How Much Does a Miniature Dachshund Cost?

Dachshunds are so adorable, and not only because of their wiener dog nickname and elongated bodies. They are adorable dogs that are affectionate, loving, and sweet. There are two types of dachshunds – miniature and standard. We’ll be focusing on the mini dachshund today and explore how much dachshund puppies will set you back, what can impact the pricing of these family-oriented dogs, what you need to prepare for their arrival, and what money you can expect to spend during their lifetime.

How Much is a Dachshund?

It’s very difficult to give an exact price for a dachshund or for any other dog breed. Why? Because the price can vary greatly depending on their origin, lineage, coat color, and more. You can find mini dachshund puppies priced at a couple hundred all the way up to over 3K. The sky is the limit, and if dachshund breeders deem their dogs to be special, they can price them any way they want.

Depending on where you live, some coat types and colors are more in demand, which could run up the price. If dachshunds are trending, and you see them all over the media, then get ready to shell out more cash. A registered dachshund will also cost more, but the price can be negligible.

Mini dachshunds also tend to be priced higher than their standard counterparts, and that’s because breeders and owners put a premium on smaller dogs. Remember the teacup purse dog trend? That hasn’t totally faded.

The breeders will also factor in the cost of dealing with the dog mom’s pregnancy. If your dachshund puppy is the result of a difficult birth that requires more vet care, then that particular dachshund puppy could also cost more.

Related: Dachshund Puppies for Sale (Buyers Guide)

Purebred dachshunds cost more, especially if they are from a coveted lineage such as part of a champion bloodline. You won’t have to look very hard if this is true, because dog breeders will use this fact to advertise their puppies at a higher price. Before you pull the trigger on dogs like this, make sure you ask for proof that can be corroborated.

A casual dachshund breeder probably won’t demand as much as a show breeder, but make sure you steer clear of puppy mills. Puppy mills are a harsh form of animal cruelty that neglects the well-being of the dogs and overbreed the puppies for profit alone. The living conditions and vet care in these facilities can be heartbreaking, and we urge animal lovers to take a stance and adopt or vet breeders carefully.

The most budget-friendly way to get a dachshund is to rescue them from your local shelter. Many people nowadays choose to rescue dogs, and we thank them from the bottom of our hearts. It needs to be said that these dogs may not have the best temperament, because a lot of them have been abandoned and even abused. Loving dog owners have taken it upon themselves to retrain these dogs and show them what love, care, and a real family are.

If you are a first-time dog owner, we wouldn’t recommend rescuing a dachshund or other dog breed from the shelter if you aren’t prepared to put in the work. Some people choose to rescue in an effort to save on costs but end up returning the dachshund to the shelter because of inexperience.

What You Need to Welcome Dachshund Puppies Home

Let’s say you have found your forever puppy and are ready to welcome him or her home. The cost of a dachshund doesn’t end there. You must also factor in various other costs such as health exams, shots, puppy-proofing, puppy accessories, and much much more. The price of the initial vet visit for your dog will vary depending on where you live. In most major cities, you must register your pup with the city, which is also an extra cost.

At the vet, you will also need to schedule your second and/or third shots before you can safely take your puppy out on walks and socialize him. Each shot will set you back an extra amount. Don’t forget about the puppy collar, crate, blankets and bed, food and water bowls, pee pads if you plan on potty training indoors and out, food and treats, and tons of toys. Smaller dogs with shorter coats may also need clothes, which will require replacement as they grow.

Then there are the grooming tools because going to the groomers once or twice a month isn’t enough to maintain your dachshund. You may also need to purchase doggy or baby gates and pad all the sharp corners in your house. Dachshunds should refrain from jumping, which makes getting on and off furniture will be a health hazard for your Doxie. You will need to purchase platforms and slopes to help your dog’s mobility.

The cost of a dachshund is so much more than just the price of the pup itself. We would also say the time taken to train your dog, taking him for walks, and spending time together is also a cost. Just like with your mini dachshund puppy, the price of all the above spending can vary. Let’s take a closer look at what each category entails.

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Food and Diet

We would always suggest feeding your dogs high-quality food. Nutrient-dense food will help prevent health problems later in life. How much you choose to spend on your mini dachshund puppy in terms of food is entirely up to you, but a poor diet will result in poor development, lots of medical issues, and end up costing you more. Low-quality supermarket no-name dog food can cost as low as a few dollars for a 5-pound bag, but high-quality dog food can cost almost 100.

That’s just for kibble because if you choose dog food toppers, fresh subscription dog food, a raw diet, wet dog food, or a mix of all the above, the price will be even higher. You have to also switch your dachshund puppy from puppy food to adult food then to senior food at the appropriate times of his life. Factor in the snacks, and supplements if you choose to add them, and you get much more added onto the final price tag.

Healthcare

The healthcare costs for your mini dachshund are another wide-ranging category. Your family pets will need plenty of vet visits in his lifetime even if he is completely healthy. Regular checkups are necessary to maintain the health of your dachshund, and we suggest doing it as frequently as twice a year. At the very least, dachshunds will need to visit the vet once a year for their booster shots, just like other dog breeds.

If you have an unhealthier dachshund that develops spinal issues and more, then you need to consider putting thousands of dollars away to cover medical bills. If you know for a fact that your Doxie is not of optimal health, then we would suggest looking into dog insurance.

Grooming

The cost for mini dachshund grooming is considerably cheaper than larger dog breeds. Again, the exact price will depend on where you live and what you want to get done. We would suggest a bath, a full comb-out with trimming if necessary, ear cleaning, nail clipping, and the occasional anal gland expression.

There are dachshund owners that will clip their dog’s nails themselves and maybe even conduct ear cleaning, but we would still advise doing it at the groomer’s once in a while for a more thorough job. Keep in mind that the cost of the clippers, nail trimmers and brushes will also rack up the price of your dachshund.

Training and Doggy Daycare

You won’t always have time to socialize or spend time with your dachshund, so doggy daycare is a brilliant invention that can take the pressure off the owner. Depending on the facilities it offers, the daycare can charge as low as around 20 dollars per hour or a flat fee per day, to much higher prices. Mini dachshunds don’t tend to cost as much as a much larger breed for daycare. These establishments often offer overnight boarding as well if you want to trace, which is more expensive than just a day stay.

Doggy daycare is a great way to socialize and allow your dachshund to interact with other dogs. When you go to pick him up at the end of the day, your mini dachshund puppy will be so tired he won’t get into any mischief when you need to relax.

Then there is the training to consider. Unless you are an expert and a very seasoned dog owner, you will need some form of training assistance. This can be via puppy training classes at your local pet store, or 1-on-1 training for the more difficult pups, or fast learning. Of course, local group classes at your pet store will be much more affordable compared to professional trainers for solo classes.

Related: How to Train a Dachshund

Frequently Asked Questions

How much does a dachshund cost?

The price of a dachshund can vary depending on a variety of factors. Where you purchase your dog from, the lineage, and the appearance can all be influencers on the price. For example, a mini long-haired dachshund bred from a champion bloodline will be more expensive than one adopted from a rescue.

Why are dachshunds so expensive?

Dachshunds aren’t expensive because they are some kind of super dog, but the high prices are due to popularity. The more popular and in-demand a dog breed is, the more expensive the breeders will set the price. Once demand has exceeded supply, it will saturate the market and sometimes lower the cost of dachshunds, but we never want it to get to that stage. When there is an over-supply of a certain breed, that means puppy mills have come onto the scene.

Puppy mills are considered animal cruelty as they use the females as products and breed for profit. Most puppy mills do not put importance on the well-being of the mothers, fathers, or puppies.

Does a dachshund puppy need to be KC registered?

KC, or kennel club registered puppies are usually considered safer options. However, that doesn’t mean that a KC registered pup is always from a responsible breeder, and the reverse is true as well. While registration doesn’t guarantee a healthy and happy mini dachshund puppy, it does give owners more peace of mind as another form of vetting.

Should I pay a deposit for my dachshund puppy?

There is much dispute about putting a deposit down for a puppy, and not just for dachshunds. The digital world has taken advanced strides in the past decade, and more and more responsible breeders have an online presence. These breeders ship their puppies all over the world to eagerly awaiting dog parents. In order to guarantee some form of security, the breeder may require a deposit. If this is the case, it’s a very normal ask.

We would be wary of a breeder that asks for the full amount of the pup before they even ship out the pup. We would suggest against paying the full amount before at least having confirmation that your dog is on its way to you. The breeder should have no problem offering picture proof and the documents that will accompany your dog.

Of course, there is always the chance that your deposit could get stolen and you never hear from the “breeder” again. There are a few ways to mitigate this. You can send money from a secure platform such as PayPal, which will help you get your money back if you open a dispute.

How do I know if a dachshund breeder is genuine?

Most, if not all dog parents we know want to take the ethical route and avoid puppy mill breeders. So how do you know if the one you chose is genuine? Breeders that are the real deal shouldn’t have puppies available every month. If the prices are too good to be true, then it’s another major red flag. If the deal doesn’t seem legit, such as a lack of a contract, the breeder has no reviews or an online presence, no health guarantee for your mini dachshund, then stay away.

You should also ask about the parents. If the mom and dad are very young and are often pregnant, then it’s definitely a puppy mill. Breeders that are unable to answer questions regarding the specific breed will show their inexperience, making them a bad choice. One very telling sign is if the breeder doesn’t seem concerned about who their puppies are going to.

If the breeder has no questions for you, your setup, your means, and no intention of checking up on the dog, then definitely stay away.

Conclusion

The cost of a mini dachshund is more than just the price of the puppy itself, but the cost of taking care of the dog to the best of your ability for the rest of his life is the actual price. Make sure you are sure you can take on the responsibility of a dog for as long as he or she lives, and to try your best to rescue or adopt your dachshund from a reputable breeder.

Did You Know?

The average cost of taking care of a puppy in its first year is around $2500. It can easily be more than that if you opt for higher-end products.

Expert Tip

To help save you money, you can look for breeders that potty train and socialize their puppies before putting them in your care.