Do Dachshunds Shed?
Are you thinking of adding a cute Dachshund to your family?
Also known loving as wiener dogs or sausage dogs, they are affectionate and loving dogs that are adorable to boot, so having them as part of your household is a great choice!
However, there is one big concern for pet parents and that is the cleanup a dog requires. That brings us to the big question of the day – do Dachshunds shed?
All dogs shed, that’s just something you have to come to terms with, but how much they shed is a different story. The amount is dictated by the coat type of the dog, breed, season, and even medical issues.
So, do Dachshunds shed? Our experts have done the research coupled with years of experience to give you a concrete answer.
All Dogs Shed, but Why?
As we mentioned, all dogs shed. There is just no getting around this fact. You may argue that there are the so-called “no-shedding” breeds such as the Tibetan Terrier, but even they experience hair loss.
The non-shedding breeds might also be advertised as hypoallergenic. It’s useful to address that what causes human allergies is the dander on your dog’s hair rather than the hair itself.
The bottom line is – all dogs shed. Much like you and me, who have loose hairs and dead hairs fall out over time to make room for new ones, that is the same reason why our dogs shed. The dead hair falls out to make room for a new and healthier coat.
There could also be other causes of abnormal or excessive Dachshund shedding, but most of those are illness or irritant-related issues.
If you notice your Dachshunds are scratching more often, biting at themselves, or even notice sores or scabs, then it’s time to take a trip to the vet.
How Much Do Dachshunds Shed?
Now that we have established Dachshunds do indeed shed, we’re going to talk about just how much they shed and the different coat types and how it affects shedding. In general, Dachshunds are moderate shedders, meaning they sit somewhere in the middle between no-shed dogs and heavy shedders.
Smooth-Haired Dachshunds
First up is the smooth-haired Dachshund. Their coats are soft to the touch and not very long. They have short silky coats and are the more common coat type in Dachshunds. The smooth-haired Dachshunds shed every day rather than the entire coat all at once. To maintain the cleanliness of your household with this type of Dachshund is everyday maintenance.
Wire-Haired Dachshunds
We then have the wire-haired Dachshunds that have a coarser coat. These dogs have a double coat and are suited to colder weather. Similar to other winter breeds like the Siberian Husky, wire-haired Dachsunds shed twice a year. This is referred to as seasonal shedding and they will blow their coats in time for summer or winter.
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Wire-haired Dachshunds won’t shed as constantly around the house in between blowouts, so there is less maintenance to do around the house.
Be aware that there are two types of wire-haired Dachshunds. You have the ones with a softer double coat that shed more. You also have ones with pin-wire coats similar to a Jack Russell Terrier. For the pin-wire Dachshunds, they won’t shed as much as their counterparts and maintenance is even easier.
Long-Haired Dachshunds
Long-haired Dachshunds are the more elegant looking of the breed with long and silky locks. As you can imagine, with longer locks comes more shedding. There is a tradeoff to their luxurious coats and they also feature double coats like some wire-haired Dachshunds. The long-haired Dachshunds shed seasonally as well but it seems like a lot more because of the longer length.
How Do I Manage My Dachshund’s Shedding?
While you cannot stop shedding in its tracks, there are a few things you can do to help reduce the amount. If you have a healthy Dachshund, a lot of the home remedies are natural and easy. It will just take time, patience and consistency to really see the results. If your Dachshund is shedding due to disease or a medical issue, then it will take medication to solve it. However, those types of shedding are temporary, so don’t be alarmed.
It’s All About the Diet
One thing you can do to reduce the amount of shedding is to feed your Dachshund good food. The daily nourishment and supplemental vitamins and minerals can make a huge difference to hair loss. A balanced diet will help Dachshunds shed less and make sure you include omega fatty acids such as 3 and 6.
A good way to ensure a balanced diet is to look into
Related: How to Make Homemade Raw Dog Food
If your dog’s regular diet doesn’t include helpful micronutrients to help with hair loss, you can always look into supplements to add to the meal yourself or find treats that contain good fats. Not only will those fats help with coat health, but they will improve your Dachshund’s skin condition as well.
Grooming and Maintenance
Another way to help reduce Dachshund shedding is grooming. Regular grooming and maintenance at the groomers coupled with touchups at home can greatly reduce shedding. Look into daily brushing, especially if your dog has an undercoat. Depending on the type of coat your Dachshunds have, regular brushing could mean 3-4 times a week to every single day.
Brushing will help stimulate blood flow to the skin and keep your dog’s coat healthy. The bristles of the brush will also gather all the loose hairs from regular brushing. Speaking of brushes and bristles, the type of brush you choose for your grooming routine is also vital. A bristle brush and slicker brush are great for removing loose hair and keep your Dachshund’s coat tangle-free.
Related: 10 Best Pet Hair Removers in 2022
Combs and rakes are good for combating mats and knots but might not be the best for certain wire-haired Dachshunds.
Bathing your dogs the right amount will also help Dachshunds shed less. If you bathe them too often, it could dry out their skin and cause more shedding. However, if bathing isn’t done regularly enough, then all the bacteria, dirt and dander can accumulate, block pores and cause hair loss as well.
While you are bathing your dog, use a deshedding tool such as deshedding gloves to remove the loose hair while scrubbing and massaging your dog. This way you can help to minimize shedding even more for wire-haired, long-haired or smooth-haired Dachshunds.
Pay attention to the dog shampoo you use. Some dog breeds are not suited to heavily perfumed formulas and Dachshunds are one of them. Try to go for organic blends with minimal scents to not irritate your dog. Shampoos that contain artificial additives can cause Dachshunds to shed even more.
Stripping Your Dachshund
This may sound scarier than it is, but depending on the coat type, you will need to strip your Dachshund twice a year. There is a special tool to do it and it’s recommended to be done by the groomer in a professional setting. For example, wire-haired Dachshunds shed a lot and need to have their hair stripped from the root when they do their seasonal shedding.
It shouldn’t hurt your dog if done correctly and it leaves room for a shinier and healthier coat to come in. Stripping your Dachshund will also help reduce Dachshund shedding. If stripping is done, there will be less of a need for trimming and haircuts.
Cleaning
Since you know your dog will either shed every day or blow out his fur twice a year, you can mitigate that by altering your cleaning routine or changing your lifestyle a bit. When you know your Dachshund is about to blow his coat, get all the cleaning supplies ready and vacuum and Swiffer more often than you would. Sometimes thinking your dog sheds a lot is just a matter of perception.
If you are constantly cleaning up after your dog and dog fur has no chance to accumulate, it may also seem like your Dachshund doesn’t shed a lot and you will have a cleaner home. If you don’t like cleaning, you can think about covering all your furniture with old sheets to couch covers. All you will need to do is to wash the covers regularly.
Alternatively, you can also not allow your Dachshund into certain rooms or into certain parts of the house. That way you can give yourself a tidy sanctuary where it is always dog hair-free. Another tip is to keep a lint roller on hand. Place them strategically around the house in high traffic areas for your dog. Also keeping one in the car is a useful trick so you won’t always have a ton of dog hair on your outside clothes.
Is My Dachshund Hypoallergenic?
Now that we have mentioned non-shedding or hypoallergenic dog breeds still lose fur, you may be wondering if your Dachshund can be considered hypoallergenic. The simple answer is no. However, as we have also mentioned, people are allergic to the dander in a dog’s coat rather than the hair itself.
Shedding is what loosens the dander and causes allergic reactions. This is why people correlate a heavy-shedding dog to more allergies. It’s easy to assume that long-haired breeds are less hypoallergenic than short-haired dog breeds and while that may be the case, it’s not always true.
So much of this question hinges on how allergic you are and what type of Dachshund you end up choosing. The best we can do here is to generalize. One more tip is to go and visit the dog in person and spend some time with it in advance before you adopt. This will give you an idea of whether you are allergic or not.
In general, Dachshunds are good choices for people who are allergic. They don’t shed a lot and are quite low maintenance. Dachshunds that don’t blow their coats such as the smooth-haired Dachshunds shed the least, and would be the better option. However, that doesn’t mean long-haired Dachshunds can cause reactions.
Wire-haired Dachshunds are also a more preferable option because they don’t release as much dander.
Frequently Asked Questions
How much do Dachshunds shed?
Dachshunds do not shed as much as some other breeds. In fact, they can make great pets for dog owners that are allergic. However, it does depend on the type of coat you choose. Smooth-haired Dachsund dogs shed the least, but they do shed all year round. You also have the wirehaired Dachshunds and long-haired options that shed excessively twice a year.
Do Dachshunds like to cuddle?
Yes, Dachshunds like to cuddle. This really depends on the personality of your dog, but in general, Dachshunds are very loving and affectionate dogs that are content being lapdogs or taking a stroll around the neighborhood with you.
Do Dachshunds make good pets?
Dachshunds make great pets for first-time owners and those who are experts. They have even temperaments, are not too difficult to train and are very friendly. Long-haired Dachshunds can look very regal and smooth-haired ones are adorable. In terms of maintenance, the Dachshund won’t require too much effort on your part, which also makes them good pets.
Conclusion
If you are thinking of adding a Dachshund to your family, you have our seal of approval! The amount of hair shed isn’t excessive and the grooming needs of this breed are quite low. Dachshunds need to be brushed regularly with a good bristle brush or comb to help keep their coats tangle-free. Since they are moderate shedders, the management of the hair and cleaning required around the house is also much lower.
