Dachshund
A long-backed hound whose spine is the health limit on jumping, weight, and rough play. The weight, exercise, and yearly cost figures below are ranges for a typical healthy adult. A licensed veterinarian who has examined your animal still has to confirm the plan.
Researched & Compiled by the PetAuthority Editorial Team
Clinical Data Sources: ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center & Merck Veterinary Manual
These pages describe clinical possibilities and a Green, Yellow, or Red triage path. They do not diagnose an individual animal or replace an examination by a licensed veterinarian. Read the editorial standards.
Quick facts
| Weight | 16–32 lb (7.3–14.5 kg) |
|---|---|
| Lifespan | 12–16 years |
| Grooming | 2 of 5 |
| Energy | 3 of 5 |
| Apartment | Suitable for many apartments |
Which kennel clubs recognize this breed?
The American Kennel Club in the United States, The Kennel Club in the United Kingdom, and the Australian National Kennel Council publish a conformation standard for this breed. Those standards describe appearance and typical temperament. They do not predict an individual dog's health, and a veterinarian still has to examine your dog.
Daily calorie and portion estimation
A typical adult Dachshund starts near 600 kcal/day, with about 30 minutes of steady daily activity. Enter the current weight in pounds (kilograms) in the calculator, because a lean animal and an overweight animal do not share the same portion.
Keep standard Dachshunds lean. Every extra pound loads the discs; use ramps instead of letting them jump off sofas; measure meals in ounces (grams), and keep treats near ten percent of the daily calorie target. Ask a veterinarian before you add supplements or switch to a homemade recipe.
Calculate Dachshund's Custom Food Portions →Common health predispositions
Intervertebral disc disease
UrgentWatch for: Yelping, a hunched back, or dragging the hind feetCheck this sign in symptom triageObesity
CommonWatch for: A sausage shape with no tuck behind the ribsCheck this sign in symptom triageDental disease
CommonWatch for: Bad breath or dropping foodCheck this sign in symptom triagePatellar luxation
CommonWatch for: A skip in the stride that comes and goesCheck this sign in symptom triage
What should Dachshund owners ask first?
Owners most often ask about housing, grooming, and which signs cannot wait. The answers below are educational ranges for a typical Dachshund, including weight in pounds (kilograms) and yearly costs in dollars and pounds. They do not diagnose the animal you live with.
Are Dachshunds good with young children?
They are better with older children who will not lift them by the chest or let them leap from furniture. A dropped Dachshund can injure a disc. These points are educational ranges, and a veterinarian who has examined your animal still has to confirm them.
What back pain cannot wait?
Crying when picked up, a wobbling hind end, or loss of bladder control is an emergency. Crate the dog and go to a clinic; do not give human pain medicine. These points are educational ranges, and a veterinarian who has examined your animal still has to confirm them.