Long-Haired Dachshund: the silky, mellower side of the sausage dog with the most fragile spine in dogdom

Somewhere between one in five and one in four dogs of this breed will suffer an episode of intervertebral disc disease in its lifetime. That figure, between 19 and 24 percent according to the study by Packer and colleagues published in PLOS ONE in 2013, is the highest recorded among all dog breeds. The long-haired Dachshund shares that statistic with every other variety in the breed standard, because the problem comes from the shape of the body, not the type of coat. What sets this variety apart, the Langhaar in the original German nomenclature, is everything else: a silky feathered coat that needs weekly attention, a temperament that is noticeably calmer than the smooth-coat, and an origin that includes spaniel blood in the historical mix. If you already know the standard Dachshund, this page is about what changes. If you are arriving with no prior context, here is everything you need before you decide.

What is the breed like?

The body is the same as in any other variety of the breed: long, low, with short legs from chondrodystrophy, a wedge-shaped head, and long high-set drop ears. The back is straight and muscled, the chest pronounced, the tail a natural continuation of the spine. None of this changes with coat type.

What does change is the coat. The long hair is soft to the touch, with a characteristic satin sheen, and it grows out naturally in specific zones: clearly feathered ears, the neck, the underside of the body, the back of the legs, and the tail, which forms a showy plume. The texture is slightly wavy but never curly; a curly coat is a conformation fault under the standard.

Both the AKC and the FCI recognize size divisions within the long-haired variety, separated by weight and (in the FCI system) chest circumference measured at fifteen months of age:

• Standard: chest circumference over 35 cm, adult weight typically 16 to 32 lb (7 to 14.5 kg). The AKC standard sizes this variety at over 11 lb (5 kg) at full growth.
• Miniature: chest circumference 30 to 35 cm, weight 11 lb (5 kg) and under at one year of age.
• Rabbit (Kaninchen): chest circumference under 30 cm, recognized in the FCI but not as a separate AKC size; these are the smallest and the rarest.

In the United States the AKC splits the Dachshund only into standard and miniature, while the long, smooth, and wirehaired coats are all judged within the single breed. The long-haired standard is a common sight in the show ring and among specialist breeders. The smallest long-coats are the rarest and the most sought after in the ornamental segment.

The colors accepted by the standard include solids (deep red, cream, wheaten-red), bicolors (black and tan, chocolate and tan), and the dapple pattern (merle). A word on the double dapple: crossing two dapple dogs produces puppies with a high probability of blindness, deafness, or both, and responsible parent clubs including the Dachshund Club of America condemn this cross. Any breeder offering double dapple puppies without disclosing the risks is not a source to trust.

What is the temperament like?

The long-haired variety is not the smooth-coat with a different hairstyle. The difference in temperament between the two is well known among specialist breeders and has a historical explanation: during the development of the Langhaar type, crosses with spaniels were introduced, probably with the German Spaniel or a hunting cocker, to achieve the desired long coat. That genetic inheritance brought more than just the coat.

The result is a dog with the core character common to all Dachshunds, but with some clearly distinct shadings. It is calmer at home, less prone to reactive barking at minor stimuli, and more receptive to social contact. With its family it forms a deep bond and enjoys human company more naturally than the smooth-coat, which tends to be more self-sufficient.

With children it does well when socialized with them from puppyhood. The fragile spine means young children must learn not to pick the dog up unsupervised, not to drop it, and not to pull on its lower back. With children older than six or seven, life together is easy.

With other dogs it is generally sociable, more so than the smooth-coated variety. With small animals (rabbits, hamsters, small caged birds) the hunting instinct stays switched on because it comes from selection for going to ground after burrowing prey: you have to accept the incompatibility.

The scenting drive is strong. In open country, when this dog hits an interesting trail, your recall drops to second place. That is not a training defect but part of what the breed was selected to do: work alone underground without needing instructions from the hunter. Positive reinforcement training, short sessions, and food motivation all work. Harsh corrections produce distrust, not obedience.

What health problems does the breed have?

The health of the long-haired Dachshund is inseparable from its build. Understanding the real risks is part of deciding to live with one.

Intervertebral disc disease (IVDD). This is the headline condition and the one that most shapes the life of the dog and the owner. Chondrodystrophy, the genetic mutation that produces the short legs and elongated trunk, also alters the makeup of the intervertebral discs: the nucleus pulposus calcifies prematurely and loses its ability to absorb impact. The published studies are blunt. Packer and colleagues (2013, PLOS ONE) quantified that between 19 and 24 percent of Dachshunds develop a clinical episode of IVDD over their lifetime, against 2 to 3 percent in breeds without chondrodystrophy. It is the highest prevalence documented across all breeds. Episodes range from transient back pain to paralysis of the hind limbs, which can require emergency surgery costing $3,000 to $8,000 at a specialty hospital. Prevention means banning jumps off the sofa and bed (use ramps or steps), limiting stairs as a daily routine, keeping the dog at an ideal weight without exception, and using an H-style harness instead of a collar.

Obesity. The breed's efficient metabolism and persistent appetite make excess weight the most common problem seen in the exam room. Every extra ounce on the spine accelerates disc deterioration. Portion control is not optional; it is orthopedic risk management.

Progressive retinal atrophy (PRA). An inherited disease that advances steadily toward total blindness. Serious breeders run genetic tests on their breeding stock to avoid passing it on, and an OFA-recognized eye exam should be on file for both parents. When buying or adopting a puppy, ask for the ophthalmology results on both the sire and dam.

Deafness linked to the double dapple pattern. Puppies produced by crossing two dapple (merle) dogs carry a high probability of being born deaf, blind, or both. The problem does not affect solid or bicolor dogs, only dapples bred irresponsibly. This is the single strongest reason to walk away from a double dapple litter.

Dental disease. The shape of the head favors tartar buildup and malocclusion. Brushing the teeth three times a week reduces the risk; an annual veterinary dental check from age four or five is advisable.

What is grooming like?

The long coat is the most visible feature of this variety and the one that takes the most time. This is not a low-maintenance coat: anyone unwilling to put in weekly brushing time should consider the smooth-coated variety instead.

Brush 2 to 3 times a week. Use a medium-bristle brush and a long-tooth comb for the feathered areas. The goal is to keep the hair from matting, especially in the high-friction zones: ears, the inside of the hind legs, the belly, and the tail plume. During seasonal sheds (spring and fall), step the frequency up to daily for two or three weeks.

Ears: a problem zone. The abundant feathering on the long drop ears traps moisture and reduces airflow inside the ear canal. Check weekly and clean with a veterinary ear solution every couple of weeks. The long-haired Dachshund has a higher tendency toward external ear infections than the smooth-coat precisely because of this combination of long pendulous ear plus heavy surrounding hair.

Hind legs. The hock area collects hair that tends to tangle if it is not combed out regularly. A fine comb once a week is enough to keep it in order.

No stripping. Unlike the wirehaired variety, the Langhaar does not need hand-stripping. The coat is not pulled out: it grows naturally and falls in seasonal sheds. Scissoring is discouraged by the standard except in very specific spots (around the feet). Bathe every four to six weeks with a shampoo formulated for long coats, followed by a light conditioner and a full blow-dry on a medium setting.

What does a long-haired Dachshund cost in the US?

Puppy price. From a breeder in good standing with the AKC or the Dachshund Club of America, expect $1,500 to $3,500 with registration papers, parent PRA genetic testing, and a sound assessment of the spine. Show-line dogs with champion ancestry can run higher. Below $800, there are good reasons to ask about the origin and the health status of the parents, and to suspect a puppy mill or backyard breeder.

Annual costs. For a healthy adult in the US in 2026:

• Premium mid-to-high-range food: $400 to $700.
• Routine veterinary care (vaccines, annual exam, parasite control): $300 to $600.
• Grooming supplies (brushes, shampoo, conditioner): $80 to $150.
• Gear and accessories (ramps for the sofa and bed are essentially mandatory, harness, toys): $120 to $250.
• Pet insurance: $300 to $700.

Rough total with no medical problems: $1,200 to $2,400 a year. The variable that can blow that number up is IVDD. An emergency spinal surgery at a specialty hospital costs $3,000 to $8,000. Many Dachshund owners carry pet insurance with a reasonable deductible; several US insurers cover chondrodystrophic breeds, though some screen for or exclude pre-existing back conditions, so read the policy. It is worth running the monthly premium against the potential cost of surgery before you decide.

Full breed profile

Block	Item	Value
Identification	Canonical name	Dachshund (long-haired variety)
	Other names	Longhaired Dachshund, sausage dog, Langhaar-Dackel
	Country of origin	Germany
	FCI standard	No. 148, Group 4 (Dachshunds)
	FCI section	1
	AKC group	Hound Group
	AKC recognition	1885 (long-haired coat shown within the single breed)
	Parent club (US)	Dachshund Club of America
Physical	Standard weight	16-32 lb (7-14.5 kg)
	Miniature weight	11 lb (5 kg) and under
	Size classification	By weight (AKC); by chest circumference at 15 months (FCI)
	Coat	Long, silky, slightly wavy, never curly
	Feathering	Ears, neck, lower body, back of legs, tail
	Accepted colors	Solid (red, wheaten-red, cream), bicolor (black and tan, chocolate and tan), dapple
	Double dapple	Condemned by parent clubs; high risk of blindness and deafness
Health	Lifespan	12-16 years
	IVDD prevalence	19-24 percent of individuals (Packer et al., 2013)
	Obesity	High risk; directly impacts the spine
	Progressive retinal atrophy	Inherited; genetic testing of breeding stock
	Congenital deafness	Linked exclusively to double dapple breeding
	Dental disease	Tartar and malocclusion common from age 4
	Recommended parent screening	OFA eye exam, PRA DNA test, spine assessment
Temperament	Energy	Moderate
	Trainability	Moderate; responds better than the smooth-coat to cooperative work
	Barking level	Moderate (lower than smooth-coat at minor stimuli)
	Reactivity to strangers	Moderate
	Prey drive	Active; incompatible with pet rodents
	With children	Good with kids over 6-7 and supervised handling
	With other dogs	Generally good with early socialization
	With cats	Possible if raised together from puppyhood
	Key difference vs smooth-coat	Calmer temperament; historical spaniel influence
Grooming	Brushing	2-3 times a week; daily during shedding seasons
	Stripping	Not applicable (wirehaired variety only)
	Bathing	Every 4-6 weeks with long-coat shampoo
	Ear checks	Weekly; higher ear-infection risk than smooth-coat
Lifestyle	Daily exercise	45-60 minutes across two or three outings
	Apartment-friendly	Yes, with an elevator and ramps on sofa and bed
	Jumping	Forbidden; install ramps or steps from day one
	Heat tolerance	Moderate; the long coat struggles more than the smooth in summer
	Cold tolerance	Moderate to high; better suited than the smooth-coat
US market	Puppy price 2026	$1,500-3,500 from a reputable breeder
	Show lines	Can run higher
	Rescue availability	Moderate; breed-specific Dachshund rescues exist nationwide
	Estimated annual cost	$1,200-2,400 with no medical problems
	IVDD surgery cost	$3,000-8,000 at a specialty hospital

Is the long-haired Dachshund for you?

It fits if you live in an elevator apartment or a single-level home without daily stairs, can give real time to weekly brushing, accept the IVDD risk as a structural condition of the breed, and are prepared to manage the dog's weight with discipline for twelve or more years. If you want a slightly calmer, more socially easygoing Dachshund than the smooth-coat, the Langhaar meets that expectation. What does not change between varieties is the commitment to the spine: ramps, no jumping, no excess weight, from day one.

FAQ

What is the difference between the long-haired and the smooth Dachshund? The coat type and the temperament. The long-haired dog has feathering on the ears, legs, and tail, needs weekly brushing, and tends to be a bit calmer and more sociable. The smooth-coat is low-maintenance and, in general, more reactive and independent. Both share the same body, the same spinal risks, and the same breed standard.

Does the long coat handle cold better? Yes. The denser coat and the greater volume of hair provide better thermal insulation, so the Langhaar tolerates a snowy northern winter better than the smooth-coat. In a hot southern summer the opposite is true: watch for overheating and avoid exercise during the heat of the day.

Does it need professional grooming? Not essential if the owner keeps up with regular brushing. The standard discourages scissoring except around the feet. Occasionally a professional groomer can assess the coat and work out the deeper mats if they have built up.

Is double dapple breeding allowed in the US? There is no federal law banning it, but parent clubs such as the Dachshund Club of America and serious specialty clubs consider it bad practice and will not register or endorse such crosses. Double dapple puppies are born with a high probability of severe sensory deficits. Any offer of a dapple puppy from two dapple parents should be treated with deep skepticism.

What signs point to an urgent spinal problem? Pain when touched along the lower or mid back, reluctance to move or to climb steps it handled before, dragging of the hind legs, loss of bladder or bowel control, or a head tilt with loss of balance. With any of these signs, see a veterinarian the same day. With IVDD, hours matter.

Can it live with a cat? Yes, if they are raised together from puppyhood. The Dachshund's hunting instinct is aimed mainly at small prey, but a cat that has grown up alongside it becomes part of the family group. With unfamiliar cats or new arrivals, the introduction needs to be gradual and supervised.

Does it come in a miniature? Yes. Both the standard and the miniature size exist within the long-haired variety, and the FCI additionally recognizes the smaller rabbit size. The smallest long-coats are the scarcest and the most structurally fragile because of their reduced size.