What health issues are common with Dachshunds?

Due to their long-bodied, short-legged physique, this makes Dachshunds highly prone to back issues and other musculoskeletal conditions. Most commonly, Intervertebral Disc Disease (IVDD). To avoid the risk of IVDD, it's important to: Keep your dashy on a lean and well-balanced diet, as weight gain and obesity will cause more spinal stress. Purchase a dog ramp so that your Dachshund will not jump off the couch or bed. Or, train them not to do so. Avoid walking your dog on big flights of stairs or steep terrains to help keep their spine in healthy alignment.

Are Dachshunds good family dogs?

Dachshunds are an extremely loyal and affectionate breed. They are also good watch dogs. They do not like to be left alone for long periods of time, so they are suitable for a family compared to an owner who is home less often. They are generally kid friendly when introduced slowly to children. Some Dachshunds can growl, nip or bark when feeling intimidated or anxious. With sufficient training early on, this can be avoided.

Are Dachshunds smart dogs?

Dachshunds are cleverly independent and free-spirited, and with this nature, mischievous at times. They were originally bred in Germany to hunt badgers, so they love to dig and burrow. Any toys given to dachshunds are easily destroyed, especially as a puppy.

Are Dachshund puppies easy to train?

Dachshunds are notoriously stubborn to train compared to other breeds. Obedience training as a puppy is highly recommended. Dachshunds especially love to be showered with affection and love, so positive reinforcement with treats will allow your dashy to open up to you and start obeying your commands. Patience is key when training this breed.

Do Dachshunds bark a lot?

Like other small breeds, they do tend to bark. And a much bigger bark than their size! They are good watch dogs and can be territorial of the home, so it's common for a dashy to bark at an unfamiliar face entering the house or at the postman passing by.

Dachshund pet insurance, prices and breed info

Dachshunds physiques are unique and can cause multiple health conditions. Because of this, they can be expensive to insure.
Most pet insurance providers cover Dachshunds, you just need to check eligibility.
Make sure you choose a policy that covers IVDD (intervertebral disc disease).

The Dachshund at a glance

Price range: $2,000–$6,500
Pet insurance cost: $57.23–$213.06
Size: Small, 31cm to 35cm
Weight: 4kg–5kg for a miniature, 9kg–12 kg for a standard
Temperament: Loyal, active, independent
Exercise needs: Split walks – around 50 mins a day
Kid-friendly: Generally
Life expectancy: 12–16 years old (above average)

Leo the miniature chocolate dachshund at the park

Compare pet insurance options for your Dachshund

How much do Dachshunds cost?

Prices we found for Dachshunds tend to be between $2,000 and $6,500 in Australia.

To get these costs, we looked at over over 40 prices from breeders across Australia on sites including Gumtree, PetsForHomes and Trading Post. Prices will likely differ depending on the age and type of Dachshund you get.

How much does pet insurance cost for a Dachshund?

Pet insurance for a Dachshund is likely to cost you between $57.23 and $213.06. This is relatively similar to other dog breeds in Australia.

	1-year old	2-year old	3-year old	4-year old	5-year old	Apply today
Budget Direct	$74.40	$74.40	$76.01	$81.61	$87.21	Get quote
Petsy	$63.84	$68.23	$73.04	$86.74	$98.99	Get quote
Knose	$145.48	$155.97	$167.45	$200.18	$228.75	Get quote
Medibank	$177.19	$199.11	$242.75	$298.47	$345.27	More info
Vets Choice	$76.68	$81.70	$86.97	$96.39	$109.85	Get quote
Pet Insurance Australia	$120.10	$135.83	$161.71	$196.16	$349.65	Get quote
Kogan	$131.53	$148.02	$249.24	$300.87	$349.07	More info

Frequently asked questions about Dachshunds

Puppy dachshund standing on the couch, original image

Due to their long-bodied, short-legged physique, this makes Dachshunds highly prone to back issues and other musculoskeletal conditions. Most commonly, Intervertebral Disc Disease (IVDD). To avoid the risk of IVDD, it's important to:
- Keep your dashy on a lean and well-balanced diet, as weight gain and obesity will cause more spinal stress.
- Purchase a dog ramp so that your Dachshund will not jump off the couch or bed. Or, train them not to do so.
- Avoid walking your dog on big flights of stairs or steep terrains to help keep their spine in healthy alignment.
Dachshunds are an extremely loyal and affectionate breed. They are also good watch dogs. They do not like to be left alone for long periods of time, so they are suitable for a family compared to an owner who is home less often.
They are generally kid friendly when introduced slowly to children. Some Dachshunds can growl, nip or bark when feeling intimidated or anxious. With sufficient training early on, this can be avoided.
Dachshunds are notoriously stubborn to train compared to other breeds. Obedience training as a puppy is highly recommended. Dachshunds especially love to be showered with affection and love, so positive reinforcement with treats will allow your dashy to open up to you and start obeying your commands. Patience is key when training this breed.

Pet insurance that covers IVDD in Australia

1 - 7 of 8

Product	Reimbursement Rate	IVDD Cover	Paralysis Tick Yearly Sub-Limit
Budget Direct Plus Cover	80%	Covered for all policies. 30 day waiting period	$3,000	Apply online and get 15% off your first year's premium. T&Cs apply.	Get quote More Info Compare	loading Fetching your data...
Knose Pet Insurance Finder AwardExclusive	90%	Subject to approval in the pre-existing condition assessment	$25,000	⭐Finder Exclusive: Get 10% off your first year. Sign up using promo code FINDER10. T&C's apply.	Get quote More Info Compare	loading Fetching your data...
PD Deluxe Plan	100%	Covered, 21 day waiting period	$15,000	Apply online and get your first 1 month free. T&Cs apply.	Get quote More Info Compare	loading Fetching your data...
Petsy Top Cover ExclusiveHighly Commended	90%	Subject to approval in the pre-existing condition assessment	$25,000	⭐ Finder Exclusive: Enjoy 30% off your first month of pet insurance, plus receive a custom pet tag. Sign up using the code FINDER. T&Cs apply.	Get quote More Info Compare	loading Fetching your data...
PD Classic Plan	100%	Covered, 21 day waiting period	$10,000	Apply online and get your first 1 month free. T&Cs apply.	Get quote More Info Compare	loading Fetching your data...
Vets Choice Pro Cover	80%	Covered, 21 day waiting period	$2,500	Get a 5% discount when you insure more than one pet.	Get quote More Info Compare	loading Fetching your data...
Knose Pet Insurance Exclusive	70%	Subject to approval in the pre-existing condition assessment	$12,500	⭐Finder Exclusive: Get 10% off your first year. Sign up using promo code FINDER10. T&C's apply.	Get quote More Info Compare	loading Fetching your data...

Thank you for your feedback!

To make sure you get accurate and helpful information, this guide has been edited by Hannah Nissen-Ellison as part of our fact-checking process.

Written by

Gary Ross Hunter

Journalist

Gary Ross Hunter has over 6 years of expertise writing about insurance, including life, health, home, and car insurance. Having reviewed hundreds of product disclosure statements and published over 800 articles, he loves simplifying complex insurance topics for everyday readers. Gary has contributed to major outlets like Yahoo Finance, The Sydney Morning Herald, and news.com.au, and holds a Bachelor of Arts (Honours) in English Literature from the University of Glasgow, along with a Tier 2 General Advice certification, ensuring his work adheres to ASIC’s RG146 standards. See full bio

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Gary Ross has written 622 Finder guides across topics including:

Health, home, life, car, pet and travel insurance
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Dachshunds: Prices, breed information and insurance costs

A Dachshund can cost up to $6,500 in Australia, depending on their age.