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The Dachshund Price & Cost of Ownership

Black Dachshund

Have you ever seen the little “wiener dog” that is the Dachshund and were so overcome by it that you just had to have one? 

If so, you were probably wondering what to budget insofar as the Dachshund dog price of ownership.

A Dachshund will run you anywhere from $400 to $1,100 on average, with some higher-quality bloodline dogs running about $1,500.

Before you spend that kind of cash, though, you will probably want to know more about the breed's temperament.

On that note, let's dive deeper into what makes a Dachshund a Dachshund to make sure this breed is truly the one you want.

The Dachshund, Up Close

As you might have guessed from the name, the Dachshund is a German breed who originated as a hunting dog.

In fact, the name “Dachshund” translates in English to “badger dog.”

And, as such, hunters used Dachshunds to hunt badgers, going as far back as the 15th century.

Why do you need to know this? Because the Dachshund has some leftover hunting instincts that may not be the greatest match for a home with smaller pets he could consider as “prey.”

Surely, you don't want to spend over $1,000 on a dog, only to find out he cannot coexist with the family cat or hamster.

Dachshund Temperament and Personality

Speaking of the Dachshund temperament, let's take a closer look at some of the personality traits of this breed.

You definitely want to be sure it's a good match before you bring him home.

He’s Smart and Independent

The Dachshund is a smart and independent breed – that's what makes him such a good hunter.

Dachshund Puppy In The Grass

The downside to a smart dog is that you have to keep him mentally engaged always, or you risk the bad behavior that comes with a bored dog.

And the downside to an independent dog is that he can be a bit stubborn at times. This can put a crimp in your training style.

And boy, can Dachshunds be stubborn!

You must employ a professional trainer (an additional cost) if he won’t listen to you – and it is highly likely with this breed that he won’t.

He’s Devoted and Loyal

The Dachshund loves to act like the boss around these parts.

But when he finally gets it, that you’re the boss and not him, he will submit and devote himself to you for life.

He Can Be a Barker

Here’s something that may make you think twice about this breed: he can be a bit of a barker.

Of course, you can train him out of it, but in the meantime, you may find it drives you slightly crazy – and your neighbors more so.

If you have the time and the means to train him to learn when the appropriate time is to bark, then that’s great.

Let it go because you simply don’t have the time, however, and you’ll have a yapper for life.

He’s Playful

The Dachshund is a playful little fella, so you may not want to consider him as a pet for Grandma.

He’ll make anything into a game, which can be cute as first but may annoy you when you’re legitimately trying to get something done.

Brown Dachshund

This is something else you can train him on, insofar as the right and wrong times to play. But he’ll still have a playful streak nonetheless, so he needs an active owner who can keep up.

On that point, exercise may be another dealbreaker if you can’t give the Dachshund the exercise he needs.

Typically, a Dachshund needs two walks around the neighborhood every day to keep his energy level down.

He May Become Aggressive

Okay, so this one may be the dealbreaker, which is why it’s last on this list. Because with proper socialization and training, this shouldn’t even become a concern, but it is still a trend, and you should therefore still know about it.

In the past, Dachshunds have gained a bit of a reputation for biting and acting aggressively.

These bites are rarely serious, but they can still be concerning while your dog is still learning how to act appropriately – especially if you have kids.

Dachshund Size

Sometimes people want a “small dog,” but it isn’t until they visit the dog that they realize he isn’t as small as they’d like him to be.

Therefore, it’s important to know in advance the adult weight and height of the dog you’re interested in.

An adult Dachshund, for instance, grows to a maximum weight of 16 to 33 lbs., and a maximum height of under 9 inches.

If you’d like a dog that’s slightly larger or slightly smaller, then it’s good to know up front the maximum size you’re going to end up with.

The Dachshund Puppy Price – How Much Do Dachshunds Cost?

As mentioned earlier, the price of a Dachshund is between $400 to $1,100.

It is reasonable to expect that you will probably pay closer to the higher end of the Dachshund price range than the lower end.

Walking Dachshund price

This is especially true of a purebred Dachshund price, rather than the price of a Dachshund mutt.

This is because dogs who are “cheaper” may have underlying health conditions or behavioral problems or may be the result of a puppy mill.

And don’t forget – you’re not done once you pay for the dog. There are still costs associated with owning that dog to consider.

Demand

Dachshunds always come in the top 10 of AKC’s most popular dog breeds.

This tells you two things: a) the likelihood that you’ll be able to get one of these dogs and b) how much the breeder will probably charge.

For instance, a breed that is high in demand will cost more than a breed that fewer people are clamoring for.

This supports the idea above that you’re more likely to pay $1,100 for a Dachshund, or close to it, than $400.

Dachshund Rescue and Adoption

If you’re interested in rescuing a Dachshund, the All American Dachshund Rescue group offers information on their website about how to do just that.

Adoption is a great way to go because not only does it give a loving dog home, it also saves you serious money on the purchase price.

Similarly, rescue organizations are another option to consider.

However, many rescue organizations provide their dogs with foster homes before homing them. Therefore, the cost of adoption is usually much more than that of a shelter.

For the price, though, you get a dog who’s used to living with people. He may also have had more exposure to other dogs, cats, children, etc. than a dog in the shelter, which makes him easier to home.

Checkout our Complete Guide to Breeders:

We wrote the definitive guide on finding, selecting, and dealing with dog breeders. This will give you the smarts and confidence to save you money, time and heartache. Read On…

Dachshund Cost of Ownership

When you consider bringing home a Dachshund, you also have to consider how much it will cost each month to feed him, and how much you’ll spend on vet care.

You’ll also have to account for potentially necessary “luxuries,” like grooming and training.

Here are some of the additional costs to remember when factoring whether to bring home a Dachshund.

Cost of Food

A typical bag of dog food costs anywhere from $15 to $50, depending on the brand and size. And you usually only need one bag a month if you opt for the bigger bag.

Because the Dachshund is so small, he isn’t exactly going to eat you out of house and home.

You can therefore probably get away with $35 a month or so on dog food, maybe less.

Health Care Expenses

Health care concerns can make you go from well-set to broke in minutes. That’s why it’s important to know ahead of time what you’re up against with a particular breed.

For the Dachshund, for instance, some of the more common concerns include:

Staying on top of your Dachshund's health can help him reach his maximum life expectancy of 12 to 16 years.

Helpful Dog Health Resource:

Note: Our Health is #1 Priority. It should be no different for your dog. But you need to help him. The Ultimate Guide to Dog Health is the answer. This handy guide will help you recognize the symptoms of the health problems above. Get the knowledge to stay ahead of these terrible issues that can rob your lovely dog from vigor and life. Help your friend make it to 14 yrs+ without pain and suffering.

Grooming Costs

You might want to consider professional grooming as another potential Dachshund price.

However, with this breed, it isn’t totally necessary.

Different types of Dachshunds have different kinds of coats, but none of them really require excess care above and beyond the occasional brushing and bath.

You might want to consider bringing him to a groomer to get his nails clips. Otherwise, the Dachshund average price for grooming should be next to nothing.

Training Programs

While not every breed requires a professional trainer, and this is, therefore, a cost you can cut, the Dachshund may very well be the exception.

This breed is notoriously difficult to train. Therefore, if it’s been a month or so, and your lessons just aren’t sticking, consider taking him to an obedience class or a professional trainer.

There are a variety of dog training programs available out there to help both of you, so don’t lose faith if the first few you find are pricey.

Some places will even work with you on a discount package for multiple lessons.

Helpful Online Dog Training Resource:

The Online Dog Trainer by Doggy Dan a world-class Dog Trainer from New Zealand is worth taking a look at. This online resource has hundreds of fun informative dog training videos that can help you learn the basics and more.

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