Meet the Adorable Long-Haired Dachshund
Rocky Kanaka
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Dachshunds, wiener dogs, long-boys…whatever you call them, it’s hard to resist a dog with stubby legs and a back that goes on for days! While all Dachshunds are cute, I’m focusing on one type in particular for this blog: the long-haired Dachshund.
Silky, soft, and endlessly goofy, long-haired Dachshunds are every bit as popular and available as the smooth-coated variety. Sometimes wrongly portrayed as rare, long-haired Dachshunds are no more difficult to find than any other ethically bred Dachshund and come in a wide variety of colors and patterns.
Feeling like you might want a long-haired Dachshund of your own? Keep reading to find out if this tiny hound could be the right kind of companion for you.
Insta-Famous Long-Haired Dachshunds
Before we dive into the details, let’s take a moment to relax and enjoy some adorable photos of long-haired Dachshunds from around the world.
1. Oslo the Long-Hair Dapple Dachshund
This goofy little pup is Oslo, a gorgeous long-hair dapple Dachshund from Bogota, Columbia. When he’s not poking out his little tongue or laying in the sun, Oslo likes to dress up in costumes!
2. Roxie the Brindle Long-Haired Dachshund
Roxie is an absolute stunner and a rare brindle long-haired Dachshund! Hailing from New Jersey, this beautiful little doxie is all about living her best, most spoiled life.
3. Taco the Red Miniature Long-Haired Dachshund
Taco is a three-year-old miniature long-haired Dachshund from Tokyo, Japan. A gorgeous red color, Taco is a good example of one of the most common Dachshund colorings.
4. Stevie the Miniature Cream Long-Haired Dachshund
From Aberdeen, Scotland, Stevie is a tiny dog who loves going on big adventures, and is eager to go for a trot in rain or shine!
5. Fleurtje the Black & Tan Long-Haired Dachshund
Fleurtje is a gorgeous black and tan long-haired Dachshund from the Netherlands, and we’re just wondering if she can drop her hair routine–just look at that shine!
Long-Haired Dachshund Basic Info
Pretty cute, right? It’s undeniable just how adorable these short-legged, long-haired Dachshunds are, but how much do you really know about the smallest of the hound breeds?
The AKC acknowledges three official varieties of Dachshund–smooth, wirehaired, and long-haired. All of these varieties come in the standard Dachshund size and the miniature size, both of which are accepted by the AKC.
Originating in Germany, the Dachshund is the smallest dog in the hound category but has no less heart or drive than its much larger cousins. The name “Dachshund” means “badger dog,” and these long-backed, short-legged dogs were originally bred to burrow into badger holes, and to run in packs with hunters seeking large wild game. Today, Dachshunds are mostly companion dogs, though they still excel at sports and agility!
How Do Breeders Create Long-Haired Dachshunds?
Some accounts claim that the original long-haired Dachshunds were the result of cross-breeding smooth Dachshunds with long-haired Pointers and Spaniels. While this is possible, it’s more likely that the long-haired Dachshund gets its luxurious locks from a recessive long-hair gene or the FGF5 gene.
To produce long-haired Dachshund puppies, the puppies must inherit the recessive gene from both parents. Inheriting a single long-haired gene will produce a Dachshund that is either smooth or wirehaired since both of these are dominant to the long-haired gene.
Common Long-Haired Dachshund Colors
Long-haired Dachshunds come in all the standard colors that the smooth Dachshund comes in. The most common long-haired Dachshund colors are red, cream, black and tan, and chocolate.
Long-haired Dachshunds can either be solid or patterned, with some of the more sought-after patterns including dappled (or merle), brindle, sable, and pie-bald. The
miniature long haired dachshund is particularly popular.
Long-Haired Dachshund Temperament
Long-haired Dachshunds are stubborn, independent, intelligent little dogs who can also be extremely affectionate with their owners. Sometimes emotional and sensitive, long-haired Dachshunds can be slow to trust, and do best in homes with experience with hounds and similar hunting breeds.
Dachshunds can make excellent family dogs, though they prefer calmer, quieter, and older children to the noise and chaos of little ones. Lively and bold, the Dachshund needs an owner who can monitor their surroundings and keep an eye on their safety, since these tiny pups have little regard for their personal safety when they are excited.
Destructive if left alone or without stimulation for too long, and a dog that requires exercise, don’t mistake the small-statured long-haired Dachshund for a simple lap dog–these pups were bred to hunt, run, and be brave!
Long-Haired Dachshund Size
Standard long-haired Dachshunds range in size from around 16–32 lbs in weight and 7–12 inches in height.
The miniature long-haired Dachshund is significantly smaller, usually weighing less than 12 lbs, and reaching only 4–7 inches in height.
Long-Haired Dachshund Health
Dachshunds are often quite healthy in their younger years but can suffer from significant back and joint issues as they age, or if they are pushed too far in their youth. Long-haired Dachshunds are at particular risk for back disease and injury due to the length of their back in proportion to the length of their legs.
To protect your long-haired Dachshund’s back, vets and Dachshund owners recommend not letting them jump on or off of furniture, and instead giving them a ramp or doggy stairs to climb up and down.
Other health issues some Dachshunds face include:
- Elbow and knee issues
- Vision problems
- Dental issues
- Weight issues
Best Food for Long-Haired Dachshunds
Because long-haired Dachshunds are prone to back problems, it’s important that they maintain a healthy weight, and a balanced, high-protein diet that supports healthy muscle mass and reduces the chance of unwanted weight gain.
Raw diets, which are primarily made from animal meat, fat, and bone, are a fabulous option for Dachshunds, especially if you are purchasing a pre-mixed formula that includes added nutrients to make it a complete and balanced diet.
We recommend the Raw Turkey Patty recipe from We Feed Raw for long-haired Dachshunds. Turkey is a fabulous lean protein, and this formula includes other beneficial ingredients like flaxseed, which is high in Omega-3 to support healthy joints.
Where Can You Get a Long-Haired Dachshund?
Long-haired Dachshunds can be purchased from reputable Dachshund breeders or adopted from Dachshund-specific rescues or local shelters.
The American Kennel Club has a comprehensive list of reputable Dachshund breeders available through their marketplace–or you can check with local Dachshund groups online to find breeders that other doxie owners recommend.
To find a rescue long-haired Dachshund, check out the Dachshund Rescue of North America, or search for Dachshund rescues in your area. You can also visit your local animal shelter to see if they have any long-haired Dachshunds or Dachshund mixes available for adoption. While you’re there, you might even find another dog you fall in love with!
Long-Haired Dachshund FAQ
You have more questions and I have more answers! Let’s dive into the FAQ.
Are long-haired Dachshunds high-maintenance?
Honestly, yes. Dachshunds need a relatively large amount of stimulation for such a small dog breed and benefit from plenty of exercise, playtime, and mental enrichment. Long-haired Dachshunds are often reactive, mischievous, and eager to investigate anything and everything, so dog-proofing your home is a must with a long-haired Dachshund at home.
Are long-haired Dachshunds hard to train?
Yes. Like most hounds, Dachshunds are stubborn and slow to trust, making them difficult to train. Especially motivated by food, praise, and positive reinforcement, long-haired Dachshunds are not dogs that respond to harsh words or punishment.
Do long-haired Dachshunds shed?
Yes, long-haired Dachshunds shed and can pick up a lot of dirt while outside. Sending them to a groomer once every few months is a great investment.
Are long-haired Dachshunds expensive?
Long-haired Dachshunds purchased from a reputable breeder will cost between $800–$2,000. Fairly expensive in comparison to adopting a dog, this is a fairly standard price for a purebred.
If you adopt a long-haired Dachshund, your fee will probably be around $250–$500.
The three foods that are super healthy and that almost every dog loves, even the pickiest dogs, are:
1. The Farmer’s Dog.
This is a fresh-frozen food that’s delivered to your home in just the right amounts for your dog. There are a number of fresh frozen dog foods available on the market and I tested them all. The Farmer’s Dog came up the winner with my picky dogs. You can see the fresh frozen food test here.
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2. Sundays Food For Dogs
This is an air-dried food. It has the convenience of kibble (just pour it in the bow) but is much much healthier. It’s like little pieces of jerky, so dogs go crazy for it. There are a number of air-dried foods on the market. My dogs tested 3 of them. You can see the results of the air-dried food test here.
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3. We Feed Raw.
This raw food for dogs comes delivered to your home is perfectly sized portions for your pup. They primarily source their ingredients from trusted U.S. farmers, with two exceptions: venison and lamb. These ingredients are sourced from New Zealand, where some of the highest-quality and most ethically raised venison and lamb can be found. Pasture-raised and grass-fed and finished, we highly recommend trying these formulas if you’re interested in the best-quality ingredients. Save 25% on your first order.
Supplements:
I highly recommend using a supplement on your dog’s food, not matter what you feed them, to ensure the meal is balanced and they are getting all the right supplements to help them stay healthy. The supplement I use is called The One from Front of the Pack. It has 12 ingredients that have been clinically-proven to keep your dog’s joints, skin, heart, digestion, and even their breath in tip-top shape. It’s also a powder, so easy to sprinkle on your dog’s food. For a limited time, when you buy one month you get a second month free.
Also you can find everything about a giant breed mixed with a tiny breed, A Mini Bernedoodle, here!
