Dachshund: Temperament, Lifespan, Grooming, Training (2024)

Dachshunds are bright, loyal and courageous. These little dogs have large barrel chests to give them stamina while hunting – a trait that can also translate into lots of running around and barking.

• Dachshunds are utterly devoted to their owners and make for extremely loyal companions.
• Provided they are well socialised from a young age, Dachshunds can also be good with children and cats.
• As a vocal breed, Dachshunds have a tendency to be a little noisy and standoffish with strangers, so are better suited to slightly older children who will take any barking or territorial behaviour in their stride.

Training is an important part of owning a Dachshund to help keep them safe and secure.

There are three varieties of Dachshund coat – short-haired, long-haired and wire-haired – all of which have slightly different requirements.

• The amount your Dachshund will shed depends on their coat type, but as a breed they only shed moderately, if at all.
• The short-haired Dachshund requires very little brushing, while the long-haired variety need almost daily grooming to prevent matting, particularly around their ears and legs. For the wire-haired variety, you’ll also need to brush their bushy beard.

It’s important to keep your Dachshund a healthy weight to help allieviate any pressure on their backs and joints which are prone to issues.

• Adult dogs require two meals a day, and the portion size will depend on whether you have a standard-size or miniature Dachshund. Stick to the recommended portion on the food packaging and if in doubt, consult your vet.
• Vets recommend feeding a high-quality pet food to ensure your dog gets all the nutrients they need to remain healthy.