Dachshunds, affectionately nicknamed "wiener dogs" or "sausage dogs" due to their distinctive long bodies and short legs, have captured the hearts of dog lovers worldwide. The name “Dachshund” comes from the German words for badger (dachs) and dog (hund), as these dogs were originally bred in 18th-century Germany to hunt badgers and other burrow-dwelling animals. Among the three coat varieties - smooth, wire-haired, and long-haired - the long-haired Dachshund stands out with its elegant and flowing coat. This article delves into the history, characteristics, temperament, health concerns, and care requirements of the long-haired Dachshund, providing a comprehensive guide for prospective and current owners.
The Dachshund's origins can be traced back to 15th-century Germany. As the name "Dachshund" suggests - German for "badger dog" - these dogs were specifically bred to hunt badgers. Their elongated bodies, short legs, and sharp claws made them ideal for digging and navigating the narrow, subterranean burrows of their prey. The characteristic forward-flopping ears protect Dachshunds’ ear canals from foreign material as they race through brush. Dachshunds were bred to be independent hunters of dangerous prey.
The different coat types emerged to suit various climates and terrains. While the exact origins of the long-haired Dachshund are debated, one theory suggests that they arose from smooth Dachshunds occasionally producing puppies with slightly longer hair. Selective breeding of these animals eventually led to the consistently long-haired offspring we know today. Another theory proposes that the long-haired Dachshund was developed by breeding smooth Dachshunds with various land and water spaniels.
Long-haired Dachshunds share the same distinctive body shape as their smooth and wire-haired counterparts: a long, low body with short legs. Standard dachshunds are 6-9 inches tall and weigh between 16-35 pounds. They are dolichocephalic (long-faced) dogs. The most notable feature is their sleek, somewhat wavy coat, which is longer around the neck, chest, ears, belly, and the back of the legs. The most common colors of Dachshunds are red, black and tan, and tan. The breed features a wide range of solid colors and color combinations, however, including: chocolate, black, cream, wild boar, wheaten, chocolate and cream, chocolate and tan, blue and tan and fawn and tan.
Long-haired Dachshunds are known for their affectionate, playful, and loyal personalities. They are often described as friendlier than their wire-haired or smooth-coated relatives. However, like all Dachshunds, they can also be independent, stubborn, and surprisingly fierce. They are good with other pets, especially other Dachshunds, and make ideal house dogs.
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While long-haired Dachshunds are likely to be affectionate with their families, it's not uncommon for them to bond closely with one member of the family, becoming a "one-person" dog. They may be aloof or wary around strangers, even barking at them.
Dachshunds are full of personality. They are often courageous and curious, and due to their roots as badger hunters, they enjoy digging. Though they’re small, they’re more energetic than you might think. Long-haired dachshunds that get bored will often turn to chewing up objects in your home.
It’s important to remember that every dog is an individual, and you may encounter long-haired Dachshunds with varying temperaments.
While long-haired Dachshunds can make lovely companions, they may not be the best choice for families with young children. Dachshunds may growl or snap at children who won’t leave them alone. It’s also important to consider that the dachshund’s long back makes them somewhat fragile. Young children may attempt to pick the dog up incorrectly and potentially cause injury. They need a family with older children that has the time to keep a dog active, stimulated, and trained.
Dachshunds can get along with other dogs and can sometimes do okay with cats as well. When it comes to small animals like rabbits or guinea pigs, however, dachshunds are not your best choice. How your dachshund fares around other animals, even dogs, is heavily influenced by the socialization and training they receive as a puppy. Always supervise your dachshund around prey animals and keep the doxie on a leash as an extra precaution. Similarly, you should supervise your dachshund outdoors.
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If you’re looking for a dog that doesn’t bark, you’ll want to avoid the long-haired dachshund. Dachshunds tend to be pretty vocal, and we wouldn’t be surprised if they like to hear the sound of their own voice. But you’ll also be alerted whenever your doxie sees an animal in the yard, hears a car’s brakes squealing, or decides anything is even remotely out of the ordinary. Long-haired dachshunds make for fantastic watchdogs because they are very alert and enjoy barking. They will always let you know if there is something or someone in your yard.
Dachshunds are undeniably smart and are great at solving problems. They are the type of dogs who know exactly when they do and don’t have to listen to you. Due to their stubborn and independent nature, Dachshunds are challenging to train. The key is patience, consistency and positive, reward-based training. Always encourage your dog with positive reinforcement during training and keep sessions short. It’s important to use reward-based training in order to motivate a dachshund. Use treats that are of high value to your dog, and don’t let training sessions drag on long enough to get boring.
While you can certainly train a dachshund by yourself, we always recommend taking a group class because it is a great way to help your puppy learn around distractions such as other people and animals. If you’ve never trained a dog before, then you’ll definitely want a trainer to help your long-haired dachshund puppy grow up to be a well-mannered dog.
Dachshunds are capable of learning tricks, but you need to be picky about which types of tricks you teach them. Because their long backs are easily injured, they should not learn any tricks that involve jumping.
Just because dachshunds are small doesn’t mean they’re couch potatoes. Even though they are small, Dachshunds need regular exercise to stay fit and build strong muscles to support and protect their back. This hunting breed isn’t high-energy, but they are pretty playful. Always encourage your dog with positive reinforcement during training and keep sessions short. Taking two 30-minute walks is a great way to achieve this as walking is great for a dog’s mental and physical health, and it will not be too strenuous for a dachshund’s size.
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Because long-haired dachshunds are small, they can do just fine living in apartments. Dachshunds can be great companion pets for people in smaller homes or apartments-as long as they get enough stimulation through walks and play every day. The one thing that makes dachshunds ill-suited to apartment living is their propensity to bark. As we explained, dachshunds are very vocal.
Any dog breed could become a service dog, but we would not generally consider a long-haired dachshund to be a great fit. Service dogs need to be able to ignore their instincts so they can listen to their handlers or even make judgments of their own. Though most long-haired dachshunds are not cut out for service work of any kind, they can make great emotional support animals (ESAs). Dachshunds tend to have a lot of personality and are bound to make their owners smile. Their fur is soft and sleek, so stroking a long-haired dachshund is a pleasant and even calming experience for some.
Dachshunds are a generally healthy breed, but they are prone to certain health issues, primarily due to their unique body structure.
The most significant health concern for long-haired Dachshunds is their susceptibility to intervertebral disc disease (IVDD). This condition is caused by a bulging or slipped disc within the vertebral column of the spine, which can lead to severe back pain, mobility issues, and even paralysis. Intervertebral disc disease (IVDD) in Dachshunds is very common, and it can lead to complete and permanent paralysis of all four legs if not treated quickly. About 20-25% of dachshunds will develop IVDD.
To help keep your Dachshund’s back healthy and prevent injuries, try to limit their jumping by installing pet stairs or ramps near furniture and beds. Your Dachshund will need to be carried up or down any stairs in your home, and they shouldn’t be allowed to jump on or off furniture.
Treatment for IVDD depends on the severity of the disc damage. Mild cases may be managed with anti-inflammatory and pain medications, muscle relaxants, and strict cage rest. More severe cases may require surgery.
Dachshunds are predisposed to obesity because their short stature and small legs make it more difficult for them to exercise. You can also visually monitor your dog’s weight by checking their body condition score. It is imperative that a long-haired dachshund does not become overweight. While there are many health issues caused by obesity, the dachshund, in particular, has even more to worry about. Therefore, dachshund owners have to be extra careful about giving treats.
Besides IVDD and obesity, long-haired Dachshunds can also be prone to:
Long-haired Dachshunds are a relatively low-maintenance breed, but their long coat does require regular grooming.
Long-haired Dachshunds require frequent brushing, depending on the coat’s thickness, and they are prone to getting mats or tangles. These fluffy Dachshunds must be brushed out completely every day. Long-haired dachshunds shed year-round, but only moderately.
How much you feed your dog should be determined by the specific food your Dachshund eats and your pup’s health. Do not overfeed your Dachshund. Dogs eating an AAFCO-approved diet will receive all needed nutrition from their food. You should buy dog food specifically meant for smaller breeds and follow the feeding guidelines on the package.
All dogs have a natural eye stain, called porphyrin, in their tears that comes out a brown-reddish color. Aside from that ritual, they are easy to maintain with an occasional trim of their beard and eyebrows.
The average Dachshund puppy price ranges from $500 to more than $2,000, depending on the dog’s markings/coat, breeder, pedigree papers, and health screenings. When it comes to a dachshund’s care, they usually are not more expensive than any other breed.
When choosing a breeder, it's essential to do your research. What are your credentials? You should learn about how long the breeder has been in business as well as how familiar they are with long-haired dachshunds as a breed. Have the parent animals undergone health testing? Can I see where the dogs are kept? Can I meet the parents? How do you socialize your puppies? Are the puppies up-to-date on vaccination? Do you offer a health guarantee with a contract? What do you require of potential adopters? Many breeders and agencies want to make sure their puppies are going to homes where they will be treated well and kept for life.
Dachshund rescue organizations and local shelters can also help you find Dachshunds for adoption. Shelter dogs are far more affordable than those being sold by breeders. Long-haired dachshunds are not commonly found at the local shelter, though it isn’t impossible. If these particular rescues are not in your area or you’re not willing to travel for one of these dogs, then try searching “dachshund rescues near me” on Google.
No, do not work with a breeder that advertises teacup Dachshunds. Teacup dogs are typically bred to be as small as possible, with few (if any) considerations to the dog’s health. Mini Dachshunds and even standard-size Dachshunds are already quite small.
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