The Long-Haired Dachshund: The GUIDE!

Are you about to adopt a long-haired dachshund? You surely have many questions, especially about the most appropriate way to raise them to offer them an ideal quality of life.

In order to provide you with the best possible support throughout your life as an owner, we offer this complete guide concerning this exceptional variety of sausage dog that is the long-haired dachshund! 😊

A brief history of the origin of the long-haired dachshund

The origin of the first dachshund breed remains quite unclear for now. According to history, particularly based on accounts drawn from numerous literary works, the origin of the first dachshund breed (smooth-haired dachshund) dates back to the Middle Ages. Regarding the long-haired dachshund, its origin is much better known.

A successful crossbreed

The long-haired dachshund is said to have originated from a cross between a smooth-haired dachshund and 2️⃣ different dog breeds:

• The dachshund and German spaniels

Around the 16th-17th century, a first dachshund breed called the Wöpke breed emerged in Germany. This breed was born from the cross of the smooth-haired dachshund with German spaniels. The result was a variety of dachshund with an exceptional black and tan coat.

Inheriting the good genes of the spaniels, the dachshund from this bloodline sports magnificent long, silky hair, as well as floppy ears 😍.

But beyond the genetic heritage, it also retained many characteristics of its spaniel ancestors, particularly its gentle and affectionate nature. Its nature as a hunting dog is also preserved, thus making the long-haired dachshund a very good, sharp, and keen hunter.

• The dachshund and English spaniels

Another breed called the Rangger breed was born from the cross of the smooth-haired dachshund with English spaniels. The modern long-haired dachshund we know today is, according to some research, the result of crossing this bloodline with the Wöpke breed.

The characteristics of a long-haired Dachshund

The long-haired dachshund is the largest variety of dachshund, whether in terms of weight (due to its long hair) or height. This short-legged dog measures 35 cm on average. As for its weight, a dachshund puppy weighs between 3.5 and 5 kg. It can weigh up to 9 or 12 kg in adulthood.

In terms of coat, there are several colors for long-haired dachshunds:

• Black, black and cream, black and tan
• Red.
• Fawn
• Brown and tan.
• Dapple (grey and red with black spots or red and beige with brown spots).

👉 To become an expert on dachshund colors, check out our full article.

Below, a magnificent dapple (also called merle) dachshund 😊 :

The personality of a long-haired dachshund

The long-haired dachshund has derived a large part of its personality traits from the spaniel. If you have ever had the opportunity to spend time with this dog breed, rest assured that the dachshund adopts, with few exceptions, the same behavior.

A perfect companion dog

Aside from aesthetic quality, the long-haired dachshund has above all inherited a calm and gentle nature from German spaniels. Among the three dachshund hair varieties: smooth-haired, wire-haired, and long-haired, the latter is recognized as the most tender & affectionate.

For those looking for a dachshund as a pet, it may thus represent the best choice. As a true companion who loves cuddles, your four-legged sausage can spend entire hours snuggling up to you, without asking for anything more than your presence... 🥰

With a hint of hunting dog

Even if the long-haired dachshund is calm and composed by nature, it remains a lively and energetic dog. It should be known that some strains have kept their predatory instinct. It is therefore not surprising that it is always ready to flush out small game during walks in the forest or in parks.

As a reminder, the term dachshund, dachshund (in English) or Dackel (in German) means "badger dog". Originally, it was effectively intended to accompany hunters to hunt badgers and other small mammals living underground. 😉

By adopting this variety of dachshund, you become the happy owner of a small, short-legged hunting dog often requiring good training to channel all its energy: the dachshund is lively and spirited!

Training the long-haired Doxie

A dog with a good temperament, the long-haired dachshund is the easiest variety to train. Intelligent and attentive, you will find no trouble getting it to obey, provided that its learning begins at a very young age.

Ideally, its training to learn to live in society should begin around the age of 2️⃣ months.

Patience and firmness

In some cases, it is not uncommon for the long-haired dachshund to be stubborn and mischievous. Most of the time, this happens when its master is too permissive. As an intelligent dog, it will take advantage of this and only do as it pleases throughout its life. 😅

It is also possible that you have not set strict rules from the start. Regarding housebreaking, for example, it is up to you to get it used to doing its business in a specific place. Even if learning often requires patience, this sharp-witted dog understands quite quickly what you expect of it.

To help you, note especially that the success of its learning relies on positive training which consists of rewarding it for every good behavior.

Moreover, to avoid small outbursts during its life, it is important to show authority, but always with kindness and gentleness, of course.

If necessary, if you really have trouble making yourself heard, the best option is to consider training sessions with a professional dog trainer. However, rest assured, it is rarely necessary to reach that stage.

Cohabitation with other pets 

As a hunting dog by nature, the dachshund's cohabitation with other small pets such as cats, guinea pigs, or even rabbits goes well but, in some cases, can prove complicated.

Indeed, its deep nature often takes over and pushes it to consider them as prey. It is even possible that it attacks animals much larger than itself. (the dachshund is a big dog in its own head 😁)

Nevertheless, with good training and socialization provided while a puppy, a long-haired dachshund can become particularly obedient and show itself to be very cuddly and playful towards other external animals or the family.

Thus, from a very young age, you must teach it to live in society, such as how to behave with other animals or get used to the presence of children and strangers.

What living environment should you offer a long-haired dachshund?

 

Love first and foremost! 🥰

Undoubtedly, the best living environment for a dachshund is a large outdoor space where it can exercise freely. If you live in the countryside or have a spacious garden, you are certainly offering the perfect place for your furry friend.

But this does not mean that it will not be happy in an apartment in the city. As long as you offer it enough activities and increase daily short outings, you will make it a happy and perfectly fulfilled pet.

Also, as in the photo above, dogs need to chew, which is very good and recommended for their energy expenditure but also for their dental hygiene.

What activities to do with your dachshund?

Although the long-haired dachshund appreciates long naps on the sofa or its cozy bed, it needs to go out to get some fresh air, let off steam, and meet other dogs! 🐶

Plan daily outings

Ideally, one long walk once a day or two short walks in the morning and at the end of the day are essential.

As much as possible, occasionally offer it the opportunity to frolic in the open air, in the forest or in the countryside. The idea is that it can rediscover its true nature by sniffing, rooting around, and exploring the world around it. YES, 🥳 they love it!

Moreover, know that dachshunds love to swim. If you live near a lake, do not hesitate to let it bathe. Make sure, of course, to equip it with a life jacket when swimming.

If you feel you do not have enough time or patience for these little outdoor activities, we advise you to think carefully before adopting a dachshund.

Remember that living with this breed of dog (or any other pet) is a real long-term commitment and investment, 7 days a week. 😊

Other activities with your long-haired dachshund

Between two walks, you can also keep your dog occupied by offering indoor games so it doesn't get bored. To satisfy it, you just need to buy toys intended for small dogs.

If you have a small garden, also set up a small paddling pool for it so it can have fun during sunny days.

Always with the goal of allowing it to burn off energy, some owners even go so far as to offer canine sports such as tracking games, agility, and many others. Note that with good training, dachshunds can become true athletes who often participate in obstacle course competitions! 🥇

Important note: it is imperative to consult a veterinary professional before considering getting your pooch started in agility. Only a specialist in the field is able to determine if your dachshund has the necessary physical aptitudes for this type of activity.

Good hygiene practices for your dachshund

To preserve their lovely coat, but also to keep them in good health, grooming for the long-haired dachshund must be done regularly.

👉 Check out our complete blog post on grooming the long-haired dachshund.

From their coat to their ears and down to their little paws, every nook and cranny must be meticulously inspected and cleaned. Here are some tips on how to take care of your furry friend the right way.

Grooming the long-haired dachshund

Due to its long and thick coat, the way to maintain the magnificent coat of our dear long-haired dachshund differs somewhat from that of the smooth-haired dachshund or the wire-haired dachshund.

• Bathing and brushing:

To preserve the softness of their coat, give them a bath at most once a month, making sure to use a dog-specific shampoo. You should know that bathing too frequently risks weakening their skin.

In addition, you must perform a weekly brushing, preferably with a long-hair brush, in order to effectively undo the unsightly knots that form especially on the fringes on the back of their legs. Do not hesitate to regularly trim excess hair if necessary, especially around the armpits and between the paws.

During shedding periods, consider increasing the brushing frequency to at least twice a week. For information, note that the long-haired dachshund has seasonal shedding, meaning they lose their hair every season.

Dachshund grooming >

• Nutrition:

Did you know that the food you offer your little one affects the appearance of their coat?

Indeed, a good diet 😋 helps preserve the shine and softness of their hair. It is therefore essential to vary their meals by including foods rich in omega-3 (fish oil, sunflower oil...), as well as vegetables to ensure a good intake of vitamins.

Complete cleaning

Proper grooming for your long-haired dachshund also includes a careful check of the cleanliness of the various parts of their body.

Regarding their ears, as soon as you notice an accumulation of earwax, clean it immediately with a specific product intended for this purpose to avoid the appearance of an ear infection.

Likewise for the eyes, wash away the sticky little deposits that form at the corners of the eyes using saline solution sold at pharmacies or by your veterinarian (in case of doubt, always contact your veterinarian).

As for the nails, simply trim them with special clippers as soon as you notice they are too long. You should know that long claws can bother your beloved pet and even change their gait.

Finally, to ensure good oral health for your dachshund, it is possible to brush their teeth two or three times a week.

Quick reminder: if you show consistency in grooming your dachshund, there is no risk of them emitting an unpleasant body odor, making them a perfect indoor dog.

Potential health problems of the long-haired dachshund

In principle, the long-haired dachshund is a healthy and robust little dog. It is estimated that the life expectancy of this breed is between 12 and 16 years.

However, even as a sturdy little dog, like any small dog with an elongated body, they show a certain fragility in their back.

👉 On the same subject, check out our article: "my dachshund has a sore back".

Thus, the main health problem to which they are often exposed is the herniated disc. This condition causes back and neck pain and can even lead to paralysis of the hind legs.

Fortunately, it is possible to prevent this back problem by managing their weight, as obesity is the main cause of back and spinal problems. Therefore, be sure to ensure a good diet for them.

Furthermore, avoid jumping on the sofa, the bed, and climbing stairs as much as possible. You can help them by carrying them in your arms or by using a special dog ramp.

🐶 Details:

• As soon as you notice abnormal behavior (difficulty climbing, showing little enthusiasm for activities, incontinence issues...), make an appointment with your veterinarian quickly.
• Consult your veterinarian to find out the right diet for your dachshund. This should be defined based on your pooch's size, weight, and age.

In some very rare cases, the long-haired dachshund can also develop other diseases such as:

• Dermatological conditions (skin problems): alopecia, dermatitis, pyoderma, nodular panniculitis...
• Ophthalmological diseases: punctate keratitis (corneal condition).
• Heart failure: mitral valve disease.
• Cushing's syndrome or hormonal imbalance.
• Deafness.

Where to buy a long-haired dachshund?

The popularity of this breed has led to the appearance of many kennels and shelters over the years. A context that often does not facilitate the choice for future buyers.

However, to ensure you acquire a healthy puppy, we recommend buying from professional breeders who are members of a canine association.

In principle, these establishments are required to comply with a certain standard defined by the FCI (World Canine Organization). Moreover, they most often belong to enthusiasts who pay particular attention to the puppies' diet and the environment in which they live, both before and after adoption.

In terms of price, the price of a dachshund puppy offered varies significantly from one breeder to another. Many parameters are indeed taken into account to evaluate the price (their coat, age, conformity to breed standard...).

As a general rule, the price on the market is between €1000 and €2000.

Final thoughts

Whether you are an owner or a future owner of a long-haired dachshund, we hope our extensive guide has allowed you to better understand this magnificent breed.

If you wish to add new information to this article, share little anecdotes about your long-haired dachshund, or if you have any other questions regarding the subject we have just discussed, let us know in the comments and above all... long live Dachshunds!

The Teckelshop Team 💚 - last modified on 20/01/2026

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