The Long-haired Dachshund, also known as the long-haired “Sausage Dog” is one of the 3 Dachshund coat varieties. This Long-haired Dachshund was bred over 300 years ago to hunt badgers in Germany.
They are also, not to say the least very cute too.
You should not by any chance underestimate this dog just because he is 14 inches tall. They are funny and tenacious dogs that will fill your home with love and lots of laughter.
The long-haired Dachshund is just one type of Dachshund. There are also other varieties such as:
Depending on their characteristics;
- Standard Dachshund
- Miniature Dachshund
- Rabbit Dachshunds
Depending on their hair varieties;
- Short-haired
- Wire-haired
We might say the long-haired variety is the cutest of them all, but this will all depend on your taste and preferences.
So, in what other ways does the Long-haired Dachshund compare to the other varieties. Stick around as we go through that all that you need to know about this adorable sausage dog.
About the Long-haired Dachshund
If you are a fan of a dog that is affectionate, energetic, and small then the long-haired Dachshund is just the right dog for you.
First seen in Germany in the 17th century, some scholars believe that this dog dates back to ancient Egypt.
The ancestors of the dachshund date back to the 15th century.
Dach is a german word that is used to mean “badger” and hund means “dog”, which gives you a good idea of this dog’s purpose.
These small dogs have a great sense of smell that was used in the hunting of burrowing animals.
The Long-haired dachshund was bred to specifically hunt in colder areas.
It was not until the 1800s that breed standards for this dog became more refined.
At this time their popularity was on the rise in England and the US and the Dachshund that we know today came to be.
The long-haired Dachshund still has a great prey drive and their curiosity will lead them to chase anything that moves.
You should also know that they are very boisterous and vocal.
In Germany, the Dachshund is commonly known as Teckel or Dackel.
Short History
There are several theories of how the long-haired Dachshund came to be as the original varieties were the Short-haired and the smooth-haired Dachsunds.
One of the theories states that the short-haired dachshund could occasionally give birth to some Long-haired sausage dogs.
These long-haired dachshunds would then be selectively bred.
Another theory states that a Water Spaniel was bred with a short-haired doxie to give rise to a dog that had a long and silky coat.
These theories can explain some of the differences that we will cover later on in this article.
Recognition of the Long-haired Dachshund
Long-haired Dachshunds are recognized by the AKC.
The American Kennel Club classifies this dog as a hound.
However, the World Canine Federation has a unique classification just for this breed.
Even though this pooch has several classifications from different Kennel Clubs in the World, there is a Club that was established just for the Dachshund in 1865.
This club is known as the Dachshund Club of America. Their main mission is to promote this breed and to educate the masses about what this breed has to offer.
7 Long-haired Dachshund facts
- German Nazis claimed that they had taught one how to talk.
- Hot dogs were named after these dogs.
- They may be small in stature but they have big personalities.
- These dogs burrow a lot.
- They are great hunters despite being small.
- Dachshunds are the smallest hounds.
- Long-haired Doxies have long lifespans.
Pros and cons
Pros
✓ They are super loyal.
✔ These dogs are perfect for life in the city.
✓ They are great watchdogs.
Cons
✘ Due to their hunting history, these dogs are big diggers.
✗ They are very stubborn and difficult to train.
✘ Their long bodies make them susceptible to spine-related health issues.
General appearance and Characteristics
| Long-haired Dachshund summary table | |
|---|---|
| Height | Standard: 12 to 14 inches, Miniature: 5 to 6 inches |
| Weight | Standard: 16-32pounds, Miniature: 11 pounds, or below |
| Lifespan | 12 – 15 years |
| Breed Type | Hound |
| Purpose | hunting |
| Suitable For | Experienced dog owners |
| Grooming requirements | moderate grooming |
| Color Variations | His coat color can be black, brindle, piebald, tan, cream, red, brown, or a combination of colors |
| Health concerns | skin allergies, eye problems, and Joint Dysplasia |
| Temperament | bold, tenacious, Free-Spirited, Intelligent, energetic, affectionate, devoted, loving and protective |
| Other Names | Sausage Dog, Teckel, Doxie, Teckel, Weiner dog, Weiner, and Dackel |
Height and weight
This adorable dog is small to medium-sized.
Despite having different coats these dogs are of the same size. They stand at 14 inches and below.
This pooch should weigh anywhere between 16 to 32 pounds.
The miniature varieties should be below 11 pounds.
The appearance of the Long-haired Dachshund
The sausage dog is known for his short legs, pointy noses, and long bodies.
They are longer than they are taller.
Weiner dogs have loose skin that would be well suited for them when they are burrowing for badgers.
Their eye colors will depend on the color of their coat. If they have a darker coat then their eyes will be darker and vice versa.
The long-haired Dachshund has long and powerful legs that are bigger at the front paws making them perfect for digging.
Coat appearance and shedding
What sets the Long-haired Dachshund apart from the other varieties is their long, soft, and flowing coats.
The coat is longer at the chest, ears, stomach with some feathering on the tail and the back of the legs.
But the main distinction is the soft feel of the coat to the wire-haired Dachshund which has a curly coat and is rough to touch.
Whether the long-haired has a double-coat is a matter of discussion.
This comes from the fact that the wire-haired Dachshund is the only one that has a double coat and all the other variations have a single coat.
Colors
The most common colors that are seen in the long-haired Weiner is a combination of black and tan colors.
Other colors are;
| Tan | Brown | Red |
| Grey | White | Sable |
| Dappled | Brindle | Piebald |
Piebald is a base color that has clearly defined white patches.
Dappled is a dark base color with lighter-colored contrasting colors areas, with no color dominating the other.
Sable is a red base coat color that has double-pigmented overlay hair with dark tips
Temperament and personality of the Long-haired Dachshund
Dachshunds are curious, brave, and lively pooches and they always find something to do or just try to grab your attention.
Doxies may be many things but not silent.
These little angels love to have a quick bark at objects and cars that are passing and pretty anything that moves. This is something that you should consider if you have neighbors that live close to you.
Weiners were bred to be hunting dogs and they still have a strong prey drive and you may often find them on the ground tracking a scent.
If you have a backyard or a vegetable garden it would be best if you never left your sausage dog there alone.
These dogs have expert digging skills and nothing can stop them from digging your backyard in the search for burrowing animals. They could even dig your blankets and beddings.
One way to get around this behavior is to give them a sandbox that has dirt filled in it. This is just to give them something that they can dig.
You can also make it interesting for the dog by burying toys, treats or even bones in there.
| Traits | Rating |
|---|---|
| Friendliness |
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| exercise needs |
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| Trainability |
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| Ease of care |
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| sociability |
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Big personality
Doxie is an intelligent and independent dog but there also known to have playful personalities.
They can also be quite stubborn at times.
However, the long-haired Dachshund is said to have a much calmer personality.
They are completely devoted to their owners and could get distressed when they are left alone and chewing on things. This is also something that you should consider when you are about to get this dog.
Weiners can be unpredictable around people they do not know. They can act a bit aloof and make a bit of noise.
They may try to fight other dogs especially those that are bigger.
This is where socializing your long-haired Dachshund comes in. Socialization should start when they are young to get rid of this behavior.
The Long-haired Dachshund can make a very great watchdog as he will always make sure that you know when there is a trespasser or when something is not right.
They can be very vocal at any time that they do not feel comfortable with whatever is happening.
This is also a very adaptable dog that can live in an apartment and even a house with a bog yard. They will be happy as long as you give them enough mental and physical stimulation.
Weiners and family
Doxie puppies fit well in the family as long as they are introduced when they are still young.
Their play with small children should be supervised as rough handling of this dog could lead to injury to their long backs.
Also, when your kids have their friends around, you should note that this dog may not take to them as quickly and just another reason to supervise. At times they could nip and bite younger children, especially when they tease or move quickly around the dog.
Some Weiner dogs may coexist well with other pets and animals but most of the time, they will chase them all around the house barking.
A study that was done by Science direct found that Doxies are most likely to be aggressive towards people and animals that they do not know. But with the right training and socialization, you can easily deal with these tendencies.
Long-haired Doxie Puppies
Getting the right puppy for yourself can be a bit of a daunting task as you will need to research to get a healthy puppy.
Even finding shelter can be challenging at times. But you may be lucky enough if you check your local shelter.
The price for getting a Long-haired could be between $500-3000 depending on the color and the size of the dog.
Getting a dog from a shelter could be cheaper.
There also other costs that you need to put in minds such as visits to the vet and grooming costs.
Grooming a Long-haired Doxie
Grooming for these little furry friends should be done on an almost daily basis.
This is the price that you have to pay to keep this pooch looking adorable.
Dachshunds are moderate shedders.
Coat brushing
Brushing the long-haired sausage should be done frequently for the following reasons;
- To get rid of and prevent mats and tangles.
- Brushing the coat helps to loosen dead skin keeping the dog healthy.
To brush the coat, you will need to have several tools at your disposal. A metal comb, a standard brush, and a slicker brush.
Brushing should start from the head with a standard brush to the other parts of the body in the direction of the hair. This helps to get rid of debris at the surface.
Use the slicker brush in the same way to penetrate the double-coat.
Finally, you can use the comb to get rid of the difficult and remaining tangles.
Take greater care when you are grooming the areas around the tail and the ears to avoid hurting the Weiner.
Generally, it is advised that you bathe the dog once every three months or any time they start to smell.
Also, trimming the hair around the belly and the bottoms may help to prevent debris from making the fur tangle.
Other grooming requirements
Apart from taking care of the dog’s coat, you should also check the ears for any chances of ear infections. Cleaning the ears also gets rid of bad odor.
Clipping the nails is also an important part of grooming.
Brush your Doxie’s teeth a few times every week to reduce the risk of periodontal diseases.
Do this at least once every week from when the dog is a puppy onwards.
Another option that you have is to use natural toothbrushes such as chew toys to clean their teeth.
Feeding a long-haired Dachshund
Several factors affect how much you can feed your dog;
- age
- size
- Activity levels
- Metabolism
You will need to know how much calories your Sausage dog will need to keep up with his nutritional needs.
The rule of thumbs is to take the weight of the dog in pounds and multiply it by 20 calories.
However, the average calorie requirements for a standard Long-haired Dachshund is about 900 calories because of their high activity levels.
| Long-haired Dachshund Daily Food Consumption | |
|---|---|
| Calories | 900 |
| Cups of Kibble | 🍗🍗 |
This will translate to about 2 cups of kibble. considering that one cup of kibble contains about 217-440 calories depending on the product that you buy.
The amount will vary depending on the needs of the dog individually.
You will need to split the meal portion into 2 per day, keeping a schedule that puts into consideration the lifestyle of your dog.
You need to put in mind that they are meals that are specially formulated for smaller dogs such as the sausage dog.
They also do well on raw food.
Choose a diet that your Long-haired Weiner will love as they can be picky eaters.
Exercise requirements
Long-haired Dachshunds are small which translates to not giving them to much exercise. About one hour every day will be more than enough.
This is one of the best ways to keep them happy, healthy, and most importantly not bored.
You can take breaks in between the exercise periods to ensure that the dog gets to rest.
Your dog must get enough mental and physical stimulation or he will otherwise get involved in mischief as a way to self entertain.
Two thirty-minute walks may be preferable.
Considering that the Wiener dog is stubborn to keep on a leash during these walks is important. They may end up wandering off as they follow a scent trail.
If you are not able to take your dog for a walk for any reason there other games that you can play with your dog ensuring he gets enough exercise.
You can play fetch, go for a swim, or even play tag of war.
Avoid over-working your Doxie pup when he is young, make sure it is just enough about 15 minutes in a day.
You should stick to the 5-minutes rule. Meaning that every time your puppy gets a month older add 5 minutes of exercise a day until he reaches maturity.
So, if your puppy is one month old only exercise him for 5 minutes, and when he gets to 2 months of age increase this to 10 minutes.
Training your Long-haired Dachshund
Here is where you will need to keep in mind that the Sausage dog can be stubborn.
He is smart enough and will not do things just because you want him to do it.
The best way to train the dog is by having incentives and training him in a more of a reward-based manner.
Just find out what the favorite food of the Long-haired Dachshund and base your training upon that.
Do not allow frustration to take the better part of you and remain calm and patient throughout the whole process.
Don’t be afraid to get help from a professional dog trainer.
If your pup does what you want then reward him. But if the training proves to be more difficult then you can use high-value food treats.
Health concerns
Patellar luxation
This condition is also known as stifles and is a condition that is common in small dogs.
Luxation means the dislocation of an anatomical part. Patellar luxation occurs when the dog’s kneecap(patella) is gets dislocated from the grove of the thigh bone in the femur causing a lot of pain to the dog.
This condition can also cause your dog to get crippled but your Doxie can still lead a normal life even with the condition.
Intervertebral disc disease (IVDD)
Because of their long torsos and short legs, long-haired Dachshunds may be a risk of herniation which may result in spinal cord compression.
The dog can experience mild to severe pain and even complete paralysis.
Get your dog treatment immediately for the best chances to recover.
This is a disease that affects 25% of Dachshunds.
Obesity, intense exercise, and rough handling may worsen the chances of your Dachsund suffering from IVDD.
Summary
This can be a very challenging pet although he is cute and small.
The Dachshund was developed in Germany more than 300 years ago to hunt badgers
After WW2 the dog name was translated to Badger dog to avoid association with Germany
Sausage dogs are accomplished hunting dogs despite their lapdog appearance
Dachshunds are always alert and they have a big, deep bark.
Training these dogs may be difficult but it is all worthwhile at the end.
There you go WOOF!!
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