s easy for you to move them if needed, thanks to their small bodies. They weigh only 10 – 30 pounds dependent on whether you have a miniature or standard type.
8. Sausage dog owners report that their pooches enjoy a good nap after a day of exploring the world.
9. They love going for car rides, especially when you stop at a scenic spot along the way.
10. Dachshund are good for people with allergies.
11. Dachshund lovers say that they have few fears and no phobias. And since they’re friendly and playful, they’re great for children.
12. Your dog will love spending time with you and your family. Plus, they have a strong bond with their human families, meaning they’re highly loyal to their owners.
13. According to statistics gathered by the Dog Advisory Council, their average lifespan is 15 years (or even more).
Reasons Not to Get a Dachshund
14. Long body makes them susceptible to injury.
15. Small size makes them easy for other dogs to pick on.
16. They need regular exercise.
17. They bark a lot. Their history as hunting dogs contribute to a very alert personality.
18. Based on their small size and frame, them can become obese if allowed to overeat.
19. They sometimes develop acne. Like many dogs they are prone to lick themselves causing bacteria to build up that cause pimples.
20. Without proper care, their’ skin tends to get dry and flaky/scaly.
21. If you live in a cold climate, your smooth coat and longhaired variety will need a sweater when outdoors for long periods. (The wirehaired is a little more robust and tolerates poor conditions easier.)
22. Even though dachshunds are smaller than other dogs, they still require a lot of physical activity. As a result, they tend to stay fit and trim. In addition to regular walks, you should encourage your dog to go for hikes, swim laps, and jump rope whenever possible.
Shorthair Dachshund
When most people think of the breed, they picture the shorthair version.
The breed dates back centuries to 15th century Germany. These pint-sized wonders provide companionship and entertainment for dog owners around the world.
Longhair Dachshund
Many people misunderstand the long hair branch of the breed and equate them to higher maintenance.
Despite the hair length, they don’t usually need daily brushing. Two to three times weekly will be fine for most dogs, depending on their lifestyle.
Dogs that spend more time outdoors in water, mud, and woodlands will likely need more coat maintenance and care.
Longhair:
Wire-Haired Dachshund
Wire haired dachshunds are considered the calmer version of the venerable wiener dog. Their wiry coat characteristics were developed by crossbreeding with various terriers to create their unusual hair and the terriers help build a calmer nature.
The hair style contributes to their gentlemanliness with a notable beard and eyebrows.
Wirehaired dachshund:
Do Dachshunds Need Exercise?
These small dogs will fool first time owners into thinking they don’t need lots of outdoor exercise.
Like most humans I’ve met, dachshunds will find contentment indoors. But, if you take them outside regularly and let them do what they were bred to do, they might surprise you.
The dachshund blog, You Did What With Your Weiner, published a great FAQ about hiking with dachshunds.
Small dogs like to have fun too.
A friend of mine had a Weiner dog who accompanied him on multiple fishing trips per week for years and loved every minute of it. Provisions were made so the dog had plenty of access to water, shade and space all his own away from the hub bub and activity, when desired, but the dog seemed to really enjoy being outdoors in nature and greeted each fish caught with an enthusiastic “lick”.
This pint-sized Weiner had an appropriately sized dog life vest to provide aid if he unexpectedly (or purposefully) ended up in the lake or river.
Note: Consult your veterinarian for insight if your dog has a compulsion to “lick” every fish you catch. Depending on the fishing venue, some fish might be swimming in unhealthy water that could have an impact your best friend.
Dachshund Prices
Typical prices range from $1,000 to $4,000. Like many other pets, purchase costs for this breed have increased following the COVID-19 stary-at-home-culture shift.
Let responsible dog and pet ownership be your guide. If you spend $4,000 on a dog, but then can’t afford to properly care for it with proper food, supplies, medicine, accessories, and veterinarian care perhaps a lower priced animal, adopting a dog, or delaying the purchase until your budget allows is a better choice.
What Should I feed a Dachshund?
They enjoy raw, dry, wet, or cooked food. Consult with your veterinarian to make the best choice for your personal dog and lifestyle.
Keep tabs on you pup’s weight gain. Overeating and under exercising can lead to obesity, which can lead to health issues in small-framed dogs.
