Types of Dachshunds

Dachshunds, sometimes called "wiener dogs" for their long, slender bodies and short legs, come in different coat textures and sizes. The dachshund dog breed is categorized into three distinct varieties by the American Kennel Club (AKC), each distinguished by its coat: the longhaired, the wirehaired and the most widely recognized smooth, or shorthaired, dachshund. Standard, miniature and toy dachshund breeds all come in the three different types of coats. Standard and miniature dachshunds are differentiated in the AKC by size standards -- the smallest of the three, the toy dachshund, is not a recognized breed by the AKC.

  1. Longhaired

    • Reputed by dachshund lovers to be the calmest of the varieties, the longhaired dachshund comes in many colors, including shades of red, black and tan. This coat type has an elegant look with its flowing long, soft fur and feathered ears and tail resembling an Irish setter. The longhaired dachshund also requires the most grooming of the three coat varieties.

    Smooth or Shorthaired

    • The most common and popular variety, the smooth or shorthaired dachshund, is available in the most color choices of the three coat types. Smooth dachshunds can be found in solid, dappled, merle or two-toned color patterns. Typical colors are red, black, tan, gold, gray and brown. While sometimes leery of strangers, this variety is reportedly the one most loyal to its master of the three. Smooth dachshunds are somewhat easier to groom than the other two coat types, but these dachshunds shed too and require regular brushing and baths, though perhaps not as frequently.

    Wirehaired

    • With a scruffy coat that resembles a schnauzer or wire fox terrier, the wirehaired dachshund is also easier to groom than the longhaired variety, but it might require visits to the groomer to keep its beard and eyebrows trimmed. Wirehaired dachshunds are typically solid colored in shades of red, tan and black, just like the smooth dachshunds.

    Size Varieties

    • The standard dachshund weighs anywhere between 16 and 30 lbs. when full grown whereas the miniature weighs less than 12 lbs. Dachshunds that weigh 13 to 15 lbs. are not a recognized variety and cannot be entered in the show ring. They fall between the standard size for miniature and standard varieties and are sometimes affectionately called "tweenies." The toy dachshund, which generally weighs less than 8 lbs., is also not a recognized variety and is actually a miniature dachshund specially bred to be a diminutive size.