Dachshund Puppies: Everything You Need to Know

Hot diggity dog! The dachshund may go by many names but is always one memorable dog. Whether called “doxie” to “sausage dog,” these long-bodied canines have been popular for decades. Dachshunds are spunky, with a big-dog bark in a little body, and dachshund puppies can be feisty.

As puppies, doxies are eager for affection. With a curious nature, dachshund puppies are ready to test your boundaries and explore their new home with you.

Dachshunds were built to sniff out pesky prey. “Dachshund” is German for “badger dog,” and for 600 years this dog was excellent at hunting underground. From up above, their human hunting partners could locate a doxie by its loud bark while it went digging underneath the earth.

These days, dachshunds aren’t bred to fight badgers, but have kept the clever attributes that made this dog a national symbol of Germany. They’ve also won the hearts of many world-renowned artists. Picasso cherished his dachshund, Lump, while Andy Warhol depicted Amos and Archie in pop art pieces.

Dachshund puppy facts

With their long bodies and inquisitive faces, dachshunds are quite iconic. Raising them from puppyhood requires a lot of attention, but once you get a dachshund puppy in your arms, there’s no going back.

Size	Small. The height reaches about 20-23cm (8-9 inches) and 7-14kg (16-32 pounds) for the standard dachshunds, and the miniatures are between 12-15cm (5-6 inches) and 5kg (11 pounds) and under.
Breed Characteristics	The dachshund is a stout little dog well-known for its signature long body and short legs. Though short in stature, they move with confidence and alertness. They come in three coat types: smooth, wire-haired and long-haired, and come in a wide variety of colours and patterns. The most common colours are light tan and black with brown markings.
Temperament	Where is that big-dog bark coming from? Dachshunds may be small but they are mighty in spirit. They keep their nose to the ground and are tried and true tiny hunters. Doxies make surprisingly good watchdogs and are vigilant in their efforts. Sometimes, however, it’s best to be skeptical of a dachshund’s confidence. They can be brave to the point of short-sightedness and need to understand their limits.
Grooming and Health Needs	As puppies, dachshunds need only minimal bathing and brushing. Depending on what type of coat they have, they will have different grooming needs as they get older. Smooth-coated dachshunds rarely smell and can look their best with just a quick towel wipe-down, while long-haired ones will need regular brushing. Wire-haired dachshunds may need to get plucked or hand-stripped a few times a year, with a beard and eyebrow trimmings in between. They should have their nails trimmed regularly. All hair varieties shed moderately. Dachshunds are a generally healthy breed but can have back disc issues due to their long frame. That can be prevented by keeping them from gaining too much weight and jumping on furniture too often. Dachshunds are also prone to ear infections.
Training	If you want a dog with personality, you may sometimes get a stubborn personality too! These little pups are fiercely independent, and that may mean they disagree with you sometimes. However, they truly love affection, so positive and reward-based training styles are best for this breed. Due to their keen sense of smell, doxie puppies may pick up a whiff of something interesting and have a hard time focusing. During puppyhood, these dogs thrive in socialisation classes.
Energy Level	Though small, dachshunds need regular exercise in and outside of the home. Keeping a dachshund in shape is helpful in building muscles to protect their long backs from any injuries that may occur. However, they’re not built for great distances, nor for a lot of swimming due to their short legs.
Life Span	Dachshunds live between 12-16 years on average.

Who is the best human for a dachshund?

Dachshunds may be a little stubborn, but they’re an excellent dog if you are a first-time dog owner. As long as you are patient with them, they can be patient with you. Dachshunds thrive in apartments and larger homes alike, and will be happiest in households without young children, due to their intense prey drive and protective nature. If you can’t be around as much as you need to be, you can find a local sitter on Rover.com who provides dog boarding and can give your dog all the attention they deserve while you’re gone.

Doxies make wonderful couch potato companions as long as you pick them up correctly to avoid causing strain on their backs. They aren’t necessarily built for speed nor distance but do require at least two walks a day to get their energy out.

Getting a dachshund puppy

Choosing to adopt or go through a breeder for your new dachshund puppy is a personal choice that requires research. Thankfully, there are many resources out there to help you find a rescue or breeder that offers healthy, ethically sourced dachshund puppies.

Knowing what you’re in for when you get a dachshund puppy is an important step in being a responsible pet owner. Whether you find a responsible breeder or are planning on adopting, it’s up to you to be prepared for an energetic and friendly addition to your household.

Adopting dachshund puppies

It may be surprising to know, but adopting a dachshund puppy is possible. Most breed rescues report that a majority of their rescue dogs come from individual owner surrender, with the most common reasons being a change in lifestyle or the breed not being right for them. This means that there may be many dogs and puppies out there that are looking for a new forever home.

The main difference between a breeder and a rescue is that a rescue may not always have young puppies to choose from. The benefit, however, is that most are mandated to only adopt out dogs that have been microchipped and spayed/neutered. This means you may end up with a dog that’s already been housebroken, and doesn’t need these common medical procedures. You may also find a dachshund mix that has all the traits you want from the breed, but with a little extra thrown in.

Finding a dachshund rescue can be as simple as searching the internet. The Kennel Club also has an excellent list of dachshund rescues on their site.

Finding a dachshund breeder

The first step is to do your research. Sadly, there are many puppy mills posing as reputable breeders along with plenty of online scams. Be aware, and reach out to different online forums for conversations about getting your future furry family member.

Be sure to ask questions, make arrangements to meet the parent dogs or mother, and follow your gut. If something seems wrong at a breeder you visit, or the dachshund puppy seems too good to be true, there’s likely something going on. The Kennel Club also offers resources for finding a breeder, with fairly strict guidelines on who they let participate.