Dachshund
臘腸犬
Updated 2026-09-11
At a glance
The Dachshund is the long-backed, short-legged badger hound of Germany, bred in standard and miniature sizes and in smooth, wire and long coats — PocketPaw uses one key for all of them. Dachshunds are clever, lively and famously stubborn, and their build makes back care (weight control, no jumping from heights) the central health issue.
Facts
| Size | Medium |
|---|---|
| Height | 13–23cm |
| Weight | 5–15kg |
| Life expectancy | 12–16years |
| Breed group | AKC: hound FCI: 4 |
| Role | Hound |
| Coat | Medium coat |
| Shedding | 2/ 5 |
| Exercise | 30–90min/day |
| Can be left alone | up to 4 hours |
| Companionship need | 4/ 5 |
| Trainability | 4/ 5 |
| Barking | 5/ 5 |
| Good with children | 3/ 5 |
| Good with other dogs | 4/ 5 |
| Heat tolerance | 3/ 5 |
| Cold tolerance | 3/ 5 |
Health
This page is general information compiled from published sources. It is not veterinary, legal or purchase advice. Dogs vary within a breed — talk to a vet or a reputable breeder about the dog in front of you.
Health notes are not veterinary advice. Conditions listed are those reported for the breed, not a diagnosis of any dog. Always consult a veterinarian.
Intervertebral disc disease (IVDD)
Back and disc problems are commonly reported in the breed. Ask your vet about protecting the spine (weight control, avoiding jumping from heights) and seek help fast for sudden pain or weakness.
Inherited eye conditions
Various inherited eye conditions are reported in the breed; annual eye examinations by a veterinary ophthalmologist are recommended for breeding stock. Ask your vet about eye screening.
Ear infections
Recurring ear infections are commonly reported, particularly in drop-eared dogs. Ask your vet how to check and clean the ears.
Weight gain
The breed gains weight easily. Ask your vet about body-condition scoring and portion sizes.
Diabetes
Diabetes is reported at higher rates in the breed. Ask your vet if your dog drinks or urinates more than usual.
Behaviour
Bold, persistent, doesn't know 'shy'
The CKC describes the Dachshund as clever, lively and courageous — persistent and outgoing. The AKC adds they are intelligent but independent and often stubborn, so training can be a challenge; they respond best to positive, reward-based methods and are sensitive to harsh corrections.
Exercise to protect the back
The AKC stresses that despite their size Dachshunds need regular exercise — two moderate walks a day — partly to build the muscle that supports the back; they are not built for distance running, leaping or strenuous swimming.
Energy and exercise
Energy level is rated 3/5 (moderate) on the AKC breed-trait chart. The Royal Kennel Club puts its exercise need at "up to 1 hour per day".
Training and barking
AKC trait chart: trainability 4/5, barking level 5/5. Individual dogs vary; early socialisation and reward-based training are recommended for every breed.
Official guidance
Summaries of official documents are ours; the source is linked. Breed standards, laws and licensing rules change — check the issuing body for the current version.
American Kennel Club — Dachshund
Breed overview, breed-trait chart, history, official standard summary and health notes from the AKC and the national parent club.
Read the sourceAccessed 2026-09-09
Canadian Kennel Club — Dachshund Standard Smooth (Hounds)
Origin, temperament, activity level, height/weight, coat and grooming as described by the Canadian Kennel Club.
Read the sourceAccessed 2026-09-09
The Royal Kennel Club — Dachshund Smooth Haired
Breed characteristics (size medium, exercise up to 1 hour per day, lifespan over 12 years), plus the recommended pre-breeding health schemes and DNA tests.
Read the sourceAccessed 2026-09-09
FCI nomenclature — Dachshund (standard no. 148, group 4)
FCI breed nomenclature entry with the official breed standard PDF in English, French, German and Spanish.
Read the sourceAccessed 2026-09-09
What owners say
Owner advice is quoted from public community posts and reflects those owners' opinions, not PocketPaw's position. It is unverified and not a substitute for professional advice. Each item links to where it was said.
“The parent club's IVDD resources tell owners that roughly one in five Dachshunds is affected by disc disease, that onset is usually sudden (a wobbly gait or hind-leg weakness), and that acting fast matters — a dog showing these signs should be seen by a vet immediately rather than 'waiting to see'.”
— Dachshund Club of America — Intervertebral Disc Disease resources via breed clubWorldwide2026-09-09
Sources
- [1]Dachshund — Dog Breed Information — American Kennel Club (Accessed 2026-09-09)
- [2]Dachshund Standard Smooth — Choosing a Breed — Canadian Kennel Club (Accessed 2026-09-09)
- [3]Dachshund Smooth Haired — Breeds A to Z — The Royal Kennel Club (Accessed 2026-09-09)
- [4]Dachshund — FCI standard no. 148 — Fédération Cynologique Internationale (Accessed 2026-09-09)
- [5]How do I help my dog adjust to spending time alone? — The Royal Kennel Club (Accessed 2026-09-09)
- [6]Incidence and risk factors for heat-related illness (heatstroke) in UK dogs under primary veterinary care in 2016 (Hall, Carter & O'Neill, Scientific Reports 10:9128) — Nature / Scientific Reports (Accessed 2026-09-09)
- [7]Intervertebral Disc Disease — Dachshund Club of America — Dachshund Club of America — Intervertebral Disc Disease resources (Accessed 2026-09-09)
- [8]Intervertebral Disc Disease — American College of Veterinary Surgeons (Accessed 2026-09-11)
Still have questions?
Ask owners on the PawMunity forum — every breed has its own board.
Breed data compiled by PocketPaw from the sources credited on each entry. Text and layout © 2026 NextPath Solutions Limited. Please link to a page rather than copying it.