Dachshund (Standard) Overview
Iconic German hunting dog with long, low body, short legs, fearless personality. Three coat varieties (smooth, wirehaired, longhaired). Originally bred to hunt badgers and burrowing animals. Despite small-medium size, have big personalities and strong prey drive. Affectionate, loyal companions that adapt well to apartment living but require careful weight management and spinal care due to elongated backs.
Extremely prone to intervertebral disc disease (IVDD) due to long backs. Jumping from furniture or stairs should be discouraged. Obesity exacerbates back problems and should be strictly avoided. Excellent for apartment dwellers, older adults, and those seeking small companions. However, stubborn nature, high barking, and strong prey drive require experienced handling.
Suit first-time owners, apartment dwellers, and those willing to manage weight and prevent jumping. Digging instinct means gardens require secure fencing. Not ideal for homes with small animals or those unable to monitor weight strictly.
Dachshund (Standard) Personality & Temperament
Understanding the Dachshund (Standard) temperament is the most important step before bringing one home.
Loyal, affectionate, courageous (despite size), determined | Intelligent but stubborn; strong prey drive; will dig and burrow; high barking; good with children (if socialised); can be territorial | Good with children (if socialised); problematic with small animals; high barking; moderate-to-high separation anxiety
Breed Ratings at a Glance
How the Dachshund (Standard) scores across key traits (1 = Low, 5 = High).
Is a Dachshund (Standard) Right for You?
✅
Apartment
Excellent; small, moderate exercise
✅
House with yard
Excellent; space for digging
✅
First-time owner
Good suitability; trainable, affectionate
✅
Renters
Excellent; small, few restrictions
✅
Hot climate (QLD/NT/WA)
Good; smooth-coat suits heat
✅
Cold climate (VIC/TAS/ACT)
Suitable; coat options available
✅
Elderly/retired owners
Perfect; gentle, loyal
⚠️
Working owners (8hrs alone)
Fair; moderate-to-high separation anxiety
✅
Rural/acreage
Excellent; space for digging
⚠️
Active lifestyle
Fair; moderate exercise sufficient
Separation Anxiety: Moderate to high — this breed may struggle if left alone for long periods.
Dachshund (Standard) Size & Appearance
Size
Small
Weight M
7–14 kg
Weight F
7–14 kg
Height
20–27 cm
Coat
Smooth, wirehaired, or longhaired (three variants)
Colours
Red, cream, black and tan, chocolate and tan, or brindle
Variations
None
Brachycephalic
No
Hypoallergenic
No
Dachshund (Standard) Health & Lifespan
13 years
Average Lifespan
Known Health Conditions
Disc herniation in spine. Extremely common in Dachshunds due to long backs. Signs: back pain, hind-leg paralysis. Managed or surgically treated.
Est. treatment: $2,000–$5,000
Knee cap dislocation. Common in small breeds. Mild cases managed; severe require surgery.
Est. treatment: $800–$2,500
Dachshunds easily gain weight, exacerbating back problems and other issues.
Est. treatment: $500–$3,000/year
Long, floppy ears trap moisture. Requires regular cleaning and treatment.
Est. treatment: $200–$500 per infection
Valve disease common. Managed with medication.
Est. treatment: $800–$2,000
More common in obese Dachshunds. Managed with diet and insulin.
Est. treatment: $500–$1,500/year
Pet Insurance for Dachshund (Standard)
Avg Annual Insurance: $650
Monthly Estimate: $700–$1,100/month. Insurers: Bow Wow Meow, PD Insurance, Petcover. Weight management impacts claims.
Recommended Insurers:
• Bow Wow Meow
• PD Insurance
• Petinsurance.com.au
• Budget Direct
• Petcover
• NRMA
TIP: Insure before 6 months.
Compare insurance policies for your Dachshund (Standard)
Given this breed's known health conditions, comprehensive coverage is recommended for Australian owners.
Compare Pet Insurance →
Dachshund (Standard) Cost of Ownership (AUD)
| Category | Amount (AUD) |
|---|
| PURCHASE |
$1,500 - $4,000 |
| Food |
$1,400 |
| Vet |
$500 |
| Grooming |
$200 |
| Insurance |
$650 |
| TOTAL/yr |
$2,084 |
| Monthly |
$107 |
| LIFETIME (13 yrs) |
$27,092 |
| FIRST-YEAR EXTRAS |
$1,200–$2,200 (desexing, vax, microchip, setup, puppy school) |
$27,092
Estimated lifetime cost (13 years)
All prices in AUD. Costs vary by state, vet, and lifestyle. Sources: PetSure, RSPCA, Animal Medicines Australia.
Dachshund (Standard) Grooming Guide
Frequency
Weekly (smooth); 2–3 times weekly (wirehaired, longhaired)
Brushing
Weekly (smooth); 3–4 times weekly (wirehaired, longhaired)
Professional Cost
$40–$70
Coat
Smooth, wirehaired, or longhaired (three variants)
Shedding
★★☆☆☆/5
Tools
Slicker/pin brush, deshedding tool, nail clippers
Nails
Every 4–6 weeks | Ears: Monthly | Teeth: 2–3×/week
Dachshund (Standard) Exercise Needs
Daily Exercise
45 minutes
Type
Digging, exploring, moderate walking, games
Energy
★★★☆☆/5
Separation Anxiety
Moderate to high
Mental Stimulation
Puzzle feeders, sniff walks, 10min training/day
Sports
Agility, flyball, scent work, swimming (breed-dependent)
Training Your Dachshund (Standard)
Trainability: ★★★☆☆/5
First-Time Owner: ★★★☆☆/5
Intelligent but stubborn and independent with strong prey drive. Originally bred to hunt badgers; tenacious and determined. Respond to positive reinforcement and food rewards; can be difficult to housetrain. Early socialisation essential. Training requires patience and consistency.
Tips: Positive reinforcement only | Puppy school 8–12 weeks
Short 5–10min sessions | Socialise early with dogs, people, sounds
Dachshund (Standard) Feeding Guide
Annual Food Cost: $1,400
0.75–1.5 cups daily, split into two meals. High-quality small-medium breed kibble (18–24% protein). Expect $12–$22/week. Prone to obesity—monitor portions carefully. Weight management critical for spinal health.
Tips: Premium kibble + 2 meals/day | Monitor weight | Fresh water always
Avoid: grapes, onion, chocolate, xylitol, macadamias
Finding a Reputable Dachshund (Standard) Breeder
REGISTRIES:
• ANKC (ankc.org.au)
• RightPaw (rightpaw.com.au)
GREEN FLAGS: Health tests, ANKC/RPBA reg, visits allowed, health guarantee, screens buyers
RED FLAGS: Always available, multiple breeds, no health tests, Gumtree/social media sellers, pet shops
✅ Green Flags
- Registered with ANKC, RPBA, MDBA, or RightPaw
- Invites you to visit and meet the mother (dam)
- Provides health test results for parents
- Includes vet certificate, microchip, and vaccination records
- Has a waiting list (sign of demand, not a puppy farm)
❌ Red Flags
- Multiple breeds always available with no wait
- Won't let you visit or meet the mother
- No health testing mentioned
- Price significantly below market average
- Meets in a public place instead of their property
Trusted Australian Registries:
ANKC (ankc.org.au) · RPBA (rpba.org.au) · RightPaw (rightpaw.com.au) · Dogs Australia · ACF
Adopting a Dachshund (Standard) in Australia
RESCUE OPTIONS:
• Dachshund Rescue Australia
• PetRescue.com.au
• RSPCA Australia
Adoption Cost: $250–$600 AUD
(includes desexing, microchip, vaccinations)
Search PetRescue.com.au — Australia's largest adoption platform
❤️ Thousands of dogs need homes. Rescue dogs come desexed, vaccinated, and microchipped.
Dachshund (Standard) — Frequently Asked Questions
Back problems?
Yes, extremely. Long backs vulnerable to IVDD. Avoid jumping; use ramps. Weight management critical.
Weight?
7–14 kg. Despite being "standard," they are small. Prone to obesity—weight must be monitored strictly.
Digging?
Yes. Originally bred to dig for badgers. Strong digging instincts. Gardens require secure fencing.
Apartments?
Yes. Small size and moderate exercise suit apartments. High barking is a drawback.
Insurance cost?
$700–$1,100 annually (Bow Wow Meow, PD Insurance, Petcover).
Coat options?
Yes. Smooth (low grooming), wirehaired (moderate), longhaired (high). Smooth suits hot climates best.
Small animals?
No. High prey drive means cats and small animals at risk.
Health issues?
Intervertebral disc disease (most serious), patellar luxation, obesity issues, ear infections, heart disease, diabetes.
Diet?
0.75–1.5 cups daily. Strict portion control essential. Obesity impacts spinal health.
Lifespan?
12–16 years typical; some reach 18+. Depends on weight management and spinal health.
