Dachshund
Overview
The Dachshund is a tiny dog from the Hound group — a moderately energetic dog that enjoys regular activity. In temperament it's very affectionate and people-oriented, independent-minded and best with patient, consistent training and it tolerates some alone time once settled. With a typical lifespan of 12 to 15 years, the Dachshund is a long commitment.
Is the Dachshund right for you?
A good match if — you're newer to dogs and want a forgiving breed; you live in an apartment or smaller home; you have children at home; you want a closely bonded companion.
Think twice if — noise is a concern where you live.
What a Dachshund needs from you
Day to day, the Dachshund needs a moderate amount of daily time from you and a moderate daily walk and play. It does best with a moderate amount of space and a little dog know-how.
Living with a Dachshund
At home, the Dachshund adapts well to apartment living. It's great with kids of all ages, naturally wary and aloof with strangers, very vocal and quick to bark, and a tidy, low-drool breed.
Key facts
- Size
- Tiny
- Height
- 8 inches to 9 inches tall at the shoulder
- Weight
- 16 to 32 pounds
- Life span
- 12 to 15 years
- Group
- Hound Dogs
What it needs from you (at a glance)
| Space needed | |
| Experience needed | |
| Maintenance | no data yet |
| Time per day | |
| Need for company | |
| Handling / closeness | |
| Cost level | no data yet |
Health & what to watch for
The start matters most: get a Dachshund from someone who health-tests their lines — ask to see the results — or from a reputable rescue, and register with a vet early. Smaller breeds tend to be more prone to dental disease and slipping kneecaps, so stay on top of teeth and watch for limping or skipped steps. Across every breed the single biggest lever you control is weight — a lean dog lives longer and has fewer problems. Food intolerances usually show as itchy skin, recurring ear trouble or an upset stomach; if that turns up, a vet-guided elimination diet beats guesswork. This is general guidance, not veterinary advice — your vet knows your individual dog.
Best toys
Good toys for a Dachshund: lighter plush and soft chews for shorter, gentler play. Rotate a few at a time rather than leaving everything out — novelty is half the value — and always supervise a new chew.
Growing up
Mind the small frame — go easy on jumps down from furniture, and start dental care and house-training patiently from day one. The first months are the socialization window: calm, positive exposure to new people, sounds, surfaces and other animals now shapes the adult dog more than almost anything else.
What it costs
Scaled to this breed’s roughly 11 kg and a ~14-year life, keeping a Dachshund works out at about:
Rough cross-breed averages in USD — a planning guide, not a quote. Break it down by life phase in the Cost Calculator →
Temperament (at a glance)
| Affection | |
| Energy | |
| Vocalness | |
| Trainability | |
| Tolerates alone |
Its presence, grown
Raised with patience and consistency, the adult Dachshund settles into a balanced, companionable presence. It attaches closely to its people and is happiest when they are near. With strangers it stays watchful and aloof — a natural guardian at the threshold.
As your partner
Picture it as a grown partner at your side: a comfortable balance of activity and rest — an everyday companion for ordinary life. It can settle on its own once it trusts the routine. With children it is gentle and patient — a true family dog.
What makes it unique
What sets the Dachshund apart is a nose or an eye that locks onto a trail and a single-minded drive to follow it. It is expressive and quick to tell you exactly what it thinks.