Hound Group

Dachshund

BoldDevotedStrong Willed

Height

8-9 inches (standard), 5-6 inches (miniature)

Weight

16-32 pounds (standard), 11 pounds & under (miniature)

Life Expectancy

12-16 years

Size

Small

What Dachshunds are like

Dachshunds are bold, funny hounds that suit owners who can manage their barking, back care, and stubborn streak without expecting a tiny pushover.

Is the Dachshund right for your home?

Best match for...

Families

Strong fit if...

Small dog, big personality

Dachshunds fit best with people who enjoy a bold little dog that wants to be involved, opinionated, and close to its household.

You can protect the back

The strongest fit is a home ready to use ramps, controlled jumping rules, careful handling, and weight management as normal everyday habits.

You like close companionship

Many Dachshunds bond hard with their people, so they usually do best in homes that want a companion nearby instead of a detached little dog.

Think twice if...

You want easy recall

Scent-hound instincts and a stubborn streak can make off-leash reliability much harder than the breed's tiny size suggests.

The home is rough-and-tumble

Repeated jumping, lots of stairs, or chaotic handling from kids or bigger dogs can put too much stress on a long-backed breed.

Noise is a dealbreaker

Many Dachshunds are enthusiastic watchdogs, so barking at doors, sounds, and passing excitement is part of the breed picture.

What daily life feels like

Daily life

Coat type changes grooming

Smooth coats stay simple, while longhaired and wirehaired Dachshunds need more brushing, cleanup, and occasional trimming.

Daily life

Short legs, real curiosity

A Dachshund may be small, but the hound nose and hunting curiosity still show up on walks, in the yard, and around any interesting smell.

Daily life

Digging and watchdog habits show up

Many love burrowing in blankets, excavating the yard, or announcing visitors long before the family asked for the update.

Training and handling

Training

Consistency beats force

Clear routines, food rewards, and calm repetition usually work better than harsh corrections with a clever dog that likes to test rules.

Training

House training can take patience

Many owners find weather, routine changes, and stubbornness slow progress, so frequent trips out and steady reinforcement matter.

Training

Lift with support under both ends

Handling should protect the spine by supporting the chest and rear together instead of letting the back dangle or twist.

Health and cost

Plan for it

IVDD risk changes the setup

Intervertebral disc disease is one of the breed's biggest risks, which is why ramps, traction, careful weight control, and quick vet attention matter so much.

Plan for it

Keeping them lean helps a lot

Extra weight puts more strain on a long back and short legs, so portion control and regular exercise are part of basic prevention.

Plan for it

Dental and routine care add up

Small-dog vet bills may stay below giant-breed costs, but dental work, back emergencies, and long-term management can still get expensive.

Did you know?

The name means badger dog

Dachshund comes from German words tied to badger hunting, which is exactly the kind of underground work the breed was built to do.

Two sizes, three coat types

Standard and miniature sizes both exist, and each can come in smooth, longhaired, or wirehaired coats.

Built low for tunnel work

The long body, sturdy front end, and short legs were meant to help the dog work into burrows after prey.

Small dog, true hound brain

The cute size can fool people, but the breed still brings hound independence, nose-led curiosity, and a big opinion about its own plans.

Breeds similar to the Dachshund

Browse all breeds

Beagle

Hound • Small • High energy

Beagles are cheerful scent hounds with strong noses and big voices. They fit active homes ready for training, sniffing, and secure routines.

Bloodhound

Hound • Large • Medium energy

The Bloodhound is a large hound breed known for a powerful nose, a friendly temperament, and a more independent streak than many first-time owners expect. They usually fit best with owners who have room for a big dog, patience for scent-driven training, and a realistic plan for drool, vocalizing, and long-term health costs.

Borzoi

Hound • Large • Medium energy

Borzois are elegant sighthounds that stay fairly calm at home but can switch into serious speed outdoors. They fit gentle homes that can manage size and prey drive.

Irish Wolfhound

Hound • Giant • Medium energy

Irish Wolfhounds are giant hound dogs that usually bring calm, courageous, and dignified traits into everyday life. They tend to reward multi-dog homes that are prepared for space and handling strength and health screening and long-term vet planning.

Basenji

Hound • Small • High energy

Basenjis are small hound dogs that usually bring independent, poised, and smart traits into everyday life. They tend to reward active households that are prepared for daily exercise and mental work and coat upkeep and grooming.

Basset Hound

Hound • Medium • Low energy

The Basset Hound is a medium-size hound breed that tends to come across as charming, low key, and patient once it settles in. They usually make the most sense for family households that want a dog involved in everyday home life and owners who are realistic about coat upkeep and grooming and noise management.

Breed Traits

Energy Level3/5

Trainability3/5

Shedding3/5

Health Concerns4/5

Barking Tendency5/5

Good with Kids3/5

Good with Dogs3/5

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