Dachshund
Dachshund Overview
Height: 5 – 9 inches
Weight: 11 – 32 lbs
Lifespan: 12 – 16 years
Group: Hound
Temperament: Clever, Courageous, Stubborn, Lively
The Dachshund, affectionately known as the Wiener Dog or Sausage Dog, is an iconic small hound breed originally developed in Germany over 300 years ago to hunt badgers and other burrowing animals. Their distinctive elongated body and short legs aren't just adorable—they were specifically bred for pursuing prey into underground tunnels. Today, Dachshunds are beloved companion dogs known for their big personalities packed into small, charming packages.
Available in two official sizes—standard (16-32 lbs) and miniature (11 lbs and under)—and three coat varieties (smooth, longhaired, and wirehaired), Dachshunds offer remarkable diversity within the breed. Despite their small stature, they possess a bold and fearless temperament, often displaying a confident attitude that rivals much larger dogs. Their hunting heritage gives them a strong prey drive, keen sense of smell, and surprising athleticism.
Dachshunds are incredibly loyal to their families and can be quite affectionate, though they often bond most closely with one person. They're intelligent but famously stubborn, which can make training a challenge requiring patience, consistency, and positive reinforcement. Their watchdog instincts mean they're alert and vocal, often barking to announce visitors or perceived threats. While they can be wonderful with children they know, supervision is important due to their small size and sometimes snappy nature when mishandled.
Special care considerations include protecting their long backs from injury by preventing jumping from heights, using ramps for furniture access, and maintaining a healthy weight. Regular exercise is important, but activities should be low-impact to protect their spine. With proper care, these spirited companions typically enjoy a long lifespan of 12-16 years.
The Dachshund's temperament combines clever, courageous, stubborn, lively qualities that make them appealing companions for appropriate owners. These dogs form strong bonds with their families, demonstrating loyalty and affection that endears them to household members. Their personality reflects breed-typical characteristics including energy levels suited to their size and original purpose, playfulness that provides entertainment and engagement, and behavioral patterns consistent with their breed heritage. With family members, Dachshunds typically display affectionate behavior while maintaining individual personality variations that make each dog unique. Their interaction with strangers ranges from friendly acceptance to reserved caution, depending on individual temperament and socialization experiences. The breed's intelligence level influences their trainability and ability to learn commands, tasks, and appropriate household behaviors. Energy levels require consideration when matching this breed to potential owners, as daily activity needs must align with owner lifestyle and capabilities. These dogs may display independence or attachment tendencies that affect their behavior when separated from family members. Behavioral characteristics include vocalizations appropriate to their breed type, territorial awareness that may manifest in protective behaviors, and play styles that reflect their size and temperament. Understanding these temperamental qualities helps potential owners determine compatibility between their lifestyle expectations and the breed's typical behavioral patterns, ensuring successful long-term relationships between dogs and their human families.
Training a Dachshund requires understanding their learning style, motivation, and typical breed characteristics that influence training success. These dogs respond to positive reinforcement methods emphasizing reward-based techniques that encourage desired behaviors while building strong human-canine bonds. Early socialization during the critical developmental period between 8-16 weeks of age establishes foundational experiences with various people, animals, environments, and situations that shape adult temperament and behavior. Basic obedience training should begin early, establishing household rules, appropriate behaviors, and communication systems between dogs and owners. Training challenges may include breed-specific tendencies toward independence, stubbornness, or distractibility that require patient, consistent approaches. Consistency among all family members ensures clear communication and prevents confusion that undermines training efforts. Housetraining success depends on regular schedules, appropriate management, and positive reinforcement for eliminating in designated areas. Mental stimulation through training exercises, puzzle toys, and interactive games prevents boredom-related behavioral problems while strengthening cognitive abilities. Professional training classes provide structured learning environments and expert guidance particularly valuable for novice owners or dogs presenting training challenges. Realistic expectations based on breed characteristics, individual temperament, and owner commitment determine training outcomes and long-term success.
The Dachshund's exercise requirements reflect their size, energy level, and original purpose, requiring daily physical activity to maintain health and behavioral balance. Adult dogs typically need 30-60 minutes of exercise daily, adjustable based on individual energy levels and age considerations. Appropriate activities include leashed walks providing physical exercise and mental stimulation through environmental exploration, play sessions in securely fenced areas allowing safe off-leash activity, and interactive games strengthening human-canine bonds while meeting exercise needs. Mental stimulation through puzzle toys, scent work, training exercises, and problem-solving activities prevents boredom and provides cognitive enrichment essential for intelligent breeds. Without adequate physical and mental exercise, dogs may develop problematic behaviors including destructive chewing, excessive barking, restless pacing, or attention-seeking activities. Exercise intensity and duration should adjust for puppies, senior dogs, and individuals with health conditions requiring modified activity levels. Weather considerations may necessitate indoor exercise alternatives during extreme temperatures or inclement conditions. Meeting these exercise requirements ensures physical fitness, mental well-being, and appropriate behavior management.
Grooming requirements for the Dachshund depend on coat type, length, and texture, requiring regular maintenance to preserve health and appearance. Brushing frequency ranges from weekly for short-coated varieties to daily for long-haired dogs prone to matting and tangling. Bathing should occur every 4-8 weeks or as needed, using quality dog shampoo appropriate for their coat type and skin sensitivity. Professional grooming may be necessary for breeds requiring specialized clipping, stripping, or styling to maintain breed-appropriate appearance. Nail trimming every 2-4 weeks prevents overgrowth causing discomfort and gait problems. Dental care including regular brushing with canine toothpaste prevents periodontal disease and associated health complications. Ear cleaning removes debris and prevents infection, particularly important for dogs with pendant ears or those prone to ear problems. Skin care includes checking for parasites, irritations, or abnormalities during grooming sessions. Seasonal considerations may affect grooming needs, with heavier shedding during coat changes requiring increased brushing frequency. Establishing grooming routines from puppyhood creates positive associations and cooperation during grooming procedures. Proper grooming maintains physical health, prevents discomfort, and strengthens human-canine bonds through regular handling and care.
The Dachshund typically enjoys a lifespan of 12 – 16 years, though individual longevity depends on genetics, care quality, and health management throughout life. Like all breeds, they may be predisposed to certain health conditions including genetic disorders, structural problems, or age-related diseases requiring awareness and preventive care. Responsible breeders conduct health testing on breeding stock to minimize hereditary condition transmission and improve overall breed health. Regular veterinary examinations including annual checkups and age-appropriate screening tests enable early disease detection and intervention. Preventive care including vaccinations, parasite control, and dental prophylaxis protects against preventable diseases and health problems. Nutrition plays a crucial role in health maintenance, with quality diet appropriate to age, activity level, and individual needs supporting optimal physical condition. Weight management prevents obesity-related complications including joint stress, diabetes, and reduced lifespan. Exercise appropriate to age and health status maintains cardiovascular fitness, muscular strength, and joint mobility. Prompt attention to health changes including behavioral shifts, appetite changes, or physical symptoms enables timely veterinary intervention. Genetic testing may identify predispositions to hereditary conditions, informing preventive care strategies and breeding decisions.
The ideal home for a Dachshund provides appropriate space, activity opportunities, and family dynamics matching breed characteristics and needs. These dogs adapt to various living situations including apartments or houses, provided exercise and mental stimulation requirements are consistently met. Family suitability depends on household composition, with considerations for children's ages, other pets, and household activity levels affecting compatibility. The breed's tolerance for children varies, with some dogs excellent family companions while others better suited to adult households or families with older, respectful children. Compatibility with other pets depends on individual temperament, socialization experiences, and prey drive intensity that may affect relationships with smaller animals. Climate tolerance influences comfort in different geographic regions, with some breeds adapting to various conditions while others prefer specific temperature ranges. First-time dog owners should carefully consider whether breed characteristics, training requirements, and care needs align with their experience level and lifestyle capabilities. The commitment required for grooming, exercise, training, and healthcare must align with owner resources and willingness to meet these responsibilities throughout the dog's lifetime. Successful matches between dogs and families result from honest assessment of breed requirements and family capabilities, ensuring positive long-term relationships benefiting both dogs and their human companions.
Breed Highlights
Listings
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Adorable Miniature Dachshund Puppies for Sale – Potty Trained!
Dachshund Surprise (Arizona) February 11, 2026 $ 1000.00We have purebred Miniature Dachshund puppies ready for their forever homes! At 14 weeks old, these pups have developed sweet, social personalities and are past the difficult newborn stage. Why You’ll Love Them: Fully Prepared: They are already potty ...
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5 Registered Miniature Dachshund Puppies
Dachshund Huntington Beach (California) October 25, 2025 $ 1500.00We're thrilled to announce our precious litter of purebred miniature dachshunds! 3 girls and 2 boys born September 20th, 2025 are looking for their forever homes. About Our Puppies: 100% purebred with full documentation Registered with North American...
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Miniature Dachshund puppies
Dachshund Malta (Montana) July 22, 2025 $ 1100.00Miniature Dachshund puppies available, purebred and weighing between 11–15 pounds depending on diet. Raised in a family environment in Malta, MT, and accustomed to cats. Puppies will be current on vaccinations and deworming. Price is $1,100 each. We ...
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6 cute purebred Dachshund puppies for sale
Dachshund Stockton (California) June 13, 2025 $ 800.00We have 6 cute purebred Dachshund puppies for sale. We have a girl and four boys who are looking for a forever home. They have fantastic personalities and are half potty trained on the potty mat. Ingesting solid foods. They were born on August 22nd a...
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Purebred Miniature Dachshund Pups for sale
Dachshund Los Angeles (California) June 9, 2025 $ 1100.00Gorgeous Purebred Miniature Dachshund Pups Available, Expected to Reach 12 Lbs Full Grown, Parents Present, 2 Females $1,100, 1 Male $950, Born 6-13-2024, Ready for New Homes 8-13-2024, Text Preferred, Serious Buyers Only.
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2 pure bred mini dachshund pups for sale
Dachshund Charleston (West Virginia) June 8, 2025 $ 550.00Purebred mini dachshund puppies for sale, 2 males remaining that are prepared to go to his new home now. They're excellent family pets! Depending on the male or female, they get no larger than 12-15 lbs. The rehoming fee is five hundred and fifty buc...
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3 Purebreed small dachshunds puppies for sale
Dachshund Raleigh (North Carolina) June 4, 2025 $ 1100.00There are three puppies available ( all boys) Purebred small dachshunds puppies for sale. We have both mom (who is 1 1/2 years old) and dad (who is a year and a half old) (2 years old). These babies are CKC registered and will be ready to go on July ...
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Stunning remarkable blue tan soft coat boy mini Dachshund puppy
Dachshund Live Oak (Florida) May 31, 2025 $ 500.00Stunning remarkable blue tan soft coat boy mini Dachshund puppy. He'll be ready on the 15th of Feb for a veterinarian exam health certificate, first shots, deworming and a fresh puppy kit. He's purebred, dad's AKC mom's CKC, so CKC's going to prefer ...
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Purebred Mini Dachshund puppies
Dachshund Brooklyn (New York) May 26, 2025 $ 500.00Puppies of purebred Mini Dachshunds. DATE OF BIRTH: 09/19 There are two girls and one boy available. Vaccinations and a health certificate are included. Eat regular food, is potty trained, playful, and extremely friendly. Starting December 11th, item...
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2 Dachshund Puppies: The Perfect Christmas Gift
Dachshund Texarkana (Texas) May 25, 2025 $ 600.00I have two dachshund puppies available for new homes, one male and one female. They are purebred, and we own both parents. The father is a long-haired black and tan standard, while the mother is a chocolate and tan dapple miniature dachshund. They we...
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Beautiful mini Dachshund pups Couch potatoes
Dachshund Sarasota (Florida) May 21, 2025 $ 800.00Beautiful mini Dachshund pups. Parents onsite, great family pets. Both dad and mom are extremely calm doxies. Couch potatoes. Puppies will be ready January 22-19 Deposit to secure your pup till then. Will likely be vet checked dewormed first shots an...
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3 purebred wiener dog puppies for sale
Dachshund West Sacramento (California) May 13, 2025 $ 2000.00Hello, I have three adorable purebred wiener dog puppies for sale. They come with complete AKC paperwork, confirming their pedigree. Currently, the puppies are 5 weeks old, but they will be ready to go to their new homes after receiving their first s...
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3 full-blooded dapple dachshund puppies for sale
Dachshund Birmingham (Alabama) May 11, 2025 $ 400.00There are three adorable, affectionate full-blooded dapple dachshund puppies available. The mother is a purebred blue dapple, while the father is a black and tan. The mother is a mini dachshund, and the father is a standard. All three puppies are mal...
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Purebred longhaired Dachsund puppies
Dachshund San Francisco (California) May 11, 2025 $ 600.00They are purebred Dachsund but not registered and this is reflected in price. Such little babies have now turned 1 week old! They will be ready to go on July 5 with their medical records and a 2-year safety guarantee. We 're not breeders, this is our...
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8 weeks old Mini Dachshund ready for Halloween
Dachshund Orange (California) April 29, 2025 $ 1000.00Hey there! These sweet mini puppies just hit the 8-week mark and are all set for Halloween fun. They've got their vaccines and deworming sorted out. They're purebred pups, and we can only meet locally at the vet. Hit me up for more details and the re...
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4 mini doxie puppies looking for forever homes
Dachshund Green Bay (Wisconsin) April 28, 2025 $ 800.00We have 4 mini doxie purebred puppies in search of forever homes. Born on 1 September 2019, they will be willing to leave on 27 October! We don't realize if for at least one week long or short hair! 3 Girls and 1 boy! Adoption fee is $800 for a non-r...
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Female Dachshund Puppies
Dachshund Wichita Falls (Texas) April 24, 2025 $ 500.00We have two purebred female Dachsunds. The first shots were given at the age of eight weeks. I'm looking for a quality home where they can be loved and cared for. You can text or call at any time.
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Purebred Miniature Dachshund puppies
Dachshund Phoenix (Arizona) April 20, 2025 $ 500.00Purebred Miniature Dachshund puppies for rehoming. They shall be ready by March 9, and may have first pair of shots. If their picture comes to an end, these are still available. Please text me to learn more! Thanks for looking!
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Black and Tan Male Mini Dachshund puppy
Dachshund Redding (California) April 18, 2025 $ 800.00This black and tan male mini dachshund puppy has been raised in our home with us and our kids. He loves people and really gets playful when the kids get down on the floor with him. He has a very affectionate personality and loves to play. He was wean...
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Purebred Miniature dachshund puppies
Dachshund Fort Gibson (Oklahoma) April 7, 2025 $ 500.00AKC Registered Purebred Miniature dachshund puppies. They are up to date on shots, and wormed by monthly. There are hocolate piebald and chocolate / tan puppies available to rehome.