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Wire-Haired Dachshund: The COMPLETE GUIDE!
The Wire-Haired Dachshund is a courageous, intelligent, and very muscular dog!
They come in 3 sizes: (from largest to smallest)
– Standard Dachshund
– Miniature Dachshund
– Kaninchen (Rabbit) Dachshund
Originally bred in Germany to hunt badgers, they were also used in packs to hunt wild boar.
In modern times, they are a popular breed worldwide and are appreciated for their unique appearance and intelligence.
Their elongated back and short paws earned them the nickname “sausage dog” or “hot dog” in English.
The wire-haired dachshund is well-suited for apartment living and family life, provided they get plenty of exercise outside the house.
If you have the time to let them run and train them, keep reading our article because this little dog will be the perfect companion for the whole family. Also, check out our complete article on the lifespan of the wire-haired dachshund.
The Wire-Haired Dachshund Breed
This German basset breed (with short paws) is popular for its digging qualities in burrows.
The breed has been known since the Middle Ages and recognized since the 19th century in the Western world, primarily in Europe, before gradually spreading to the rest of the world.
For specific details on its history, we invite you to visit the Dachshund Lovers Club.
The wire-haired dachshund has been part of the F.C.I. (Fédération Cynologique Internationale) classification since 1955:
Group 4 – with working trial.
Today, it is mainly used as a companion dog and is a staple of urban family life.
It is best known for its long back, short legs, and deep chest.
Breed Origin:
The Dachshund, or Dackel in German, literally translates to badger dog, and was bred to dig into badger holes to flush them out for their hunting owners.
In addition to their determination and intelligence, they also have a distinctive loud bark used to mark their location while their owners search for the fleeing badgers.
The wire-haired dachshund variant was specifically bred to run through thicker bushes during hunts.
In addition to badger hunting, there have been documented cases of using packs for wild boar hunting.
A true all-terrain dog that can hunt above ground (wild boar, hare, deer, game…) or underground (fox, badger, and rabbit for the Kaninchen).
The dachshund is a national symbol of Germany, which earned it the nickname “freedom dog” during World War I.
The Dachshund Lovers Club:
The Dachshund Lovers Club is the official breed club, and we recommend visiting their site.
It is affiliated with the French Canine Central (Centrale Canine).
If you wish to buy a wire-haired dachshund puppy, it is extremely important to find a responsible breeder, as the genetics of this animal can significantly affect them.
Wire-Haired Dachshund Characteristics:
- Height at Withers | Kaninchen 13 to 18 cm, Miniature 20 to 30 cm, Standard 20 to 35 cm
- Weight (average) | Kaninchen (3.5kg), Miniature (5kg), Standard (10.5kg)
- Longevity | 10 to 16 years
- Group | 4 (FCI), with working trial
- Daily life | guard dog, hunting dog, and companion
- Color | Solid (fawn), Brindle (boar), Dapple (merle), Brindle
- Temperament | Lively, Courageous, Resilient, Intelligent, Loyal, Affectionate
- Other names | Doxie, Dachshund, Dackel, Sausage dog
Wire-Haired Dachshund Puppy
Due to their enormous popularity, the price of wire-haired dachshund puppies can vary between 800 and 1500 euros, and many factors come into play in this price range:
– The region where you live
– The dog’s coat color
– The breeding and pedigree of the dog (breed guarantee)
– Medical costs related to birth (e.g., C-section)
– The dog’s coat (e.g., short, long, or wire-haired)
– A normal litter can have 1 to 6 puppies, although larger litters are at risk of being stillborn.
Read our article: When is a Dachshund an Adult?
Wire-Haired Dachshund Temperament
Although this dog is very close to certain family members, their intelligence can make them very stubborn 😅
They can also be very vocal, barking at strangers (which can be corrected with proper training), but this should be evaluated when deciding to get a dachshund.
As it is a hunting dog, the wire-haired dachshund barks and howls quite often, as it is in their nature.
Many consider their howling an endearing quality, but they can be trained not to bark at strangers if started early enough.
This breed is not famous for defending you, but it remains an excellent guard dog thanks to its loud barking!
During a hunt, the dachshund also has a very strong reaction speed, which can lead them to run away very quickly if not supervised.
Wire-Haired Dachshund Personality:
- Friendly | 3/5
- Confident | 4.5/5
- Protective | 3/5
- Hunter | 5/5
- Sociability | 3/5
The wire-haired dachshund is an extremely intelligent breed and is certainly not known for laziness.
They are also very playful, but as an owner, it is important to ensure they don’t do anything that could hurt their back.
Read: How to carry a dachshund
This breed is known for having a lot of heart, and they are courageous animals that love to be by their owner’s side.
They love affection, especially from one or two family members they are closely bonded to, and thanks to their compact size, they do very well in apartments.
Family Compatibility:
This dog breed is very close to its family, but with strangers, it can be a bit special.
Wire-haired dachshunds are friendly and can be very compatible in a family setting, but they must be introduced to this lifestyle very early.
In addition to behaving well in a family environment, this breed gets along well with other pets if exposed to them very early.
They can even become the family favorite due to their more dominant personality and courageous nature.
Wire-Haired Dachshund Appearance
All dachshunds are known for their elongated back, short legs, and developed, low-slung musculature.
The wire-haired dachshund has a hard, wiry outer coat and a soft undercoat.
This breed is also known for its floppy ears and long, slender face.
Overall, dachshunds have a very unique appearance and are immediately distinguishable from other dogs.
Size:
As seen at the beginning of the article, this breed comes in 3 official size varieties:
– standard dachshund
– miniature dachshund
– kaninchen (miniature) dachshund
All three sizes can be presented in dog shows.
Coat Colors:
Dachshunds come in several color varieties, and the wire-haired dachshund is no different.
Black with tan accents (i.e., the classic coloring) is probably the most common, but can also be: (see official nomenclature)
– Solid (fawn)
– Brindle (boar, brown boar, black and tan, brown with tan markings)
– Dapple (grey or beige merle)
– Brindle (fawn base coat has black stripes)
Fur:
The wire-haired dachshund has a thick double coat:
– a soft undercoat
– a thick, coarse topcoat
This breed is also known for its long, dense beard and a head with long hair (it is not recommended to cut the hair on their head).
Grooming and Stripping:
Read our complete article dedicated to Wire-Haired Dachshund Grooming.
This dachshund is not known for heavy shedding.
Coat care is recommended 2 to 3 times a year, and they will need to undergo stripping with a trimmer (stripping knife) designed to help them get rid of dead hair.
Stripping the coat of a wire-haired dachshund will allow the regrowth to develop healthily 😉
This dog should also be brushed weekly to avoid any kind of knots, especially if they get into something dirty, as it can stick to their coarse hair.
Regarding baths, Doxies are known to have little to no body odor, which means baths are not necessary very frequently.
Like any other dog breed, this breed also needs very regular dental cleaning to prevent dental or gum diseases (we recommend giving them a dental ball).
They must also have their nails trimmed regularly to prevent them from scratching you or the furniture if their outdoor activity is too low.
Care for the Wire-Haired Dachshund
Wire-haired dachshunds are best suited for a moderate climate (neither too hot nor too cold).
They enjoy walks but do not need an extremely active lifestyle to be satisfied.
Diet:
It is extremely important to be vigilant with this breed’s food to avoid being overweight.
Be aware that 2/3 of dachshunds are overweight after 2-3 years… which should alert you.
Their elongated back, shorter arms, and legs make the wire-haired dachshund very prone to damage caused by weight gain, which can help prevent intervertebral disc disease.
Obesity, caused by overfeeding, will pull on their back and cause a multitude of problems for your animal.
This breed does not need a specific type of food, as it can depend on your dog’s preferences, but it is very important that they receive a diet adapted to their age, as caloric needs are different for puppies, adults, and senior dogs.
Always refer to a veterinarian or a canine specialist who can answer all your questions.
Activity and Exercise:
For a wire-haired dachshund, 30 to 60 minutes of activity/day is recommended.
This is a medium-activity dog breed.
It is a misconception that the dachshund is a smaller breed and does not need much exercise (which would lead to a high rate of obesity in the breed).
The wire-haired dachshund needs regular exercise to strengthen their back and shoulder muscles.
Many dog clubs recommend two moderate walks per day for this breed, as this will be enough to keep them happy and healthy.
This dog should also not be walked off-leash (around cars or other people), as they have a very strong prey drive and are prone to running off.
Training:
Like other dachshunds, this animal is very intelligent.
Because of this intelligence, they are also known to be very stubborn and independent, so we recommend training yourself easily with behavioral experts.
The wire-haired dachshund does better with positive reinforcement training (with affection and treats) because it helps them a lot to stay motivated to do what you want them to do 😅
They also have a very strong prey drive, which can distract them if training outdoors.
When training puppies, it will be much easier for you and your dog if you train them indoors, where there are fewer distractions.
Health and Known Dachshund Issues:
There are known health problems for dachshunds, but there are several ways to take care of your animal so they stay healthy.
One aspect of the dachshund’s appearance that is infamous is their elongated back.
However, this can cause a back condition called intervertebral disc disease.
This disease can be due to genetic factors or a simple fall from the sofa.
That is why it is extremely important to support your dachshund’s back and rear (by holding or carrying them).
Wire-haired dachshunds are also known for epilepsy, a disease that can cause seizures. Medications are available to help control seizures.
Due to their deep chest, the dachshund dog breed is also prone to gastric dilatation, which causes stomach twisting when excess air enters the body.
This is a medical emergency, but it can be treated if handled immediately by a veterinarian.
Finally, the dachshund is prone to a few other non-fatal diseases, such as diabetes, eye diseases, and deafness, all of which can be treated easily with a consultation with a veterinarian.
Final Thoughts
The wire-haired dachshund is an ideal breed for many types of households, whether in a small apartment, in the suburbs with a family, or anywhere in between.
This pet is very cuddly and will ask for more if you get them used to it when young.
They are known to be very intelligent, but this can make them stubborn, which is why they must be trained very early.
Finally, this terrier dog is very famous for its unique appearance, whether with light or regular grooming.
Does the wire-haired dachshund seem like the ideal dog for you? Let us know in the comments below, but we… we love them 💚
The DoxieLife team – 🐶 Last modified on 07/15/26
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