Breed profile
Dachshund (Miniature Smooth Haired)
Explore the care, lifestyle and household factors that matter before making a commitment.
SizeSmall
ExerciseLow
GroomingLow
ChildrenGood
BarkingVery high
HealthHigh
What this means
Source-linked data has been researched to help you make an informed decision about life with this breed.
Read how evidence is handledAt a glance
Key facts
Size classSmall
Adult weight4.5 to 5 kg
Exercise needLow
Energy levelHigh
BarkingVery high
Grooming effortLow
Health burdenHigh
Breed profile
Life with this breed
Home and lifestyle
- Flat suitability
- Good fit
- Alone tolerance
- Very low
- Energy level
- High
- First-time owner fit
- Limited fit
Care and training
- Minimum daily exercise
- 30 minutes
- Mental stimulation
- Moderate
- Trainability
- Moderate
- Grooming effort
- Low
- Professional grooming
- Low maintenance
- Shedding
- Moderate
Household fit
- Children
- Good
- Dogs
- Good
- Cats
- Moderate
- Prey drive
- High
- Visitors
- Good
Health and evidence
- Health burden
- High
- Heat tolerance
- Moderate
- Cold tolerance
- Moderate
Health-burden evidence confidence: Medium.
Recorded health considerations
- Intervertebral disc disease (IVDD)
- Heart disease
- Progressive retinal atrophy
- Dry eye
These are breed-level considerations, not a diagnosis or a guarantee that an individual dog will be affected.
Children and pets need supervision and careful introductions. Individual behaviour varies.