The Long-Haired Dachshund: The ULTIMATE GUIDE!

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

Are you about to adopt a long-haired dachshund? You probably have many questions, especially about the best way to raise them to ensure they have an ideal life.

To provide you with the best possible support throughout your life as a dog owner, we offer this complete guide to this exceptional variety of sausage dog: the long-haired dachshund! 😊

A brief history of the long-haired dachshund’s origins

The origin of the first dachshund breed remains somewhat unclear. According to history, particularly from accounts in numerous literary works, the origin of the first dachshund breed (smooth-haired) dates back to the Middle Ages. As for the long-haired dachshund, its origin is much better documented.

A successful crossbreed

The long-haired dachshund is believed to have resulted from crossing a smooth-haired dachshund with 2️⃣ different dog breeds:

The dachshund and German Spaniels

Around the 16th-17th century, the first dachshund breed known as the Wöpke breed emerged in Germany. This breed was born from crossing the smooth-haired dachshund with German Spaniels. The result was a variety of dachshund with an exceptional black and tan coat.

Inheriting the good genes of spaniels, the dachshund from this bloodline sports magnificent long, silky hair, as well as floppy ears 😍.

But beyond its genetic heritage, it also retained many characteristics of its spaniel ancestors, notably its gentle and affectionate nature. Its hunting dog instincts were also preserved, making the long-haired dachshund a very skilled, sharp, and capable hunter.

The dachshund and English Spaniels

Another breed called the Rangger breed was born from crossing the smooth-haired dachshund with English Spaniels. The modern long-haired dachshund we know today is, according to some research, the result of crossing this bloodline with the Wöpke breed.

Characteristics of a long-haired Dachshund

The long-haired dachshund is the largest variety of dachshund, both in terms of weight (due to its long hair) and size. This short-legged dog measures an average of 35 cm. Regarding weight, a dachshund puppy weighs between 3.5 and 5 kg. It can weigh up to 9 or 12 kg as an adult.

In terms of coat, there are several colors for long-haired dachshunds:

Black, black and cream, black and tan
Red.
Fawn
Brown and tan.
Dapple (gray and red with black spots or red and beige with brown spots).

👉 To become an expert on dachshund colors, check out our full article.

Below is a magnificent dapple (also called merle) dachshund 😊:

The personality of a long-haired dachshund

The long-haired dachshund has inherited a large part of its personality traits from the Spaniel. If you have ever had the opportunity to spend time with this breed of dog, rest assured that the dachshund adopts, with a few minor details, the same behavior.

A perfect companion dog

Beyond its aesthetic appeal, the long-haired dachshund has primarily inherited a calm and gentle character from German Spaniels. Among the three dachshund coat varieties: smooth-haired, wire-haired, and long-haired, the latter is recognized as the most tender & affectionate.

For those looking for a dachshund as a pet, it may be the best choice. As a true cuddle-loving companion, your four-legged sausage dog can spend entire hours snuggling up to you, asking for nothing more than your presence… 🥰

A hint of a hunting dog

Even though the long-haired dachshund is calm and composed by nature, it remains a lively and energetic dog. It is important to know that some strains have kept their predatory instinct. It is therefore not surprising that it is always ready to flush out small game during walks in the forest or in parks.

As a reminder, the term dachshund (in English) or Dackel (in German) means “badger dog.” Originally, it was indeed intended to accompany hunters to hunt badgers and other small mammals living underground. 😉

By adopting this variety of dachshund, you become the happy owner of a small, short-legged hunting dog that often requires good training to channel all its energy: the dachshund is lively and spirited!

Training a long-haired Doxie

A dog with a good temperament, the long-haired dachshund is the easiest variety to train. Intelligent and attentive, you will have no trouble getting it to obey, provided that its training begins at a very young age.

Ideally, its training to learn how to live in society should start around the age of 2️⃣ months.

Patience and firmness

In some cases, it is not rare for the long-haired dachshund to show itself to be stubborn and mischievous. Most of the time, this happens when its owner is too permissive. As an intelligent dog, it will take advantage of this and do as it pleases throughout its life. 😅

It is also possible that you have not set strict rules from the start. Regarding housebreaking, for example, it is up to you to get it used to doing its business in a specific place. Even if learning often requires patience, this sharp-witted dog understands quite quickly what you expect from it.

To help you, note above all that the success of its training relies on positive reinforcement, which consists of rewarding it for every good behavior.

Furthermore, to avoid small outbursts during its life, it is important to show authority, but always with kindness and gentleness, of course.

If necessary, if you are really struggling to make yourself heard, the best option is to consider training sessions with a professional dog trainer. However, rest assured, it is often rare to reach this stage.

Living with other pets

As a hunting dog by nature, the dachshund’s cohabitation with other small pets such as cats, guinea pigs, or rabbits goes well, but in some cases, it can prove complicated.

Indeed, its deep-seated nature often takes over and drives it to consider them as prey. It is even possible that it might attack animals much larger than itself (the dachshund is a big dog in its head 😁).

Nevertheless, with good training and socialization provided as a puppy, a long-haired dachshund can become particularly obedient and show itself to be very cuddly and playful towards other outside animals or those in the family.

Thus, from a very young age, you must teach it how to live in society, such as how to behave with other animals or how to get used to the presence of children and strangers.

What living environment should you offer a long-haired dachshund?

Love first and foremost! 🥰

Without a doubt, the best living environment for a dachshund is a large outdoor space where it can exercise in complete freedom. If you live in the countryside or have a spacious garden, you are certainly offering the perfect place for your furball.

But this does not mean that it won’t be happy in a city apartment. As long as you offer it enough activities and increase the number of short daily walks, you will make it a happy and perfectly fulfilled pet.

Also, as in the photo above, dogs need to chew; it is very good and recommended for their energy expenditure but also for their dental hygiene.

What activities can you do with your dachshund?

Although the long-haired dachshund enjoys long moments of napping on the sofa or in its cozy bed, it needs to go out to get some fresh air, let off steam, and meet other dogs! 🐶

Plan daily walks

Ideally, one long walk once a day or two short walks in the morning and at the end of the day are essential.

As much as possible, offer it the opportunity from time to time to romp in the open air, in the forest, or in the countryside. The idea is that it can rediscover its true nature by sniffing, rooting around, and exploring the world around it. YES, 🥳 they love it!

Furthermore, be aware that dachshunds love to swim. If you live near a lake, do not hesitate to let it bathe. Be sure, of course, to equip it with a life jacket during the swim.

If you feel you do not have enough time or patience for these little outdoor activities, we advise you to think carefully before adopting a dachshund.

Remember that living with this breed of dog (or any other pet) is a real commitment and long-term investment, 7 days a week. 😊

Other activities with your long-haired dachshund

Between two walks, you can also keep your dog busy by offering indoor games so that it doesn’t get bored. To satisfy it, just buy toys intended for small-sized dogs.

If you have a small garden, also set up a small paddling pool for it so that it can have fun during sunny days.

Always with the goal of allowing it to burn off energy, some owners even go so far as to offer dog sports like tracking games, agility, and many others. Note that with good training, dachshunds can become real athletes who often participate in obstacle course competitions! 🥇

Important note: it is imperative to consult a veterinary professional before considering starting your pooch in an agility course. Only a specialist in the field is able to determine if your dachshund has the necessary physical capabilities for this type of activity.

Good hygiene practices for your dachshund

To preserve its pretty coat, but also to keep it in good health, grooming the long-haired dachshund must be done regularly.

👉 Find our complete blog article on long-haired dachshund grooming.

From its coat to its ears and its little paws, every corner must be meticulously inspected and cleaned. Here are some tips to take care of your furball according to the rules of the art.

Grooming the long-haired dachshund

Due to its long and thick coat, the way to maintain the magnificent coat of our dear long-haired dachshund differs somewhat from that performed for the grooming of the smooth-haired or wire-haired dachshund.

Bathing and brushing:

To preserve the softness of its coat, give it a bath at most once a month, making sure to use a special dog shampoo. You should know that bathing too frequently risks weakening its skin.

In addition, you must perform a weekly brushing with a long-hair brush, preferably to effectively undo the unsightly knots that form especially at the level of the fringes at the back of its limbs. Do not hesitate to trim excess hair if necessary, especially those around the armpits and between the paws.

During shedding periods, remember to increase the frequency of brushing to at least twice a week. For information, note that the long-haired dachshund has a seasonal molt, meaning it loses its hair every season.

Dachshund grooming >

Diet:

Did you know that the food you offer your pooch influences the appearance of its coat?

Indeed, a good diet 😋 helps to preserve the shine and softness of its hair. It is therefore essential to vary its meals by including foods rich in omega-3 (fish oil, sunflower oil…), as well as vegetables to ensure a good intake of vitamins.

A complete cleaning

Good grooming for your long-haired dachshund also includes a meticulous check of the cleanliness of the different parts of its body.

Regarding its ears, as soon as you notice an accumulation of earwax, clean it immediately with a specific product intended for this purpose to avoid the appearance of an ear infection.

The same goes for the eyes; wash the little sticky deposits that form at the corner of the eyes using physiological saline sold in pharmacies or at your veterinarian (in case of doubt, always contact your veterinary doctor).

Regarding the nails, just cut them with special clippers as soon as you notice they are too long. You should know that long claws can bother your furball, or even change its gait.

Finally, to ensure good oral health for your dachshund, it is possible to brush its teeth two or three times a week.

Quick reminder: if you show a certain regularity in grooming your dachshund, there is no risk of it giving off an unpleasant body odor, which makes it a perfect indoor dog.

Potential health problems of the long-haired dachshund

In principle, the long-haired dachshund is a healthy and robust little dog. It is estimated that the life expectancy of this dog breed is between 12 to 16 years.

However, even as a solid little dog, like any small-sized dog with an elongated body, it shows a certain fragility in the back.

👉 On the same subject, find our article: “my dachshund has a backache”.

Thus, the main health problem to which it is often exposed is the herniated disc. This condition causes pain in the back and neck, and can even lead to paralysis of the hind legs.

Fortunately, it is possible to prevent this back problem by controlling its weight, given that obesity is the main cause of back and spinal column problems. Therefore, be sure to ensure a good nutritional diet.

Furthermore, avoid jumping on the sofa, the bed, and climbing stairs as much as possible. You can help it by carrying it in your arms or by using a special dog ramp.

🐶 Details:

As soon as you notice abnormal behavior (difficulty climbing, showing little enthusiasm for activities, incontinence problems…), quickly make an appointment with your veterinarian.
Consult your veterinarian to find out the appropriate diet for your dachshund. This should be defined according to the size, weight, and age of your pooch.

In some very rare cases, the long-haired dachshund can also develop other diseases such as:

Dermatological conditions (skin problems): alopecia, dermatitis, pyoderma, nodular panniculitis…
Ophthalmological diseases: punctate keratitis (corneal condition).
Heart failure: mitral endocardiosis.
Cushing’s syndrome or hormonal imbalance.
Deafness.

Where to buy your long-haired dachshund?

The popularity of this dog breed has meant that many breeders and shelters have appeared over the years. A context that often does not make the choice easy for future buyers.

However, to ensure you acquire a healthy puppy, we recommend buying from professional breeders who are members of a canine association.

In principle, these establishments are required to respect a certain standard defined by the FCI (Fédération Cynologique Internationale). Furthermore, they most often belong to enthusiasts who pay particular attention to the diet of the puppies and the environment in which they live, both before and after adoption.

Regarding price, the cost of a dachshund puppy varies significantly from one breeder to another. Many parameters are indeed taken into account to evaluate its price (its coat, its age, its conformity to the breed standard…).

Generally speaking, the rate applied on the market is between €1000 and €2000.

Final word

Owner or future owner of a long-haired dachshund, we hope our comprehensive guide has allowed you to better know this magnificent breed.

If you wish to add new elements to this article, share little anecdotes concerning your long-haired dachshund, or if you have other questions related to the subject we have just discussed, let us know in the comments and above all… long live Dachshunds!

The DoxieLife team
💚 – last modified on 20/01/2026

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