Otherwise known as the sausage dog, (or the wiener dog in the States, pahaha) Dachshunds are characterised by their short legs, elongated body and stretched out nose and neck. They come in miniature if you like, and you can choose between the short, long and wire haired varieties.

With their unique appearance, and their fun tenacious temperament they’ve become an incredibly popular dog breed in the UK.

Here we share some facts on these little cuties, and you can read more on the PDSAs website if you’re seriously thinking of getting one.

Dachshund facts:

  • Hypoallergenic: No, the long haired variety is a shedder
  • Life expectancy: 12 – 16 years
  • Mass: 15 – 33 lbs for a standard sized variety
  • Temperament: stubborn, clever, devoted, lively, playful, courageous
  • Colours: black & tan, chocolate & tan, chocolate & cream (sounds delicious), blue/grey & tan, or just black, cream, tan or… ginger. 
  • Part of the Hound family, they’ve got a particularly good sense of smell, and when they trace a scent their attention becomes fixated on finding it, and it can be very difficult to snap them out of this state.
  • It’s best to train them to respond to your call early; don’t be taken in by it’s cuteness; they will get away with murder when they’re older if not trained young as they are so stubborn!
  • They need around an hour of exercise a day; a couple fo gentle walks will do it.
  • Dachshunds are big eaters, who if left to their own devices, would devour everything in the house. Be strict with portion control, because obesity in these little dogs can lead to serious back issues.

Back problems in Dachshunds

Their distinctive long bodies and short legs can lead to back problems; without getting too technical they have a gene which causes their inter-discal fluid to get hard and lose elasticity, meaning they don’t absorb shock as well as other dogs.

In order to protect your little sausage from unnecessary back strain, don’t allow them to walk up or down stairs, and always give them assistance if they are trying to jump up on a bed or sofa. It’s advisable to adapt your house with little ramps or baby gates to avoid accidents while you’re not around.

Picking a Dachshund up under their armpits should be avoided. The best way to pick them is with one hand supporting the chest, while the other supports their bottom so you distribute the weight along their spine.

Carrying a few extra lbs is particularly bad for Dachshunds; the additional weight compresses their spine and can cause lasting damage, even if they’re put on a diet pretty quickly.

Here’s a video of one of our favourite little sausage dogs for you to enjoy!

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