Apartment fit
Dachshunds fit many apartments physically, but stairs, jumping, and barking need management. Ramps, safe handling, and routine walks help.
HoundSmall
Germany
GermanyDachshund
Weight
11-32 lb
Height
5-9 in
Lifespan
12-16 yrs
Coat
Smooth, Longhaired, or Wirehaired Variable
The Dachshund is a low, long German scent hound bred to hunt badger, with standard and miniature sizes and smooth, longhaired, or wirehaired coats.
German badger-hunting scent houndStandard and miniature sizesSmooth, longhaired, and wirehaired coat varietiesBold, curious, determined, and often vocal
Breed Names
Official, native, and commonly used variants
TeckelSausage DogWiener DogDoxie
CuriousFriendlyDeterminedBoldIndependent
Weight
11-32 lb
Height
5-9 in
Lifespan
12-16 yrs
Coat
Smooth, Longhaired, or Wirehaired Variable
At A Glance
Daily living snapshot
A quick read on energy, upkeep, and what day-to-day life with this breed usually feels like.
Energy
Moderate
Barking
High
Drooling
Low
Shedding
Moderate
Grooming
3/5
First-time owner
No
Overview
The Dachshund is a German hunting hound built low, long, and muscular so it could follow quarry into dens. Its bold voice, strong nose, and determined temperament come from real hunting work, not just companion breeding.
Dachshunds come in standard and miniature sizes, with three coat varieties: smooth, longhaired, and wirehaired. Color and pattern options are broad, including red, cream, black and tan, chocolate and tan, wild boar, dapple, brindle, sable, and piebald depending on registry and coat variety.
The breed can be charming, funny, and loyal, but it is also independent and prone to back injury. Owners should manage jumping, stairs, obesity, rough handling, and high-impact play. Training should focus on recall, barking, polite handling, and safe exercise that keeps the dog fit without stressing the spine.
Temperament & Personality
CuriousFriendlyDeterminedBoldIndependent
This breed tends to suit homes looking for a curious, friendly, determined companion, with daily rhythms shaped by moderate energy, high barking, and low drooling.
Coat type
Smooth, Longhaired, or Wirehaired
Coat length
Variable
Shedding
Moderate
Colors
Red, Cream, Black and Tan, Chocolate and Tan, Wild Boar, Dapple, Brindle, Piebald
Lifestyle Compatibility
Family Friendly3/5
Good with Kids3/5
Good with Dogs3/5
Good with Strangers3/5
Apartment Friendly4/5
Exercise Needs3/5
Grooming Needs3/5
Trainability3/5
Good fit if you want
- A breed chosen for specific lifestyle fit
- A home-friendly apartment match
- Confidence handling structure and training
Plan ahead for
- 3/5 exercise needs
- moderate shedding and coat upkeep
- high barking in daily life
Owner Fit & Everyday Behavior
Best for
- owners who like bold small hounds
- apartments with barking and stair plans
- families that can handle a small dog carefully
- people committed to weight and back protection
Not ideal for
- homes with lots of unmanaged jumping
- owners wanting a silent dog
- rough households that may injure the back
- people unwilling to manage stubborn hound behavior
Common challenges
- IVDD and back injury risk
- barking
- stubborn recall
- digging or prey drive
- weight gain
Barking & behavior
Expect a strong alert voice. Reward quiet check-ins, manage windows, and give sniffing outlets so the dog has a job beyond barking.
Training style
Use food rewards, patience, and clear routines. Dachshunds are clever but independent, so consistency matters more than force.
Grooming & shedding
Smooth coats are easiest, longhaired coats need tangle prevention, and wirehaired coats need more coat maintenance. All varieties need nails, teeth, and ears checked.
Care Guide
Exercise
Dachshunds need daily walks and play to stay lean and muscular, but exercise should protect the back. Avoid frequent jumping from furniture, uncontrolled stairs, and rough impact games.
Grooming
Grooming depends on coat variety. Smooth coats need simple brushing, longhaired coats need brushing to prevent tangles, and wirehaired coats need coat maintenance around beard, brows, and jacket.
Training
Use rewards, patience, and management. Dachshunds are determined scent hounds, so recall, barking control, leash manners, handling, and potty routines need consistency.
Nutrition
Keep the Dachshund lean. Extra weight is one of the most important avoidable risks for the breed's long back and short legs.
Behavior & Environment
Energy level
Moderate
Barking level
High
Drooling level
Low
Watchdog ability
4/5
Guard dog ability
1/5
Climate tolerance
Cold weather3/5
Heat tolerance3/5
Health Considerations
Common concerns to discuss with your vet and breeder.
Intervertebral disc diseaseObesityDental diseasePatellar luxationEar infections
Frequently Asked Questions
Is the Dachshund a good apartment dog?
Yes, Dachshunds can suit apartments because they are small, but barking, stairs, and daily exercise need a plan.
Does the Dachshund bark a lot?
Many Dachshunds are vocal. They were bred to work underground and alert handlers, so barking at doors, windows, and excitement should be trained early.
Is the Dachshund good for first-time owners?
It can work for prepared first-time owners, but the breed is stubborn, vocal, and back-sensitive. Owners need to manage weight, jumping, stairs, and training from the start.
How much exercise does the Dachshund need?
Most need moderate daily exercise: walks, safe play, and sniffing. They should be kept fit without repeated jumping or hard impact.
Is the Dachshund good with kids and other dogs?
A well-socialized Dachshund can do well with respectful children and dogs, but supervision matters because its back is vulnerable and some individuals are possessive or bold.
Does the Dachshund shed a lot?
Shedding depends on coat type, but most shed moderately. Smooth, longhaired, and wirehaired Dachshunds need different grooming routines.
What is the biggest challenge of owning the Dachshund?
The biggest challenge is protecting the back while managing a determined, vocal scent hound that still needs exercise, training, and enrichment.
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