Dachshunds
Size
Environment
Hair
Level of care
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What is a dachshund?
Dachshunds originated in Germany in the 17th century, where they were originally bred to have short legs to dig into burrows and hunt badgers and rabbits. There are multiple variations of dachshunds, including miniature dachshunds (who weigh less than 5kg) and wire-haired (with a longer, rough coat).
Due to their breeding and appearance, dachshunds can be prone to serious health and welfare problems. We only recommend taking on a dachshund through a reputable rehoming charity, and only those with moderate physical features.
Physical features
Dachshunds are small to medium in size. They can have either a short or long coat, that can be smooth or wiry, and come in a variety of colours. Breed standards, which are defined by breed clubs for showing purposes, describe dachshunds as being moderately long in proportion to height, compact and well-muscled. These physical characteristics increase their risk of spinal disease, which contributes to their poor health and welfare.
Common characteristics
Dachshunds are frequently described as intelligent, lively, courageous and good tempered, which is why many consider them to be good family pets.
All dogs — even those within the same breed and litter — have different personalities and temperaments. Each is an individual with its own preferences. While breed accounts for a small proportion of behaviour and temperament, how they are bred, reared, socialised, trained and their life experiences will have a much more significant, long-term impact.
Dachshunds can suffer from a variety of health issues, including those that affect their ability to walk, see and hear.
Some of these problems are a result of their appearance, whereas others stem from inherited disorders. Owning a chronically ill dog can cause significant caregiver burden resulting in emotional distress and financial strain.
The frequency of inherited disorders can be reduced through good breeding practices. We do not support selective breeding for appearance. Instead, anyone thinking of getting a dog companion should choose one who is innately healthy, with a good temperament, has good welfare and is suitable for their lifestyle.
Dachshunds suffer from extreme conformations; characterised as an exaggerated body shape, structure, or appearance which can negatively affect their health and welfare.
- Chondrodystrophy (long back and short legs): This body shape is strongly linked to spinal problems
- Merle/dapple coat: When both parents are merle/dapple, this increases the risk of impaired vision and hearing in their offspring.
Possible inherited diseases
Dachshunds are at increased risk of the inherited diseases below. Each of these can seriously impact health and welfare and life-expectancy.
Cataracts
Cataracts cause a cloudy white appearance of the eye, leading to impaired vision and potential blindness. Cataracts can affect all dogs and can occur as a result of age, genetics or other disorders. Dachshunds are known carriers of the genes that cause progressive renal atrophy which can cause cataracts. Treatment is not always required, although surgery may be offered.
Cleft lip/palate
A cleft lip/palate occurs due to failure of fusion during early development in the womb. Severity can vary. Those who are most severely affected often die in infancy due to complications that arise as a result, or are euthanised at birth.
Deafness
Dachshunds whose parents are both merle/dapple colourings have an increased risk of sight and hearing loss. A secondary disease called microphthalmia can also occur, where the eyes are abnormally small and often non functional. As there are no treatment options for blindness and deafness, adjustments need to be made to help with living, training and reducing risks.
Hyperadrenocorticism (Cushing's syndrome)
All dogs can get Cushings, although smaller and older dogs are more susceptible. This occurs when the body produces too much cortisol, which then affects many bodily systems. Symptoms include an increased appetite, urination and drinking, hair loss, enlarged abdomen, and muscle wasting. Treatment can be medical or surgical.
Intervertebral disk disease (IVDD)
Dachshunds are 10 to 12 times more likely to suffer from intervertebral disc disease (IVDD) than other breeds, with one in four developing IVDD at some point in their lifetime.
IVDD occurs when the intervertebral disks in the spinal column degenerate, bulge or rupture, compressing the spinal cord. This causes severe pain, an inability to walk properly, weakness and paralysis. Risk factors include; chondrodystrophic body shape (long back and short legs), exercise levels, age and breed variety.
IVDD can occur slowly or have a rapid onset. More often than not, medical and surgical treatment is required, which often involves expensive major surgery of the spine. Surgery isn’t curative; some may never be able to walk again or will have recurring IVDD post surgery. Paralysed dogs need extensive care with many euthanised to prevent further suffering.
Lafora disease
Miniature wirehaired dachshunds have a higher prevalence for Lafora disease; a rare but fatal form of epilepsy caused by a genetic mutation. Signs include focal seizures, characterised by lip smacking, localised twitching, intense fear and aggression. Extensive efforts have been made to reduce the incidence of Lafora with the proportion of litters affected reducing from 55% to 5% in 5 years.
Progressive Renal Atrophy (PRA)
PRA is an inherited eye disease that causes blindness. It’s non-painful and develops over time. There’s no treatment, but many dogs adapt well when adjustments are made to the home and their routine.
Due to breeding and their appearance, dachshunds can have high care needs, including:
- Use of ramps and non-slip flooring around the home
- Carefully controlled exercise regimes
- Strict calorie controlled diets
- Daily monitoring for worsening progression of disease
- Administration of daily medication and joint supplements (if prescribed by a veterinary surgeon)
Dachshunds diagnosed with IVDD will need:
- Strict rest of several weeks
- Gradual reintroduction to exercise
- Additional mental stimulation to account for the lack of physical exercise
- Regular physiotherapy and/or hydrotherapy
- Human intervention to help them urinate
- Cleaning multiple times throughout the day if they are urine and faecally incontinent
- Use of a harness to walk instead of a collar
Life expectancy
A study by the Royal Veterinary College found dachshunds live an average of 10 to 11 years. Average dachshund population life expectancy is estimated to be over 12 years.
There is a high level of variation of lifespan for all dogs. Presently, there are no accurate ways to measure life expectancy due to a lack of data.
Coat length and care
Dachshunds with a short single layer coat should be groomed weekly. Dachshunds with longer and/or wire haired coats need daily grooming and care. Regular grooming maintains a healthy coat, improves hygiene and can help you detect health problems early.
Space requirements
All dogs need somewhere clean, comfortable, quiet and draft free to rest. They’ll need to have regular opportunities to go to the toilet, but can live in homes of any size, with or without a garden.
Those who suffer with their mobility will need adaptations around the home such as non-slip flooring and ramps.
Exercise requirements
Dachshunds are a moderately active breed who enjoy natural behaviours such as digging, running and interacting with their environment.
The effect of exercise on IVDD risk is not fully known, although disc extrusions are frequently observed at high-motion sites along the spine, so the type of exercise may be a risk factor for developing IVDD. Despite this, dachshunds should still have regular exercise to help build muscle strength which can have a protective effect.
High risk activities such as jumping on and off furniture and going up and down stairs should be minimised to avoid putting excessive strain on the spine.
Data from multiple insurance companies estimate the average lifetime costs of caring for a dachshund at between £11,000 and £14,000.
Data from RSPCA pet insurance provider Pet Pinnacle UK, estimate the average lifetime claim cost to be £4943.
The average costs for IVDD surgery is £4999*.
According to a Pets4Homes 2026 report, the average advertised price to purchase a dachshund in 2025 was £939.
Use our pet cost calculator to work out minimum monthly costs.
*Data from RSPCA pet insurance provider, Pet Pinnacle UK, using 2025 data
