Ah, the Dachshund. You probably know them better as “wiener dogs” or “sausage pups.” Long body, short legs, big attitude. These little hot-dogs-on-stilts come in smooth, wire-haired, and long-haired varieties and honestly? Every single one struts around like they’re six feet tall and royalty.
A Tiny Hunter With a Stubborn Streak
Originally bred in Germany to hunt badgers (yep, badgers—don’t let those little legs fool you), Dachshunds are fearless, clever, and independent. Translation: they’ll happily take on a squirrel in the yard… but might ignore you when you call them inside.
They’re playful clowns, endlessly entertaining, and fiercely loyal. However, they’re also stubborn little ones, so training requires a balance of patience and fun. Think treats + games rather than strict drills.
Life With a Doxie: Flat-Friendly But Barky
Dachshunds adapt surprisingly well to apartment life as long as they get a daily walk and playtime. That said—brace yourself for barking. These pups have a built-in security system and will alert you to every “threat”… including the postman, a passing leaf, or the ghost of a squirrel that once ran across your street.
Family Matters (and a Little Jealousy)
They love their families but tend to form a special bond with one human in particular. (Yes, prepare for side-eye if you hug someone else.) They’re usually great with older kids who can keep up with their energy, but with toddlers? It’s best to be cautious. Doxies have their limits.
Social Butterflies? Not Exactly.
Let’s be real: Dachshunds aren’t throwing welcome parties for strangers. They make excellent watchdogs, but that means they can be suspicious of newcomers. Socialise them young so they don’t grow into little barky grumps.
The “Other Pets” Question
With other dogs, Dachshunds are often fine, though they secretly like being the star of the household. Cats? Maybe if introduced properly. Random neighbourhood cats? Fair game for a gleeful chase.
Training Your Dachshund (a.k.a. Negotiating With a Sausage)
Training a Dachshund isn’t about being the boss — it’s about being the fun boss. These pups are intelligent, but they’re also independent, which means you’ll need patience, consistency, and a good sense of humour.
-
Find Their Currency: Some Dachshunds will do anything for treats. Others are toy-driven. Figure out what makes your pup’s tail wag and use that as motivation.
-
Keep It Fun: Short, playful sessions are most effective. Consider 5–10 minutes of training combined with games, rather than military-style drills.
-
Positive Reinforcement Is Key: Harsh methods backfire with this breed. Praise, treats, and belly rubs go a long way.
-
Potty Training Takes Patience: Dachshunds can be tricky to house-train (rain + short legs = nope). Stick to a consistent routine, celebrate successes, and be prepared for a little stubborn resistance.
-
Curb the Barking Early: Doxies love the sound of their own voice. Teaching a “quiet” command and rewarding calm behaviour will save your ears (and your neighbours).
-
Socialisation is Essential: Introduce them to new people, pets, and environments early. A well-socialised Dachshund is less likely to become overly suspicious or snappy.
Pro Tip: Treat training like a game. If your Dachshund thinks they’re “winning,” they’ll play along — and before you know it, they’re sitting, staying, and (sometimes) listening to you.
Grooming the Sausage
-
Smooth & Wire-Haired → weekly brushing is plenty.
-
Long-Haired → daily brushing, or risk them turning into a walking tumbleweed.
All varieties shed year-round, with a little seasonal “extra.”
Dachshund Dog Stats
-
Weight: 5–12 kg
-
Size: 15–20 cm tall
-
Lifespan: 12–14 years
-
Best Trait: Mischievous charm
-
Worst Trait: Wary of strangers
Health Watch
That adorable long back comes with risks. Jumping on/off furniture can cause spine issues, so ramps are a Doxie owner’s best friend. Keep their weight in check, brush those little teeth, and avoid too much rough play.
Playtime & Mental Stimulation
Dachshunds are hunters at heart, which means they love brain games as much as zoomies.
-
Puzzle feeders and treat-dispensing toys.
-
Nose work games (hide treats around the house).
-
A mini “dig box” for their tunnelling instincts.
Fun Facts About Dachshunds
-
They were the first Olympic mascot (Munich 1972: Waldi the Dachshund).
-
Picasso owned a Doxie named Lump, who ended up in his artwork.
-
Slinky Dog from Toy Story is modelled after them.
-
Their name literally means “badger dog” in German.
Famous Dachshunds in Pop Culture
-
Crusoe the Celebrity Dachshund (social media superstar).
-
Waldi, the Olympic mascot.
-
Lump, Picasso’s muse.
-
The ever-iconic “Slinky Dog.”
Best Dachshund Names
Need name inspo for your sausage sidekick? Try these:
-
Foodie Fun: Pretzel, Pickles, Noodle, Bratwurst, Biscuit.
-
Classics: Oscar, Daisy, Bella, Milo.
-
German Heritage: Hans, Greta, Fritz, Heidi.
-
Silly & Quirky: Slinky, Wiggles, Nugget, Spud.
-
Regal: Baron, Winston, Duchess Wiggles.
Dachshunds respond well to short, snappy names (two syllables max is best for recall).
Living With a Dachshund: What Owners Say
“If you want a shadow, get a Dachshund. Mine follows me everywhere—even to the bathroom.”
“My Doxie thinks he’s a guard dog. He’s six inches tall and ready to take on a bear.”
“Dachshunds don’t just steal your heart. They steal your blankets, your spot on the couch, and your snacks.”
Final Thoughts
In short: Dachshunds are fearless little sausages with big personalities. They’ll make you laugh daily, test your patience occasionally, and steal your heart completely. Mischief is their love language—and once you fall for a Doxie, there’s no going back.
If you’re unsure if this is the breed for you, try our dog chooser quiz now.
Ahh, naming a Dachshund is one of life’s great joys. With their sausage-y bodies, big personalities, and royal “I’m small but mighty” vibes, the name has to fit the pup. Here are some fun categories and ideas:
Food-Inspired (because… hot dog, duh)
-
Pretzel
-
Pickles
-
Noodle
-
Bratwurst (“Brat” for short)
-
Mustard
-
Biscuit
-
Tater Tot
Classic & Cute
-
Oscar (like the wieners)
-
Daisy
-
Max
-
Bella
-
Lola
-
Milo
-
Rosie
Regal & Ironic (tiny dog, big name)
-
Sir Sausage
-
Duchess Wiggles
-
Baron von Bark
-
Winston
-
Gretchen
-
Ludwig
-
Queenie
Playful & Quirky
-
Slinky
-
Wiggles
-
Sausage McSniff
-
Nugget
-
Pickle Pop
-
Doodle
-
Spud
German Roots (a nod to their origin)
-
Hans
-
Greta
-
Fritz
-
Klaus
-
Heidi
-
Otto
-
Liesl
Pro tip: Dachshunds respond really well to short, snappy names (one or two syllables). It makes training and recall much easier, so while “Baron von Wigglebottom III” is hilarious, “Baron” (or “Wiggles”) will probably work better day-to-day. If you are still stuck, try our dog name generator.