A dachshund is a popular choice as a family pet. Although all dogs should be healthy and at their ideal weight, a dachshund can be more at risk because of its long body and short legs. Let us find out how much should a dachshund weighs.
| Type | Weight |
|---|---|
| Standard Dachshund | 16 to 32 pounds |
| Miniature Dachshund | 8 to 11 pounds |
| Rabbit Dachshund | less than 8 pounds |
Dachshunds are of different types: the standard dachshund, the miniature dachshund, and the rabbit dachshund. There are also some mixed varieties of dachshunds.
Ideal weight for a standard dachshund
The standard dachshund is slightly bigger in size than the miniature dachshund, therefore it also weighs more. A fully grown adult standard dachshund should weigh between 16 to 32 pounds on average, depending on the length of its body.
Ideal weight for a miniature dachshund
The miniature dachshund is the smaller type of dachshund and is extremely popular because of its size.
This dachshund can be picked up easily and can be carried around in a carrier or a purse. They are also very convenient to have in an apartment because of their small size.
Dachshunds are already small in size, and miniature dachshunds are even smaller and lighter in weight.
Depending on the length and height of its body, the weight of an average miniature dachshund is 11 pounds or less.
Ideal weight of a rabbit dachshund
In Germany, they recognize another type of dachshund, the rabbit dachshund. Rabbit dachshunds are even smaller than miniature dachshunds.
When rabbit dachshunds are full-grown, they weigh no more than 8 pounds, and their ribcage circumference is 11 inches or less.
How much should a dachshund puppy weigh?
You should monitor the weight of your dachshund puppy through its different stages of development. This will give you an idea of how big your dog could be when it becomes an adult.
The ideal weight of a dachshund puppy at each stage will depend on different factors such as the type of dachshund, its diet, and so on.
Unfortunately, it is not really possible to define the exact weight of a dachshund at every stage of its development. Each dachshund grows at its individual pace.
What does a healthy dachshund look like?
Just like all other breeds, a healthy dachshund has a shiny coat, bright eyes, and clean ears, as well as a healthy weight.
It is usually not difficult to notice if your dachshund is obese. Different types of dachshunds have different ideal weight.
If your dachshund becomes overweight, it will put extra pressure on its spine. Because of its long body, excess weight can also cause a problem with your dachshund’s joints and heart.
Not overfeeding your dog will ensure that its weight is evenly distributed throughout the body. The problem of obesity increases the risk of Intervertebral Disc Disease (IVDD) in dachshunds.
How to tell if your dachshund is overweight?
Here are some tips that can help to identify if your dachshund is overweight.
No visible waistline
If there is too much fat around your dachshund’s tummy and you cannot see defined muscles near its waistline, your dachshund is overweight.
If your dog is healthy, you will be able to see its defined weight and hips.
You can’t feel your dachshund’s ribcage
When you run your fingers across your dachshund’s ribcage, you will feel a layer of fat, but you will also be able to feel its ribs.
If you can’t feel its ribs at all, then your dachshund is much fatter than necessary and is definitely overweight.
Dimple
If your dachshund is overweight, you will be able to see a dimple right at the beginning of its tail. It is a sure sign that your dachshund is becoming overweight.
Fat roll
Feel the part of your dachshund’s body just below its neck and above the shoulder blades. If there are rolls of fat there, it is a sign that your dachshund is overweight and you need to take the necessary actions for it.
Slow and tired
If your dachshund seems to be slow and sluggish and low on energy, especially when it used to be very active before, it could be a sign that your dachshund has been overeating.
Another sign is that your dachshund is spending most of its time sitting or lying down without doing much physical activity.
Not interested in playing
Dachshunds love to play. They are very enthusiastic dogs and always want to be outside, running around.
So, if your dachshund has somehow lost interest in playing outside in the park, it may be because it has gained a few extra pounds.
In its senior years
As dachshunds grow old, they eventually lose interest in being very active and love to snuggle under a blanket and sleep.
As they age, their metabolism also slows down. If your dachshund has become old and is not very active, but is still eating the same amount of food, you might want to check with your vet.
Do not make any drastic changes. Change things gradually and steadily.
Why do dachshunds get fat?
Prone to obesity
Dachshunds are prone to obesity more than a lot of other dog breeds. This is because of their long bodies and short legs.
Dachshunds are prone to suffer from IVDD, which is why owners are usually told to carry them while climbing up and down the stairs.
While this is helpful for their spine, it is not so great for their health.
Not enough exercise
Dachshunds need 30 to 60 minutes of exercise every day depending on their size and how energetic they are.
If dachshunds do not burn a good amount of calories that they consume, they can easily become overweight.
Too much food
Most of the time, if your dachshund becomes overweight, it is because of overfeeding.
Be it food, snacks, or treats, your dachshund might very well get fat because of too much intake of food.
You need to keep track of how much your pet is eating throughout the day. This can be difficult because you wouldn’t know if someone gave it extra treats while you weren’t at home.
So, have at least a general idea of how much your dog usually eats. If it is getting fatter, you need to reduce its calorie intake, and vice versa.
Genetics
Genetics do play a major role in your dachshund’s obesity. Your dachshund could be more prone to becoming obese because it runs in its family.
This does not mean that your dachshund will surely become obese. It means that you will have to make it work harder to stay healthy and fit, and it can be done.
Neutering or spaying
Your dachshund could become overweight if it has been neutered or spayed. This is because, after the procedure, your dog becomes much calmer and is not very active physically.
This could lead to your dachshund gaining weight. You can counter this situation by giving it lower food portions.
Why is your dachshund underweight?
Stress
If your dog is underweight, one common issue can be stressful. Your dog’s emotions can affect its health. This can happen to any dachshund at any time.
Figure out what your dachshund might be stressing about, and then work your way around the situation.
For example, dachshunds are very prone to separation anxiety. One of the main symptoms of separation anxiety is refusing to eat.
There are varying degrees of separation anxiety. If the problem is too huge, you should take this behavioral issue to an expert.
Picky
Your dog could be underweight because it is picky. It is common for dogs to be picky eaters.
However, dogs usually do not starve themselves no matter how picky they are. If your dog’s pickiness is causing problems with its weight, you need to go to a professional.
Abuse
If you have adopted your dachshund from a shelter and it is underweight, there is a chance that your dog has had a troubled past.
There are a lot of instances where dogs are abused, starved, and mistreated mentally or physically. This can cause major PTSD and it can be hard to recover from that.
Your dog might have stopped eating because of such experiences. You will need to work with a trainer or an animal therapist in order to gain your pet’s trust.
Illness or old age
One of the reasons why your dachshund has stopped eating could be because it is sick. Illness will make your dog disinterested in food.
This is okay, as your dachshund will be normal once it recovers. However, if you feel something is off, take it to the vet immediately.
As your dachshund enters old age, it will be much less active, requiring fewer calories. This means that it will also require less food.
This is quite normal. However, if there is a sudden drop in your dog’s food intake, make sure you take it to the vet.
How to maintain your dachshund’s weight?
Regular walks
Make sure you give your dog plenty of exercises every day. Do not pick your dachshund and carry it everywhere.
Instead, let it walk everywhere so that it gets some exercise. Your dachshund should be walked for at least half an hour every day. If needed, you can break it into shorter time periods, so that it gets more exercise.
Play with your dachshund
Play and interact with your dachshund as much as possible. This will ensure that your dachshund gets physical activities.
Your dachshund would want to exercise as much as possible when it is also fun to do it. If you combine walking with your dog’s favorite toy, it might become enthusiastic about going for walks.
Dachshunds love physical and mental stimulation. So, try to incorporate activities that are fun for them while giving them the exercise they require every day.
Choose good quality food
Make sure you get your dog’s food from a good brand. Check the order and percentage of ingredients that go into making the dog food every time you buy it so that you can make choices accordingly.
Choose food that is high in nutrition and health for your dachshund. If your dog is on a diet, go for dog food with lower calories so that it burns more calories than it intakes.
Maintain a strict diet
It is important that you feed your dachshund the right amount of food for its age, weight, and size. Also, take into account its individual level of physical activity.
If your dog is very active, make sure it is getting in an appropriate amount of food as well. If your dog is not very active, feed it a little less, or else it will not be able to burn off the calories.
Do not overfeed or underfeed your dog.
Be careful with treats
It is not difficult to overfeed your dachshund simply through the treats that you provide throughout the day.
Indeed, we like to reward our pet every time it obeys a command or behaves well. In that case, balance out the meals according to the treats that you give your dog.
Provide it with lesser portions of the meals if you have been especially generous with treats.