Are you thinking of getting a dachshund but don’t know how much they cost? Are you finding the huge variation in pricing confusing? Here’s everything you need to know about the price of dachshunds!
How Much Does A Dachshund Cost? On average, a Kennel Club registered dachshund costs £1200-£2000 or $1500-$2500. You may find well-bred dachshunds cheaper but, if the price looks too good to be true, the dachshund may not have been bred responsibly or the puppy may not exist at all.
But, before you start searching for a dachshund to join your family, there’s more you need to know! Read on to find out why dachshunds are so expensive, whether they need to be Kennel Club registered, if you should pay a deposit upfront, and how much it costs to own a dachshund.
Table of Contents
- Why Are Dachshunds So Expensive?
- Do KC Registered Dachshunds Cost More?
- Does A Dachshund Puppy Need To Be KC Registered?
- How Does The Kennel Club Help The Dachshund Breed?
- Should I Pay A Deposit For My Dachshund Puppy?
- How Do I Know If A Dachshund Breeder Is Genuine?
- Why Are There Cheap Dachshunds Advertised Online?
- Why Are Rare Dachshunds More Expensive?
- Is Owning A Dachshund Expensive?
- What do I do next?
This article is based on research and personal experience as a Dachshund owner of 10+ years. I’m not a Vet, qualified dog trainer or dog behaviourist.
Why Are Dachshunds So Expensive?
The popularity of the dachshund breed has risen sharply over the last few years – and so has the price! Basically, breeders can charge what they want for their puppies and what they feel is fair. The price can be based on many factors but, more recently, some things have increased the price of dachshunds:
Media
The media can’t seem to get enough of dachshunds! They’ve been featured on TV shows like Coronation Street, in adverts for Vitality and Heinz Ketchup, and in movies like The Secret Life Of Pets. The more screen time they get, the more people want to own one!
Crufts
The winner of Crufts Best in Show 2020 was a wire-haired dachshund from Gloucestershire in the UK, called Maisie. On live TV, Maisie did a victory lap poop and won the hearts of dog lovers all over the world. This was the first ever Crufts win for a dachshund that has catapulted the popularity of the breed.
Celebrities
Celebrities may be recognisable across the world, but their dachshunds are becoming just as famous! Owners include Emilia Clarke, Adele, Rosie Huntington-Whiteley, Ashley Olsen, Jack Black, Josh Duhamel, Fergie, Declan Donnelly, Johanna Konta, Christian Slater and the late David Bowie.
Social Media
Millions of dachshunds have their own social media accounts, and some – like Crusoe the Celebrity Dachshund – attract huge numbers of followers worldwide. The hashtag #dachshundsofinstagram has over 6.5 million posts! There are literally thousands of Dachshund Facebook Groups that bring lovers of the breed together. Social media organically promotes dachshunds across the globe and people have become obsessed with the breed!
Lockdown
During the 2020 lockdown, many people chose to add a dachshund to their family. During that time, most breeders temporarily stopped breeding dachshunds, so there was a shortage of well-bred puppies around. When there’s high demand for a breed and less availability, prices inevitably rise. Some breeders were able to charge up to £4,000 or $5000 for a puppy during lockdown, but not all breeders inflated prices to take advantage of the situation.
Supply and Demand
Responsible dachshund breeders only have occasional litters. There are generally one to six puppies in each litter. As popularity for the dachshund breed grows, demand has exceeded supply. This has created a surge in undesirable commercial breeders and puppy farms advertising non-KC registered puppies for sale online. This commercialisation of puppies has sadly pushed prices up!
Do KC Registered Dachshunds Cost More?
Kennel Club registered dachshunds generally cost a bit more than non-KC registered puppies, but that’s not always the case. And, even if they do cost more, the difference in price can be surprisingly small.
Many Kennel Club Assured Breeders haven’t increased their prices quite as sharply as the commercial breeders have. Some may charge less than the non-KC puppies advertised online! So, if you’re looking for a dachshund puppy, it may be best to contact a Kennel Club Assured Breeder first, before looking at other options.
Does A Dachshund Puppy Need To Be KC Registered?
No, a dachshund puppy doesn’t need to be Kennel Club registered, but it’s safer to buy one that is. When you buy a non-KC registered puppy, there are a lot more unknowns and risks. That doesn’t mean it won’t work out. It just means you’ll have to do more research on the breeder to make sure they’re genuine.
There’s no guarantee with any dachshund you buy but, if you get one from a Kennel Club Assured Breeder, you have a much better chance of the puppy being healthy and having less behavioural problems.
There are, of course, plenty of responsible hobby breeders that sell perfectly healthy non-KC registered dachshund puppies and care about the breed. Unfortunately, there are also plenty of irresponsible breeders and criminals out there, and it’s hard to tell the difference between the two when buying online.
Some dachshunds are bred in terrible conditions and illegally imported from overseas by big commercial breeders and puppy farms. These puppies have been bred purely for money with no thought for their health and welfare. Many are sold online with forged paperwork by people posing as breeders.
Bad breeding creates numerous health problems in dachshunds. There’s a chance they could be very sickly and need veterinary treatment within days of being brought home.
So, make sure you do your breeder research. If you don’t, the money you save on the price of the puppy could be swallowed up by unexpected vet bills!
How Does The Kennel Club Help The Dachshund Breed?
The Kennel Club are there to protect the health and welfare of the dachshund breed, and they have strict rules in place for a reason. When you buy a KC registered dachshund, you know you’re getting a pure breed. Both dachshund parents have to be KC registered for the puppy to be KC registered, and all health history is available to view online.
For welfare reasons, they don’t allow breeders to register more than four litters from one female dachshund. They don’t allow the breeding of different varieties of dachshund, close relations, rare colours or two dapples, that can lead to serious health problems. They ensure all puppies are DNA checked for hereditary diseases – and so much more.
Should I Pay A Deposit For My Dachshund Puppy?
Don’t ever pay a deposit for a dachshund puppy you’ve not seen in person. If a breeder is pushing for a deposit upfront, don’t pay it and walk away. There are a lot of dishonest people advertising dachshunds for sale online. You could transfer the money never to hear from the so called ‘breeder’ again!
Photos or videos can easily be faked, and aren’t enough proof that the puppy even exists. These types of criminals know what they’re doing and can be very persuasive, so don’t get caught out!
Do your research to find out who the breeder is. If you have their address or phone number, look them up online. If the puppy is KC registered, check the registration number with the Kennel Club. Some people may give false information or forged paperwork, so don’t take anything for granted!
If you’ve met the dachshund and breeder in person, have checked out the paperwork and are 100% sure all is genuine, you may want to consider paying a 10-15% deposit to secure your puppy, if asked to do so.
How Do I Know If A Dachshund Breeder Is Genuine?
Unless the breeder is licensed or a member of the Kennel Club Assured Breeder Scheme, you won’t know for sure whether they’re genuine, so you’ll have to do your own research. In fact, you have a responsibility to research your breeder to be sure you’re not supporting commercial or irresponsible breeding.
Here are some tips to help you:
- A responsible breeder will want to meet you to make sure you’re the right family for the puppy
- A responsible breeder won’t ask for a deposit until they’ve met you and you’ve seen the puppy in person
- A responsible breeder will be happy to share their breeding history with you
- A responsible breeder will only have occasional litters and care about the welfare of their dachshunds
- A responsible breeder will either be licensed or a member of the Kennel Club Assured Breeder Scheme
- A responsible breeder will meet you at their home, not in some other location
- A responsible breeder will have a clean and tidy area for the puppies
- A responsible breeder will be happy to show you the dachshund puppy with their mother
- A responsible breeder will have done all the relevant DNA health tests for the dachshund puppy
- A responsible breeder will have microchipped the puppy – this is required by law in the UK!
- A responsible breeder will give you a diet sheet and feeding guidelines
- A responsible breeder will give you a few weeks free pet insurance
- A responsible breeder will talk to you about vaccinations and what you need to do next
- A responsible breeder will give you something that smells of your dachshund’s mum to help your puppy settle into his new home
- A responsible breeder won’t allow you to take your puppy home until they’re at least 8 weeks old
- A responsible breeder will be contactable and happy to give ongoing support
When researching a breeder, there’s a lot to think about but, if something doesn’t feel right or you’re being pushed into handing over money upfront, it may be best to walk away.
Why Are There Cheap Dachshunds Advertised Online?
If you come across a dachshund for sale at a price that seems too good to be true – it probably is! Some dishonest breeders advertise puppies at lower prices to lure people in.
Some of these dachshunds may have been bred irresponsibly, the puppies could be sickly, they may not be pure breed dachshunds, or they may not exist at all. Sadly, the unscrupulous people selling these puppies could take your money, never to be seen again!
There are, of course, many genuine hobby breeders out there that charge fair prices for their dachshund puppies, but you have to look out for the dishonest people too. Dachshunds are generally an expensive breed so, if you come cross one that seems cheaper than the rest, you have to question why?
If you’re looking for a dachshund at a more affordable price, it’s much better to put your name down at a reputable dog rehoming charity. There are so many adorable dachshunds out there waiting for forever homes, you could be just the family they’re looking for!
Why Are Rare Dachshunds More Expensive?
Some dachshunds sold in rare colours, like Blue or Isabella, can be advertised for between £4,000 – £7,000 or $5,000 – $8,000. If the price seems ridiculously high, you have to question why.
These so called ‘rare colours’ are considered ‘highly undesirable’ by the UK Kennel Club and can come with a whole host of health problems. Most people selling these types of ‘rare’ puppies are doing it solely for the money and don’t care about the welfare of the dachshunds.
Is Owning A Dachshund Expensive?
Yes, owning a dachshund is expensive! It’s not just the price of the puppy you need to think about. You also have to consider all the other things your puppy needs, which can cost around £100-£150 or $125-$185 every month.
There’s the cost of dog food, dog treats, pet insurance, vet bills, vaccinations, neutering, flea and worming treatments, dog grooming products, dog bed, dog bowls, dog leash, dog harness, dog toys, baby gates, dog crates, dog pen, dog ramps, dog blankets, doggy daycare – and more!
Of course, some of the things you buy your dachshund will last for years, so not all expenses are ongoing. But, as dachshunds age, they can be prone to health problems requiring more veterinary treatment, so it generally averages out.
It’s best to put aside something each month to look after your dachshund. Learn how to care for your dachshund by clicking here.
So, there you have it! Dachshunds are an expensive breed and owning one is a monthly expense. But, what they bring into your life can’t be defined by money. They’re worth SO much more than that. Even though they’re a small breed, they’ll become the biggest part of your life and the heart of your family! ❤️
What do I do next?
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