Long Haired Dachshund: What To Know About This Stunning Dachshund

Out of all of the different Dachshund mixes, the Long Haired Dachshund is the most beautiful of them all.

This gorgeous little pooch comes with a big personality and long luxurious fur.

Whilst this sausage-shaped pooch may look very funny they are not to be underestimated. The Dachshund is a born hunter with a fierce and feisty attitude to match.

Do you think that a Long Haired Dachshund may be the best furry friend for you?

Keep reading to learn everything you need to know about this lovely little pup…

Long Haired Dachshund At A Glance

The Long-Haired Dachshund is a feisty little wiener dog with long and wavy hair.

Dachshunds are very popular house hounds because they are one of the few hunting hounds that fit perfectly into a domestic lifestyle. This breed is very popular with people who live in big cities as they are well adapted to live indoors but still thrive outside.

• Popularity: #12.
• Specialty: Hunting Hound.
• Weight: 11-32 pounds.
• Price: $300-$1500.
• Personality: Feisty, independent, and alert.

Similar Breeds

Beagle
Price: $500-$1000
Lifespan: 10-15 years
Family Friendly: Yes
Size: 22-35 pounds
Shed: Medium
Activity: High

Basset Hound
Price: $700-$1000
Lifespan: 12-13 years
Family Friendly: Yes
Size: 40-80 pounds
Shed: Medium/High
Activity: Medium

Long Haired Dachshund Overview

The Dachshund has three coat types:

• Smooth
• Long
• Wirehaired

Long Haired Dachshunds are the most popular type of Dachshund because of their beautiful long fur.

They were originally bred over 600 years ago to hunt badgers however now they are perfect household watchdogs.

Their convenient size and ability to adapt to indoor life has made them very popular for people living in the city.

Of course, they are defined by their short stubby legs and iconic sausage shape. There is nothing more amusing than watching a wiener dog trot around on their little legs.

Although this pooch has a little body they have a huge personality. They are just as intelligent and opinionated as a little person and goes through many different moods throughout the day.

Their long and wavy hair sets them apart from other Dachshunds.

They need intensive grooming in order to look their very best.

Keeping a Dachshund happy can be quite a challenge but if you can manage it you will be rewarded with a very loveable pooch.

A Day In The Life Of This Breed

In the morning your Long Haired Dachshund will wake up on their own time.

On some days they will want to wake up with you, but on other days they will want to sleep in. It is best to leave your pup alone until they are ready to start their day.

Once they are good to go they will put their long nose in your face to let you know that it is time to get up.

After breakfast, it is time to go for a walk.

One trip around the block should help to burn off their morning energy.

They can now relax in their crate while you go to work.

You will need to call up your pup’s favorite sitter to come in and check on them from time to time. They will feel much safer knowing that someone will care for them whilst you are gone.

Your pooch will be very excited to see you when you come home.

They have been waiting all day for you to take them out on a great adventure.

Give your Dachshund their afternoon meal and then take them out for a rousing game of hide and seek. Finish off the day with another walk around the block and the two of you will be ready to relax. When your pup is all tired out they will gratefully seek out your lap as the best place to rest and unwind. The two of you can cuddle together until it is time for bed.

At bedtime, your Dachshund will crawl right into your arms for the two of you to snuggle together all through the night. In the morning they will be ready for another day of fun!

History And Origin

This breed’s history goes back over 600 years.

The Dachshund or badger dog, was used for badger hunting in their homeland of Germany.

Whilst their wiener shape appearance is funny looking it actually served a practical purpose.

A long and slim dog was needed to slip into a badger’s den. Also because Badgers live in underground dens called setts, a good badger hunting dog must not only be long and limber but also very good at digging.

When badger hunting fell out of favor, packs of these dogs were used to hunt even larger prey. Their ability to take out foxes and even wild boars earned them popularity outside of Germany.

Then in the 19th century, this breed became popular as a household companion and personal watchdog.

People quickly fell in love with their comical shape and very humanlike personality.

Different coat types (such as long-haired) were bred as a result of this breed’s newfound popularity. Big city dwellers wanted an elegant-looking pooch that could also protect their homes.

The American Kennel Club was established in 1884.

Just one year afterward the Dachshund became one of the first dog breeds to earn official recognition.

Since then this breed’s popularity has continued to rise. They are prized for their beauty and frequently exhibited in dog shows.

5 Fun Facts

1. The name Dachshund means badger dog in the breed’s native language.
2. Dachshunds just love to dig and are very good at scenting out toys that they have buried. This skill comes from their long history of digging into badger dens.
3. They make wonderful show dogs. Long-haired varieties in particular are especially prized because of their beauty.
4. Back in their home country of Germany this breed is considered a national symbol and was in fact their official mascot during the 1972 Munich Olympics.
5. These little dogs are very ferocious for their size. In their hunting history packs of these dogs could overwhelm and take down a badger or even a wild boar.

Temperament And Behavior

For a little dog, they pack a very big attitude.

It is amusing just how much like a furry little person this breed really is.

Just like humans you never really know what your dog’s mood will be like from day to day.

A Long Haired Dachshund can be calm and happy one day and pushy and irritable the next. Your pooch may seem hard to read but there is always a reason for these mood swings.

Your Dachshund may nip or bite if they are in a bad mood. You should respect your dog’s boundaries and give them some space when they do not want to be disturbed.

Most destructive or obnoxious behavior is the result of boredom or neglect.

Understanding the dog’s daily moods and sudden changes in behavior is one of the many skills that you will need to develop if you want to keep a Long Haired Dachshund.

Dachshunds do not need vigorous exercise as this can damage their spine.

However, because of their hunting past, they still need at least a little activity every day.

This pooch is extremely chatty – these opinionated pups just love to have long conversations barking with their owners.

They can also be very anxious around strangers which makes socialization very difficult. An anxious pooch may be either very shy or very mouthy towards other people. Socialization takes a lot of patience and must be done with you by the pup’s side at all times (more on this later).

Because of their delicate spine, they should not be handled by children and should only be played with under close supervision.

They do not appreciate rough handling or boisterous play.

Their best friends are similar dog breeds that can hold their own. Large hyperactive dogs or sensitive Toy breeds should be avoided.

How Much Does A Long Haired Dachshund Cost?

Fortunately, this breed is surprisingly affordable.

You should expect to pay between $300-$1000 for a Long Haired Dachshund puppy.

A miniature variety will cost slightly more at between $700-$1500.

Sadly you will find some Dachshunds in shelters because some owners were not prepared for their barking and mood swings.

If you adopt from a shelter you will pay around $250 in adoption fees.

Buyer’s Tips

1. Before you buy your Long Haired Dachshund you will need to decide on the best size for your living space. If you live in a smaller property then you might want to choose a miniature Dachshund instead of a standard-sized one.
2. If you opt for a miniature Dachshund then you will need to pay more for this special size. Miniature dogs run approximately $400-$1000 more than their standard-sized counterparts.
3. This is not an expensive dog to buy but your budget does not stop at buying the pup. Long Haired Dachshunds often need special grooming, veterinary care, and nutrition that can cost hundreds of extra dollars each month.
4. A pooch with thick and wavy hair needs a full grooming session every once in a while to look their best. Professional grooming for this dog can cost anywhere from $80-$200 every few months.
5. Because this breed often has back problems it is worth investing in a pet insurance plan that can cover any procedures that your pooch may need throughout their life.

Long Haired Dachshund Dog Appearance

This dog’s defining characteristics is their sausage-shaped back and short and stumpy legs.

They are also well known for their long floppy ears and pointy snout.

Apart from this, your dog will have very large and expressive eyes that almost take up their whole face. You can easily read a Dachshund’s many moods by looking at their great big eyes.

Their tail is straight and has thick layers of wavy fur.

However this dog’s thickest part of their fur is over their long ears.

Their coat should be the only thing that distinguishes this pooch from any other Dachshund.

Size

A standard-sized Dachshund will stand between 8 and 9 inches tall.

They will weigh between 16 and 32 pounds.

You can occasionally find Miniature Dachshunds and they tiny pups only stand at 5 or 6 inches tall and weigh 11 pounds or less.

Colors

Long Haired Dachshunds have long single coats that appear in layers of beautiful waves – the longest and thickest hair is found over their ears.

This dog’s long and wavy single coat comes in many different colors.

Black and tan are one of the most common, along with solid brown. Creamy white, red, brindle, and solid black are also possible.

Unlike the Wire Haired Dachshund, this breed is a surprisingly low shedder. This is because they have a single coat rather than a double coat. Their coat will still need plenty of brushing to keep the mats and tangles away. A haircut will be needed every few months.

Long Haired Dachshund Care Guide

A Long Haired Dachshund is just a little different than a smooth-haired Dachshund.

They will need extra grooming and a professional salon appointment every once in a while.

Single owners and families with children do not make a good fit for this sensitive little dog. This breed will thrive with couples or roommates living together. They are not a children’s dog and should never be left unsupervised around a young child.

Their unpredictable personality can be very overwhelming and they must be kept stimulated and active throughout the day.

If you enjoy grooming and pampering your pooch then this is definitely the dog for you.

Exercise

Your Dachshund must get around 45 minutes of exercise each day.

You can split their talk time into two 10 minute walks a day to keep your dog in shape.

Keep your pup on their leash while walking, or else they may try to take off after any small prey they come across.

Off-leash play can be done safely in a fenced-in area.

This dog’s energy comes in quick bursts and it will not stop until they are all tired out.

Fetch, tug of war, and hide and seek are all great games to play with a fun-loving Long Haired Dachshund. This breed is surprisingly agile for their size and shape. You can also play tracking with them to help them sharpen the skills that it was bred for.

Just remember that this dog has a delicate spine so make sure not to over-exercise them.

• Total Daily Activity: 45 minutes.
• Activity Level: 3/5.
• Favorite Activity: Tracking.

Grooming

While most long-haired dogs are heavy shedders this breed is not.

However, you will still need to keep up with their grooming appointments.

These dogs can get mats and tangles – this can be very painful when they get out of control.

You should brush their fur at least three times every week.

In addition to this every few months you should take them to a professional for a haircut. They will also need to be given a bath every 2 or 3 months. Be careful not to bathe them too often or you risk washing out the protective oils in your dog’s fur.

Also, make sure not to forget about their nails. Long nails can be a nightmare for a short-legged breed so your dog’s nails should be trimmed back every 2 or 3 weeks.

Nutrition

Finding the right food for a wiener dog can be hard.

You should look for a specialized formula suitable for small and active dogs. The best diet for Long-Haired Dachshund is a healthy balance of protein, carbs, and healthy fats. All of these nutrients should be obtained from natural and raw sources.

They should be fed 2 cups of kibble per day.

One cup for a morning meal and another cup in the afternoon just before playtime.

Obesity can be disastrous for this breed because of their delicate spine.

Make sure you only give them treats very sparingly – you should not give your dog human food even if they beg for it!

Health Concerns

As previously mentioned the biggest health concern with the Long Haired Dachshund is their spine.

Intervertebral Disc Disease (or IVDD) is the most common health problem that affects wiener dogs. The dog’s unusual spinal shape makes it easier for their intervertebral discs to degrade.

Type 1 IVDD occurs when a disc slips and presses against their spinal cord. This is the most common type that affects Dachshunds. This causes severe back pain, mobility impairment, and lameness in their back legs. Your dog may whimper and cry out in pain and may be unwilling to run and play.

This condition is treated with physical therapy along with pain medication. Surgery will be needed for severe cases that do not respond well to therapy.

The second most common health issue this dog can suffer from is hypothyroidism.

It can be difficult to feed a small active dog but underfeeding them can lead to hypothyroidism. The condition may also be genetically inherited.

Dogs with underactive thyroids do not produce enough of the hormones needed for their bodies to function properly. The most common symptoms include sudden weight gain and hair loss.

Sadly this is a chronic condition and must be managed with medication, hormone therapy, and a special diet.

How Long Does A Long Haired Dachshund Live?

This is a healthy and strong breed that should live for 12 to 16 years.

How To Train A Long Haired Dachshund Dog

Training this strong-willed pup will not be easy.

On some days your dog will be ready and willing to work. However, on other days they will want nothing to do with training at all.

It is important to be firm but not forceful when training your Long Haired Dachshund.

As previously mentioned you will need to pay close attention to their mood and try to build a sense of mutual respect between the two of you at all times.

A frustrated dog will be aggressive, pushy, and will get absolutely nothing done.

Regardless of how frustrating training can be you should never lash out or raise your voice.

Nothing hurts this sensitive dog’s spirit more than knowing that its owner is unhappy.

In addition to housebreaking and basic training, you will need to socialize this pup. Take your pup out on puppy play dates and events catered to dogs and their owners. Always stay close by and supervise any interactions with other dogs.

Just remember that this is a working dog and their brain is always working.

You should keep them busy with fun activities that keep their instincts active.

Hide toys or treats around the backyard and encourage your dog to sniff them out. Treating the toys with dog pheromone spray makes it easier for your dog to hunt them down.

During this playtime, you can practice your dog’s basic commands while you play together.

Summary

There are only a few differences in caring for a Long Haired Dachshund versus a smooth-haired one. The biggest difference is all of the time you will have to spend tending to their fur.

A Dachshund is just playful enough to keep you happy without completely tiring you out. They are a wonderful pooch for owners that want a playful pup but also value relaxation time.

This is one of the most fun friends that you can have.

Their big brain and even bigger personality will keep their owners amused and astonished. You never really know what this dog is going to get up to next.

They are perfect for anyone that is looking for an alert little watchdog.

If you can commit to a high-maintenance hound then the Long Haired Dachshund might be the perfect fit for you.

Give them all of the attention that they deserve and they will be your new best friend.

Let us know in the comments section below any of your questions…