6 Types of Dachshunds: Wiener Dog Info, Pictures, Traits & More

Dachshunds are miniature and standard-breed dogs that have a couple of different names. They are often called Wiener Dogs in the United States and Sausage Dogs in the United Kingdom.

Although they share many of the same traits and characteristics, there are different types of Dachshunds to choose from if you’re looking to give one a forever home. They are grouped by their size, color, and coat type. If you’re trying to decide which Dachshund type to adopt and make your loyal companion, we’ll discuss six types below, so join us.

How Are Dachshunds Classified?

Since Dachshunds have the characteristics of Hounds and Terriers, they are difficult to classify. However, they’re considered Hounds and are grouped into subcategories according to their size, fur color, and hair type.

Now that you know how Dachshunds are classified and grouped, we’ll go into the different types according to those groupings below.

The 6 Types of Dachshunds

1. Standard Dachshund

The Standard Dachshund tops out between 11 and 32 pounds and makes a great companion for singles, seniors, and families with older kids. You can find the Standard Dachshund in a variety of colors, including red, black, cream, sable, brown, gray, brindle, fawn, and pied.

The Dachshund was bred in Germany in the 1500s and is considered by the AKC to be the 12^th most popular dog as a pet out of the 196 breeds. These are loving dogs that are alert and energetic. It is best for Dachshunds to be adopted by a family with older children since they could end up becoming injured by small hands that are too rough.

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2. Rabbit Dachshund (Kaninchen)

The Rabbit or Kaninchen Dachshund is the smallest breed of Dachshund there is. They top out at 7 to 7.5 pounds when they are fully grown. They come in the same hair types as a Standard Dachshund, and you can find them with long hair, short hair, or wiry hair. They were bred to enter rabbit burrows for hunters, and the name Kaninchen means rabbit in German.

Kaninchens are friendly, courageous, feisty, and clever. Their stubbornness might make them difficult to train, but they are great pets. The Rabbit Dachshund isn’t recognized by the AKC, as a Dachshund, but they put them in the Miniature Dachshund category instead.

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3. Miniature/Dwarf Dachshund

The Miniature/Dwarf Dachshund is a slightly bigger version of the Rabbit Dachshund. They were bred to retrieve animals that were injured during the hunt. Today, they make great, loyal companions, just like all Dachshunds. You can find the Dwarf Dachshund in wire, long, and short-haired coat types.

They also have various coat colors, such as black and cream, black and tan, brindle, sable, dapple, and many more. These dogs are child-friendly but can be aggressive, so you must keep a close eye on playtime. They are energetic, friendly, and loyal as well.

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4. Wire-Haired Dachshund

The Wire-Haired Dachshund is the youngest of the Dachshund types and wasn’t formally recognized until 1890. They make good pets but can be aggressive around young children and toddlers, so you must be careful during playtime. They are also considered the most energetic Dachshunds.

It’s important to note that while all Dachshunds have health issues, the Wire-Haired Dachshund is more susceptible to brittle bone disease than the others. However, maintaining regular veterinary appointments will ensure that any issues can be properly addressed.

The Wire-Haired Dachshund has a wiry coat that is rough to the touch due to the Terrier influence. Like the other types on our list, the Wire-Haired Dachshund makes a good watchdog.

• Related Read: Silky Wire-Haired Dachshund

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5. Long-Haired Dachshund

The Long-Haired Dachshund is gorgeous and has long fur that almost resembles feathers. Their hair is soft to the touch instead of wiry. In fact, they have two layers of hair, with longer fur on some parts of their body than others.

The longer hair is usually found on their neck, under their tail, their ears, and at the end of their extremities. They have a habit of barking constantly if someone comes up to your home, much like the Smooth-Haired Dachshund we’ll discuss next. They make good pets for families with older children.

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6. Smooth-Haired Dachshund

The Smooth-Haired Dachshund, also known as the Short-Haired Dachshund, is one of the most popular of the species. They can be wary of strangers and tend to bark quite a bit, so if you’re living in an apartment or somewhere where barking could bother the neighbors, they might not be the best pet for you.

However, with the proper training, you can reduce their barking. Enrolling in an obedience class when the Smooth-Haired Dachshund is a puppy can keep them from becoming constant barkers as adults.

Are Dachshunds Hypoallergenic?

No, Dachshunds are not considered to be hypoallergenic, though no breed is 100% hypoallergenic, to begin with. Dachshunds shed, some of them more than others, so if you’re considering adopting a Dachshund, it’s best to make sure you’re not allergic to them or that you can take care of your allergy symptoms when they present themselves.

Final Thoughts

As you can see, there are a few types of Dachshunds to choose from if you’re looking for one to give a forever home. Whether it’s a Smooth-Haired Dachshund or a Miniature/Dwarf Dachshund, you can be sure they’ll make excellent pets.

As with any other breed, make sure you’re ready for the responsibility of owning a dog. If you are, you’ll get a loyal companion who will love you for many years to come in return.

See Also:

• Dorkie (Yorkshire Terrier & Dachshund Mix)
• Beagle & Dachshund Mix (Doxle)
• Dorgi (Dachshund & Welsh Pembroke Corgi Mix)

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Featured Image Credit: 4sally scott, Shutterstock