Dachshund (Wirehaired) — breed guide
The wire-coated Dachshund variety — the most terrier-ish of the three coats, and the one still most often worked.
At a glance
- Group
- hound
- Size
- Small
- Weight
- 7–15 kg (15–33 lb)
- Life span
- 12–16 years
- Coat
- Harsh wiry outer coat with a dense undercoat, beard and eyebrows
Living with a Dachshund (Wirehaired)
- Moderate energy — a proper walk every day.
- Regular grooming — brushing a few times a week.
- Light shedding.
- Can be stubborn.
- Very vocal.
- Good with children.
- Usually fine with a familiar dog; strange dogs need managing.
- Can live with a cat, with a slow introduction and an escape route for the cat.
- Suits apartment living, given its daily walks.
- A reasonable choice for a first-time owner.
- Average heat tolerance.
- Average cold tolerance.
Temperament
Bold · Clownish · Tenacious · Vocal
Health to watch
- Intervertebral disc disease
- Obesity
- Patellar luxation
- Progressive retinal atrophy
Owner-logged information shared via Leash Life is not veterinary advice; ask your vet about screening for these.
Questions people ask
Is a Dachshund (Wirehaired) good with kids?
Generally yes. Dachshund (Wirehaired)s are usually good with children when raised with them and given their own quiet space.
Is a Dachshund (Wirehaired) good with cats?
It can work, with management. Introduce them gradually, feed them apart, and make sure the cat has vertical space the dog cannot reach. Plan to manage it rather than assume it.
How much exercise does a Dachshund (Wirehaired) need?
A real walk every day, around 30–60 minutes.
Can a Dachshund (Wirehaired) handle hot weather?
About average — use normal hot-day sense.
Leash Life keeps a Dachshund (Wirehaired)'s day — walks, meals, meds, weight — in one shared feed for the whole household, and warns on the walk weather this breed can't take. Free to start.