Dachshund as a First Dog: 10 Things to Know

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The Dachshund as a First Dog: 10 Things to Know

If you decide to get a Dachshund as your first dog, know that they will steal your heart with their love, devotion, and antics!

However, understanding this wonderful breed is important to ensure a happy and healthy life, both for you and your adorable Dachshund 😇

With this article, we want to share 10 things that we consider most important, especially for a first-time dog owner, but just before we begin, a quick reminder that:

- The Dachshund is a dog breed that comes in 3 sizes:

standard Dachshund (7-14kg)

miniature Dachshund (4-6kg)

kaninchen (rabbit) Dachshund (3-4kg)

- and each size comes in 3 coat types and colors:

wire-haired Dachshund

long-haired Dachshund

smooth-haired Dachshund

We can't say it enough... This dog is a wonderful bundle of fluff 🥰

1. The Dachshund is a Hunting Dog

Dachshunds were bred to hunt, cover a lot of ground, and sniff out badgers, rabbits, and other game like wild boar or deer.

This means they are driven by 2 things: their nose and their stomach 😊

You can help them satisfy this natural hunting urge by making them feel like they are searching for something to find food and treats.

To do this, you can participate in a dog training course to develop their scenting skills or buy a snuffle mat; they will love playing with it (but always under your supervision).

2. Dachshunds are Intelligent and Curious

Dachshunds are Group 4 hunting dogs with working trials, according to the official nomenclature of the Fédération Cynologique Internationale.

These dogs were bred not to back down or give up in the face of a threat, and no matter the time or energy spent, they will see things through to the end...

So with a Dachshund as your first dog, expect to deal with a stubborn pup with a very strong personality!

3. Dachshunds Live Long Lives

The average life expectancy of a Dachshund is 14 to 16 years.

Most live at least until the age of 11 or 12, and it is even possible for a Dachshund to live to the age of 17 to 20.

If you are a first-time Dachshund owner, be prepared for a long-term commitment 🐶

And obviously, a healthy and balanced diet for your Dachshund will contribute greatly to their healthy growth and a peaceful life within your family.

4. The Dachshund Barks Frequently and Loudly

Some Dachshunds bark more than others, but they are generally dogs that yelp at the mailman or the neighborhood, so take this into serious consideration if you live in an apartment.

Also, the pizza delivery person might very well think you have a large dog behind your door... 😉

They are, therefore, excellent guard dogs for warning you of any activity around your home, which is very reassuring as you will never need a doorbell!

If this is your very first pet dog, you will need to work on training your Dachshund to control their barking in most cases.

5. Most Pet Store Harnesses and Clothes Will Not Fit Your Dachshund

But PHEW! There is Teckelshop, your favorite Dachshund boutique 😜

Dachshunds have long backs and suffer from dwarfism (chondrodysplasia), so you will have trouble finding harnesses and coats that fit them.

- Jackets that fit their deep chest may be too short to cover their back.

- Jackets and harnesses long enough for them may swamp them in fabric around the neck and chest (their little legs get tangled in it).

- Harnesses may not be suitable due to the Dachshund's prominent breastbone.

Because the fit is not perfect or not suitable, the harness can put too much pressure on their windpipe or fragile back.

In our Dachshund harness collection, we recommend 2 shapes:

- Y-harness - forming a Y on the chest

- T-harness - forming a T when viewed from the side

This way, your dog's back is not strained; the pressure point will simply be the top of their shoulders.

6. Dachshunds Have Fragile Backs

Dachshunds are genetically predisposed to a condition called intervertebral disc disease.

Having a Dachshund as your first dog means knowing from the start that you must take care of their fragile spine, which is heavily used, throughout their entire life.

Veterinarians and breed specialists agree on accustoming your little companion from a young age to use a dog ramp to help them get up on furniture in the house (sofa, armchair, bed, etc.).

As a Dachshund owner, we also prefer to carry our dogs up and down stairs (regardless of their size) 🤗 and by talking with our lovely community, we also recommend osteopathy sessions once a year.

7. Dachshunds Are Prone to Obesity

The nickname "sausage dog" may be cute, but your Dachshund should not look like one!

A Dachshund will ALWAYS make you understand they are hungry.

It is up to you to have the willpower to say no when they have had enough treats and to give them the right amount of food.

Worldwide, 2/3 of Dachshunds are prone to obesity, which can once again affect their back.

It can also lead to other serious medical problems, such as diabetes.

Dachshunds that are at a healthy weight should have a tuck behind the rib cage, and you should be able to see their waist when looking from above.

To keep your Dachshund at a healthy weight, ensure they get enough regular exercise and control their food portions (treats are rewards during or after training).

8. Dachshunds are Energetic and Need Plenty of Exercise

Because of their small size and short legs, many people think Dachshunds don't need much exercise or aren't capable of it... it's quite the opposite!

These dogs were bred to be hunters, meaning they are active and dynamic dogs.

Of course, a Dachshund is happy to laze around the house if you let them, but they are capable of more than you think in terms of exercise and training 📲 (click to discover the dog training program).

Most Dachshunds can handle good distances and hikes of 5 to 8 km from their first adult outing.

There are also many Dachshunds who practice and excel in dog sports: tracking, agility (obstacle courses), etc...

In addition to needing exercise to stay physically healthy, it will keep them mentally happy 😇

9. Dachshunds Will Steal Your Heart

Their antics and goofy expressions will melt your heart ❤️

Many owners have at least two, and the "once a Dachshund owner, always a Dachshund owner" mentality leads people to have several throughout their lives 🥰

You will want to keep a good camera handy to capture all the precious and comical moments.

If a Dachshund is your very first dog, be prepared to live with a little clown!

10. Prepare for Lots of Fun

Prepare for sausage jokes when you meet people on the street or during your walks with your adorable Dachshund.

Also, owning a Dachshund allows you to become part of a community. Dachshund fans are enthusiastic and tend to gravitate toward one another.

There are many Dachshund clubs and Facebook groups that you can join!

In Summary

Dachshunds are certainly more challenging than some breeds, but less challenging than others.

If you already own a Dachshund, you should learn everything you can about them and learn to work WITH them.

If you are considering adopting a Dachshund as your first dog, please consider all the above elements and determine honestly if the Dachshund is the right breed for you.

So many Dachshunds end up in shelters every year because people don't know what they have gotten themselves into by bringing one of these magnificent little dogs home.

Are you a owner of a puppy or adult Dachshund? If you have something to add to this list, we want to know everything in the comments!

The Teckelshop Team 💚 - Last modified on 01/16/26

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