Dachshund Pet Insurance
We supply award-winning Lifetime Dachshund Insurance
Dachshund Pet Insurance
Dachshunds may be small but they are mighty! All they want is to be loved and in return they will show great loyalty. They’re irresistibly clever and very curious - which may lead them to being stubbornly independent.
Small dog, big personality
Despite having a small sausage-shaped body, Dachshunds have bold personalities. This can mean they’re often stubborn, but unique.
Dachshunds are originally German. Their initial purpose was to help hunt badgers - with long, thin bodies making it easy for them to chase prey through tunnels or thick fields. Also they have a loud bark, which helps them alert people where their prey is. Plus it makes them good guard dogs.
Both Dachshund sizes - standard or miniature - come with lots of energy and will require regular exercise. Standard Dachshunds weigh between 16 to 32 pounds, while miniatures are usually under 11 pounds.
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Are Dachshunds family friendly?
Dachshunds are loyal, affectionate and playful, which makes them a good family companion. But it’s worth noting that they can bark and snap if play becomes too much. As such, they may be better suited to older children who know how to interact with dogs respectfully. As with all dog breeds, if they’re spending time with young children, it’s best if they’re supervised.
They also have a strong prey drive, which could lead to conflict with other pets. To reduce the chances of this, they should be properly socialised from a young age.
Dachshund temperament
Dachshunds commonly display the following traits.
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Loyal
Despite having an independent streak, they’re fiercely loyal dogs, forming a strong bond with their owners.
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Courageous
Bred as hunting dogs, Dachshunds are fearless for their size. This can also mean they’re tenacious and protective - sometimes overly so.
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Curious
They’re interested in inspecting new things and exploring new environments. Expect a lot of sniffing.
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Independent
Dachshunds like things on their own terms. This means they can be stubborn, and you’ll need to be patient training them.
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Playful
Dachshunds are energetic, and love a good play - which can be very entertaining.
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Affectionate
Dachshunds are energetic, and love a good play - which can be very entertaining.
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Vocal
Enjoy's a good bark.
Should I rescue a Dachshund or buy a Dachshund puppy
Whether to buy a Dachshund puppy or adopt a rescue Dachshund is a big decision. There are numerous factors which need careful consideration. We go into detail as to whether you should get a rescue dog or puppy here.
If you buy a Dachshund Puppy
If you decide to buy a Dachshund puppy, the most important thing is to ascertain that the breeder is reputable. This means researching thoroughly, and making sure that you’re not buying a stolen puppy, or one from a puppy farm.
These are some of the steps you can take:
- Ask your vet, local training clubs or trusted friends or family for recommendations
- Check online reviews
- When you contact a breeder, ask lots of questions
- Meet the puppy at the breeder’s home, and check that the conditions are suitable. Make sure you meet the puppy’s parents - at least their mother
Red flags include breeders selling dogs of more than one breed, not letting you meet the puppy and its mother together, or not meeting at the puppy’s home or place of birth. Go with your gut… If anything seems wrong, do not buy the puppy. It’s fine to walk away at any time.
It’s illegal to sell a dog under 8 weeks old away from the location where it’s been bred. If you think this may be the case, consider reporting the seller to Trading Standards.
If you rehome a Dachshund
Rehoming a Dachshund puppy is a big-hearted decision, and can be tough, but rewarding. Look into Dachshund rehoming here:
The top 5 conditions that our Dachshund customers claim for:
- 1
Diabetes mellitus
- 2
Intervertebral disc extrusion/herniation/prolapse
- 3
Hypersensitivity (allergic) skin disorder (unspecified)
- 4
Spinal pain finding
- 5
Atopy finding
Based on all Agria Pet Insurance policies on cover between May 2023 and October 2023
What are the most common health problems for Dachshunds?
Dachshunds are well known for having a bad back because of their sausage-like body shape. However, you should know about other problems too.
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Intervertebral disc disease (IVDD)
Around a quarter of Dachshunds will likely suffer from this condition, which can require surgery depending on the severity of disc damage. The intervertebral disc is a degenerative problem, meaning it worsens over time.
It's so common because of their long, stretched-out back, which breeders developed to help them go through tight spaces to hunt. If you notice any signs of walking difficulty, limping or holding their head down, you should take your Dachshund to a vet.
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Generalised progressive retinal atrophy (PRA)
PRA leads to cataracts and can make the eye look cloudy. It's hereditary, and it can severely impact your dog's vision. To help spot early signs, you can look out for large pupils and bad vision at night.
Unfortunately, there’s no treatment for PRA, but it shouldn't affect your Dachshund's life expectancy.
Health Tips for your Dachshunds
Dachshund exercise
Despite being small, both the standard and miniature-size Dachshunds require lots of exercise and can quickly become bored if alone for a long time. Walking them for around an hour twice a day is recommended if they are adults and in good condition.
Dachshund feeding
Dachshunds can quickly get overweight. As such, it's essential to be aware of the amount you're feeding them. As puppies, they only need 3 or 4 small amounts of food daily. The amounts should increase for adults, and it’s recommended to feed them twice daily.
Dachshund training
Many people find Dachshunds challenging to train as they can be stubborn. You must be strict and consistent when teaching them, as they sometimes think they know best. They naturally like being independent - but they were bred for hunting badgers, so they can be trained well with strong dedication. It's a good idea to start training a Dachshund as a puppy so they get used to it early on.
Dachshund grooming
Long-haired Dachshunds will require more frequent grooming than shorter-haired ones. Their hair can become matted without regular grooming, which may result in discomfort. Regular grooming will help reduce shedding, and help prevent harmful bacteria from growing on their skin. Also be aware that Dachshunds can often get ear infections as they have floppy ears. You should clean their ears only when necessary, as over-cleaning can lead to irritation in the ear canal.
“Dachshunds are a clever and affectionate breed but not without health issues. This unusual sausage-shaped dog often suffers with back problems which can be costly and may require long-term treatment. Only a lifetime insurance policy will help with the costs for as long as necessary. ”
Robin Hargreaves
Agria Vet Panel Lead, Veterinary Surgeon for 30 years and former British Veterinary Association President.
Why more and more Dachshund owners are insuring with Agria
With Agria, it's lifetime, every time
At Agria, we believe pet insurance should last your pet’s lifetime. Our policies provide lifelong vet’s fees cover for illnesses and injuries. This means that - as long as your policy is renewed each year - your maximum benefit will be refreshed, providing cover for ongoing conditions.
So, whatever happens throughout your Dachshund’s life, we’ll always be there for you and your dog!
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Dachshund FAQs
More Dachshund diseases and injuries
We examined Agria Sweden's damage statistics between 2016 and 2021 in order to find out more about common conditions for Dachshunds, and how they compare to other breeds.
The statistics are based on the standard Dachshund, which is the most common size. All hair types - long-haired, short-haired and rough-haired - are included.
Common reasons for vet visits for Dachshunds:
- Stomach and intestinal symptoms. Vomiting and diarrhoea are common reasons for vet visits for Dachshunds, just like for many other breeds.
- The locomotor apparatus (the musculoskeletal system). When it comes to the musculoskeletal system, we can see that back pain and herniated discs are among the more common reasons for the vet visit.
- Damage. This can, for example, be about skin damage, wounds, claw damage or snake/insect bites.
How do Dachshunds compare to other breeds?
The Dachshund visits the vet less often than the comparison group, comprising all breeds*. Visits are usually due to symptoms of pain from the disc(s), vertebrae and back, or symptoms from the heart, for example murmurs and heart muscle diseases.
Rare diagnoses in Dachshunds
The statistics show that visits for immunological diseases such as allergies and problems with both eyes and ears are less common for Dachshunds compared to all breeds.
Dwarf and rabbit Dachshunds
Small Dachshunds are not only smaller in size but also fewer in number. There are some differences worth highlighting between these and standard Dachshunds.
Miniature and rabbit Dachshunds visit the vet more often than the standard Dachshund for gastrointestinal and upper respiratory symptoms They also visit the vet slightly more often than both the standard Dachshund and all breeds overall.
About Agria Breed Profiles
Agria Breed Profiles is based on data from Agria Djurförsäkring which reflects the health status of our Swedish dogs.
The primary goal regarding breed profiles is to provide a basis for Swedish breed clubs in their health work within their breeds.
The number of veterinary visits for each dog breed is compared with how common the diagnosis is for the control group, comprising all breeds. The basis is based on the dogs that visited the vet and used their pet insurance during the period 2016-2021.
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