Wire-Haired Dachshund: THE GUIDE

Wire-Haired Dachshund: The COMPLETE GUIDE!

The Wire-Haired Dachshund is a courageous, intelligent, and very muscular dog!

It can come in 3 sizes: (from largest to smallest)

- Standard Dachshund

- Miniature Dachshund

- Kaninchen Dachshund

Initially bred in Germany to hunt badgers, it was also used to hunt in packs to take down wild boar.

In modern times, it is a popular breed worldwide and is appreciated for its unique appearance and intelligence.

Their elongated backs and short legs have earned them the nickname "sausage dog" or "hot dog" in English.

The Wire-Haired Dachshund is suited for apartment living and family life, provided it gets plenty of exercise outside the house.

If you have the time to let him run and train him, continue reading our article as this little dog will be the ideal companion for the whole family, and also check out our complete article on the life expectancy of the wire-haired dachshund.

The Wire-Haired Dachshund Breed

This breed of German basset (with short legs) is popular for its skills in digging in burrows.

The breed has been known since the Middle Ages and recognized since the 19th century, in the Western world and mainly in Europe, gradually spreading to the rest of the world.

For precise details of its history, we invite you to consult the dachshund amateur club.

The wire-haired dachshund has been part of the F.C.I. (World Canine Organization) classification since 1955:

Group 4 - with working trials.

Today, it is mainly used as a companion dog and is a staple of urban family life.

It is best known for its long back, short legs, and deep chest.

Origin of the Breed:

The Dachshund or translated into German as Dackel, literally translates to badger dog, and was bred to be able to dig into badger holes to drive them out for their hunting owners.

In addition to their determination and intelligence, they also have a highly characteristic bark that is used to mark their location while their owners search for the fleeing badgers.

The wire-haired dachshund variant was specifically bred to run through thicker bushes during the hunt.

In addition to badger hunting, there have been documented cases of using packs for wild boar hunting.

A true all-terrain dog that can hunt above ground (wild boar, hare, roe deer, game...) or below ground (foxes, badgers, and rabbits for the Kaninchen).

The dachshund is a national symbol of Germany, which earned it the nickname "liberty dog" during the First World War.

The Dachshund Amateur Club:

The dachshund amateur club is the official body for the breed, and we recommend visiting their site.

It is affiliated with the French Canine Central.

If you wish to buy a wire-haired dachshund puppy, it is extremely important that you find a responsible breeder, as this animal's genetics can cause them significant discomfort.

Characteristics of the Wire-Haired Dachshund:

Height at Withers	Kaninchen 13 to 18 cm Miniature 20 to 30 cm Standard 20 to 35 cm
Weight (average)	Kaninchen (3.5kg), Miniature (5kg), Standard (10.5kg)
Lifespan	10 to 16 years
Group	4 (FCI), with working trials
Daily Life	guard dog, hunting and companion dog
Color	Solid (red), Brindled (boar), Dapple (merle), Brindle
Temperament	Lively, Courageous, Hardy, Intelligent, Loyal, Affectionate
Other names	Doxie, Dachshund, Dackel, Sausage dog

 

Wire-Haired Dachshund Puppy

 

Due to their huge popularity, the price of wire-haired dachshund puppies can vary between 800 and 1500 euros, and many factors come into play in this price range:

- The region you live in
- The color of the dog's coat
- The breeding and pedigree of the dog (breed guarantee)
- Medical costs related to birth (e.g., cesarean section)
- The dog's coat (e.g., short, long, or wire-haired)
- A normal litter can have 1 to 6 puppies, although larger litters risk being stillborn.

Read our article: When is a Dachshund an Adult?

Wire-Haired Dachshund Temperament

Although this dog is very close to some family members, their intelligence can make them very stubborn 😅

They can also be very vocal by barking at strangers (which can be corrected with proper training), but this must be evaluated when deciding to get a dachshund.

As it is a hunting dog, the wire-haired dachshund barks and howls quite often, as it is in its nature.

Many consider their howling an endearing quality, but they can be trained not to bark at strangers if done early enough.

This breed is not famous for defending you, but remains an excellent guard dog thanks to its loud barking!

During hunting, the dachshund also has a very high reaction speed, which can lead it to run away very quickly if left unsupervised.

Dachshund bags >

Wire-Haired Dachshund Personality:

Friendly	3/5
Confident	4.5/5
Protective	3/5
Hunter	5/5
Sociability	3/5

 

The wire-haired dachshund is an extremely intelligent breed and is certainly not known for laziness.

They are also very playful, but as an owner, it is important to ensure they do nothing that could hurt their back.

Read: How to carry a dachshund

This breed is known to have a lot of heart, and these are courageous animals that love being by their owner's side.

They enjoy affection, especially from the one or two family members they are closely bonded with, and thanks to their compact size, they do very well in apartments.

Family Compatibility:

This dog breed is very close to its family, but with strangers, it can be a bit peculiar.

Wire-haired dachshunds are friendly and can be very compatible in a family setting, but they must be introduced to this lifestyle very early.

In addition to behaving well in a family environment, this breed gets along well with other pets if they are exposed to them very early.

They can even become the family favorite due to their more dominant personality and courageous nature.

Appearance of the Wire-Haired Dachshund

All dachshunds are known for their elongated backs, short legs, and low-slung, developed musculature.

The wire-haired dachshund has a hard, wiry outer coat and a soft undercoat.

This breed is also known for its drooping ears and long, slender face.

Overall, dachshunds have a very unique appearance and are immediately distinguishable from other dogs.

Size:

As seen at the beginning of the article, this breed can come in 3 official size varieties:

- Standard dachshund

- Miniature dachshund

- Kaninchen dachshund (miniature)

All three sizes can be presented in dog shows.

Coat Colors:

Dachshunds come in several color varieties, and the wire-haired dachshund is no different.

Black with tan accents (i.e., the classic coloring) is probably the most common, but it can also be: (see official nomenclature)

- Solid (red)

- Variegated (wild boar, brownish boar, black and tan, browns with tan markings)

- Dapple (grey or beige merle)

- Brindle (fawn base coat has black stripes)

Fur:

The wire-haired dachshund has a thick double coat:

- a soft undercoat
- a thick and coarse outer coat

This breed is also known for its long, dense beard and a head with long hair (it is not recommended to cut it around the head).

Grooming and Stripping:

Read our full article dedicated to Wire-haired Dachshund grooming.

This dachshund is not known for heavy shedding.

Maintenance of its coat is recommended 2 to 3 times a year, and it will be necessary to strip the coat using a trimmer (stripping knife) designed to help it get rid of its dead hair.

Dachshund grooming >

Stripping the coat of a wire-haired dachshund will allow the regrowth to develop healthily 😉

This dog must also be brushed weekly to avoid any kind of knots, especially if it gets into something dirty, as it can stick to its coarse hair.

Regarding bathing, Doxies are known for having little to no body odor, which means that baths are not necessary very frequently.

Like any other dog breed, this breed also needs very regular dental cleaning to prevent dental or gum disease (we recommend offering it a dental ball).

They also need to have their nails trimmed regularly to prevent them from scratching you or the furniture if their outdoor activity is too low.

Care for the Wire-Haired Dachshund

Wire-haired dachshunds are best suited to a moderate climate (not too hot and not too cold).

They enjoy walks and outings but do not need an extremely active lifestyle to be satisfied.

Diet:

It is extremely important to be vigilant with this breed's food to avoid being overweight.

Be aware that 2/3 of dachshunds are overweight after 2-3 years... which should alert you.

Its long back and shorter arms and legs make the wire-haired dachshund very prone to damage caused by weight gain, which can help prevent intervertebral disc disease.

Obesity, caused by overfeeding, will strain their back and cause a multitude of problems for your pet.

This breed does not require a specific type of food, as it can depend on your dog's preferences, but it is very important that it receives a diet suited to its age, as caloric needs differ for puppies, adults, and senior dogs.

Always refer to a veterinarian or a canine specialist who can answer all your questions.

Activity and Exercise:

For a wire-haired dachshund, 30 to 60 minutes of activity per day is recommended.

This is a medium-activity dog breed.

It is a misconception that the dachshund is a smaller breed and doesn't need much exercise (which would lead to a high obesity rate in the breed).

The wire-haired dachshund needs regular exercise to strengthen its back and shoulder muscles.

Many dog clubs recommend two moderate walks a day for this breed, as this will be enough to keep them happy and healthy.

This dog should also not be walked off-leash (around cars or other people), as it has a very strong prey drive and is prone to running.

Training:

Like other dachshunds, this animal is very intelligent.

Because of this intelligence, it is also known to be very stubborn and independent, so we recommend that you easily train yourself with expert behaviorists.

The wire-haired dachshund does better with positive reinforcement training (with affection and treats) because it really helps motivate it to do what you want it to do 😅

It also has a very strong prey drive, which can distract it if it is training outside.

When training puppies, it will be much easier for you and your dog if you train them indoors, where there are fewer distractions.

Health and Known Dachshund Issues:

There are known health problems for dachshunds, but there are several ways to take care of your pet to keep it healthy.

One aspect of the dachshund's appearance that is infamous is its elongated back.

However, this can cause a back condition called intervertebral disc disease.

This disease can be due to genetic factors or a simple fall from the sofa.

This is why it is extremely important to support your dachshund's back and rear end (by holding or carrying it).

Wire-haired dachshunds are also known for epilepsy, a disease that can cause seizures. Medications are available to help control seizures.

Because of its deep chest, the dachshund breed is also prone to gastric dilatation, which causes the stomach to twist when excess air enters the body.

This is a medical emergency, but it can be treated if handled immediately by a veterinarian.

Finally, the dachshund is prone to a few other non-fatal diseases, such as diabetes, eye diseases, and deafness, all of which can be treated easily with a consultation with a veterinarian.

Final Word

The wire-haired dachshund is an ideal breed for many types of households, whether it's in a small apartment, in a suburb with a family, or anywhere in between.

This pet is very cuddly and will ask for more if you get it used to it when young.

It is known to be very intelligent, but this can make it stubborn, which is why it must be trained very early.

Finally, this terrier dog is very famous for its unique appearance with both light and regular stripping.

Does the wire-haired dachshund seem like the ideal dog to you? Let us know in the comments below, but we... we love it 💚

The Teckelshop Team - 🐶 Last modified 07/15/26

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