A Dachshund called Fred was the much-referenced pooch of US writer E.B. White who was famous for his children’s books like Stuart Little and Charlotte’s Web. White wrote the following astute statement on his relationship with Fred and owning a Dachshund: “Being the owner of Dachshunds, to me, a book on dog discipline becomes a volume of inspired humor. Every sentence is a riot. Someday, if I ever get a chance, I shall write a book, or warning, on the character and temperament of the Dachshund and why he can’t be trained and shouldn’t be. I would rather train a striped zebra to balance an Indian club than induce a Dachshund to heed my slightest command. When I address Fred, I never have to raise either my voice or my hopes. He even disobeys me when I instruct him in something he wants to do.”
Dachshund
The alert and energetic Dachshund – or Doxie, Wiener dog, Sausage dog, hot dog, will shower you with love while keeping you on your toes!
Country of Origin
Germany
Breed Group
Hound dogs
Height
Male 11-19 In
Female 10-18 In
Weight
Male 11-32 Ib
Female 9-30 Ib
Life Span
12-16 years
In a Nutshell
Witty journalist and renowned literary critic, H. L. Mencken described the Doxie as “half a dog high and a dog and a half long.” Why? These drop-eared pooches are goofy and adorable yet strong enough to stand up to a badger. That is how they got their name – “Dachs,” meaning badger, and “hund,” meaning dog. While they’re still keen diggers (fence in your yard and reinforce the base) and burrowers (especially into blankets in bed), modern Doxies are more lap dogs than Lancelot.
Life With a Dachshund
Energy level
Trainability Level
Amount of Shedding
Tendency of Barking
Exercise Needs
Kid Friendly
Pet Friendly
Looks & Personality
Loved worldwide for its stout and short form and overall cuteness, the Dachshund is a small hunting hound with a big persona. Bred in Germany as diggers, the Doxie stands far longer than tall. The breed comes with smooth, longhair, and wirehair coats in standard or mini sizes.
Their heads are oversized and sloped into a distinctive Roman nose that helps them pick up scents on the ground while walking with their heads up. They have intelligent and sweet eyes, long ears outlining their face, wrinkled skin folds, stubby legs, and a thick, straight tail to round it all off.
Dachshunds have complex facial expressions and soulful eyes. Their lungs are large for their size and have barrel-like chests. As such, they have a much bigger dog’s deep, loud bark. Smooth Doxies are the most popular type in the US. Their coats are shiny and short and only need a little grooming. They need a sweater in winter if you live in a cold weather area. The most common coat colors are red, cream, Isabella (fawn) and tan, chocolate and tan, black and tan, black and cream, and blue and tan. Some also can have patterns on their coats, such as piebald, a mottled pattern (dapple), sable, and brindle. The breed is low-odor, low-shedding, and remains clean despite time spent outside.
Dachshunds are an excellent addition to a family, ranking them among the most popular breeds since the 1950s. They are lively, and you cannot help but smile when you see them confidently and boldly carrying their muscular, long body on their short legs. They can be stubborn as they’re intelligent and have their own rules about playtime. Still, their bonuses are many, from their independent personality to their loyalty and huge heart. At home, they love to try to help you do things like tying your shoe laces.
A tip from a vet
A tip from a trainer
What about your Dachshund?
Did You Know
Because of their practically comical look, Doxies have long been a favorite theme of toy makers and cartoonists.
Passau, Germany, has a museum dedicated to the breed founded by expert florists and Dachshund lovers Oliver Storz and Seppi Küblbeck. The Dackelmuseum Kleine Residenz (Dachshund Museum Small Residence) features a collection of over 4,500 sausage dog-related items.
Dachshunds were briefly called badger dogs in a post-WWII marketing effort before reverting to German names.
In The News
Famous Dachshund Owners
The History Behind the Breed
Dachshunds were hunting dogs that appeared in Germany around 600 years ago. The breed’s long, slender body and courageous and clever personality made them a daunting opponent for badgers, hares, and foxes. Some authorities on the breed say there were packs of larger Dachshunds that were used for wild boar hunting.
The Dachshund began transitioning to household pets in the 1800s. No longer fighting badgers to the death, this version of the breed became smaller in size, but their prominent personalities stayed. The spunky Dachshund quickly won over the people’s hearts, including Queen Victoria, and made its debut in America at the end of the 19th century, quickly becoming a household favorite. Unfortunately, their popularity dropped during the world wars as they were often seen as a direct portrayal of Germany. However, they surged again in the ’50s and have been a fan favorite. While mainly kept as pets in the US, doxies are still used for hunting in Europe.
If a Dachshund Could Talk…
A Quick Anatomy Lesson
Like all dog breeds, Dachshunds develop some health problems more often than other types of dogs. In particular, Dachshunds are prone to develop back problems, canine cancer, seizures, or heart problems, according to a survey conducted by the UK Kennel Club.
Common Health Problems
What about your Dachshund?
Why Get Pet Insurance For Your Dachshund?
As fearless as a Dachshund is, they are not exempt from health issues or injuries. In fact, 1 in 4 dachshunds suffer from back problems (Intervertebral Disc Disease). Dachshunds are also prone to problems with their eyes, joints, thyroid, hips, knees, weight and skin. So if you’re thinking of getting a daxie pup, or already have one, you should also consider pet insurance.
Your Dachshund has a 1 in 3 chance of requiring emergency treatment in any given year. In fact, every pet will statistically suffer 6 significant health episodes in their lifetime. Each incident costs an average of $1,100+. Animalia pet insurance reimburses up to 90% of your vet bills as the unexpected is…well, expected.
Having pet insurance is like having a sensible car with a spare tire for life’s bumps. Having Animalia is like a top-of-the line Rolls Royce with a swimming pool in the trunk. And by swimming pool, we mean you get everything you need for your Dachshund. Our all-in-one coverage is the cre’me de la cre’me, the pick of the litter. With Animalia, you can put your mind on cruise control, knowing that you and your Dachshund are all covered.
Frequently Asked Questions About Dachshund Pet Insurance
How long do Dachshunds live?
The average lifespan of a Dachshund is 12-16 years.
What are Dachshund’s most common health problems and are they covered by pet insurance?
Here are some of the common health issues you might run into when raising a Dachshund: Back (Intervertebral Disc Disease), eye conditions, Hip dysplasia, knee dislocation, hypothyroidism, obesity and skin problems.
We hope you never see your dog go through these. But if you do, it’s always a good idea to be prepared, know the signs and have pet insurance to help you cover the costs. You pay a monthly premium and in exchange, you can provide care for your Dachshund without stressing as much about the costs.
Can I visit any vet after enrolling my Dachshund in pet insurance?
Yes, with Animalia pet insurance, you can typically go to any licensed veterinarian. In fact, we don’t need to be “accepted” by your vet — there are no networks or copays. Instead, we reimburse you for covered costs as long as you use a licensed vet, including specialty and emergency clinics.