Dachshund
Overview
A bold, characterful "sausage dog" that suits smaller homes but needs careful handling of its long back.
Temperament & family fit
In general, a Dachshund is fine with sensible, older children and generally fine with other dogs. They tend to be a vocal / alert barker, and as a guide they are manageable for committed beginners. As with any dog, early socialisation, reward-based training and supervision around young children make all the difference.
Exercise needs
A healthy adult Dachshund typically needs around an hour of exercise a day (roughly 60–80 minutes), split across walks plus play. A good sniffy walk, some play and a little training usually keeps them content; mental stimulation matters as much as the distance covered. Puppies, seniors and dogs with health conditions need adjusted amounts — check with your vet.
Grooming & coat
Coat upkeep is easy-care and shedding is low. A quick brush now and then, plus the occasional bath when needed, is usually plenty. Whatever the coat, check ears, nails and teeth as part of a regular routine.
Feeding considerations
Like any dog, a Dachshund should get most of its nutrition from a complete, balanced dog food appropriate for its size and life stage. Portions scale with body weight and activity, so a small breed will eat relatively little compared with other breeds — follow the food’s feeding guide and your vet’s advice, and weigh portions to avoid creeping weight gain. Treats — including fruit and veg — should make up no more than about 10% of daily calories.
Pros & cons
Pros
- +Big personality in a small, flat-friendly package
- +Loyal and entertaining companion
Things to consider
- –Prone to serious back (IVDD) problems — must avoid stairs and jumping
- –Can be stubborn to train, wary of strangers and quite vocal
Is a Dachshund right for you?
On space, a Dachshund is flat-friendly — they can adapt to a flat as long as they get their daily exercise and company. For experience level, they are manageable for committed beginners. First-time owners can absolutely succeed, but should be ready for consistent training, exercise and (ideally) some support.
Kit that suits a Dachshund
Size-appropriate everyday essentials:
Helpful tools
Similar breeds
Frequently asked questions
Are Dachshunds good with children?
Fine with sensible, older children. As a general guide, Dachshunds tend to be fine with sensible, older children. Whatever the breed, always supervise dogs and young children and teach kids to interact gently.
How much exercise does a Dachshund need?
As a healthy adult, a typical Dachshund needs around an hour of exercise a day (60–80 minutes), split across walks plus play. A good sniffy walk plus some play and training usually keeps them happy. Puppies, seniors and dogs with health conditions need less — ask your vet.
Do Dachshunds shed a lot?
Low shedding. Coat upkeep is easy-care — a quick brush now and then is usually enough.
Are Dachshunds easy to train and good for first-time owners?
Manageable for committed beginners. Dachshunds are best for owners ready to commit to consistent training and plenty of activity. Reward-based training and early socialisation help any dog.
Do Dachshunds bark a lot?
Vocal / alert barker. They can be quite vocal, so early training and enough exercise and stimulation help keep barking in check.
Are Dachshunds good with other dogs?
Generally fine with other dogs. Early, positive socialisation with other dogs from a young age makes a big difference.
Do Dachshunds suit flats or smaller homes?
Flat-friendly. A Dachshund can adapt to flat living as long as it gets its daily exercise and company.