How Often Do You Groom Long-Haired Dachshunds?

Grooming maintenance is part of your responsibilities as a parent of a long-haired dachshund. Your long-haired dachshund will get dirt and other particles stuck in its fur, and after too long, the dog's skin can become irritated from the build-up of oils and grime. Learn how to groom your dachshund yourself at home, or find a grooming salon that you feel comfortable bringing your pet to.

  1. Brushing and Combing

    • Brushing and combing your long-haired dachshund's coat every two days will help keep the fur from tangling into mats or mat balls. Mat balls are especially common behind the ears. When this happens, you will need to detangle the mats by hand, or cut the fur out completely. Properly groom your long-haired dachshund by gently running a comb through its coat and, when the comb comes across a tangle, brush the tangle out with a soft brush. Try to hold the fur away from the dachshund's body as you detangle with the brush, to keep the hairs from pulling too much. Regular brushing and combing is also an effective way to remove any loose hairs before they fall onto your carpet or furniture.

    Bathing

    • Your long-haired dachshund should be bathed once every few weeks. Long-haired dachshunds produce natural oils that keep the skin well moisturized and protected. Bathing your dog strips the fur and skin of these oils, which causes irritation, which is why you do not want to over-bathe your dachshund. A variety of dog shampoos are on the market. Find one that meets your dog's needs, such as oatmeal-based shampoos for dogs with dry skin and coats. Give your long-haired dachshund its bath in a large sink or the bathtub.

    Ear Care

    • A long-haired dachshund's long floppy ears makes it easy for dirt to become trapped inside, which, if neglected, can lead to ear infections. To groom your dog's ears, lift them up gently and use a wet cotton ball to wipe out any dirt. You can check your dachshund's ears weekly to see if they need to be cleaned.

    Haircuts

    • Trim your long-haired dachshund's fur as it grows longer, keeping the length as even as you can. You can use special grooming scissors for your trimmings, or clippers on a setting of your preference, depending on how long you want your dog's hair to be. The tips of the ears and the paws should be trimmed, too.

    De-Shedding

    • De-shed your long-haired dachshund with a special de-shedding brush that grabs onto the fluffy undercoat before it comes off onto your floor. De-shedding your dachshund helps keep it cool by extracting the heat of the undercoat. Perform your de-shedding grooming maintenance weekly during the season that your dachshund sheds.