Have you got a Smooth-Haired Dachshund or are you thinking of getting a new puppy? Are you interested to find out more about the breed? Here’s everything you need to know about the Smooth-Haired Dachshund breed.
What Is A Smooth Haired Dachshund? A Smooth-Haired Dachshund is a short-legged, long-bodied dog breed with a short, neat, smooth coat, big floppy ears, a long nose and a deep muscular chest. Known to be stubborn, independent and courageous, they were originally bred in Germany to hunt badgers.
Read on to find out more about the Smooth-Haired Dachshund breed, including colours, coat, weight, size, personality, suitability, temperament, considerations, activity levels, dog training, health problems – and more!
Table of Contents
- Smooth-Haired Dachshund History
- Smooth-Haired Dachshund Appearance
- Smooth-Haired Dachshund Coat
- Smooth-Haired Dachshund Colours
- Smooth-Haired Dachshund Sizes
- Smooth-Haired Dachshund Weight
- Smooth-Haired Dachshund Personality
- Smooth-Haired Dachshund Temperament
- Smooth-Haired Dachshund Suitability
- Smooth-Haired Dachshund Training
- Smooth-Haired Dachshund Activity Levels
- Smooth-Haired Dachshund Considerations
- Smooth-Haired Dachshund Health Problems
- Smooth-Haired Dachshund Cost
- Smooth-Haired Dachshund Life Expectancy
- What do I do next?
Smooth-Haired Dachshund History
Smooth-Haired Dachshunds were originally bred in Germany as hunting dogs.
They used to scurry through the undergrowth and dig down into the earth to flush out burrow dwelling animals like badgers and rabbits for the hunters!
In fact, ‘Dachshund‘ is a German word that translates as ‘Dachs’ meaning ‘badger’ and ‘hund’ meaning ‘dog’ – Badger Dog!
Dachshunds are said to have been around since the 15th century. But, it wasn’t until the 17th century that Smooth-Haired Dachshunds started being used as hunting dogs.
Smooth-Haired Dachshunds are an official dog breed recognised by the American Kennel Club (AKC) and UK Kennel Club (KC).
Click here to read the full history on Dachshunds!
Smooth-Haired Dachshund Appearance
Smooth-Haired Dachshunds have long wiener-shaped bodies and short legs. They’re literally half as high as they are long!
They have big floppy ears, long noses, a deep muscular chest, and a tail that curves gently upwards.
Smooth-Haired Dachshunds have short, smooth, glossy hair. Whereas Wire-Haired Dachshunds have coarse wiry hair, and Long-Haired Dachshunds have long silky hair.
Smooth-Haired Dachshunds are often given the nickname ‘wiener dogs’ or ‘sausage dogs’ because of their elongated and almost comical appearance.
Their short stature and long spine make them instantly recognisable and unlike any other type of dog breed.
To find out what a purebred Dachshund looks like, click here!
Smooth-Haired Dachshund Coat
Smooth-Haired Dachshunds have a short, neat coat that’s smooth in texture and doesn’t need much grooming at all.
Out of the three types of Dachshunds, a Smooth-Haired Dachshund’s coat requires the least amount of maintenance.
Grooming
Smooth-Haired Dachshunds need to be brushed and bathed every couple of months to keep their coat healthy and shiny.
Smooth-Haired Dachshunds do shed hair throughout the year but brushing will help to reduce the amount of shedding.
Click here to find out how to groom a Smooth-Haired Dachshund
Allergies
Smooth-Haired Dachshunds are not hypoallergenic and this means they could cause problems for allergy sufferers.
However, symptoms can often be reduced with regular cleaning, vacuuming and washing of dog bedding.
Out of the three types of Dachshunds, Wire-Haired Dachshunds are said to be the best for allergy sufferers. Although, that will be very dependent on the individual person.
Smell
Smooth-Haired Dachshunds don’t smell that doggy, compared with other dog breeds.
Although, they do like to roll in poop and other disgusting things they come across outside!
Smooth-Haired Dachshund Colours
The most common coat colour for a Smooth-Haired Dachshund is Black and Tan.
Smooth-Haired Dachshunds can also be Brindle, Chocolate and Tan, Chocolate Dapple and Tan, Red, Shaded Red and Silver Dapple and Tan.
Non-Breed Standard Colours
In addition to this, you may see Smooth-Haired Dachshunds in many non-breed standard colours too.
For example, Black and Cream, Blue and Cream, Blue and Tan, Chocolate and Cream, Chocolate and Tan, Cream, Isabella and Cream, Isabella and Tan, Shaded Cream, Silver and Cream, and Silver and Tan.
They can also have various different dapple, brindle and piebald coat patterns within some of these non-breed standard colours too.
Dilute Colours
There has been some research to suggest that Smooth-Haired Dachshunds with ‘Blue‘ and ‘Isabella‘ coats can have more serious health problems.
For example, colour dilution alopecia, skin cancer, skin infections and other types of skin issues – so you need to bear that in mind!
Smooth-Haired Dachshund Sizes
Smooth-Haired Dachshunds come in two different sizes. You can get Miniature Smooth-Haired Dachshunds and slightly larger Standard Smooth-Haired Dachshunds.
Miniature Smooth-Haired Dachshunds are usually around 13-18cm in height to their withers (this is the point right at the top of their shoulder blades). Standard Smooth-Haired Dachshunds are usually around 20-22cm in height to their withers.
However, these measurements are from the Breed Standard guidelines.
So you may have a larger Miniature Smooth-Haired Dachshund or a smaller Standard Smooth-Haired Dachshund – which is totally normal!
Some Dachshund owners refer to the in-between sizes as ‘Tweenies’.
A ‘Tweenie’ isn’t an official dog breed. It’s just a nickname owners use to describe Smooth-Haired Dachshunds that don’t fit into the ‘miniature’ or ‘standard’ size category.
Click here to find out the difference between Miniature and Standard Dachshunds!
Full Grown
You’ll know how big your Smooth-Haired Dachshund will be by the time they reach 1 year old, although they may fill out for around 18-24 months.
Smooth-Haired Dachshund Weight
Miniature Smooth-Haired Dachshunds normally weigh less than 11 pounds. Standard Smooth-Haired Dachshunds normally weigh between 16 and 32 pounds.
However, it’s worth noting that Smooth-Haired Dachshunds can come in many different shapes and sizes.
Some Smooth-Haired Dachshunds are bigger than the breed standard guidelines, and some can be smaller. This makes it hard to define them by weight alone.
It’s often better to look at your Smooth-Haired Dachshund yourself.
If your Smooth-Haired Dachshund is a healthy weight, they’ll have a visible tuck to their waist when looked down on from above.
You should also be able to feel your Smooth-Haired Dachshund’s ribs if you run your hands over their ribcage.
There should be no rolls of fat around their shoulder or neck area either.
If you can’t see any tuck where the waist is, your Smooth-Haired Dachshund may need to lose weight.
If you can see your Smooth-Haired Dachshund’s ribs really clearly, then they may need to gain weight.
Keeping your Smooth-Haired Dachshund at a healthy weight is important because the breed is prone to obesity.
Too much weight on such short legs could also put added pressure on their already weak back.
If you don’t know what weight your Smooth-Haired Dachshund should be, book a health-check with your vet!
To find out the ideal weight for a Smooth-Haired Dachshund, click here!
To help your Smooth-Haired Dachshund lose weight, click here!
Smooth-Haired Dachshund Personality
Smooth-Haired Dachshunds have so many amazing traits. They’re intelligent, lively and fun!
However, one of the most common traits in a Smooth-Haired Dachshund is ‘loyalty’. They can become very attached to their owners and will follow them wherever they go.
As much as this is really sweet and endearing, you don’t want to mollycoddle your Smooth-Haired Dachshund too much.
If you do, it could lead to them getting separation anxiety when you do need to go out of the house.
Smooth-Haired Dachshunds can also be:
- Stubborn
- Noisy
- Energetic
- Confident
- Courageous
- Independent
- Smart
- Greedy
- Territorial
- Loyal
- Affectionate
- Playful
- Fun
- Loving!
In general, Smooth-Haired Dachshunds are lively and devoted dogs that are full of love and adorable charm.
Click here to find out more about Smooth-Haired Dachshund traits!
Smooth-Haired Dachshund Temperament
Most Smooth-Haired Dachshunds are friendly once the’ve been introduced to you properly.
Smooth-Haired Dachshunds are generally sweet and loving dogs as long as they were socialised while young, well trained, and introduced to people and children in the right way.
Out of the three types, Smooth-Haired Dachshunds were the original Dachshunds and tend to have a good temperament, typical of the breed.
Wire-Haired Dachshunds with a distant terrier heritage tend to be a bit more feisty, and Long-Haired Dachshunds with a distant spaniel heritage tend to be a bit more quiet and gentle.
However, Smooth-Haired Dachshunds are very devoted and can sometimes be a bit over-protective of their owners.
The’ve been known to bark at people or young children if they feel threatened, scared, anxious, jealous or protective in any way.
This can be worked on with dog training or help from a dog behaviourist and will improve with commitment over time.
But, as with all dogs, caution needs to be taken around children. Especially when the children aren’t old enough to know how to play with the Smooth-Haired Dachshund sensibly.
Smooth-Haired Dachshunds can also be loud and protective in the garden or yard too.
They may bark at anything they see outside, and eat anything they find or catch on the ground too!
They may be domesticated dogs these days, but that natural hunting instinct never leaves them!
Not all Smooth-Haired Dachshunds will be feisty or aggressive. Many will be loving, sweet, and gentle dogs that are devoted to their owners and families.
Smooth-Haired Dachshund Suitability
Most Smooth-Haired Dachshunds are perfectly suited to family living.
Children
As pack dogs, Smooth-Haired Dachshunds love nothing more than being part of a family. They’re generally good around children, as long as the children are sensible around them.
As with all dogs, you should never a Smooth-Haired Dachshund alone with a baby or child. Either crate or lock them in another room if you need to pop out for a short time.
Separation Anxiety
Most Smooth-Haired Dachshunds don’t like being left alone too long.
If you go out for more than about 4 hours it can sometimes be problematic. In fact, some Smooth-Haired Dachshunds don’t like being left alone at all.
Separation anxiety can be a real challenge for many Smooth-Haired Dachshunds (although not all!).
This is where they get extremely stressed and anxious, bark all the time and destroy things when you go out.
If you work full-time, you do need to think about this – although that’s not to say you can’t make it work!
You may just need to ask someone to call in during the day or to train your Smooth-Haired Dachshund to be ok when alone.
Dogs
If you are out of the house a lot, it can sometimes help to have two Dachshunds to keep each other company.
However, you must never get another dog to try and resolve the problems of the original Dachshund – that won’t work!
Most Smooth-haired Dachshunds adapt well to living with other dogs, but this does depend on each individual dog.
Some Smooth-haired Dachshunds can get territorial and jealous, and may not be happy about sharing their owner with another dog.
Click here to find out how to introduce Smooth-Haired Dachshunds to other dogs
Cats
Cats can sometimes be a bit more problematic.
It’s possible to train some Smooth-Haired Dachshunds to get along with cats. However, even though many get on absolutely fine, it doesn’t always work!
Smooth-Haired Dachshunds have a strong prey drive, so it’s going to be very dependent on each pet’s age, history and status in the home.
It’ll be easier to bring a Smooth-Haired Dachshund puppy into a cat’s home, than to bring a cat into a Smooth-Haired Dachshund’s territory.
Click here to find out how to introduce Smooth-Haired Dachshunds to cats
Smooth-Haired Dachshund Training
Smooth-Haired Dachshunds are notoriously stubborn in nature with an independent spirit that makes them hard to train.
However, they’re also extremely intelligent and willing to learn (they love the attention!).
This basically means Smooth-Haired Dachshunds CAN be trained but it’s going to take patience, commitment, consistency and time.
In general, the most challenging areas of dog training will be:
Smooth-Haired Dachshunds are super-stubborn so it’s often a battle of wills to see who’ll give in first. Basically, if you give them an inch, they will take a mile!
So you have to stay committed and be consistent – and put in the work it takes!
Discipline
To discipline your Smooth-Haired Dachshund, it’s best to use positive reinforcement training because this helps with bonding and trust.
This is where you ignore or calmly correct your Smooth-Haired Dachshund when they do something wrong, and give treats and fuss when they do something right.
Click here to find out more about how Positive Reinforcement Training works!
Smooth-Haired Dachshund Activity Levels
A Smooth-Haired Dachshund’s activity levels will change as they grow and get older.
Puppy Stage
Even though very young Smooth-Haired Dachshund puppies will happily sleep for around 18 hours a day – that doesn’t last long!
Overall, the puppy stage can be pretty intense and active, and will keep you on your toes all day long!
Looking after a Smooth-Haired Dachshund puppy can be really hard work.
Like all puppies, they need time, lots of love, plenty of attention and daily training too.
Exercise
A Smooth-Haired Dachshund puppy also needs daily exercise.
However, they must not be over-exercised in the first 12 months or it may impact their growth and development.
The general rule to follow is 5 minutes formal exercise per month of age.
For example, a 2 month old Smooth-Haired Dachshund puppy would need 10 minutes of exercise each day, and a 3 month old would need 15 minutes a day – and so on.
This formal exercise doesn’t include your puppy playing off-leash in the garden or yard. That can be in addition to this.
As adults, Miniature Smooth-Haired Dachshunds need at least 30 minutes of exercise a day and Standard Smooth-Haired Dachshunds need at least 60 minutes.
Click here to find out how to exercise your Smooth-Haired Dachshund
Sleep
If you give a Smooth-Haired Dachshund the right amount of exercise and mental stimulation each day, most will happily sleep for around 12–14 hours a day.
Although this will of course depend how old your Smooth-Haired Dachshund is, how much exercise you give them, how much playtime they get, and whether they have any health problems.
Activity
All in all, most adult Smooth-Haired Dachshunds only need moderate amounts of activity and will happily adapt to how you live.
This means that Smooth-Haired Dachshunds are well-suited to most people and families, including those that are retired.
Smooth-Haired Dachshund Considerations
Smooth-Haired Dachshunds are stubborn dogs that don’t always do what they’re told.
So there are some things to consider if you’re thinking of getting a Smooth-Haired Dachshund!
Puppy Stage
The puppy stage can feel pretty intense! Not only do Smooth-Haired Dachshund puppies need a lot of time and effort, but they’re also stubborn and hard to train.
Barking
The majority of Smooth-Haired Dachshunds bark a lot too, and this is one of the biggest problems that owners can face.
The constant barking can annoy the neighbours and, if you’re out at work during the day, it can be a real challenge to overcome.
Click here to find out how to train a Dachshund to stop barking
Attention
Smooth-Haired Dachshunds are also needy and tend to cling to your side. They’ll constantly demand love, attention, belly rubs and time.
If you give them too much attention, this can sometimes result in separation anxiety when you do need to leave your home.
Click here to find out why Dachshunds are so needy
Digging
Due to their natural hunting dog instincts, Smooth-Haired Dachshunds are also keen diggers.
They may dig big holes in your lawn or flowerbeds, or try to dig their way under your fence!
Unfortunately, Smooth-Haired Dachshunds have very little road sense, so you need to be sure your garden or yard is dog proof and totally secure.
Click here to find out why Dachshunds dig and how to stop it
Scavenging
Smooth-Haired Dachshunds will pick up and eat anything they find outside too – even poop!
They have a natural hunting dog instinct and strong prey drive that will often override anything you say!
This means you need to keep a close eye on Smooth-Haired Dachshunds when they’re wandering around outside.
Back Disease
The discs in a Smooth-Haired Dachshund’s spine start to deteriorate at a very young age, compared with other dog breeds.
This weakness in they back makes them prone to Intervertebral Disc Disease (IVDD).
IVDD is a painful and debilitating back condition that, in some cases, can lead to part or full paralysis.
Treatment for IVDD is very expensive so you need to put a good pet insurance policy in place from day one.
This means that Smooth-Haired Dachshunds can be more expensive to insure than other dog breeds.
Luckily, there are some lifestyle changes you can make to help reduce the risk of IVDD.
However, back problems are something you need to be prepared for if you bring a Smooth-Haired Dachshund into your life.
Time
Owning a Smooth-Haired Dachshund can take up more time that you think.
Even though they don’t need huge amounts of exercise, they do need a lots of attention and mental stimulation or they can get bored.
Click here to find out the pros and cons of owning a Smooth-Haired Dachshund
Smooth-Haired Dachshund Health Problems
Smooth-Haired Dachshunds can be prone to many health conditions including back problems, hip dysplasia, knee dislocation, eye conditions, hypothyroidism, obesity, allergies (food or environmental) and skin problems.
Intervertebral Disc Disease (IVDD)
Smooth-Haired Dachshunds are also prone to Intervertebral Disc Disease (IVDD).
IVDD is an extremely painful and debilitating back condition that affects around one in every four Dachshunds. In extreme cases, it can sadly lead to paralysis.
It’s a good idea to install stair gates to stop your Smooth-Haired Dachshund going up and down, and to put dog ramps against your sofa to stop them jumping on and off.
You need to make sure everyone in your family knows how to lift and hold your Smooth-Haired Dachshund correctly too.
These small changes may help to protect their fragile back from IVDD.
Neutering
There’s a link between IVDD and early neutering too.
According to research, if you neuter or spay your Smooth-Haired Dachshund before they reach 12 months old, it can increase the risk of IVDD.
IVDD is one of the biggest health problems you’ll come up against with your Smooth-Haired Dachshund.
However, by making some simple lifestyle changes, you may be able to reduce the risk.
Click here to find out how to reduce the risk of IVDD in Smooth-Haired Dachshunds
Smooth-Haired Dachshund Cost
On average, a Kennel Club registered Smooth-Haired Dachshund will cost around £1500-£3000 or $2000-$4000.
The popularity and increase in demand for Smooth-Haired Dachshunds has doubled the price in recent years!
Dog breeders can charge what they want for their puppies and what they feel is a fair price!
Click here to find out why Dachshunds are so expensive!
Smooth-Haired Dachshund Life Expectancy
On average, Miniature Smooth-Haired Dachshunds live for around 12-16 years, and Standard Smooth-Haired Dachshunds live for around 12-14 years.
In general, Smooth-Haired Dachshunds live a very long life compared with other dog breeds.
Many owners in Facebook Groups say their Smooth-Haired Dachshunds lived as long as 18 or more years!
Click here to find out how you may be able to extend your Dachshund’s life!
So, there you have it! Everything you need to know about the Smooth-Haired Dachshund breed. Half as high as they are long, with more personality and devotion than you could possibly ever fit into such a small wiener-shaped body! You’ll never be short of love with a Smooth-Haired Dachshund by your side!
What do I do next?
If you read all the way to the end of this article, you’re exactly the sort of person I’d LOVE to join my Facebook Group. Your support for my blog means everything to me so, if you found this article helpful, please kindly share below. Thank you! 💋
