Hairy Dachshund (Longhaired): Breed Profile, Care & Health Guide

If you've ever scrolled through dachshund photos and stopped at one with flowing, silky ears and a feathered tail, you've met the hairy dachshund — more formally known as the longhaired dachshund. This elegant variety of the beloved wiener dog trades the classic smooth coat for a luxurious, medium-length one that sets it apart from its short-haired and wirehaired cousins.

But beyond that gorgeous coat, the longhaired dachshund carries distinct personality traits, grooming demands, and health considerations that prospective owners need to understand before committing. This guide covers everything from their 16th-century German origins to the real cost of keeping one healthy in 2026.

Breed Overview: Origin, Size Class, and Lifespan

Attribute	Details
Official Name	Dachshund (Longhaired variety)
Size Class	Small (Standard) / Toy (Miniature)
Weight (Standard)	16–32 lb / 7–14.5 kg
Weight (Miniature)	Under 11 lb / under 5 kg
Height	5–9 inches / 13–23 cm at the withers
Lifespan	12–16 years
Coat Type	Long, silky, slightly wavy with feathering
AKC Group	Hound Group
Origin	Germany, 16th–17th century

The dachshund breed originated in Germany, where foresters and huntsmen bred them to pursue badgers (Dachs = badger, Hund = dog) into underground burrows. The longhaired variety emerged through selective crossbreeding of smooth dachshunds with spaniels and setter-type dogs — likely around the 17th century — to produce a weather-resistant coat suitable for hunting in cold, wet terrain. The American Kennel Club recognizes all three coat varieties under a single breed standard.

Temperament & Personality: What Makes the Hairy Dachshund Tick

The longhaired dachshund tends to be the most laid-back of the three coat varieties, thanks to the spaniel influence in its lineage. But make no mistake — this is still a dachshund at heart. Here are the core traits you'll live with daily:

• Independent thinker: Bred to make decisions alone in badger tunnels, your hairy dachshund will often evaluate your command before deciding whether to comply. This isn't stubbornness — it's a working dog's self-reliance.
• Bold and curious: A 20-pound dachshund will confidently approach a 90-pound Labrador at the dog park. They don't perceive their own size accurately, which can lead to trouble if you're not watching.
• Vocal communicator: Expect barking at delivery drivers, squirrels, wind chimes, and suspicious leaves. Their deep bark is disproportionately loud for their body size — a trait originally selected for alerting hunters above ground.
• Affectionate with family: Longhaired dachshunds tend to bond intensely with one or two people. They will follow you from room to room and prefer sleeping under your blankets to any dog bed you buy.
• Prey drive: That spaniel ancestry didn't erase the hound instinct. A longhaired dachshund will chase rabbits, chipmunks, and sometimes cats with genuine determination.

Physical Characteristics: Size, Coat, and Appearance

The longhaired dachshund shares the iconic elongated body and short legs of all dachshunds but is distinguished by its coat. The hair is soft, slightly wavy (never curly), and longest on the neck, chest, underside, ears, and tail — creating elegant feathering. The coat lies close to the body but flows with movement.

Standard size: 16–32 lb (7–14.5 kg), typically 8–9 inches (20–23 cm) tall at the shoulder.
Miniature size: 11 lb (5 kg) or under, typically 5–6 inches (13–15 cm) tall at the shoulder.

Recognized longhaired colors include black and tan, red (the most common), chocolate and tan, wild boar, blue and tan, and Isabella (fawn) and tan. Dapple (merle) patterns exist but require careful breeding to avoid double-dapple health complications including deafness and eye defects.

Exercise & Activity Needs

Despite their short legs, hairy dachshunds are not couch ornaments. They were bred for endurance in the field and need structured daily activity to maintain muscle tone — particularly the core and back muscles that support their vulnerable spine.

Activity Type	Duration	Frequency	Notes
Leash walks	20–30 minutes	Twice daily	Avoid steep hills and jumping obstacles
Sniff games / scent work	10–15 minutes	Daily	Engages hound instincts, mentally tiring
Indoor play (tug, fetch on carpet)	10–15 minutes	Daily	Low-impact; no jumping on/off furniture
Supervised yard exploration	15–20 minutes	3–5x/week	Fenced area only — prey drive is strong

Total daily exercise target: 45–60 minutes, split across multiple sessions. Avoid activities that involve jumping from heights, climbing steep stairs, or standing on hind legs — all of which compress the intervertebral discs.

Common Health Issues in Longhaired Dachshunds

The dachshund's distinctive body shape comes with real medical trade-offs. According to the Merck Veterinary Manual, dachshunds are the breed at highest risk for intervertebral disc disease. Here are the conditions to know:

Condition	Prevalence	Onset Age	Treatment Cost Range
Intervertebral Disc Disease (IVDD)	~25% of dachshunds	3–7 years	$3,000–$8,000 (surgery)
Progressive Retinal Atrophy (PRA)	~5–8% (longhaired line)	6–10 years	No cure; management only
Obesity	High (breed tendency)	Any age	$200–$500/year (diet plans)
Patellar Luxation	~10–15%	1–5 years	$1,500–$3,500 (surgical repair)
Dental Disease	Very high in small breeds	3+ years	$300–$800 (professional cleaning)

IVDD prevention is the #1 priority for any dachshund owner. Key strategies:

• Use ramps or pet stairs for all furniture access — never allow jumping
• Maintain a lean body condition score (BCS of 4–5 out of 9)
• Avoid stairs when possible; carry your dog up and down steep steps
• Use a harness (never a neck collar) for leash walking to reduce spinal strain
• Discuss IVDD screening with your veterinarian, especially before age 3

Grooming Requirements for the Hairy Dachshund

That beautiful coat requires genuine maintenance. Unlike the smooth dachshund (wipe-and-go) or the wirehaired (needs hand-stripping), the longhaired variety needs regular brushing to prevent mats and tangles, particularly in the feathering zones.

Brushing: 3–4 times per week using a slicker brush for the body and a steel comb for the feathered areas (ears, chest, legs, tail). During seasonal shedding in spring and fall, increase to daily brushing.

Bathing: Every 4–6 weeks, or as needed. Use a dog-specific conditioning shampoo to maintain coat silkiness. Thoroughly dry the coat — trapped moisture against the skin can cause hot spots.

Ear care: The longhaired dachshund's pendant, feathered ears trap moisture and debris. Clean weekly with a veterinarian-recommended ear cleanser. Check for redness, odor, or excessive scratching — signs of otitis externa, which is common in drop-eared breeds.

Nail trimming: Every 2–3 weeks. Overgrown nails alter gait and put additional strain on the back.

Tools you'll need:

• Slicker brush (medium size, e.g., Chris Christensen Big G or similar quality)
• Steel greyhound comb for detangling feathering
• Detangling spray (silicone-free preferred)
• Dog ear cleanser (e.g., Epi-Otic Advanced or similar)
• Guillotine or scissor-style nail clippers

Training & Intelligence

Dachshunds rank in the lower tiers of Stanley Coren's working intelligence rankings, but this reflects their independence rather than an inability to learn. Longhaired dachshunds are capable of learning complex commands — they simply need a reason to comply.

Trainability rating: Moderate (3/5)

Effective training methods for this breed:

• Positive reinforcement only: Food rewards, praise, and play motivate dachshunds far more than repetition. Keep sessions to 5–10 minutes — they bore quickly.
• Consistency across all household members: If one person allows couch access and another doesn't, the dachshund will exploit the inconsistency.
• Early socialization (8–16 weeks): Expose puppies to varied surfaces, people, dogs, sounds, and environments to reduce the wariness that can harden into fear-based reactivity.
• Housebreaking patience: Dachshunds are among the most difficult breeds to potty train. Expect 4–6 months of consistent crate training and scheduled outdoor trips. Some individuals never fully housebreak in cold or wet weather — a belly band or indoor grass pad may be a permanent backup.

Never use shock collars, prong collars, or alpha rolls on any dog — these methods damage trust and can increase fear-based aggression. For leash reactivity or resource guarding, consult a certified force-free trainer (look for IAABC or CCPDT credentials).

Family Suitability: Kids, Pets, and Apartment Living

With children: Longhaired dachshunds can do well with respectful, dog-savvy children ages 8 and up. Their long backs make them fragile — a child picking up a dachshund incorrectly (supporting only the chest, not the hindquarters) can cause spinal injury. Never leave a dachshund unsupervised with toddlers. Teach children to pet gently and never disturb a sleeping dog.

With other dogs: Generally sociable, especially if socialized early. Dachshunds often enjoy the company of another dachshund. Same-sex aggression can occur in some individuals, particularly intact males.

With cats and small pets: Variable. Some longhaired dachshunds coexist peacefully with household cats, especially if raised together. Their prey drive makes them unreliable with rabbits, hamsters, or birds. Always supervise interactions.

Apartment living: Excellent apartment dogs in terms of size and exercise needs. The main challenge is barking — dachshunds are vocal, and thin apartment walls plus frequent hallway foot traffic can trigger excessive alert barking. White noise machines and window film (to block visual triggers) help significantly.

Cost of Ownership: Puppy Price and Annual Care Budget

Owning a hairy dachshund is a financial commitment that extends well beyond the initial purchase.

Expense Category	First-Year Cost	Annual Ongoing Cost
Puppy (from responsible breeder)	$2,500–$4,500	—
Adoption (rescue/shelter)	$200–$600	—
Veterinary care (wellness + vaccines)	$500–$800	$400–$700
Pet insurance	$600–$1,200/year	$600–$1,200
Food (high-quality kibble or balanced diet)	$300–$500	$300–$500
Grooming (professional, quarterly)	$200–$400	$200–$400
Supplies (crate, harness, ramp, bed, toys)	$300–$500	$100–$200
Training classes	$150–$400	$0–$200
Total estimated	$4,750–$8,300	$1,600–$3,200/year

Pet insurance is strongly recommended for this breed. Given the ~25% lifetime risk of IVDD — with surgical treatment costing $3,000–$8,000 — a policy that covers hereditary conditions pays for itself many times over. Look for policies with no breed-specific exclusions and annual limits of at least $10,000.

When purchasing a puppy, responsible breeders will provide OFA (Orthopedic Foundation for Animals) or PennHIP clearance for patellar luxation, CERF (Canine Eye Registration Foundation) documentation for eye health, and evidence of genetic testing for PRA. Expect to be on a waitlist — reputable longhaired dachshund breeders typically produce 1–2 litters per year.

Is the Hairy Dachshund Right for You? — FAQ

The hairy dachshund is a rewarding companion for owners who understand what they're signing up for: a bold, vocal, deeply affectionate dog whose spine needs protecting and whose coat needs maintaining. If you can commit to the grooming schedule, the ramp-and-harness lifestyle, and the patience required for housebreaking, you'll have a loyal friend for 12–16 years.