Long Haired Weiner Dog Puppies

Long haired weiner dog puppies — also called long haired dachshund puppies — combine the bold, curious nature of a hound with one of the most striking coats in the dog world. That silky, feathered fur on their ears, chest, and tail makes them instantly recognizable, but it also means they are not a low-maintenance choice.

If you are researching this breed before bringing one home, you are in the right place. This guide covers the real commitments involved: the brushing schedule, the spine risks that every dachshund owner must take seriously, the training challenges that come with a terrier-like stubborn streak, and how to tell a well-bred puppy from one produced by a puppy mill.

For a broader look at the breed across all coat types, see our guides on long haired mini dachshund and long haired chocolate dapple dachshund. If you are still exploring breeders, our reputable breeder guide walks you through the screening process.

Breed Overview & Appearance

The long haired dachshund is one of three coat varieties of the dachshund breed, alongside smooth and wire haired. The long coat is soft, sleek, and often slightly wavy, with pronounced feathering under the neck, on the underside of the body, behind the legs, and most dramatically on the tail [citation:4].

Breed standards describe the long haired dachshund as moderately long in proportion to height, with a compact, well-muscled body and ground clearance of no less than one quarter of the height at the withers. The head is carried boldly and defiantly, with an intelligent expression that reflects the breed's history as a badger hunter [citation:1][citation:6].

One thing that surprises many new owners: the long coat is not simply a cosmetic variation. It requires genuine commitment. The feathering behind the ears and along the chest tangles easily, and neglect for even a week can create mats that are painful to remove. If you are drawn to the look but worried about maintenance, be honest with yourself about whether you will brush three to four times per week — every week — for the next 12 to 15 years.

Temperament & Personality

Long haired dachshunds are often described as slightly gentler and more easygoing than their smooth-coated relatives, though they retain the core dachshund personality: intelligent, bold, curious, and stubborn [citation:7]. Many owners report that long haired puppies are particularly affectionate and form strong bonds with one person in the household, while remaining friendly to others with proper socialization.

Do not mistake that softer coat for a softer temperament. These are still hounds bred to go underground after badgers. They are courageous to the point of rashness, have a strong prey drive, and will absolutely chase a squirrel across a park if given the chance [citation:6]. They are also vocal — expect barking at visitors, unusual sounds, and anything they consider suspicious.

• Affectionate but independent: They love their people but also like to make their own decisions. This is not a velcro breed that will obey instantly out of eagerness to please.
• Playful with bursts of energy: A long haired dachshund will chase a toy across the living room, then happily curl up on the couch for hours [citation:7].
• Stubborn and clever: Training requires patience and consistency. They learn quickly but will test whether the rules are negotiable [citation:5].
• Alert and vocal: They make excellent watchdogs for their size, though the barking can become excessive without training.
• Good with other pets when socialized: Early introductions help, but their hunting instinct means small pets like hamsters should never be left unsupervised.

If you are bringing home a puppy, start socialization immediately. Puppy classes, gentle introductions to calm adult dogs, and exposure to different sights and sounds during the critical socialization window (roughly 3–14 weeks) will shape the adult dog's temperament. Our guide on helping puppies cope with being alone is useful for the first weeks.

Grooming the Long Coat

This is the single biggest difference between owning a long haired dachshund and a smooth coated one. That beautiful coat is high maintenance, and the grooming routine is not optional.

Brushing Technique and Tools

You need two tools: a slicker brush or pin brush for the main coat, and a metal comb to check for tangles close to the skin [citation:11]. Brush in the direction of hair growth, paying special attention to the areas where mats form first: behind the ears, under the front legs (armpits), along the chest feathering, and the backs of the hind legs.

Work through the coat in sections. The comb is your quality check — if the comb glides through without catching, the coat is tangle-free. If it snags, go back to the slicker brush on that section. Never bathe a matted dog; water tightens mats and makes them far harder to remove [citation:16].

Ear Care Is Non-Negotiable

Long haired dachshunds have floppy ears with long feathering that traps moisture and debris. This creates a warm, damp environment where ear infections thrive. Check ears weekly for redness, odor, or discharge, and clean the outer ear with a vet-approved solution. Never insert anything into the ear canal [citation:7]. After baths or swimming, dry the ears thoroughly.

Paw and Tail Maintenance

Trim the hair between the paw pads to prevent mats and improve traction on slippery floors. The long feathering on the tail — the "flag" — should be brushed regularly to prevent tangles, and some owners trim the hair around the anus for hygiene. A professional groom every 6–8 weeks is a reasonable baseline for most long haired dachshunds, with home brushing in between [citation:11].

Exercise & Spine Safety

Every dachshund owner must understand one anatomical fact: the breed's elongated spine and short legs make them uniquely vulnerable to intervertebral disc disease (IVDD). This is not a rare condition — it is the defining health risk of the breed, and how you exercise and handle your dog directly affects their risk [citation:19].

Safe Exercise Guidelines

• Walks: 30–60 minutes daily for adults, split into two sessions if possible [citation:17]. Let them sniff — mental stimulation tires them out without stressing the spine.
• Puppies: Short, frequent play sessions. Avoid long forced marches. Puppy joints and bones are still developing.
• No jumping: Prevent jumping off furniture, beds, and stairs. Use ramps or pet steps consistently from puppyhood so it becomes normal [citation:2].
• Swimming: Excellent low-impact exercise if your dog enjoys water. Use a properly fitted life vest.
• Floor surfaces: Slippery hardwood and tile increase the risk of slips that can injure the spine. Use runners or rugs in high-traffic areas.

Exercise also plays a role in weight management. An overweight dachshund carries extra load on that long spine, dramatically increasing IVDD risk. Keeping your dog lean is one of the most protective things you can do. For general activity guidance, see our dog exercise needs guide.

Health Risks & Prevention

Long haired dachshunds are generally healthy dogs with a lifespan of 12 to 15 years, but they are prone to several conditions that owners should monitor [citation:17].

Intervertebral Disc Disease (IVDD)

IVDD occurs when the discs between vertebrae bulge or rupture, pressing on the spinal cord. Symptoms range from back pain and reluctance to move to wobbling, dragging the hind legs, and in severe cases, paralysis and loss of bladder control. If you notice any of these signs, contact your vet immediately — early treatment significantly improves outcomes.

Prevention includes: keeping weight lean, preventing jumping, avoiding rough handling, using ramps, and maintaining muscle tone through safe exercise. Some breeders screen breeding dogs for IVDD risk, though the genetics are complex.

Other Conditions to Watch

• Patellar luxation: A slipping kneecap that causes intermittent lameness. Common in small breeds. Keep nails short and weight controlled to reduce strain.
• Progressive Retinal Atrophy (PRA): An inherited eye disease that can lead to blindness. Reputable breeders DNA test for the cord1 mutation . Always ask about eye screening.
• Obesity: Not a disease in itself but a major risk multiplier for IVDD and joint problems. Measure food, limit treats, and adjust portions based on body condition.
• Dental disease: Small breeds accumulate tartar quickly. Brush teeth several times per week and schedule professional cleanings as recommended by your vet.
• Epilepsy: The breed has some predisposition to seizures, which are usually manageable with medication if they occur [citation:18].

If you are considering long haired miniature dapple dachshund puppies, be aware that the dapple pattern carries additional considerations. Double dapple breeding (breeding two dapples together) produces puppies with severe eye and ear defects and should be avoided entirely. Ask breeders directly whether both parents are dapples.

Feeding & Weight Management

Dachshund puppies have different nutritional needs than adults. Until about 10 months of age, their immune systems and digestive systems are still developing, and they need highly digestible proteins, balanced calcium and phosphorus for bone growth, and appropriate calorie density [citation:2].

• Puppy feeding schedule: Three meals per day until around six months, then transition to two meals per day [citation:2].
• Adult feeding: Two measured meals per day. Avoid free-feeding — dachshunds are prone to obesity and will overeat given the chance.
• Treats: Keep treats small and account for them in daily calories. Many owners use kibble from the daily ration as training rewards.
• Food choice: Look for a complete and balanced diet meeting AAFCO standards. Puppy food for growth, adult maintenance food after maturity. If your dog has sensitivities, discuss a limited ingredient diet with your vet.

Body condition matters more than the number on the scale. You should be able to feel your dog's ribs easily with light pressure, see a waist from above, and notice a tuck-up from the side. If you cannot feel the ribs, the dog is carrying too much weight. Our weight management guide has practical strategies for safe weight loss if needed.

Training a Stubborn Hound

Dachshunds are intelligent, but they are not eager-to-please in the way a Golden Retriever is. They were bred to work independently, making decisions underground without human direction. Training a long haired dachshund puppy requires patience, consistency, and a sense of humor.

What Works

• Positive reinforcement: Food, praise, and play are your tools. Punishment damages trust and makes a stubborn dog more resistant [citation:5].
• Short sessions: Five to ten minutes, several times a day. Dachshunds get bored and distracted quickly.
• High-value rewards: Use something your puppy genuinely loves for new behaviors. Kibble may work for easy tasks; tiny pieces of chicken or cheese for harder ones.
• Consistency across the household: If one person allows jumping on the couch and another punishes it, the dog learns nothing. Everyone must follow the same rules.
• Recall is critical: A dachshund on a scent is notoriously hard to call back. Practice recall in increasingly distracting environments, always reward heavily, and never punish a dog for coming to you — even if they took ten minutes.

House Training Considerations

Small bladders and stubborn temperaments can make house training feel endless. Take your puppy out frequently — every hour during the day for young puppies, and immediately after waking, eating, and playing. Reward outdoor elimination generously. If accidents happen, clean thoroughly with an enzymatic cleaner and supervise more closely. For detailed help, see our guides on teaching a puppy to signal they need to go out and preventing indoor accidents.

Choosing a Responsible Breeder

The difference between a healthy long haired dachshund puppy and one that will cost you years of vet bills often comes down to the breeder. Puppy mills and backyard breeders produce puppies without health screening, without temperament consideration, and often in conditions that affect early development.

Questions to Ask

• Health testing: Have the parents been screened for PRA (cord1), patellar luxation, and other breed-relevant conditions? Ask to see certificates, not just verbal assurances .
• Age of puppies at go-home: Puppies should stay with their mother and littermates until at least 8 weeks of age. Seven weeks is the absolute minimum in most responsible breeding practices.
• Living conditions: Can you visit the home where the puppies were raised? Are they kept indoors, socialized with people, and exposed to normal household sounds?
• Contracts and guarantees: A good breeder provides a written contract covering health guarantees and may include a spay/neuter agreement or return clause. See our breeder contract guide for what to look for.
• Willingness to answer questions: A responsible breeder will interview you as much as you interview them. They care where their puppies go.
• Red flags: Multiple litters available at all times, refusal to let you meet the mother, puppies that look unwell or fearful, and pressure to buy immediately. Our red flags guide covers this in detail.

Expect to pay more for a well-bred puppy from health-tested parents. That difference reflects the cost of genetic testing, veterinary care, and responsible raising. The descriptor for this tier is typically premium or high-end compared to backyard-bred puppies, and the long-term savings in veterinary costs often outweigh the initial difference.

If you are open to adoption, dachshund rescues exist in most regions and can be a wonderful source of adult dogs whose temperaments are already known. For breeders specifically, our questions to ask a breeder checklist is a practical companion to this section.

Frequently Asked Questions