The little sausage with the big personality
There's something about a dachshund that just makes people stop and smile. Maybe it's the long body and stumpy legs, or the way they strut around like they own the footpath. Whatever it is, these little sausages have a way of stealing hearts everywhere they go, and once a dachshund adopts you as their person, you're theirs for life.
They've been called plenty of names over the years, sausage dog, wiener dog, doxie, dackel, teckel, (little shit) and we reckon every single one suits them just fine. Here's our little guide to one of the most loved breeds in the Pupstyle family!
Origin of the Dachshund
The dachshund's roots go way back to 15th to 17th century Germany, and their name tells you everything you need to know about where they came from. "Dachs" means badger and "hund" means dog, which makes every dachshund, technically, a badger dog wandering around your living room.
German foresters and hunters needed a brave little dog that could squeeze into underground badger burrows and hold their own against a pretty feisty opponent, so they bred one with all the right tools for the job. A long body for slipping through tunnels, short strong legs for digging, a deep chest for stamina, and a loud confident bark that hunters could follow from above ground. Every funny little feature you love about a dachshund today was originally designed with real purpose in mind, which we think makes them even more charming.
Eventually a smaller version of the dachshund was bred to hunt rabbits, and the Miniature Dachshund was born. The breed made its way to the UK in the 1840s where Queen Victoria became a huge fan, and from there they quietly took over the world. These days you're just as likely to find one snoozing in the sun while laying on a sheepskin rug in a Sydney apartment as you are anywhere else, and honestly, they've earned the comfy life.
Physical characteristics of the Dachshund
Dachshunds come in two sizes and three coat types, which means there's a whole lot of variety within the breed. Standards generally stand around 20 to 23 cm tall at the shoulder and weigh somewhere between 7 and 15 kg, while Miniatures are the compact version at around 13 to 15 cm tall and under 5 kg when fully grown.
Their coats are where things get really fun. Smooth dachshunds have that classic short, shiny look that shows off every muscle. Longhaired dachshunds have gorgeous flowing coats thanks to a bit of spaniel in their family tree, and wirehaired dachshunds have a rougher, bristly coat with proper little eyebrows and a beard that gives them serious main character energy. Colours range from the iconic red and black-and-tan through to chocolate, cream, dapple, brindle and piebald, so no two dachshunds ever look quite the same.
Their ears are long, floppy and set high on the head, which was originally meant to keep dirt out of their ears while hunting but is now primarily there to flop adorably on walks. Their eyes are almond-shaped and full of quiet mischief, and their tails are long with a gentle curve, which back in the hunting days helped their humans spot them in long grass. On average, Standards live around 12 to 14 years and Miniatures often reach 13 to 16 years, with plenty of dachshunds cruising happily into their late teens.
The character of the Dachshund
If we had to describe a dachshund's personality in one sentence, it would probably be "a big dog who simply refuses to accept they're a small dog." They were bred to take on badgers solo, underground, with no backup, and that kind of confidence doesn't just fade out because they've moved into a nice home with heated floors. It sticks around, and honestly, it's half the appeal.
Dachshunds are bold, curious and wildly loyal, usually picking one favourite human and following them around like a tiny velcro shadow. They love a good cuddle, a good sunbeam and a good mission, especially if that mission involves digging up the garden or alerting you to the possum two streets over. Their bark is famously loud and enthusiastic, which makes sense considering it used to help hunters find them underground. These days they mostly use it to announce your Auspost parcel has been delivered...
They're clever too, which can make training feel like a gentle negotiation rather than a clear-cut lesson. A dachshund will absolutely understand what you're asking them to do, they just like to take a moment to decide whether they actually feel like doing it. Patience, a good sense of humour and plenty of treats go a long way, and so does starting socialisation early. They don't love being left alone for long stretches either, so they really thrive with humans who are around a lot or happy to bring them along for the ride.
Feeding
Because of their long backs, keeping a dachshund at a healthy weight is genuinely one of the most important things their humans can do for them. Every extra kilo adds strain to the spine, and for a breed already predisposed to back issues, a lean body condition makes a real difference to their long-term comfort and mobility.
A good-quality, balanced diet suited to their life stage and activity level is the goal, and portion size matters much more than most people expect. Dachshunds have a famously big appetite and absolutely no self-restraint when food is involved, so it pays to stick to measured meals rather than free-feeding. Treats are wonderful and very much part of the deal, but it helps to keep them as a small part of the total daily intake so the numbers on the scale stay in check.
A quick rule of thumb is to run your hands gently over their sides. If you can feel their ribs without really pressing in, they're usually in great shape. If you can't, it's worth a chat with your vet about portion sizes and treat habits.
Side note: Don't forget to pay them the cheese tax. If you know, you know.
Health of the Dachshund
Dachshunds are generally sturdy little characters, but there's one health condition every dachshund parent needs to know about, and that's Intervertebral Disc Disease, or IVDD. Because of that gorgeous long back paired with short legs, dachshunds are around 10 to 12 times more prone to spinal disc issues than most other breeds, with research suggesting roughly 1 in 4 will show signs of IVDD at some stage in their life.
The good news is that a few simple everyday habits make a huge difference. Keeping them at a healthy weight is the biggest one, closely followed by skipping the big jumps off couches and beds. A little pet ramp or set of stairs is a small investment that protects their back in a big way (yes, we know they still refuse it and will superman off instead...). When picking them up, it's always a gentle scoop with one hand supporting the chest and the other under the bum, never a lift by the front legs. And when it comes to walks, a well-fitted step-in harness is much kinder to their spine than a collar, because it spreads the pressure evenly across the chest instead of putting it all on that delicate neck area. Plus, let's be honest, they just look very good in one.
Other things worth keeping an eye on include their teeth (dental disease is common in smaller breeds), their eyes, and their joints. Regular vet check-ups, up-to-date vaccinations and a consistent daily walk will cover most bases and help your dachshund live a long, happy, badger-free life.
A little dog with an enormous heart
A dachshund isn't just a dog, they're a personality. Stubborn, affectionate, brave, dramatic, endlessly entertaining and completely devoted to their humans. They suit people who want a real character in the house, don't mind a bit of barking, and are happy to build a few simple back-care habits into daily life.
And for what it's worth, we happen to think they look especially gorgeous in a harness and matching bow. Purely an unbiased observation, of course.
