Long-haired dachshunds are the long-haired version of the adorable and beloved dachshund breed. Originating in Germany as badger hunters, these spunky and affectionate dogs have become popular companion animals. Known for their distinct body shape-long and thin with short legs, earning them the nickname "wiener dog"-dachshunds come in various colors and two sizes: standard and miniature. This guide provides extensive insights into caring for your long-haired dachshund puppy, covering everything from grooming and training to health and socialization.
"Dachshund" is a German word meaning "badger dog." As you can guess, this breed originated in Germany, and its roots can be traced back as early as the 15th century. As the name suggests, dachshunds were used for hunting badgers. The different coat types - short, wiry, and long - allowed hunters to use dachshunds in different climates and terrains. Affectionately nicknamed the “wiener dog,” dachshunds have a distinct body shape. They are long and thin like a hot dog and have short legs. This breed comes in numerous colors, from classic black and tan to shades like wheaten, fawn, and cream.
The standard dachshund is 6-9 inches tall and weighs between 16-35 pounds. The long-haired dachshund has a sleek coat that is somewhat wavy around the neck, chest, ears, belly, and back of the legs.
Long-haired dachshunds are often described as friendlier than their wire-haired or smooth-coated counterparts. While dachshunds can bond closely with one family member, becoming "one-person" dogs, the long-haired variety is generally more open to strangers. They are courageous, curious, and enjoy digging, a trait stemming from their badger-hunting history. Long-haired dachshunds are likely to be affectionate with their families.
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.
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Proper socialization is crucial. 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.
Though it is not impossible to raise a long-haired dachshund around young children, it is not generally recommended. 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. 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.
Dachshunds are intelligent but can be stubborn. Careful training from a young age is essential.
Doxies are the type of dogs who know exactly when they do and don’t have to listen to you. The long-haired dachshund’s curiosity and intelligence are both good and bad for training. On the one hand, they are more than capable of learning new skills. 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. As we mentioned, dachshunds can be stubborn and willful.
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. This hunting breed isn’t high-energy, but they are pretty playful. 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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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. Proper socialization is the key to preventing this type of behavior.
Because long-haired dachshunds are small, they can do just fine living in apartments. The one thing that makes dachshunds ill-suited to apartment living is their propensity to bark. As we explained, dachshunds are very vocal. 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. It’s fine if your dachshund barks to alert you to someone walking up the driveway, but it’s not good if you cannot have guests over because your dog won’t let anyone near you.
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.
Long-haired dachshunds are a relatively low-maintenance breed. Long-haired dachshunds live up to their names in that their fur is, indeed, long. However, because the fur is long, it will be more prone to matting. Similarly, you should pay attention to the stomach area after a romp outside. Dachshunds are already low to the ground, so debris may get caught in long fur. As with all dogs, you should keep the nails from getting too long. Long-haired dachshunds shed year-round, but only moderately.
If you’re new to looking after dogs, understanding how you should be caring for their coat to keep them healthy and looking their best can be a challenge. If you’ve got a pup that is longhaired, such as the long haired dachshund, it can be confusing to know where to even begin. Keeping coats shiny and healthy looking means brushing, bathing, and grooming are all about to become part of your routine.
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As a long-haired breed, your dog’s fur is likely to become tangled and matted throughout the day. It’s advisable to give them a quick brush at least once daily, it’ll help to minimise shedding getting on your furniture too. Simply clip up sections of the fur, allowing you to effectively brush each area thoroughly to remove mats that may be building up. Start by combing each section first, which will untangle knots and make the process gentler for your dog. Every section of your long-haired dachshund should be brushed, from their ears right down to their legs, moving in the same direction as the hair grows naturally.
Dachshund coats don’t need to be bathed frequently but it’s still an important part of the grooming routine. Around every three to four months fill up you tub with warm water, taking care to ensure that it isn’t hot, to just under the belly of your dog - placing a non-slip mat in the tub can help here too. Make sure you use shampoo and conditioner that has been formulated for dogs and ideally it should be fragrance free, ensuring unnecessary chemicals that could cause irritation are limited. Once your pup is wet, you should gently massage the shampoo into their body, avoiding the face before rinsing off and repeating with conditioner if using. Use a soft washcloth to gently wipe their face and ears with a small amount of shampoo. They’re then ready to get out and dry off.
Long haired dachshunds have fur that should be trimmed frequently, particularly where it grows in fringes, such as around their feet and ears. Trimming can help reduce the number of tangles that your dog’s fur is accumulating, reducing the amount of time you need to spend on brushing. All you need for this are some simple grooming scissors and a bit of patience at first. If you’re worried, go slowly and trim small amounts at a time.
Don’t forget that it’s not just the coat of your long haired dachshund that needs looking after during the grooming process. Their nails, paws, eyes, teeth, and ears should be regularly checked and groomed too, keeping them in great health and ensuring you pup is happy.
You should buy dog food specifically meant for smaller breeds and follow the feeding guidelines on the package. 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. Following the guidelines on a bag of dog food is a good place to start, but it often does not factor in the extra calories your dog will get from treats or handouts.
Avoid feeding your Dachshund any people food. Table scraps are not safe for your doxie. Some little long dogs have extremely sensitive stomachs, so any table scraps may make them very sick.
The biggest concern for the long-haired dachshund is the spine. Because of their long backs, dachshunds are predisposed to conditions such as intervertebral disc disease (IVDD). IVDD causes severe back pain and often impairs mobility. Intervertebral disc disease is usually treated with physical therapy and medication, but severe cases require surgery. Other health issues dachshunds may suffer from include heart disease, hypothyroidism, and various eye disorders.
Many diseases and health conditions are genetic, meaning they are related to your pet’s breed. There is a general consensus among canine genetic researchers and veterinary practitioners that the conditions we’ve described herein have a significant rate of incidence and/or impact in this breed. That does not mean your dog will have these problems; it just means that she is more at risk than other dogs.
One of the best things you can do for your Dachshund is to have her spayed (neutered for males). In females, this means we surgically remove the ovaries and usually the uterus, and in males, it means we surgically remove the testicles. Spaying or neutering decreases the likelihood of certain types of cancers and eliminates the possibility of your pet becoming pregnant or fathering unwanted puppies.
Any abnormal symptom could be a sign of serious disease or it could just be a minor or…
Depending on the breeder, prices can vary quite a bit. You may see some dogs that cost around $1000 and others listed for $3500. Show dogs tend to be more expensive because their pedigree matters much more. Meanwhile, those who simply want a long-haired dachshund as a pet will not care if the dog exhibits any faults as long as those faults would not negatively affect the dog’s health. Dachshunds can be adopted from shelters as well. Shelter dogs are far more affordable than those being sold by breeders.
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? Some facilities or breeders guarantee the health of their puppies: should your puppy come down with a serious illness early on, they may offer to reimburse the purchase price of the dog or even take the puppy back. 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.
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.
Preparing for your new Dachshund puppy starts with having the right supplies ready before they come home. A little planning goes a really long way in helping you and your pup get off to the absolute best start!
When it comes to choosing the perfect dog bowl for your Dachshund, go with food-grade ceramic, silicone or stainless steel. Dachshunds are known for their quirky eating habits. They love to nudge their food bowls around the floor or even try to ‘bury’ their food under a toy or blanket. I have owned many dog leashes over the years. The best ones are thicker, rope-like material that their little scissor back teeth can’t slice through. Harnesses are a good idea for the doxie who loves to pull constantly. These playpens allow me to step inside for playtime and training sessions, which helped my doxies associate the space with safety and comfort. In my home, I use a puppy playpen in my bedroom at night for bedtime and another playpen in the kitchen during the day (when I need to step out). Look for a dog food that has quality food ingredients and less fillers. Stick with plush toys that have the squeaker inside. Pick up a couple of nice soft beds for your doxie. Everything for the puppy will get chewed up, de-stuffed, peed on…you name it. Don’t go too crazy with your puppy’s new doggie blankets. Just see if you have a some old spare blankets in your closet that you don’t need anymore. Pick up a gentle puppy shampoo that is hypoallergenic and tear-less. I know it may seem tempting and just more convenient, but our people shampoo is formulated for our skin and hair, not your dog’s fur.
Take it Slow: Avoid overwhelming your new puppy. Lots of Sleep: It’s totally normal for a new dachshund puppy to nap several times a day. Getting to know you and your family, exploring new surroundings, and learning the house rules can be quite exhausting. When I was potty training my puppy at night, I let them sleep in a puppy bed next to me in my bed. Puppies Can’t Hold It! Be prepared to wake up 1-2 times per night for the first couple of weeks until your puppy can hold it longer as they grow. When they cry, take them outside right away. Once they finish going potty, praise them briefly and return to bed.
When a new puppy is set free in the home, they Will look for a place to go potty and they Will get into everything - guaranteed!
Consistency is key! Puppies can learn to potty train very quickly when you keep a consistent routine.
Note: If your pup is still having accidents indoors, consult your vet.
Why Socialized Your Puppy? Introduce new people and animals gradually. Too much exposure to new animals or people can cause your Dachshund to become overwhelmed. When people are introducing themselves to your dog, ask them to get down to the dog’s eye level. Take your doxie on car rides. Whether it is a brief ride to the park or to grandma’s house, allow your dog to tag along. When you first hook up your pup to a harness and leash, they probably won’t have a clue what to do. Make sure to secure the leash around your wrist. Keep small children away from your Dachshund if they play too rough or make them nervous. Try to keep socialization experiences positive. If there is ever a situation when your dog acts scared towards another animal, person, or place, don’t force them. Forcing your Dachshund into a frightening situation will cause them to become defensive and skittish. Purchase some dog training treats that your dog can’t resist.
If your dog has accidents in the kennel or playpen when you leave, make sure to take them on a 20-minute walk before you head out the door. You can use natural methods to calm dog separation anxiety too. Did you know that the use of CBD oil is an effective solution for dog anxiety?
Yes, losing 28 little puppy teeth can cause a sore mouth. During the puppy teething stage, take a look inside your pup’s mouth every couple of days. Gently rub your fingers along the gums for a few seconds to get them used to being touched in the mouth.
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