How to Groom a Smooth-Haired Dachshund

Richard Thomas
Over 15 years handling, testing, and restoring pocket, fixed-blade, and Damascus steel knives across hunting and everyday-carry disciplines.

How to Groom a Smooth-Haired Dachshund?

When it comes to grooming, smooth-haired dachshunds require very little maintenance.

As the variety of dachshund with the shortest coat, they only need to be brushed on average once a week and bathed once a month, provided your outings aren’t too muddy 😜

Remember that this wonderful dog breed comes in 3 sizes (from smallest to largest):

Kaninchen Dachshund
Miniature Dachshund
Standard Dachshund

BASIC Rules for Grooming Your Dachshund

You can help your smooth-haired dachshund look great and feel good by taking the time to brush them, give them a good bath, and clean other parts of their body like their teeth and claws.

It’s a good idea to have the right equipment for your dog:

Grooming glove
Professional shampoo

These are very effective for maintaining your dog’s coat safely.

Brushing your dog is a moment of intimacy and affection.

We also recommend checking for foreign objects (e.g., ticks) that may have hidden in their ears, around their paws, and in their coat (back and abdomen).

The Bath:

Place your gentle smooth-haired dachshund in the bathtub without water to create positive associations (do this several times in the days leading up to the bath to get them used to it).

Bathe them in a minimum amount of water, about 0.5 cm, at a comfortable and pleasant temperature.

You can gently pour water over their body as they gain confidence and feel more at ease.

Be careful not to get any soap in their eyes (very unpleasant for humans too…).

Every time you bathe your companion using a special dog shampoo, offer them a nice treat afterward to reward their patience.

Grooming a smooth-haired dachshund requires less work than a wire-haired or long-haired one, but try not to exceed 1 bath per month to avoid damaging their skin (which produces natural oils) and the shine of their coat.

Drying:

Let your dog shake off in the bathtub and then dry them.

Use a warm, fluffy towel to carefully remove any excess water from your dog.

They will spend a few minutes rolling on the towel and rubbing against the floor.

If the noise doesn’t bother your pet, you can use the heat of a special dog hair dryer on its lowest setting, but just like with the water, try to get them used to it gradually.

Dental Hygiene for Your Dachshund

You can take this opportunity to brush your dog’s teeth (canines) because tartar builds up, and dental hygiene is an important aspect of your dachshund’s health.

You need to buy a dog toothbrush and dog toothpaste.

Before trying to brush your dachshund’s teeth, make sure your dog is comfortable with your hand near their mouth!

Place your dachshund on your lap, facing you.

Holding the toothbrush, start brushing the front teeth, then the back ones, and finally the sides to reduce tartar.

Go slowly, but don’t spend 5 minutes on it either.

Nail Care for Your Dachshund

Trimming your dachshund’s nails is another important part of regular grooming using a professional dog nail clipper.

Since a dachshund’s nails are black, it is sometimes difficult to see them growing.

It is therefore important that you are trained by a groomer or a veterinarian before deciding to cut your dog’s claws.

In Summary

Grooming your smooth-haired dachshund is well within your reach.

You can also visit a professional center (groomer) to regularly take care of your dog’s entire body, and on the same topic, you can find an excellent training course: SOS puppy or dog potty training!

Tell us in the comments how much time you spend per month grooming your gentle smooth-haired dachshund; we are curious to know! 😇

The Shop team – 💚 Last modified on 01/20/26

Additional article: Does the dachshund shed?