How to Identify a Dachshund

Last Updated: March 23, 2021

The Dachshund is a popular breed, well-known for its short, long body resembling a hotdog. Seen in two sizes and with three coat types,^{[1]
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American Kennel Club
The American Kennel Club (AKC) is a purebred dog pedigree registry in the United States. The AKC advocates for the responsible ownership of dogs and promotes purebred dog events, such as the Westminster Dog Show.
Go to source} they can vary in appearance greatly. With their friendly personalities, Dachshunds can make great pets. This wikiHow will help you determine if a dog is a Dachshund.

Method 1

Method 1 of 3:

Noticing Body Structure

1
Look at the dog's size. Dachshunds come in two sizes: standard and miniature. Standard Dachshunds are 8–9 inches (20–23 cm) in height and 16–32 pounds (7.3–14.5 kg) in weight, while miniature Dachshunds are typically 5–6 inches (13–15 cm) tall and weigh 11 pounds (5.0 kg) or less.^{[2]
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Trustworthy Source
American Kennel Club
The American Kennel Club (AKC) is a purebred dog pedigree registry in the United States. The AKC advocates for the responsible ownership of dogs and promotes purebred dog events, such as the Westminster Dog Show.
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- Some people also consider Dachshunds under 8 pounds (3.6 kg) to be their own size, referred to as "rabbit Dachshunds", though the AKC does not yet recognize this as a separate Dachshund size.^{[3]
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2
Notice the ears. Dachshunds have moderately long, round ears.^{[4]
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Research source} They are set near the top of the head and hang down. A Dachshund's ears may bounce slightly as the dog runs.

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3
Check the eyes. Dachshunds have medium-sized, almond-shaped eyes. Look for dark eyes that give the dog a pleasant and energetic expression.^{[5]
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Look at the tail. The tail of a Dachshund is slim. It is described as being "set in continuation of the spine".^{[6]
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Inspect the overall structure. Dachshunds have a recognizable structure: their bodies are long and low-set, with short legs. They are fairly muscular and have a smooth gait.^{[7]
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Method 2

Method 2 of 3:

Looking at the Coat

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Differentiate between coat types. Dachshunds can be seen sporting three different types of coats: smooth, wirehaired, or longhaired.
- Smooth Dachshunds have short, smooth, shining coats that aren't too long or thick.^{[8]
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- Wirehaired Dachshunds have short, thick, rough, hard outer coats and softer, finer undercoats.^{[9]
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- Longhaired Dachshunds have sleek, glistening coats that are sometimes slightly wavy.^{[10]
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2
Identify the coat color. Dachshunds have a wide range of acceptable colors, from one solid color to two colors. Common solid coat colors are red and cream, and colors frequently seen on a two-colored coat are black, chocolate, wild boar, grey/blue, and fawn, with tan or cream markings on the face, throat, chest, legs/paws, and tail.^{[11]
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Research source} A white spot on the chest may also be seen.
3
Check the coat pattern. Though not all Dachshunds have patterns and are just seen with solid coats, coat patterns such as merle and brindle are common in Dachshunds.
- Dapple/Merle coats are coats with spots of a lighter shade on a dark base color.^{[12]
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- Brindle coats appear as coats striped with a darker color.^{[13]
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- Piebald coats are one- or two-colored coats with white patches or areas.^{[14]
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- Sable coats are coats which have a dark overlay over a solid red coloring.^{[15]
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Method 3

Method 3 of 3:

Watching the Temperament

1
Notice intelligence. Originally hunting dogs and a member of the hound group,^{[16]
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Trustworthy Source
American Kennel Club
The American Kennel Club (AKC) is a purebred dog pedigree registry in the United States. The AKC advocates for the responsible ownership of dogs and promotes purebred dog events, such as the Westminster Dog Show.
Go to source} Dachshunds have a high level of intelligence. They must be regularly engaged for this reason, and may show some independence.^{[17]
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Watch for loyalty. Due to their independence, Dachshunds may take a while to understand who's in charge. However, once they do, they can become loyal, devoted pets.^{[18]
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See if the dog is stubborn. Dachshunds exhibit stubbornness alongside their independence. They may be hesitant to follow directions, even if they are told to do something they want to do.^{[19]
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4
Expect barking. Bred to hunt, a Dachshund may be full of energy, causing it to bark at many things. Anticipate barking and a desire to run around from a Dachshund.^{[20]
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Did you know? As badger hunters, Dachshunds worked primarily underground. Their loud bark helped inform their human partner of their location.^{[21]
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Trustworthy Source
American Kennel Club
The American Kennel Club (AKC) is a purebred dog pedigree registry in the United States. The AKC advocates for the responsible ownership of dogs and promotes purebred dog events, such as the Westminster Dog Show.
Go to source}
5
Check for liveliness. Dachshunds are a playful, lively breed. See if the dog enjoys playing or making games out of simple activities.^{[22]
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Community Q&A

Question

Can I feed vegetables to my Dachshund?

Linnie

Top Answerer

Yes. Some vegetables that are safe for dogs to eat in small amounts include cabbage, Brussels sprouts, spinach, carrots, green beans, broccoli, and corn. However, never feed your Dachshund onions, chives, leeks, or mushrooms as these can be toxic.