Dog Grooming Instructions for Long-Haired Dachshunds

The dachshund is a hunting breed of German origin, and the name literally means badger dog. Long-haired dachshunds are a variety that were used for bird-hunting, because their longer hair is not suitable for ground hunting. Dachshunds are known to shed less than other breeds, but long-haired ones require more grooming than the smooth variety. Their coat is soft and wavy, similar to the hair of Irish setters.

Things You'll Need

  • Pin brush
  • Metal comb
  • Shampoo
  • Blow dryer
  • Ear cleaning solution
  • Syringe
  • Blunt-nosed scissors
  • Nail clipper
  • Styptic powder or pencil
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Instructions

    • 1

      Brush your long-haired dachshund regularly with a pin brush. Start from the head area, and work your way toward the sides and tail. Brush with the hair grain and not against it. The long hair is likely to tangle if not groomed often enough, so brush your dog daily, if possible.

    • 2

      Untangle matted hair with a metal comb. For stubborn tangles, use your fingers and gently take the hair apart. Use the scissors only as a last-resort solution, if you fail to untangle the hair otherwise. Cut the tangle in two smaller parts, and then comb or take the hair apart with your fingers.

    • 3

      Bathe the long-haired dachshund only when necessary, using lukewarm water. If you bathe your pet too often, you remove the skin oils that make the hair shine. When applying the shampoo, avoid circular motions, because this may result in matted hair.

    • 4

      Blow-dry your long-haired dachshund instead of leaving it to air-dry.

    • 5

      Clean your dog's ears on a weekly basis. An ear cleaning solution removes the wax buildup and prevents ear infections. Drip a few drops of solution with a syringe, and don't use cotton buds, because these can injure the ear canal. Removing the hair that grows in this area also helps prevent infections. Use a pair of blunt-nosed scissors.

    • 6

      Trim the underside, if your dog tends to gather a lot of dirt when outside. Trim the hair in the reproductive system area for hygiene purposes.

    • 7

      Trim your long-haired dachshund's nails. Carefully look at the nail and find the quick, which is an extremely sensitive area of nerve endings. In light-colored dachshunds, the quick is pink, while in dark-colored ones, it is slightly darker than the rest of the nail. Trim the nail around the quick. If you cut into the quick, your dog will be in pain and bleeding, so sprinkle styptic powder on the area or use a styptic pencil to stop the bleeding.