Dachshund: His Back Decides His Whole Life

Print my Pet · 02. September 2026 · 5 min read·Updated 28.09.2026

He was bred to crawl alone into a badger sett and face an animal there that is twice as heavy as he is. Once you have understood that, you understand everything about the dachshund: the courage, the stubbornness, the voice, the hunting passion and the fact that he lets nobody tell him anything if he does not want to. The dachshund, officially Teckel or Dachshund, is one of the most popular dogs in Germany and for a few years has been becoming a city dog again. The breed is only half pleased about that.

Breed profile

Origin: Germany, bred since the 17th century as an earth dog for hunting below ground
Size: three sizes by chest circumference: rabbit dachshund, miniature dachshund, standard (up to 9 kg)
Coat: smooth, wire-haired, long-haired, each with a slightly different character
Life expectancy: 12 to 16 years
Temperament: independent, brave, hunting-motivated, humorous, loyal

Temperament: a hunting dog, not a toy

The dachshund decides for himself. That is not naughtiness, but a bred-in trait: a dog in the burrow cannot ask his person what to do. This independence makes him one of the most entertaining dogs you can have, and one of the most difficult for people who expect obedience. He comes when he comes. He digs where he wants. He barks when he thinks it right, and he often thinks it right.

At the same time he is deeply attached to his people, cuddly, playful into old age and with a sense of comedy that hardly any other breed has. Wire-haired dachshunds are considered the sturdiest clowns, long-haired ones the gentlest, smooth-haired ones the most wilful. Rough, but often accurate.

What the long back costs

1. The back determines his life

Dachshund paralysis, medically a slipped disc (IVDD), affects one in four to five dachshunds, depending on the study. The long back on short legs is the cause, excess weight and stairs are the amplifiers. Rules from day one: no climbing stairs (carry him or use a ramp), no jumping off the sofa, no jumping out of the car, keep him slim, build muscle through steady exercise. A dachshund who suddenly cannot walk on his hind legs at six years old is an emergency. See the vet within hours, often surgery is needed, which costs 3,000 to 5,000 euros. Surgery insurance is a must with this breed, not an option.

2. He barks. Emphatically.

Dachshunds have a voice made for the forest, not for apartment blocks. They announce visitors, neighbours, thoughts. Training can channel that, but not switch it off. If you want a quiet dog, choose a different breed.

3. The hunting drive is real

A dachshund who has picked up a trail is gone. Not out of spite, but because his brain was built for exactly that. Off-lead freedom only comes after solid recall training and in some areas never. The long line is his best friend. And anyone living with him in the city should know: he digs. Flower beds, sofa cushions, duvets.

4. The stubbornness is a matter of negotiation

Dachshunds cannot be drilled, but they can be persuaded. What works: motivation through food and nose work, short sessions, consistency without harshness. What does not work: pressure, shouting, force. A dachshund who is shouted at becomes stubborn or anxious, both bad.

5. The hype has a price

Since the dachshund has become a fashionable dog again, puppies from puppy farms and Eastern Europe are appearing for 500 euros. These dogs often have no back results in the line, are poorly socialised and sick. A dachshund from the Deutscher Teckelklub or a VDH breeder costs 1,500 to 2,500 euros and is worth it.

Keeping him: what he needs

Nose work. Snuffle mat, treat search, mantrailing. That is his sport.
Steady exercise. Two to three walks, 1.5 to 2 hours in total, on flat ground. No ball throwing with abrupt stops.
Ramps and carrying instead of stairs and jumps.
Slimness. You must be able to feel the ribs. The dachshund begs professionally, stay firm.
Tasks instead of the sofa. He is a working dog in miniature.

Who is the dachshund right for?

For people with humour, patience and stamina who want a dog with personality. For owners on the ground floor or with a lift. For people who like being outdoors and find nose work exciting. Not for perfectionists, not for people looking for a dog for the handbag, not for the fourth floor without a lift.

With the dachshund, a lot is decided before he moves in: ground floor or fifth floor, humour or ambition, nose work or ideas of obedience. If you have not yet answered these questions for yourself, you will find the questionnaire for it in „Welcher Hund passt WIRKLICH zu dir?“ (Which Dog Is REALLY Right for You?).

Questions before buying a dachshund

Is the dachshund a family dog? With older children yes. Toddlers who pick him up or fall on him are a risk to his back.

Which dachshund is the calmest? Long-haired is considered the gentlest, wire-haired the sturdiest clown, smooth-haired the most wilful.

Can a dachshund be left alone? With training, four to five hours. He tends to bark when separated, so practise early.

The dachshund on the wall

The long nose, the floppy ears, the look between cheeky and submissive: the dachshund is the perfect cartoon subject and looks especially elegant in line art. Photograph him lying down from the front so that the length of his body is not distorted, and use his interest in treats for the look.

That begging look was always too good for the phone gallery. In a wooden frame it now hangs in the hallway, and in landscape format the long body finally has room instead of being cut off at the edges. All styles and sizes are with the dog portraits.