Last updated: 17 September 2026
Don't let the "sausage dog" nickname fool you: the Dachshund is a bold, clever hound bred in Germany to chase badgers into their burrows, and that fearless, independent streak is still very much alive today. A daily walk of up to an hour keeps most Dachshunds happy, but how they exercise matters just as much as how much, that long back means jumping and stairs need careful management.
That distinctive shape, choice of coat and big personality mean the details matter: a food that helps maintain a healthy weight 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 that right, and you'll have one of the most characterful, loyal little dogs you could own.
Is a Dachshund Right for You?What owners love about the breed
The Dachshund's name gives the game away, "Dachs" means badger and "Hund" means dog in German, and that's exactly what this breed was built for. Their long body and short, powerful legs were purpose-bred to dig into badger setts and rabbit warrens, with the nerve to face down whatever they found underground. That hunting heritage is why today's Dachshund is such a confident, tenacious little character.
So what exactly do owners fall in love with once one joins the family?
Big personality
Bold, clever and endlessly entertaining, a Dachshund's confidence has never once matched its height.
Devoted companion
Loyal and affectionate, Dachshunds often form an especially close bond with one favourite person.
A coat and size to suit you
Smooth, long-haired or wire-haired, and available in miniature or standard size, there's a Dachshund for most homes.
Born to dig and explore
A keen nose and natural digging instinct make snuffling, burrowing games an easy source of daily enrichment.
Dachshund at a Glance
Use this as your quick reference before bringing one home:
| Trait | Details |
|---|---|
| Size | Two sizes - Miniature (up to around 5kg) and Standard (around 9-12kg) |
| Exercise | Moderate - up to 60 minutes per 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 & wire-haired) |
| Lifespan | 12-16 years |
| Town or country | Either, thrives in town and flat living |
What to Plan for Before Getting a DachshundThe realities of the breed
A Dachshund's distinctive shape is exactly what makes the breed so charming, and exactly what asks for a bit of extra care at home.
That long back needs protecting
Dachshunds are prone to intervertebral disc disease (IVDD), so jumping on and off furniture or the car, and excessive stairs, are best avoided or managed with ramps.
Weight management is essential
Extra weight puts serious strain on the spine, so keeping a Dachshund lean is one of the most important things you can do for their health.
Independent, stubborn streak
Bred to make quick decisions underground without a handler nearby, Dachshunds can be strong-willed, patient, consistent training pays off.
Can be surprisingly vocal
Bred to alert hunters from below ground, many Dachshunds are keen barkers if that instinct isn't given an outlet.
Breed-specific health screening
IVDD, patellar luxation and dental crowding are all worth discussing with your vet and breeder.
Puppy or Adult? What's Right for a New Owner
Is a Dachshund Right for Your Home?
Not every household is the right fit, and that's okay! Here's how it tends to break down:
Homes with lots of stairs or high furniture
Unmanaged jumping and repeated stairs put real strain on a Dachshund's long spine, this needs active management if unavoidable.
Flats & smaller homes
Their compact size suits smaller spaces well, provided daily exercise and spine-safe habits are part of the routine.
Owners who want a big character in a small dog
Owners ready for consistent training, weight management and spine-safe play get the very best out of this breed.
Bringing Your Dachshund Home
The first few months set the tone for everything that follows. Here's where to start:
Set up spine-safe habits
Use ramps or steps for the sofa, bed and car, and avoid letting your Dachshund jump down from height. Tip! start these habits from the very first day, they're much easier to build early.
Book the vet check
Cover vaccines, parasite prevention and a general health baseline early, and ask your vet about back health and healthy weight targets.
Start gentle socialisation
Soft, positive exposure to new people, places and calm dogs once your vet gives the okay.
Introduce routine early
A consistent housetraining routine, their name, and short calm periods of alone time to build independence and keep that stubborn streak in check.
Feeding Your Dachshund
Dachshunds thrive on a fresh, high-quality diet sized to their small frame, and keeping them at a healthy weight matters more here than in almost any other breed, extra weight puts direct strain on that long spine. Because they come in two quite different sizes, miniature and standard, portions vary a good deal from one Dachshund to the next, so feeding by weight, life stage and activity level is especially important. Most adult Dachshunds do well with two meals a day.
How Much Should You Feed an Adult Dachshund?
As a starting point, daily food amounts are usually worked out as a percentage of your dog's body weight: puppies up to 8 months old need around 4% of their body weight, while adult dogs up to 15kg, which covers both Dachshund sizes, need approximately 2-3% of their body weight per day.
For example, a miniature Dachshund at around 4.5kg fed at 2% of body weight would need roughly 90g of food a day (4.5kg × 2% = 90g), while a standard Dachshund at around 10kg fed at 2% would need roughly 200g a day (10kg × 2% = 200g). Here's how that looks across the typical Dachshund weight range:
| Adult Dachshund's weight | Daily food at 2% | Daily food at 3% |
|---|---|---|
| 4 kg (miniature) | 80g | 120g |
| 5 kg (miniature) | 100g | 150g |
| 9 kg (standard) | 180g | 270g |
| 12 kg (standard) | 240g | 360g |
What Toys are Best for a Dachshund?
Frequently Asked Questions
Does a Dachshund need daily exercise?+
Does a Dachshund require regular grooming?+
Can a Dachshund live comfortably with children?+
Do Dachshunds shed?+
Is a Dachshund suitable for apartment living?+
Are Dachshunds good family dogs?+
Does a Dachshund have a long lifespan?+
Does the Dachshund have any notable health concerns?+
The Bottom Line
A Dachshund rewards consistent training, a healthy weight and a few spine-safe habits with one of the most loyal, entertaining and larger-than-life companions you could own. Get the commitment right, and this breed's huge personality truly shines through.
Ready to fuel that energy from the first bowl? Explore recipes built for small, spirited dogs.
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