Dachshund Pet Insurance
We supply award-winning lifetime Dachshund insurance
Dachshund Pet Insurance
Dachshunds are a big dog in a small package! They’re generally a very healthy breed, and live to a grand old age. But there are health problems which crop up - most commonly associated with their long backs.
Pet insurance for your Dachshund
As with all breeds, it’s worth considering a pet insurance policy for your Dachshund which is right for their needs. Here we’ll look at some of the main issues that a policy should cover.
Protect your Dachshund with peace-of-mind dog insurance from Agria.
Up to £20,000 towards vet bills every year
So your dog can get the care they need.
We pay 98% of claims*
And we can pay your vet directly, so you can focus on your dog.
No increase in your premiums when you claim
So you don’t have to worry about the cost of insurance when you go to the vet.
Free vet video calls, 24/7
Which means help is always on hand if you’re worried.
Dotty about dogs? Get a 5% discount when you insure more than one pet with us.
*Based on all Agria Pet Insurance claims received between November 2023 and May 2024.
We're a Which? Best Buy for Dog Insurance 2025
You can trust us with your Dachshund
Agria is a Which? Best Buy for our Lifetime, Lifetime Plus and Lifetime Premium dog insurance products. **
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 November 2023 and May 2024.
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.
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.
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 over 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, provided 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!
** Agria is a Which? Best Buy for our Lifetime, Lifetime Plus and Lifetime Premium dog insurance products*. We have also been awarded the 'best pet insurance overall' from The Telegraph. Which? policy score ratings are based on an analysis of policy cover levels conducted in November 2024. Best Buy providers have a high policy score and a good track record for paying claims. Read the Which? article.
Dachshund insurance 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?
For Dachshunds, vet 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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