Dachshund
Sausage dog
Dachshund: does it suit you?
11 quick questions, the same ones this page answers. After each answer you see what the breed needs, and at the end whether it fits your life.
Dachshund: a good fit for you
Dachshund: could work, with compromises
Dachshund: probably not the right dog for you
Your answers match what the breed needs.
Most of your answers fit. Check the points below before you decide.
Some of your answers don't fit what the breed needs. The points below show where.
What to think about
What fits
A better match for your answers:
None of the 42 breeds on this site fits your answers better.
Originally from Germany, where it is known as the Teckel, the Dachshund is still used to track wounded game such as deer and to go to ground after badgers or rabbits.[1] Its name is German for ‘badger dog’, and it was developed to dig its way into a badger’s den.[2] The standard describes a friendly, even-tempered dog, neither fearful nor aggressive, and a passionate, persistent hunter with an excellent nose.[3]
- Size
- Small
- Weight
- 4–12 kg
- Life expectancy
- 12–16 years
Dachshund: origin and history
According to the FCI standard, the Dachshund has been known since the Middle Ages.[3] From the hounds known as Bracken, dogs especially suited to hunting below ground were consistently bred, and from these short-legged dogs the Dachshund evolved; it is recognised as one of the most versatile hunting breeds.[3] Above ground, too, it performs very well at hunting while giving tongue, at flushing and at tracking wounded game.[3]
The oldest club devoted to breeding Dachshunds, the Deutscher Teckelklub, was founded in 1888.[3] For decades the breed has come in three sizes (Teckel, Miniature Teckel and Rabbit Teckel) and three coat types (smooth-haired, wire-haired and long-haired), making nine varieties.[3] The FCI classifies it in Group 4 (Dachshunds), with working trial.[3]
Fact sheet
- Origin
- Germany
- Size
- Small
- Height at withers
- 13–25 cm
- Weight
- 4–12 kg
- Life expectancy
- 12–16 years
- Coat
- Short
- Colours
- Red, black and tan, brown, brindle
- Low-shedding coat
- No
Character and needs
Rated on a scale from very low to very high.
- Exercise needsmoderate
- Trainabilitylow
- Grooming needslow
- Sheddinglow
- Barkinghigh
- Good with kidsmoderate
- Good with other dogsmoderate
- Good with catsmoderate
- Apartment-friendlyhigh
- Copes with being alonemoderate
- Watchdog instinctmoderate
- Good for first-time ownersmoderate
- Affectionhigh
Dachshund: questions and answers
Is it a good dog for first-time owners?
With good preparation. It rates 3 out of 5 for first-time owners. These dogs are independent and can be stubborn, so training takes longer (2 out of 5 for trainability).
How long can it be left alone?
Up to 4 hours, once the dog is an adult and has learned to be alone step by step. A few hours alone work if you build up slowly (3 out of 5 for coping alone). More than 6 hours at a stretch isn't fair on any dog; plan for a dog sitter or daycare. Puppies need company: start with a few minutes and build up.
How much exercise does it need?
1 to 2 hours a day, spread over several walks. A mix of walks and play keeps the dog balanced. Go easy on stairs and jumping to protect the back.
How long does it live?
12–16 years is the typical life expectancy. That is longer than the average of the 42 breeds on this site (12.6 years). Breed-typical health risks: intervertebral disc disease, dental problems, eye disease.
How big does it get?
13–25 cm at the withers and 4–12 kg. Size class: small.
Is it a good family dog?
Best with older children. It rates 3 out of 5 with children. With other dogs it rates 3 out of 5, with cats 3 out of 5. Never leave young children alone with any dog.
Does it shed a lot?
Little: 2 out of 5 for shedding. Brush once or twice a week.
Male or female?
Males are usually larger: they sit at the top of the range (up to 25 cm and 12 kg), females at the bottom (from 13 cm and 4 kg). Character differences between the sexes are smaller than between individual dogs; upbringing matters more. Unspayed females come into heat about twice a year, and unneutered males can be restless around them.
Dachshund or West Highland White Terrier?
Biggest difference: trainability (low vs. moderate).
| Dachshund | West Highland White Terrier | |
|---|---|---|
| Size | Small | Small |
| Weight | 4–12 kg | 6–10 kg |
| Life expectancy | 12–16 years | 13–15 years |
| Coat | Short | Wiry |
| Trainability | Low | Moderate |
| Grooming needs | Low | Moderate |
| Good with cats | Moderate | Low |
Who it suits
A good fit if you…
- live in an apartment
- want an easy-care coat
Dachshund: the downsides
Every breed has a flip side. Before you decide, check that you can live with these:
- Independent and stubborn
- 2 out of 5 for trainability. Recall can stay unreliable, so many owners use a long line outside fenced areas.
- Barks a lot
- 4 out of 5 for barking. With thin walls that can cause trouble with neighbours; training helps but rarely makes the dog quiet.
- Back problems
- Prone to slipped discs. Keep the dog slim and limit stairs and jumping off furniture.
Dachshund: puppy price and monthly costs
£400 – £2,000 for a puppy from a breeder in the UK (Waggel). From £69 a month in running costs in the UK (PDSA, 2024). Covers food, vet visits, insurance, other costs.
| Country | Puppy from a breeder | Running costs per month |
|---|---|---|
| United Kingdom | £400 – £2,000 [4] | from £69 [5] |
| United States | $500 – $2,000 [6] | $116 [7] |
| Canada | no data | CA$367 [8] |
| Australia | A$2,500–4,500 [9] | A$210 [10] |
| New Zealand | no data | NZ$100 [11] |
- Set-up costs at the start: £415 – £560 for basic equipment, first vaccinations, wormers and neutering (PDSA, 2024).
- Dog licence in Northern Ireland: £12.50 a year; England, Scotland and Wales have none (nidirect, 2026).
- Dog licence in the US: $5 – $20 a year, set by the city or county (American Kennel Club, 2021).
- Dog licence in Canada: CA$25–60 a year in Toronto, less for a neutered dog (City of Toronto, 2026).
- Dog registration with the council in Australia: A$20–200 a year, depending on the council and whether the dog is desexed (Mozo, 2026).
- Dog registration with the council in New Zealand: NZ$78–182 a year in Auckland, depending on the dog (PetMall NZ, citing Auckland Council, 2026).
- Puppies far below these prices often come without health checks or papers.
Health
Breed-typical health risks
- Intervertebral disc disease [17]
- Prone to back and disc problems. Limit stairs and high jumps.
- Dental problems [18]
- Small jaws build up tartar quickly. Regular brushing helps.
- Eye disease [17]
- Inherited conditions such as PRA or cataracts. Good breeders have the eyes tested.
Health tests for the parent dogs
11 health tests appear in the breeding rules for the breed.
- No health test is required for breeding in the UK (The Royal Kennel Club); the table shows what is recommended.
- Needed for a CHIC number in the US (Orthopedic Foundation for Animals): kneecap check and eye exam.
- No health test is required for breeding in Canada (Dachshund Association of Canada); the table shows what is recommended.
- No health test is required for breeding in Australia (National Dachshund Council); the table shows what is recommended.
- Required for breeding in New Zealand (Dogs New Zealand): eye exam* and DNA tests (cord1-PRA*, Lafora*, MPS IIIA*, NCL5*, OI*, prcd-PRA*, SDMD*).
| Test | United Kingdom [1] | United States [19] | Canada [20] | Australia [21] | New Zealand [22] |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Spine X-raySpine malformations and disc disease | Recommended | not in the rules | not in the rules | Recommended [23] | not in the rules |
| Kneecap checkPatella luxation | not in the rules | Required | not in the rules | not in the rules | not in the rules |
| Eye examInherited eye disease, by a certified vet ophthalmologist | Recommended | Required | not in the rules | not in the rules | Required (only for some dogs) |
| Heart examInherited heart disease, by a cardiologist | not in the rules | Recommended | not in the rules | not in the rules | not in the rules |
| DNA test: cord1-PRAProgressive retinal atrophy | Recommended (only for some dogs) [24] | not in the rules | not in the rules | Recommended [25] | Required (only for some dogs) |
| DNA test: LaforaLafora disease (late-onset epilepsy) | Recommended [24] | not in the rules | not in the rules | Recommended (only for some dogs) [26] | Required (only for some dogs) |
| DNA test: MPS IIIASanfilippo syndrome (MPS IIIA, nerve disorder) | not in the rules | not in the rules | not in the rules | not in the rules | Required (only for some dogs) |
| DNA test: NCL5Neuronal ceroid lipofuscinosis | not in the rules | not in the rules | not in the rules | not in the rules | Required (only for some dogs) |
| DNA test: OIOsteogenesis imperfecta (brittle bones) | not in the rules | not in the rules | not in the rules | not in the rules | Required (only for some dogs) |
| DNA test: prcd-PRAProgressive retinal atrophy | not in the rules | not in the rules | not in the rules | not in the rules | Required (only for some dogs) |
| DNA test: SDMDMuscular dystrophy (sarcoglycan deficiency) | not in the rules | not in the rules | not in the rules | Recommended [27] | Required (only for some dogs) |
● Required. ○ Recommended: advised, not required. – Not in the rules. The clubs and their rules are in the source list.
United Kingdom: the Royal Kennel Club’s Health Standard requires no test, so every test is ○ recommended.
United States: ● means the test is needed for a CHIC number from the OFA; taking part in CHIC is voluntary.
Canada and Australia: ● means the breed club’s code of ethics requires the test of member breeders; the kennel club registers litters without it.
New Zealand: ● means a litter is only registered if the parents have the test.
* Only for some dogs of the breed, for example one size, one coat type, imported dogs or one state or region. The source says which.
What to ask the breeder
- Certificates for both parents: kneecap check and eye exam. A claim that the parents are “health tested” is not enough.
- DNA results of both parents for cord1-PRA, Lafora, MPS IIIA, NCL5, OI, prcd-PRA, and SDMD, or proof that both are clear by descent.
- To see the puppies with their mother, at the breeder’s home.
- The pedigree papers (United Kingdom: Royal Kennel Club registration certificate; Canada: CKC certificate of registration; Australia: Dogs Australia pedigree, issued by the state body; New Zealand: Dogs NZ certificate of registration). [28] [29] [30] [22]
- 8 weeks: the youngest age at which a puppy may leave its mother in the UK, in Canada (Quebec), and in Australia (New South Wales). [31] [32] [33]
- Advice on buying a puppy: The Royal Kennel Club, The Canadian Kennel Club, Dogs Australia, and Dogs New Zealand. [34] [35] [36] [37]
Similar breeds
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Sources
- The Royal Kennel Club: Dachshund (Smooth Haired) | Breeds A to Z
- American Kennel Club: Dachshund Dog Breed Information
- FCI (Fédération Cynologique Internationale): Breed standard No. 148: Dachshund (2021)
- Waggel (UK pet insurer): Dachshund Breed Guide: Temperament, Training, Health Issues
- PDSA (People's Dispensary for Sick Animals, UK veterinary charity): The cost of owning a dog (2024). Covers food, vet visits, insurance, other costs.
- PetMD: Dachshund Dog Breed Health and Care (2026)
- ASPCA (American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals): Cutting Pet Care Costs (2021). Covers food, vet visits, preventive medicine, insurance, toys and treats, boarding, dog licence, grooming supplies.
- Pets Plus Us (Canadian pet insurer; figures from OVMA 2024 Cost of Care research): HOW MUCH IS THAT DOGGY? (EN-DOG_PPU_Cost-of-Care_Aug2024_v3.pdf) (2024). Covers food, vet visits, insurance, dog tax, accessories.
- Knose (pet insurer): Knose Dachshund breed page (2026)
- Animal Medicines Australia (survey by Sweeney Research/SNR): Pets in Australia: A national survey of pets and people (Pet Ownership Study 2025) (2025). Covers food, vet visits, insurance, parasite treatment, vet medicines, supplements, grooming, training, accessories, dog walking, boarding, transport, memberships, alternative healthcare.
- Companion Animals New Zealand (NZ Companion Animal Council): Companion Animals in New Zealand 2016 (section 6.3 Dogs, Fig 50) (2016). Covers food, vet visits, dog tax, boarding, equipment, grooming, healthcare products, insurance, training, other costs.
- nidirect (official government website for Northern Ireland): Dog licensing and microchipping (2026)
- American Kennel Club: Are You Financially Prepared for a Puppy? Explore Costs of Owning a Dog (2021)
- City of Toronto: Pet Licensing Fees (2026)
- Mozo: How much does it cost to own a dog or cat in Australia? 2026 (2026)
- PetMall NZ, citing Auckland Council: Auckland Dog Registration 2026–27: Late Fees Now Apply — Full Fee Table (2026)
- Dachshund Health UK (breed clubs' health group): Health Priorities
- Journal of Small Animal Practice (O'Neill D.G. et al., VetCompass): Epidemiology of periodontal disease in dogs in the UK primary-care veterinary setting (2021)
- Orthopedic Foundation for Animals (OFA): CHIC Program Requirements: Dachshund
- Dachshund Association of Canada: Code Of Ethics
- National Dachshund Council (Australia): Health and Welfare (IVDD, cord1 PRA, Lafora's, SDMD)
- Dogs New Zealand (New Zealand Kennel Club Inc.): Registration Regulations (Section 4, Reg. 24: Litter Registration Limitations (2026)
- National Dachshund Council (Australia): IVDD: testing procedures (spinal X-rays)
- The Royal Kennel Club: Dachshund (Miniature Wire Haired) – Breeds A to Z
- National Dachshund Council (Australia): cord1 PRA: Progressive Retinal Atrophy in Dachshunds
- National Dachshund Council (Australia): Lafora's disease (Miniature Wire Haired Dachshunds)
- National Dachshund Council (Australia): SDMD: Sarcoglycan Deficient Muscular Dystrophy
- The Royal Kennel Club: What should the breeder give me?
- The Canadian Kennel Club: By-Laws (incl. Code of Ethics (2025)
- Dogs Australia: Getting a Dog: Importance of Pedigree Papers
- UK Government (legislation.gov.uk): The Animal Welfare (Licensing of Activities Involving Animals) (England) Regulations 2018 (S.I. 2018/486), Schedule 6 (breeding dogs) and Schedule 3 (selling animals as pets) (2018)
- Ministère de l'Agriculture, des Pêcheries et de l'Alimentation du Québec (MAPAQ): Guide d'application du Règlement sur le bien-être et la sécurité des animaux domestiques de compagnie et des équidés (reproduces CQLR c. B-3.1, r. 0.1, art. 36) (2023)
- NSW Department of Primary Industries and Regional Development (DPIRD), State of New South Wales (fact sheet hosted by Dogs NSW): New laws for dog breeders in NSW (fact sheet on the 2024-25 amendments to the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals Act 1979 and Companion Animals Act 1998) (2025)
- The Royal Kennel Club: Questions for the breeder
- The Canadian Kennel Club: Finding an Accountable Breeder
- Dogs Australia: Getting a Dog: Choosing a Breeder
- Dogs New Zealand: How do you go about purchasing a pedigree pure bred dog?
Breeding rules, health sources and breed standards checked October 8, 2026.
Prices as published by the sources; collected October 8, 2026.
Breed traits describe typical tendencies. Every dog is an individual, shaped by genes, upbringing and training.