Long Haired Dachshund Care And Grooming Guide

What is a Long Haired Dachshund?

Dachshunds are toy sized dogs with hound personalities. They have long bodies, short legs and a narrow muzzle. The long-haired Dachshund has an elegant, flowing coat. In fact, it is one of three Dachshund coat varieties, which can all be found in either the standard or miniature breed.

The other coat varieties are smooth-haired and wire-haired. Grooming needs and care requirements are the main differences between these three coat types. Although, there are some indications that health and temperaments differ too.

Long Haired Dachshund Temperament

Your Dachshund is intelligent, independent and highly courageous! They will have a strong prey drive and a sensitive disposition. This mean they may require a great deal of rewards-based, positive training. Dachshunds were originally bred to focus fully on a single task (i.e. chasing and digging out a badger). So, don’t be surprised if they don’t come immediately every time you call, especially if they are engrossed in something else.

A study published in 2014 suggested that miniature Dachshund’s are among the most aggressive breeds towards other dogs, when compared with 16 other breeds. Dachshunds may not always be great with children either. So, it’s worth vetting their behavior before bringing them into a home with kids or other animals.

Interestingly, there are temperament differences between the coat varieties based on differences in the origins and crossbreeding involved in creating them.

The long haired variety is said to be the sweetest and most obedient of the three thanks to their spaniel heritage! The smooth haired on the other hand is said to be the most willful. And finally, the wire haired is known for wanting to be the center of attention.

Long Haired Dachshund Health

Dachshunds are prone to intervertebral disc disease (IVDD) because of their long backs. In fact, they are at 10-12 times higher risk of IVDD than other breeds. IVDD is a degenerative process. It causes the discs in the spine to become hardened and lead to pain, stiffness and lameness. This sometimes requires surgery.

A recent study showed that Dachshunds that have over an hour of exercise per day have a lower risk of developing IVDD. Interestingly, dogs that were allowed to jump on furniture also had a lower risk of IVDD than those who weren’t allowed. However, these results do not imply causation. We therefore recommend you ask your vet for advice on how best to exercise your dog.

Long haired Dachshunds seem to have a slightly lower incidence of IVDD than the other coat varieties, which is good news for your pooch. It’s still important to take care when you lift them however. Pick up both ends at once so you don’t injure their backs.

Dachshunds in general can also be prone to obesity, meaning you have to keep an eye on how much they eat. They’ve been known to go to great lengths to find food scraps, so you’ll definitely need to be vigilant!

Grooming your Long Haired Dachshund

Dachshunds are fairly clean dogs and are moderate shedders. The smooth-haired types are pretty low maintenance. The luscious locks of your long haired variety, in contrast, will certainly require more brushing and care.

Brushing every day will help you get rid of, and prevent, tangles. Frequent brushing also helps keep loose hairs from being shed around your home.

Long-haired Dachshunds are particularly prone to knots behind their ears and in their tail. If left unattended these tangles can tighten and become matts, which often have to be cut or shaved out with clippers.

• To groom them thoroughly you’ll need a few basic tools: a standard dog brush (bristle/pin), a slicker brush and a metal comb.
• Start with the standard brush all over the body, beginning at the head and always working in the direction of the hair growth – this gets rid of surface debris.
• Then use the slicker brush in the same way to penetrate their double coat and get rid of tangles.
• Finally, use the comb to take down remaining and difficult tangles. Depending on the length/thickness of the coat, you may want to section the fur using clips, to ensure you get through to the undercoat.

The tail and ear hairs are very fine, so it’s a good idea to take extra care when grooming these areas so as not to tear the hair and/or hurt your little pooch.

Dachshund Grooming Video

Dachshund Grooming Tools

If you want to really do up your long haired Dachshund check out our ultimate home grooming tool recommendations below.

• For your basic brushing, we recommend a sturdy double sided brush. The pin side is perfect for your pooch’s long fur and the bristle side is great at removing debris and leaving the fur shining. This double sided brush is suitable for any type of dog (or cat!) fur, so it’s a bonus if you have more than one pet.
• To really get into the Dachsie’s double coat and remove stubborn matts and tangles, you may also want a slicker brush
• Finally, if you’re hoping to clip and comb at home in something of a ‘show style’ why not try a kit with clippers, shears and a comb.

Grooming Sensitive Dogs

Not all dogs will enjoy being groomed, so it pays to be gentle and sensitive to their needs.For example, limit grooming to no more than 20 minutes at a time. Also, make sure to reward reluctant groomees who manage to stay still for you.

If your pooch is new to your family, it may take some time to build up the trust needed for daily grooming sessions. It’s important to start early and reward your dog for his/her patience with you. In time however, grooming your dog can become a unique bonding experience and one which you will both look forward to!

Bathing Your Long Haired Dachshund

In terms of bathing, even long haired Dachshunds don’t require frequent baths, unless they get into something dirty.

A bath every couple of months should be fine. No more than once a month is necessary, as this may dry out the skin and cause sensitivities, or other problems.

As with any breed, you’ll also need to clip their nails regularly. Once a month should do the trick for your Dachsie.

Long Haired Dachshund Haircuts

Your long haired Dachshund will require some fur clipping, particularly around the feet and ears. Long foot hair can become tangled with debris and make walking on some surfaces such as hard wood or tile, extremely difficult.

If left unclipped, these hairs can tangle in things that will eventually damage the pads of your dogs’ feet. Trimming them is something you can do at home, or something you can get done at a grooming parlor.

Visiting a grooming parlor can be stressful for some dogs. Depending on your dog’s personality, it may make sense to tackle this task at home. If you do decide to take this on, you’ll find it’s not a big deal at all.

Haircuts – Step by Step

First, make sure your dog is comfortable with you touching his/her paws. This can be tricky for some, but patience usually pays off.

When you’re ready, get comfortable with your dog, either on the floor or up on a table covered with a towel/cloth to collect the trimmed fur.

Pick up and hold one of the paws firmly while gently back brushing the fur (against the hair growth) with a slicker brush. This exposes and pushes up the long fur between the toes.

Then, with some shears/scissors snip off the extra hair, making sure to keep the scissors flat against the paw and never pointing them towards the paw. You don’t want to clip too much, just enough to neaten up the paw and prevent the hair flopping over the end of it.

When you’re done with the top of the paw, turn it over and trim the hair on the pads as well. You can use the scissors/shears for this too, but you can also use a small electric clipper, gently trimming over and between the pads – this tends to tickle so be prepared for some wriggling!

If you choose to use clippers, there are whisper-quiet varieties available (see recommendation below) if the buzzing noise of regular clippers bothers your Dachsie.

Either way it’s worth showing your dog the clipper ahead of time and letting him/her sniff it and hear its’ noise so they can get used to it.

Finally, repeat the above steps with your dog’s other paws, and step back and admire your work! Here’s a video that demonstrates how to trim the paws of any long haired dog.

Long Haired Dachshund Puppies

Finding a healthy Dachshund puppy requires a bit of research. The best place to get your new dog is a shelter. However, finding a Dachshund puppy at a shelter can be challenging. If you check your local shelter’s listings diligently, you may be lucky.

A reputable breeder is another option. Be sure to do your homework to find someone you can trust if you choose this option. The breeder should be able to provide you with a complete history of the puppy, including evidence of the health of his/her parents.

Long Haired Dachshund Price

Shelters have the lowest prices and you may be able to adopt your puppy for under $100. Breeders prices on the other hand can range from $500-$2,000.

You should also bear in mind the potential added grooming costs for a long haired Dachshund. This will include regular trips to the grooming parlor.

In addition, vet bills should factor into your consideration. A dog with IVDD may require frequent vet visits and possible interventions.

Your Long Haired Dachshund

Long haired Dachshunds require regular grooming and trimming to keep them looking and feeling their best. This is something you can do at home with the right tools, or get done at a professional grooming parlor, if you prefer.

Dachsies need daily brushing. So, it makes sense to get your dog comfortable with you doing some of the grooming yourself. This can be a great bonding experience!

Dachsies are prone to IVDD, which can, in some cases, require surgery and cause chronic back pain. The good news is the long haired variety seems to be less prone than the other coat varieties.

Finding a long haired Dachsie puppy at a shelter may be tricky, but is ultimately the best place to get your new pet. If you can’t rescue one, a reputable breeder is another option.

Finally, long haired Dachshunds are the sweetest of the bunch and should prove to be a loyal and intelligent addition to your home. Be sure to watch them around the younger members of your family however, as they can be impatient, especially with rambunctious kids.

Find Out More About Dachshund Dogs

• Dachshund dog breed
• Dapple Dachshund
• Piebald Dachshund
• Chocolate Dachshund
• Black Dachshund

References and Resources

• Arata et al. 2014 “Reactivity to Stimuli” Is a Temperamental Factor Contributing to Canine Aggression. PLOS ONE.
• Mariti, C. and Bein, S. 2015. Evaluation of dog welfare before and after a professional grooming session. Dog Behavior.
• Packer et al. 2016. DachsLife 2015: an investigation of lifestyle associations with the risk of intervertebral disc disease in Dachshunds. Canine Genetics and Epidemiology.
• Palika, L. 2002. The Complete Idiot’s Guide to Dachshunds: Kibbles and Tidbits to Know Before Getting a Dachshund. Penguin.