A spirited, curious little hound with a big personality. It is affectionate and loyal with its own people, happy to be both a lap dog and a playmate, and often somewhat reserved with strangers. Bred to work independently underground, it is clever and persistent, which can show as a stubborn streak, so short, food-rewarded training sessions work well. The FCI describes the ideal as friendly and even-tempered, neither fearful nor aggressive.346
The care rhythm a typical week and year
A typical home-care rhythm for a Dachshund (Standard). A starting point, not a vet's advice.
Brushingevery week
Bathevery 8 weeks
Nail trimSooner if you hear clicking on the floorevery 3 weeks
Ear checkFloppy ears trap moisture, so check and dry themevery week
Teeth brushingDaily brushing is idealevery day
ExerciseAbout 60 minutes a dayevery day
Flea, tick and worm protectionSchedule as your vet recommendsas your vet recommends
Vet check-upSenior years usually start around age 10every year
Coat and looks how to spot one
Three coat varieties: smooth, wire-haired and long-haired
A low-slung, long-bodied but compact dog on short, sturdy legs, with a deep chest and a confident head carriage. Its body is roughly 1.7 to 1.8 times as long as it is tall at the shoulder. The smooth coat is short, dense and glossy; the wire coat has a harsh outer layer with a beard and bushy brows; the long coat is soft, sleek and slightly wavy with feathering.341
Coloursredblack and tanchocolate/brown and tanwild boardapplebrindlepiebaldblue31
Daily activity how busy a day looks
Moderate. One or two daily walks plus indoor games keep a Dachshund content; the Royal Kennel Club suggests up to about an hour a day. Regular exercise helps keep the back muscles strong. Scent games and digging-style play suit its hunting instincts.472
Grooming and care the hands-on bits
Smooth coats need only a weekly brush. Long coats need more frequent brushing to keep the feathering tangle-free, and wire coats benefit from regular brushing plus occasional hand-stripping. Keeping the dog lean and using ramps or lifting it on and off furniture supports its long back.472
Home where they are happiest
Fits well in a small house or flat; the Royal Kennel Club suggests a small house with a small to medium garden. Smooth-coated dogs lose heat quickly, so a coat is useful in cold weather.74
Company who they like around
Thrives on close contact with its family and tends to attach to one person or household. Usually gets on fairly well with other pets it is raised with; play is best with dogs of similar size.4
The story where it all began
Short-legged dogs for going to ground were used across Europe from the Middle Ages, and the Dachshund took recognisable shape in Germany between the late 1600s and the 1700s, when foresters and hunters bred it to find and hold badgers in their burrows. Its short, strong legs, digging feet, long ribcage and fearless character all came from that job. The smooth coat is believed to be the original; the long coat was developed by selecting within smooths, and the wire coat by crossing with rough-coated terriers in the 1800s. Standard-sized dogs were also used on larger game such as boar, and smaller sizes were developed for rabbits. The Deutscher Teckelklub, the oldest breed club, was founded in 1888. The breed reached England in 1839, where Queen Victoria became a fan, and the USA around 1870; the AKC registered it from 1885. Anti-German feeling during the First World War dented its popularity for a time, but it bounced back strongly, climbing from 28th to 6th place in the US between 1930 and 1940. In 1972 a Dachshund named Waldi became the first official Olympic mascot, for the Munich Games.634812
Fun facts for the dinner table
1
'Dachshund' simply means 'badger dog' in German, from Dachs (badger) and Hund (dog).1
2
The hot dog sausage was named after the Dachshund because of the resemblance, not the other way round.2
3
Waldi, a colourful striped Dachshund, was the first official Olympic mascot, at Munich 1972; the marathon course was even laid out in the shape of a Dachshund.2
4
Britain's first cloned dog was a Dachshund named Winnie.2
5
Dachshund racing began in Australia in the 1970s, and events such as the Wiener Nationals in the US draw thousands of spectators.2
6
During the First World War some Americans rebranded the breed as 'liberty hounds' or 'badger dogs' to avoid its German name.1
7
Pablo Picasso, Andy Warhol and E. B. White all shared their lives with Dachshunds.1
8
In Germany hunters still call the breed Teckel, and it is still used there for tracking wounded game.7
Where the name comes from the story behind it
The name 'Dachshund' comes from the German words 'Dachs' (badger) and 'Hund' (dog), as the breed was originally developed in Germany to hunt badgers and other burrowing game.9
Famous ones stars of the breed
Waldi First official mascot of the 1972 Summer Olympics in Munich, designed as a colorful dachshund.9
Crusoe the Dachshund Survived the sinking of the Titanic and became a celebrity in New York.9
Lumpi Famous dachshund owned by Pablo Picasso, often featured in his artwork.9
Greta Dachshund owned by actress and singer Eartha Kitt, known for accompanying her to events.9
I woke my human with a cold nose at sunrise. After breakfast, we went for a walk, I sniffed every exciting scent trail, my tail wagging like a flag. Back home, I dug at my blanket pile, then curled on the sofa for a nap. At lunch, I heard a crinkle and trotted over hopefully. My human laughed and gave me a carrot. Afternoon was for playing fetch with my squeaky badger toy. I pounced and shook it proudly. Evening walk was full of discoveries. Now I'm tucked under a blanket, my nose poking out, dreaming of tomorrow's adventures.
A made-up story, just for fun. Not advice of any kind.
Recognised by the official bits
FCI
Standard no. 148, Group 4 Dachshunds (working trial); definitive recognition 01.01.1955; current valid standard dated 25.05.2021. Three sizes (Standard, Miniature, Rabbit) each in smooth, long and wire coats; sizes defined by chest circumference, Standard = males 37-47 cm, females 35-45 cm.3
AKC
Dachshund registrable since 1885, Hound Group; shown in two sizes, standard and miniature, with three coat types.8
The Royal Kennel Club
Hound group; standard and miniature sizes listed separately in smooth-haired, long-haired and wire-haired varieties.7
Popularity Dachshund (all sizes and coats combined) ranked No. 5 among AKC-registered breeds in the US, up from No. 6 in 202410
Treats they will love homemade and simple
Dachshund (Standard) tip
Choose low-calorie, low-fat treats and keep them tiny, as Dachshunds gain weight easily and extra pounds strain their long backs. Offer treats sparingly and factor them into their daily meal allowance.
Not veterinary advice. Check with your vet first if your pet has allergies, a health condition, is on a special diet or is pregnant. Treats should stay a small part of the daily food. Cut to a safe size and supervise. Terms of use
Owner questions the things everyone asks
How often should I feed my Dachshund (Standard), and at what times?
Feed adult Dachshunds at least two meals a day, and puppies three to four smaller meals. Stick to consistent times each day. For amounts, check the food label and ask your vet.11
What should a Dachshund (Standard) eat, and which foods are dangerous?
Feed a high-quality dog food appropriate for its age and size. Avoid dangerous foods like chocolate, grapes, raisins, onion, garlic, xylitol, and others listed by ASPCA. Always check with your vet for specific dietary needs.12
How often should I bathe a Dachshund (Standard)?
Pet Wiki's starting plan suggests bathing every 8 weeks, and general guidance says at least every three months. Adjust if your dog gets dirty or has skin issues.13Pet Wiki plan
How often does a Dachshund (Standard) need brushing?
Smooth-coated Dachshunds need a weekly brush, while long-haired ones need more frequent brushing, possibly daily. Wire coats also benefit from regular brushing. Pet Wiki's starting plan suggests weekly brushing.413Pet Wiki plan
How do I trim a Dachshund (Standard)'s nails, and how often?
Trim nails when you hear them clicking on the floor, about every three weeks according to Pet Wiki's plan. Cut a little at a time, avoiding the quick. If unsure, ask your vet or a groomer.13Pet Wiki plan
How much exercise does a Dachshund (Standard) need?
A Dachshund needs about an hour of exercise daily, split into one or two walks plus indoor play. Regular exercise helps keep back muscles strong. Scent games and digging-style play suit its instincts.472Pet Wiki plan
How do I look after a Dachshund (Standard)'s teeth and ears?
Brush your Dachshund's teeth daily if possible, or at least two to three times a week, using dog toothpaste. Check ears weekly for moisture or dirt, and dry them gently. Never insert anything into the ear canal.13Pet Wiki plan
How long does a Dachshund (Standard) live?
A Dachshund typically lives 12 to 15 years. With good care, many enjoy a long, happy life.421
Is a Dachshund (Standard) good with children and other pets?
Dachshunds are affectionate with their family and can be good with children if raised together. They usually get along with other pets they are raised with, but play is best with dogs of similar size. Always supervise interactions.346
Can a Dachshund (Standard) be left alone?
Dachshunds are very people-oriented and may struggle with long periods alone. They can be left for short periods if well-trained, but they thrive on companionship. Consider a dog walker or pet sitter if you're away often.4
Written from the sources on this page, a few checked guides (VCA, ASPCA, RSPCA) and Pet Wiki's own starting care plan. A friendly guide, not a vet's advice.
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