Quick answer
Don't let the "sausage dog" nickname fool you. The Dachshund is a bold, clever hound bred in Germany to hunt badgers, and it's still fearless and independent today. Up to an hour of walking a day keeps most Dachshunds happy, but how they exercise matters as much as how much: that long back means jumping and stairs need careful management.
Plan for a diet that keeps them lean to protect the spine, toys that keep play low to the ground, and consistent training for a dog that can be more stubborn than its size suggests. Get those right and you'll have one of the most loyal, characterful small dogs around.
Why Owners Love the Dachshund
A short history and what makes the breed stand out
The name says it all: "Dachs" means badger and "Hund" means dog in German. The Dachshund's long body and short, powerful legs were bred for digging into badger setts and rabbit warrens, along with the nerve to face whatever was waiting underground. That hunting history is why today's Dachshund is such a confident, determined little dog.
Once a Dachshund joins the family, a few things stand out:
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Big personality
Bold, clever and entertaining, a Dachshund has far more confidence than its height would suggest.
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Loyal companions
Affectionate and devoted, Dachshunds often form an especially close bond with one favourite person.
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A coat and size to suit you
Choose from smooth, long-haired or wire-haired coats, in miniature or standard size.
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Born to dig and explore
A keen nose and natural digging instinct make sniffing and burrowing games easy daily enrichment.
Bottom line: with consistent training, a healthy weight and back-friendly habits, a Dachshund becomes a fearless, funny and loyal companion that's convinced it was built for hunting, not the sofa.
Dachshund at a Glance
A quick reference before you bring a Dachshund home:
| Trait | Details |
|---|---|
| Size | Two sizes: miniature (up to around 5kg) and standard (around 9–12kg) |
| Exercise | Moderate: up to 60 minutes a day of low-impact activity |
| Home size | Any size, including flats |
| Garden | Not essential; secure fencing helps as they love to dig |
| Coat | Smooth, long-haired or wire-haired |
| Grooming | Low (smooth) to moderate (long-haired and wire-haired) |
| Lifespan | 12–16 years |
| Town or country | Either; well suited to town and flat living |
What to Plan for Before Getting a Dachshund
The realities of owning the breed
The Dachshund's shape is a big part of its charm, and it's also why the breed needs some extra care at home.
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That long back needs protecting
Dachshunds are prone to intervertebral disc disease (IVDD). Avoid jumping on and off furniture or out of the car, and limit stairs, using ramps where you can.
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Keeping them lean is essential
Extra weight puts serious strain on the spine, so keeping a Dachshund slim is one of the best things you can do for their health.
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Independent and stubborn
Bred to make their own decisions underground, Dachshunds can be strong-willed. Patient, consistent training pays off.
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They can be noisy
Bred to alert hunters from below ground, many Dachshunds bark a lot if that instinct isn't given an outlet.
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Health screening matters
Talk to your breeder and vet about IVDD, patellar luxation (slipping kneecaps) and dental crowding.
Common misconception: people often assume a small "sausage dog" is an easy first pet that doesn't need much training. In reality, their hunting instincts and long spine mean consistent training and careful, low-impact exercise matter just as much as they do for many larger breeds.
Puppy or Adult: Which Is Right for a New Owner?
Either can work well. A puppy needs careful handling, back-friendly habits from the start (no jumping off furniture, limited stairs) and early socialisation. An adult gives you a clearer picture of temperament and back health from day one. Either way, consistent routines from the start make the biggest difference.
Is a Dachshund Right for Your Home?
Not every household is the right fit, and that's fine. Use this as a rough guide, since every home is different:
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Not ideal
Homes with lots of stairs or high furniture
Unmanaged jumping and regular stairs strain a Dachshund's long spine. If you can't avoid them, you'll need ramps, gates and a careful routine.
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Can work well
Flats and smaller homes
Their compact size suits smaller spaces, as long as daily walks and back-friendly habits are part of the routine.
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Best fit
Owners who want a big character in a small dog
Owners ready for consistent training, weight management and careful play get the best from this breed.
Bringing Your Dachshund Home
The first few months set the tone for the years ahead. Start with these four steps:
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Set up back-friendly habits
Use ramps or steps for the sofa, bed and car, and don't let your Dachshund jump down from height. These habits are much easier to build from the first day.
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Book a vet check
Cover vaccinations, flea and worm treatment and a general health check, and ask your vet about back health and a healthy target weight.
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Start gentle socialisation
Once your vet gives the go-ahead, introduce your Dachshund to new people, places and calm dogs, keeping each experience positive.
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Set a routine
Work on house-training, teach their name, and practise short, calm spells of time alone to build independence and keep that stubborn streak in check. Bite-sized rewards such as our Mini Chicken Training Bones keep a strong-willed Dachshund keen without adding too many calories.
When to think twice: if your home has stairs or furniture you can't manage, keeping a close eye on weight and jumping isn't realistic for you, or you can't commit to consistent training, it will be hard to protect a Dachshund's back and meet its needs.
Feeding Your Dachshund
Dachshunds do best on a fresh, high-quality diet sized to their small frame. Keeping them at a healthy weight matters more for this breed than almost any other, because extra weight puts direct strain on the spine. As miniatures and standards are very different sizes, portions vary a lot, so feed by weight, life stage and activity rather than appetite. Most adults do well on two meals a day.
For dogs with sensitive tummies, our hypoallergenic Fresh Menu recipes are a good place to start.
How Much Should You Feed an Adult Dachshund?
As a starting point, daily food is worked out as a percentage of body weight:
- Puppies up to 8 months: around 4% of body weight
- Adults up to 15kg (both miniature and standard Dachshunds): around 2–3% of body weight
For example, a 4.5kg miniature fed at 2% needs about 90g of food a day (4.5kg × 2% = 90g), while a 10kg standard fed at 2% needs about 200g (10kg × 2% = 200g). Here's how that works across the typical weight range:
| Adult weight | Daily food at 2% | Daily food at 3% |
|---|---|---|
| 4kg (miniature) | 80g | 120g |
| 5kg (miniature) | 100g | 150g |
| 9kg (standard) | 180g | 270g |
| 12kg (standard) | 240g | 360g |
Please note: these are guidelines for healthy, active, non-neutered dogs. Needs can vary by up to 50% depending on age, size and activity. Use your dog's body condition as the real guide and adjust portions up or down. Keeping a Dachshund lean is one of the best ways to protect its back, so count treats and chews into the daily allowance.
What Toys Are Best for a Dachshund?
The best toys tap into a Dachshund's hunting instinct: snuffle mats and puzzle feeders for that keen nose, squeaky toys for their prey drive, and tunnels or burrow toys that let them dig and hide safely indoors. Natural dental chews are a good lying-down activity that also helps with the breed's tendency to dental crowding.
Good to know: to protect their long back, keep play low to the ground and avoid games that involve jumping or twisting in mid-air. Toys they can enjoy lying down or with all four feet on the floor are the safest choice.
Dachshund FAQs
How much exercise does a Dachshund need?
Most Dachshunds need up to an hour of low-impact exercise a day, ideally split into two or three shorter walks with plenty of time to sniff. Avoid activities that involve jumping or twisting, as these put strain on their long back.
Are Dachshunds good family dogs?
Dachshunds can be loyal, entertaining family dogs. Their independent streak and delicate back mean they do best with consistent training, gentle handling and older children.
Are Dachshunds good with children?
Dachshunds usually do best with older, gentle children who know not to pick them up awkwardly or let them jump. Their long spine makes them more vulnerable to injury from rough handling.
Can a Dachshund live in a flat?
Yes. Their small size makes Dachshunds well suited to flats, as long as they get their daily walks and stairs and jumping are carefully managed.
Can Dachshunds go up and down stairs?
It's best to limit stairs for Dachshunds, especially puppies and older dogs, as repeated climbing puts strain on their back. Carry them where you can, support both the chest and back end when lifting, and use ramps or steps for sofas, beds and cars.
Do Dachshunds shed?
Smooth-coated Dachshunds shed lightly all year. Long-haired and wire-haired Dachshunds shed a little more, especially during seasonal coat changes.
Are Dachshunds hypoallergenic?
No. All three Dachshund coat types shed to some degree, so Dachshunds are not hypoallergenic and are not a reliable choice for people with dog allergies.
How much grooming does a Dachshund need?
It depends on the coat. Smooth-coated Dachshunds need very little grooming, long-haired Dachshunds need regular brushing, and wire-haired Dachshunds benefit from occasional hand-stripping.
Are Dachshunds easy to train?
Dachshunds are clever but independent, so training takes patience. They can be slow to house-train. Short, reward-based sessions and a consistent routine from day one work best.
Do Dachshunds bark a lot?
Many Dachshunds are keen barkers. They were bred to alert hunters from underground, so they often bark at noises and visitors. Early training and plenty of sniffing and digging games help keep it under control.
How long do Dachshunds live?
Most Dachshunds live 12 to 16 years with good care, which is a long lifespan even for a small breed.
What health problems do Dachshunds have?
The main health concern in Dachshunds is intervertebral disc disease (IVDD), which is linked to their long spine. Patellar luxation and dental crowding are also common. Keeping a healthy weight, limiting jumping and choosing a breeder who health-screens all help.
Final Thoughts
Give a Dachshund consistent training, a healthy weight and a few back-friendly habits, and you'll have one of the most loyal and entertaining companions you could ask for.
A healthy weight starts with what goes in the bowl. Explore fresh recipes made for small, spirited dogs.
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