Good care starts with getting to know your dog.

Know your dog · Pedigree breed

Dachshund care guide.

A scent-hound history in a distinctive body. Understand coat variety, enjoyable ground-level activity and the importance of back discomfort.

General education · See individual source dates below

Original illustration of an adult Dachshund
Original illustration. An illustrative example, not a breed identification or health assessment.

Origins and heritage

The Dachshund developed in Germany for hunting and tracking, including work below ground. In the UK, standard and miniature sizes combine with smooth, long and wire coats to make six recognised varieties. This is an overview, not a claim that their care is identical.

Read the evidence: Dachshund: breed background — Royal Kennel Club

Personality, without promises

Its history makes sniffing a sensible activity to offer, but interest and confidence vary. A Dachshund who follows a scent is not deliberately being difficult. Practise safe recall and choose secure places for exploration.

Read the evidence: Dachshund: breed standard — Royal Kennel Club

Understanding the coat

The illustrated dog is smooth-haired, with a short, dense coat. Long-haired and wire-haired Dachshunds need different maintenance; this page does not assume one undercoat or brushing plan across all six varieties. Ask a groomer to assess the coat you actually have.

Read the evidence: Dachshund: breed standard — Royal Kennel Club

Learning for everyday life

Reward useful behaviour. Practise recall, loose-lead walking and relaxed handling in manageable steps.

Read the evidence: Reward-based training — Australian Veterinary Association

Food for the individual

Choose complete, life-stage-appropriate food; discuss body condition and any prescribed diet with your vet.

Read the evidence: Nutrition — Virginia Tech Veterinary Teaching Hospital

Movement with a purpose

Use breed history as context, not a daily exercise prescription. Let age, comfort, fitness and weather shape the plan. Your dog does not need to excel at their breed’s traditional job to have a fulfilling day.

Read the evidence: Dachshund: breed background — Royal Kennel Club

Puppy, adult and mature years

Young dogs: introduce experiences gently; stop when worried. Try a gentle handling rehearsal without lifting. Discuss safe socialisation with your vet.

All ages: choose safe activities your dog enjoys. An idea to try: a ground-level search for a favourite toy. These are options, not breed requirements or a test of intelligence.

Mature dogs: adapt activities to ability with veterinary advice. For example, avoid games that require jumping; ask about any back discomfort. Keep companionship and enjoyable choices in their day.

Read the evidence: Puppy socialisation — UC Davis Veterinary Medicine · Environmental enrichment — Purdue Canine Welfare Science · Senior dog enrichment — Cornell University

Health conversations worth having

Dachshunds are predisposed to intervertebral disc disease (IVDD). Dachshund Health UK describes X-ray screening to inform breeding decisions, not to promise an individual will remain unaffected. Contact a vet promptly for back discomfort; sudden weakness, inability to walk or severe pain needs urgent veterinary attention.

Read the evidence: IVDD screening — Dachshund Health UK · Intervertebral disc disease — Cornell University

Brushing and cleaning

A smooth coat may need a gentle short-coat brush, while longer hair needs more careful detangling. Have a groomer demonstrate care for a wire coat. Keep handling comfortable and avoid wrestling your dog into position to reach the underside.

Read the evidence: Dachshund: breed standard — Royal Kennel Club · Dog grooming tips — ASPCA

Keep care comfortable

Painful skin or severe matting needs professional help. Avoid cutting knots close to skin.

Do not insert cotton buds into ears. Ask your vet about pain, discharge or persistent odour.

Read the evidence: Coat care: preventing matted hair — USDA APHIS · How to clean your dog’s ears — Cornell University

Sources & scope

Source retrieval dates are recorded individually below. Written as general owner education by Good Dog; not clinically reviewed or endorsed by the organisations linked below. Breed standards describe ideals, not guarantees. Screening advice can change. These are selected considerations, not a complete list of conditions.