Better known by its curious nickname – the Sausage Dog – the Long Haired Dachshund is a short-legged, long-bodied dog that makes for a friendly companion!
Descended from hunting dogs, the unusually shaped Long Haired Dachshund was deliberately bred to be close to the ground to sniff out prey. Though, their unusual shape can lead to several unfortunate Dachshund back problems that owners need to be aware of.
In this article, we’ll take a look at the physical attributes, personality, and temperament that you can expect to see in a Long Haired Dachshund, as well grooming, care, and health tips that will help you raising your pup.
Keep reading to find out everything there is to know about the Long Haired Dachshund.
What is a Long Haired Dachshund?
The Long Haired Dachshund is best known for its unique body shape and long fur coat. Of German origin, the Long Haired Dachshund is part of the wider Dachshund family of dogs, of which there are three common varieties.
These three types of Dachshund all have short legs and a long body but are distinguishable by their coats. As well as the Long Haired Dachshund, there’s also the Wire Haired Dachshund and the Smooth Haired Dachshund. As you might expect, the Long-Haired Dachshund has the longest coat of them all!
The Long Haired Dachshund was specifically bred to be a hunting dog, and Long-Haired Dachshund puppies are born with a keen sense of smell and a desire to search out prey and dig holes. Their short legs keep Dachshunds close to the ground, where it’s much easier for them to keep on the scent of badgers, rabbits, and any other countryside animals they are trained to look for.
Of course, these days, the Long Haired Dachshund is much more prevalent in its role as a family dog, and these pups are unlikely to be used as working dogs. These are lovable, intelligent dogs with an undeniably friendly personality with their big hearts and curious nature. With their long, luscious fur coat, Long Haired Dachshund grooming opportunities abound. Given their small, slender body shape, these pups are perfect for apartments, tiny houses, and families with young children.
Long Haired Dachshund appearance
The Long Haired Dachshund is a small dog with (you guessed it) a long fur coat. Let’s take a look at the appearance of this puppy in more detail, so you can see if this is the pet dog for you and your family.
Height and size
The Long Haired Dachshund might have long locks, but it’s actually a small dog in terms of height and size. These dogs are bred in two significant sizes as a breed standard. They are either a standard Long Haired Dachshund, or they are a miniature Long Haired Dachshund.
Standard Long Haired Dachshunds will grow to around 9 inches in height and can weigh anywhere between 15 and 32 pounds. The miniature Long Haired Dachshund is much smaller and must be no more than 6 inches in height and 11 pounds in weight.
Whether it’s standard-sized or a miniature Dachshund, these pups always have that distinctive ‘wiener dog’ look about them.
Coat and colors
The Long Haired Dachshund (the standard and miniature Long Haired Dachshund) always has a long, luscious coat of hair. Their coats are super soft, but they can quickly start to reach the ground if left untamed!
Long Haired Dachshunds come in a variety of different colors. These include black, tan, brown, red, cream Long Haired Dachshund colorings. These dogs are commonly one color but can also be a mixture of colors.
