Dachshund · Hound
A Dachshund is a short-legged German hunting dog bred to go underground after badgers. Most are brave, independent, loud for their size, devoted to their people, and suspicious of strangers. City life works with sniff walks, a quiet cue for the bark, patient house-training, and sensible care for the long back.
First, the point
Public breed histories describe a badger and fox hunter that worked in dens, and a tracker of wounded game. The modern pet kept the courage, the nose, the voice, and the long back.
Training works with food and short games. The common problems are barking, guarding of food or toys, slow house-training, and recall when a smell is interesting.
From the first month, build two habits. First: noise or visitor, one bark, then come to you for a reward. Second: going outside to toilet is rewarded every time, in all weather.
Breed history
Ancestry does not decide one puppy, but it explains the Dachshund: brave, stubborn, loud for its size, devoted to its people, and built with a long back that needs sensible care.
Germany → earth work and tracking
The name is German for “badger dog”. Public breed histories describe short-legged hunting dogs that followed badgers and foxes into their dens, and others used to track wounded game. Short legs and a deep chest suited work underground.
Going to ground alone takes courage and independence. A Dachshund that keeps barking at a hole or refuses to leave a smell is doing what it was bred for. Training gives it something better to do.
Three coats, several sizes → companion
Over time breeders developed three coat types — smooth, wirehaired, and longhaired — and standard and miniature sizes; FCI also recognises a smaller rabbit size. In many countries Dachshunds are still used for hunting and tracking.
Most Dachshunds today are family dogs. The courage, the voice, and the nose came with them, and so did the long back.
What the breed was bred for
In plain trainer language: the type was selected for courage, persistence, and independent work underground. That is why a Dachshund with clear rules and short, fun training is an entertaining companion — and why a spoiled one barks, guards, and refuses to come back.
Many Dachshunds bark at noises and visitors, guard food or toys, and resist house-training in bad weather. Patience, food rewards, and consistency beat scolding every time.
Public references: FCI 148, AKC Dachshund, RKC.
Life together
In a city the Dachshund’s hunting past shows up as barking at noises, digging, stubborn sniffing on walks, and guarding things it likes. Most are affectionate with family. The work is giving the nose and voice outlets, and protecting the back.
Let the dog sniff on a comfortable harness. A twenty-minute nose walk often tires a Dachshund more than a fast march.
See leave-it on walks and harness and lead.
Dachshunds can be wary of big dogs and noisy streets. Give space, reward calm looks, and do not let others crowd or pick up your dog.
See engage–disengage and leash reactivity to dogs.
Digging and barking at noises are part of the breed. Provide a dig box, supervise the garden, and teach a quiet cue.
Many owners use ramps or steps for sofas and beds and lift the dog properly, supporting chest and rear. Keep the dog lean; extra weight loads the back.
Many Dachshunds dislike rain and cold. Use a coat, go out with the dog, and reward every success outside.
See rain potty plans and potty regression.
Care and health themes
General awareness only. I am not a veterinarian. Early signals are changes in movement, posture, appetite, or willingness to jump or climb. For red flags, leave this page and open when to call the vet.
Keep the dog lean, limit jumping off furniture, and lift with support under chest and rear. Sudden pain, a hunched back, wobbling, or reluctance to move is a same-day vet call.
Smooth coats need a quick rub; longhaired coats need regular brushing behind the ears and legs; wirehaired coats usually need hand-stripping or trimming a few times a year.
Dachshunds have long drop ears. Look and sniff weekly, especially after digging or rain. Redness, smell, or head shaking is a vet visit.
Small extra treats add up fast. Measure the ration and count training food. See treat calories in the ration.
Ask the breeder which health screenings the national breed club recommends and see both parents’ results. A breed page cannot diagnose your dog; your veterinarian can.
I do not publish toxin amounts. If the dog ate something dangerous, call a veterinarian or a poison-control line; the footer lists public numbers.
Sizes and coats
Dachshunds come in standard and miniature sizes (FCI also has a rabbit size) and three coats: smooth, wirehaired, and longhaired. Size and coat change grooming and handling. Courage, voice, and back care apply to all.
Fits an owner who wants a sturdier dog for walks and is ready for a loud, independent companion.
Fits a calm household that will protect a small dog’s back and still train it like a real dog.
Socialization windows
AVSAB-aligned in spirit: short, clean exposures at a distance the puppy can still eat, with hygiene while vaccines finish. See the puppy socialization schedule.
Introduce: a toilet routine with rewards in all weather, gentle handling, lifting with support, a crate or pen.
Do not overload: jumping off sofas, free access to stairs, punishing accidents.
Introduce: sniff walks, calm dog meetings, a quiet cue, trades for found items.
Do not overload: being picked up by strangers, rough play with big dogs, off-lead near roads.
Introduce: a dig box, door routines, long-line recall, ramps for furniture.
Do not overload: letting barking run all day, extra treats that add weight.
Introduce: scent games, longer sniff walks, regular nail and coat care.
Do not overload: repeated jumping off furniture, skipping recall practice.
Introduce: refreshed recall, quiet, and handling routines; nose work.
Do not overload: weight creep, assuming a small dog needs no training.
Before you buy
A Dachshund suits owners who love a bold, funny little dog with a big voice, and will protect its long back while giving it enough to do.
Good match
Mismatch risk
If you are torn between breeds
Dachshunds are often compared with other small breeds. The Cavalier is softer and more of a lap dog; the Jack Russell shares the hunting fire.
Dachshund German hunting dog bred to follow badgers and other animals underground.
Jack Russell Terrier English terrier bred to bolt foxes from their dens.
Dachshund Bold, independent and sometimes stubborn.
Cavalier King Charles Spaniel Gentle, affectionate and eager to please.
Dachshund Loud bark for its size; alert and vocal.
Cavalier King Charles Spaniel Usually much quieter.
Dachshund Long back and short legs; needs back-friendly living.
Jack Russell Terrier Compact, athletic and very energetic.
Dachshund Clever but self-directed; works for food and fun.
Both compares Cavaliers are usually easiest; Jack Russells are just as independent and even more energetic.
Ownership without surprises
Costs depend on your area and choices. These are the main areas to plan for before getting a Dachshund — not exact prices.
Ramps for sofas and beds, non-slip rugs and a harness instead of a collar for walks.
Routine care plus a vet you can call quickly if the dog shows back pain. Ask the breeder which screenings the national breed club recommends.
Small dog that gains weight easily; measure meals carefully.
Puppy classes and possibly help with barking and house training.
Depends on coat: smooth, long or wire. Wire coats may need hand-stripping.
A coat for cold weather and a warm bed.
With a Dachshund, back-friendly living and weight management are the costs that matter most.
Before day one at home
A Dachshund puppy is bold, curious and loud for its size. Start back-friendly habits, house training and quiet cues from day one.
Use ramps for sofas and beds and lift the puppy safely with support under chest and rear. See puppy handling.
Dachshunds can be slow to house-train, especially in rain. See rain potty plan and potty training.
Mark and reward silence after a bark. See barking at the door.
A dig box and scent games satisfy hunting instincts. See digging in the yard.
Call the puppy in the house and reward every time. See the name game.
Build alone time slowly. See first absences.
If the dog is already yours
Dachshunds are intelligent but independent. They respond to food and fun, not to repetition or pressure. Keep sessions short and interesting.
Barking and house training are the most common challenges. Teach a quiet cue and keep a consistent toilet routine.
Use the hunting nose: scent games, tracking and digging boxes give a Dachshund a job and make training more rewarding.
Load balance
Dachshunds enjoy walks and games, but repeated jumping and stair-running can strain the back. Keep the dog lean and avoid high jumps.
Sniffing walks, scent games, earthdog activities and training are great. Jumping on and off furniture and long stair climbs are not.
A Dachshund that uses its nose and brain is a calm, entertaining companion.
Barking and the quiet cue
Start with small triggers, like a gentle knock, before real visitors or passing dogs.
Start with a soft knock or a quiet doorbell recording.
Allow the alert, then wait for a pause.
Say ‘quiet’ as the dog stops, mark and reward.
Send the dog to its mat or give a chew after the bark.
Use window film or curtains to prevent constant barking practice.
One scene close-up
Dachshunds were bred to hunt and give voice underground. Barking at sounds is natural for them.
Block views of the street, reward quiet and teach the dog to come to you after the first bark. Give it scent games and chews to keep its mind busy.
If barking is constant or the dog seems anxious, talk to a qualified trainer about the triggers.
Typical household scenes
A breed page is only a starting point; the fix depends on health, environment, and the dog in front of you. Each row opens a step-by-step guide.
A big voice for every noise and visitor.
Especially in rain and cold weather.
Growls or snaps over valued items.
The nose often wins on walks.
Holes in the garden and the sofa cushions.
Barks or lunges at dogs that come too close.
Extra weight loads the long back.
Hunched back, reluctance to move, or weakness — a same-day vet call.
Practical view
“With a Dachshund, I accept the badger dog in the room. We give legal digging and sniffing, teach a quiet cue for the alarm bark, carry instead of stairs where the vet advises, and keep recall on a line — because big courage in a long, low body needs good management.”
Sessions cover real scenes: barking at the door, recall in scent-rich parks, handling and nail care, housetraining in bad weather, and rest after effort. I am a trainer, not a veterinarian. No invented reviews.
Describe age, living setup, and where the dog breaks first — barking, digging, jumping on and off furniture, or settling after walks. Opens WhatsApp to Andrew.
Short answers
If you love small dogs but want one that is quieter or easier to train, consider these breeds.
A friendly scent hound that follows its nose and needs patient recall training, sniffing walks and a secure garden.
A toy spaniel that wants your sofa and still has a nose that will follow a crumb into the garden.
A compact companion with a clown reputation and a respiratory system you do not get to ignore.
Small, cheerful companion that is usually easier to house-train and quieter.
Other guides from the same group in the breed library. Same group does not mean same dog: read the fit and the failure modes, not only the outline.
A gentle, quiet sighthound, often a retired racer, that needs safe sprints, a lead in open areas, a soft bed and slow introductions.
A calm, gentle giant sighthound from Ireland that needs early lead manners, careful puppy exercise and lots of space.
A Nordic moose-hunting spitz with a bay bark and a strong nose — shape the voice into useful alerts and give it a daily outdoor job.
A loyal, independent hound from southern Africa that needs early calm socialising, fair training and daily running.
A desert sighthound with endurance and a quiet house manner — secure running and realistic recall come first, off-lead near roads never.
A gentle Highland giant built to course deer — soft temperament, big joints to protect, and a sight-chase that still needs secure ground.
Describe your Dachshund’s age and the scene that repeats most: barking, digging, jumping on and off furniture, or settling after walks. We check safety first, then pick the first skill.
Written by Andrew Darov, professional dog trainer. Not veterinary advice and not a diagnosis.
Not a kennel club. No invented reviews. No vaccine schedules or toxin doses. Photo credits in
/images/breeds/dachshund-guide/credits.md.
