Which Dachshund to Choose?

Are you looking to expand your family with one of the most famous breeds in the world but have doubts about choosing your dachshund? And perhaps it is even your first dog in your life?

Actually, it's very simple!

With the Dachshund, think in 3s 🐶

This very affectionate dog breed has 3 coat types:

- Long-haired Dachshund

- Smooth-haired Dachshund (short hair)

- Wire-haired Dachshund

and these 3 varieties come in 3 sizes: (from largest to smallest)

- Standard Dachshund: chest circumference of 35cm and up

- Miniature Dachshund: chest circumference of 30 to 35cm

- Kaninchen (Rabbit) Dachshund (toy): chest circumference up to 30cm

You can also find even more details on their beautiful colors, the price of a dachshund and browse the website of the French Dachshund Club.

The Dachshund: A Lively and Affectionate Dog

Despite their small size, these dogs are brave, alert, and playful little companions.

Dachshunds are good guard dogs that love to bark and yelp, but they are also perfect for cuddling and having fun!

The different coat varieties have very similar personalities, although the long-haired variety tends to be a bit more relaxed and laid-back, and the wire-haired one a bit more clownish and stubborn 😜

Furthermore, although they were bred for country life and hunting, city life seems to suit them as well because they are very adaptable.

Indeed, all sizes can live very well in an apartment, but the ones that saw great success in 2021 are the miniature and Kaninchen dachshunds.

Note: A dog, regardless of its size (and so also for dachshunds), must be walked regularly and several times a day. This way, it will stay healthy and feel even happier on a daily basis.

Choosing a dachshund also means being aware of their somewhat spirited and stubborn character, so be sure to stand your ground with them, otherwise they will dominate you and are very likely to run the show: the wire-haired dachshund has that (mini) reputation 🥰

Living with a Dachshund

Teckel Chiot

Dachshunds are friendly with other dogs and love socializing with them, but they also have a strong hunting instinct and love to expend their energy by running.

You must therefore teach them not to chase other household pets such as cats or rabbits...

These little "sausage dogs" get along well with children, although you must show them the right way to carry a dachshund so as not to hurt its back.

It is advisable to discourage your dachshund from jumping and overexerting itself, because given its anatomy, it risks hurting its back more easily than another dog, and in that case, it's a direct appointment with your veterinary specialist!

This breed loves to dig, so make sure the fence in your backyard is secure and that a nice cozy blanket awaits them where they can relax after their activities.

Choosing to have a dachshund also means knowing that it is not a fan of being left alone for long periods, so it might complain until it has some company (woof woof).

Read: The Dachshund in an Apartment

Dachshund and Training

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Dachshunds have a reputation for being a bit difficult to listen to.

This can be remedied through patient training and the use of positive methods to reward your dog when it succeeds.

We recommend following a behavioral training program 📲

Choosing a dachshund will rarely win you first prize in official obedience trials, but it can be trained to a perfectly acceptable level provided you are kind, firm, and consistent.

You get it: don't let it walk all over you!

It can be slightly aggressive toward strangers, so it must be properly socialized from a very young age.

A Pooch with a Voice

Teckel Poil Dur

Sausage dogs are excessive barkers whose bark is surprisingly powerful for their size.

Miniature (Kaninchen) dachshunds are, however, very gifted at this exercise 😄

All sizes of dachshunds will alert you to the approach of strangers on your property and will very likely try to tackle the intruder, as they have no idea of their own size...

It is said that the dachshund is a big dog in a small dog's body.

Dachshund Colors

Teckel Arlequin

Here, it's not just in 3s (like the sizes and coat lengths); we increase the numbers!

Indeed, the dachshund comes in different colors and shades recognized by the FCI (Fédération Cynologique Internationale):

- Red (Fauve)

- Black and Tan

- Wild Boar

- Chocolate

- Dapple (Arlequin)

- Brindle

Furthermore (not recognized by the FCI), you will more rarely find this companion dog in merle, blue roan, speckled, cream, or piebald.

All professional breeders (and serious private individuals) respect these standards.

Dachshund Grooming

Read: Grooming a Long-Haired Dachshund

Read: Grooming a Wire-Haired Dachshund

Read: Grooming a Smooth-Haired Dachshund

We advise you to refer to the blog articles, but smooth-haired dachshunds require little maintenance.

Indeed, a weekly brushing to remove dead hair is all it needs.

For the long-haired and wire-haired dachshund, it will need more regular brushing, such as every week, to maintain its beautiful coat.

This dog breed is generally quite clean and does not often require a bath!