Dachshund: Breed Profile, Temperament and Care

Group

Hound

Weight

Standard 16-32 lb; miniature 11 lb and under

Typical lifespan

12-15 years (AKC)

Temperament

Clever, lively and courageous

At a glance

• A Hound Group breed that comes in two sizes, standard and miniature ^1,2.
• The standard describes it as clever, lively and courageous to the point of rashness ¹.
• Its long back needs protecting.

Overview

The Dachshund is in the AKC’s Hound Group, and the AKC notes it is a more active breed than people expect ². It was developed in Germany to hunt badgers ³. Our Dachshund fun facts cover the Olympic mascot and more.

Size

The breed is divided into two sizes by weight. The standard Dachshund weighs about 16 to 32 pounds, and the miniature weighs 11 pounds and under ¹. (An AKC article gives a slightly higher upper limit for standards, so exact figures vary by source.) AKC says Dachshunds typically live 12 to 15 years ².

Temperament

The official standard describes the breed as clever, lively and courageous to the point of rashness ¹. AKC advice adds that Dachshunds are playful and adaptable, can be friendly toward strangers and other animals with proper socialization, and may not be the strongest choice for families with young children ².

Special care: the back

The Dachshund’s long body and short legs make it prone to intervertebral disc disease. Keeping your dog lean, using ramps instead of letting it jump from furniture and supporting its back when carrying it all help. Sudden weakness or paralysis is an emergency. Read more in our guide to inherited diseases in popular dog breeds.

Is this breed right for you?

A Dachshund may suit you if you want a lively, characterful small dog and will manage jumping and weight carefully. It may not suit you if your home has many stairs you cannot manage, or if you have very young children and cannot supervise.