Dachshund’s have been an incredibly popular breed of dog for decades.
These canines, commonly known as sausage dogs, are hound dogs that were originally bred for hunting. They naturally have a strong prey drive, and as a result love to dig and chase anything that moves.
There are other dog breeds that are arguably better equipped as hunting dogs, so these guys have become more of a household small dog, with big personalities.
Long haired Dachshunds are one out of three types or variations of their breed. The other two are wire haired Dachshunds and smooth haired Dachshunds.
All three of these variations can be found in either the standard size or the miniature size version.
History
The Dachshund dog breed is recorded to have originated in the country of Germany about 600 years ago, in the mid 15th century.
It is believed to include elements of French, German and English hounds or terriers. They have been maintained by royal courts all throughout Europe, including that of Queen Victoria.
The breed is famous in history for its use exterminating badgers, but were also commonly used for hunting rabbits, foxes and for locating wounded deer. In packs, these dogs were known to hunt a variety of game, including animals as large as wild boars and as dangerous as wolverines.
There are two main theories that describe how the standard long-haired dachshund came to be. The first is that smooth Dachshunds would in some cases produce puppies that had slightly longer hair than the parents.
Breeders would then selectively breed these longer haired dogs in order to eventually produce dogs that birthed consistently long-haired offspring. As a result, the long haired dachshund was created.
The second theory indicates that the long haired Dachshund we see today may actually have been developed by breeding smooth haired Dachshunds with a variety of land and water spaniel breeds. This long haired Dachshund may as a result be a cross of any of the small dog breeds in the spaniel group.
It is believed that these long haired Dachshunds were bred in order to withstand colder weather and be useful in the winter months, where short haired breeds would struggle to cope with the harsh weather conditions.
Dimensions
The Dachshund breed in general is known for being a small, low to the ground, funny looking “sausage” dog.
The long haired version has all of these same traits, but features a coat of nice long hair, as opposed to their wirehaired and smooth haired counterparts.
In terms of height, dachshunds are known for their incredibly short and stubby legs. They do not stand very high off of the ground. The standard sized Dachshunds are most often about 8 to 9 inches in height, while the miniature sized Dachshunds are usually right around 5 to 6 inches tall.
When we take a look at body length, a standard Dachshund falls somewhere between 22 and 25 inches. The miniature Dachshund variation has a much smaller body length, typically falling somewhere in the 12 to 15 inch range.
Standard sized Dachshunds have a larger weight variation among them, where dogs typically weigh somewhere between 16 and 32 pounds fully grown. Miniature Dachshunds again are much smaller, and will typically weigh right around 10 pounds when fully grown.
Temperament
Dachshunds were originally bred as hunting and tracking dogs, and as a result are inherently wired with some of those instincts.
The long haired Dachshund is an extremely curious and lively dog, who will constantly be wanting to catch its owner’s attention and praise.
These dogs are incredibly brave and will always love a good chase when something catches their eye. The long haired Dachshund has an extremely well refined sense of smell, as well as digging skills that are virtually unmatched. They were used back in the day to locate and hunt badgers and groundhogs, so tracking and finding burrowing animals is second nature for them.
When it comes to their temperament around other people and other dogs, there are some things for owners to be aware of. The Dachshund is known to be somewhat unpredictable around unfamiliar people and dogs. They will often become very vocal around strangers or may end up running for the hills.
When it comes to other dogs, there are situations in which the Dachshund will want to instigate an altercation and get into a fight. Smaller dogs are often more vocal and will be more likely to instigate aggressiveness in certain situations.
As a household family dog, the Dachshund is good because of the fact that they are very adaptable and low maintenance and can adjust to life in any size domain.
However, they are not the best dog to have around smaller children, as they have been known to potentially nip at them if they are being teased or children are moving around quickly.
They also do not typically do well in a household with other dogs, and are best coming into a no-pets home.
Price
Puppy Price
The price of a Daschund puppy depends on a number of factors including color, type (miniature or standard), breeder status, quality of parents etc..). Typically, you can expect to pay between $500 and $1500 for a Dachshund puppy. Higher prices have been seen when dealing with prestigious breeders and blood lines.
Rescue Price
The average cost to rescue or adopt a long haired will typically be somewhere around $200. This will cover adoption and administration fees, as well as any medical expenses that need to be addressed.
Color Variations
The Dachshund breed can come in a number of color variations as well as different marking patterns.
There are one-colored and two-colored Dachshunds:
One colored – Red, Cream
Two colored (Any combination of) – Black, Cream, Tan, Fawn, Chocolate, Grey/Blue
Patterns – Dapple, brindle, sable, piebald, double dapple
Shedding
In comparison to other dog breeds, Dachshunds are quite moderate in terms of shedding. They do not experience the moulting that many other dog breeds do, and as a result will not produce as much shedding volume as others.
With this being said, these dogs will still shed as new hair grows. All variations of the Dachshund will shed their fur to maintain a healthy coat and adjust its thickness for the weather conditions and time of year. The amount and timing of this shedding and coat changing will depend on the type of Dachshund.
Long haired Dachshunds are known to be the biggest shedders of the three types. Their double coat will usually shed seasonally in the spring and autumn. Their longer hair will also be more obvious to spot around the house and on furniture.
Grooming
All types of Dachshunds will need regular brushing to help them get rid of any dead hair. Long haired Dachshunds will inherently have more hair, and as a result will need more regular and consistent grooming sessions to maintain their coat.
Be sure to introduce them early to grooming and brushing so that they are comfortable and it becomes a positive experience. This will help both the owner and any professional groomers that work on them.
One thing to be aware of is the fact that long haired Dachshunds will have hair that reaches the floor when left untrimmed. When this happens, they can end up stirring up dirt and dust wherever they go. This will also cause mats and tangles to build up faster than usual. Have their hair trimmed regularly to avoid this.
Lifespan
The average lifespan of a Dachshund ranges from 12 to 15 years of age. With the right care and attention, some of these dogs have been known to live for 18 years or more.
Health Concerns
One of the most common health concerns that Dachshund owners should be aware of is the potential for this breed to develop Intervertebral Disc Disease (IVDD). This is an issue that affects their spinal column and is actually an inherited trait that can be screened for by the breeder.
Back problems in general are something that Dachshunds will often deal with in their lifetime, due to their long body and short legs. The Dachshund is also known to be prone to dealing with Patellar Luxation, or dislocation of the kneecaps. It is important to keep these dogs active and monitor their weight, as obesity will accelerate back and leg problems significantly.
Aside from these structural health concerns, this dog breed is known to suffer from a number of ocular disorders (eye problems), such as progressive retinal atrophy.
Popularity
Long haired Dachshunds are actually the most popular style of this breed compared to the wire haired and smooth haired styles, namely because of the luscious locks of long hair that give them a nice aesthetic.
What Are Some Popular Long Haired Dachshund Mixes?
Some of the most popular Dachshund mixes include:
- The Goldenshund (Dachshund x Golden Retriever)
- Doxiepoo (Poodle x Dachshund)
- Chiweenie (Dachshund x Chihuahua)
What Is The Average Price Of A Miniature Long Haired Dachshund?
Miniature Dachshunds will often be more expensive than a standard Dachshund. You can expect to pay somewhere on the higher end of the price range for this breed, typically somewhere between $800 and $1500.
What Are Some Popular Long Haired Dachshund Breeders In The US?
Here are 5 of the most popular and reputable long haired dachshund breeders in the US.
- Dachshunds of Castleshield – Located in Miami, Florida
- Blueprint K9 – Located in Mountain Grove, Missouri
- Dry Creek Dachshunds -Located in Arlington, Tennessee
- Aster Creek Kennel – Located in Benton City, Washington
- PuppySpot Dachshunds – Multiple locations (network of breeders), Offers a transportation system for delivering puppies to their homes
Dan is a well respected content researcher who has vast experience working projects in the pets niche. He is a frequent contributor to dogtemperament.com and loves delivering numerous helpful dog articles like this one that are read by thousands of our readers monthly.
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