General Appearance

Low to the ground, long in body, and short of leg, the Dachshund is robust and well-balanced with a proud, intelligent expression. Despite its humorous proportions, it is neither crippled nor clumsy. The Dachshund should appear athletic, alert, and full of character.

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Size and Weight

Three varieties by size:

• Standard Dachshund:

  • Weight: 16–32 pounds

• Miniature Dachshund:

  • Weight: 11 pounds and under at 12 months of age

• Tweenie (Informal):

  • Weight: Between 11–16 pounds (not officially recognized, but commonly referenced)

Varieties by Coat

• Smooth: Short, shiny, and tight coat

• Longhaired: Sleek, slightly wavy coat with feathering on ears, chest, belly, and tail

• Wirehaired: Harsh, dense coat with a distinctive beard and eyebrows

Head

• Skull: Slightly arched and gradually tapering

• Muzzle: Long, robust, and well-chiseled

• Nose: Black or dark brown, depending on coat color

• Eyes: Medium-sized, almond-shaped, dark-rimmed, and expressive; shades of brown preferred

• Ears: Long, rounded, and set near the top of the head, hanging close to the cheeks

Body

• Neck: Long, muscular, slightly arched, flowing gracefully into the shoulders

• Chest: Deep and broad with prominent forechest

• Back: Straight, level, and strong

• Loin: Slightly arched with firm musculature

• Tail: Extends in line with the spine, not carried high or curled

Forequarters

• Shoulders: Well-laid-back and muscular

• Legs: Short, straight, and strong; elbows close to the sides

• Feet: Compact with well-arched toes; pads thick and durable

Hindquarters

• Thighs: Strong and muscular

• Hocks: Well-angulated and positioned to drive movement

• Feet: Similar to the front; should point straight ahead when standing

Gait / Movement

Smooth, free, and ground-covering with a strong rear drive and good reach in the forequarters. The back should remain level, and movement should appear effortless and balanced.

Temperament

Courageous, curious, and clever, the Dachshund is known for its lively personality. While sometimes stubborn, it is loyal and forms deep bonds with its owners. Alert and vocal, Dachshunds make excellent watchdogs.

• Disposition: Friendly, bold, and fearless

• Trainability: Intelligent but independent; responds best to positive reinforcement

• Compatibility: Good with children and other pets when properly socialized

Colors and Markings

Acceptable Colors:

• Single-colored: Red or cream (with or without black shading)

• Two-colored: Black, chocolate, blue, or fawn with tan or cream points

• Dapple (merle), brindle, piebald, sable (in longhaired), and wild boar (in wirehaired) are also recognized.

Markings:

• Dapple (merle): Mottled pattern with lighter and darker areas

• Brindle: Dark stripes over base color

• Piebald: White with patches of another color

Faults

• Weak topline

• Cow-hocked or overly angulated rear

• Excessively timid or aggressive temperament

• Poor movement or imbalance

Disqualifications

• Knuckling over

• Cropped ears

• Blue eyes in non-dapple dogs

• Albinism or extreme physical deformities

 

Ideal Owner

Dachshunds thrive in homes where they receive attention, exercise, and mental stimulation. Ideal for families or individuals seeking a bold and entertaining companion.

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The Dachshund — affectionately known as the wiener dog or sausage dog — comes in nine official varieties combining three sizes (Standard, Miniature, and the informal Tweenie) with three coat types (Smooth, Longhaired, and Wirehaired). Each combination has its own devoted following. Long Haired Dachshunds are among the most searched Dachshund varieties in the United States, prized for their silky, feathered coats. Dapple Dachshunds — marked by a distinctive merle pattern of lighter and darker patches — are equally popular and command premium prices from breeders. Miniature Dachshunds, weighing 11 pounds and under, are the most common variety in American homes. Piebald Dachshunds display striking white with patches of another color, while Wirehaired Dachshunds carry a distinctive beard and eyebrows that set them apart from smooth and longhaired varieties.

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While the American Kennel Club (AKC) does recognize Dachshunds, many Dachshund owners and breeders find themselves without AKC papers. Dogs purchased from private breeders, imported Dachshunds, rescue Dachshunds, and dogs sold without documentation all have no path to AKC re-registration without full lineage documentation from AKC-registered parents. This gap affects Standard Dachshunds, Miniature Dachshunds, long haired, smooth, wirehaired, dapple, piebald, brindle, and sable varieties equally — AKC requires complete pedigree regardless of coat type, color pattern, or size. Designer Kennel Club (DKC) provides an official registration pathway for every Dachshund variety with no AKC papers or pedigree lineage required.

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DKC Foundation Dog Registration ($65) creates a new official record of breed, variety, and ownership for any Dachshund — Standard or Miniature, Smooth or Longhaired or Wirehaired, any color including dapple, piebald, brindle, and sable. No prior documentation is required. For Dachshund breeders, DKC Litter Registration ($100) covers the entire litter and gives each puppy an individual registration number that new owners can use to register their puppy for $45 through DKC Puppy Registration. All three product pages are available at designerkennelclub.com/registration and the entire process is completed online.

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Registering your Dachshund with Designer Kennel Club establishes official documentation of breed, variety, color pattern, ownership, and identification. DKC registration is accepted as official breed documentation for veterinary records, grooming services, training programs, apartment and housing requirements, and general ownership verification. Papers are delivered as a PDF via email within 2–3 business days of completing the online application. Whether you have a standard smooth Dachshund, a miniature long haired Dachshund, a dapple Miniature Dachshund, or any other variety — DKC registers them all.