Do Dachshunds Shed a Lot? Vet-Verified Facts & FAQ

If you’ve thought about getting a Dachshund, you may wonder whether they shed. Dachshunds come in long-haired, wire-haired, and smooth varieties, all of which shed to varying degrees. Dachshunds are considered a moderate- to low-shedding breed, but how much they shed depends on numerous factors. Read on to learn more!

How Much Do Dachshunds Shed?

Overall, the Dachshund is a moderate shedder. They won’t leave big tufts of hair everywhere like a double-coated breed, but their hair will get on carpeting, furniture, and clothing with contact.

The three types of Dachshund coats also shed differently.

1. Long-Haired Dachshunds

As the name implies, Long-Haired Dachshunds have long, luxurious coats. This doesn’t necessarily mean they shed more, however, but just that their shedding is more noticeable. They may require more grooming as well.

These Dachshunds should be brushed daily with a slicker brush or metal comb. Otherwise, the coat may get tangled and matted. Over time, this can cause pulling on the skin.

2. Wire-Haired Dachshunds

Wire-Haired Dachshunds aren’t as common as Long-Haired or Smooth Dachshunds, but they do shed the most. The coat looks wiry, like a Scottish Terrier or Schnauzer, and it’s a double coat with a dense undercoat and thin outer coat.

These dogs will shed throughout the year like other dogs, but they also fully “blow” their coats twice each year. This usually comes with the changing of the seasons in fall and spring. Wire-Haired Dachshunds should be brushed daily, especially as the weather shifts from hot to cold or cold to hot.

3. Smooth Dachshunds

Smooth Dachshunds are the most common type. They have short hair that’s smooth and shiny, and they can shed lightly to moderately.

Because the coat is short, they have low-maintenance grooming needs compared to the other two. Weekly brushing with a bristle brush to remove loose hair is usually sufficient.

What Other Factors Affect Shedding?

Regular grooming can keep shedding at bay. Regardless of your dog’s coat, you should brush it regularly to remove tangles, loose hair, and dead skin. This is even more important with Long-Haired or Wire-Haired Dachshunds. They should also be bathed at least every few months to keep their skin clean, but avoid excessive bathing that will remove natural oils.

A dog’s health has a big impact on shedding. Excessive shedding can indicate stress, sickness, or a poor diet. Parasites like fleas or mites can cause excess shedding or hair loss. Dogs also pull at their hair when they’re stressed or anxious. If you notice a big difference in your dog’s shedding, it should be evaluated by a vet to determine the underlying cause.

How to Keep Your Home Free of Dog Hair

All dogs shed to some degree, but that doesn’t mean you need to deal with a mess. Along with regular grooming, you can keep your home (relatively) free of dog hair by cleaning.

Daily vacuuming, at least in the areas where your dog frequents, can keep hair from building up. A regular vacuum should do the trick, but you could spring for a pet-hair model with tangle-free brush rolls to collect fur and special attachments to remove hair from upholstery.

Your dog’s hair is likely to stick to the bedding or blankets where it sleeps. Launder all of your dog’s bedding at least once a week to keep the fur at bay. You may want to add dryer sheets or balls that are designed to collect pet hair as well. This not only reduces the hair but prevents too much from putting stress on your dryer.

Hair may build up on other surfaces, like shelves and tables, so be sure to dust regularly to remove hair. You may find it in unexpected places, like balled up in corners or stuck in the nooks and crannies of trinkets.

Finally, stock up on lint rollers to remove stubborn hair from furniture and clothing. You may want to keep a lint roller in your car to catch those unexpected hairs on the way to work.

Conclusion

Owning a dog is wonderful, but it’s not all sunshine and rainbows. Dachshunds regularly shed, which can create some extra work for you. Fortunately, regular grooming and cleaning can keep the Dachshund hair at bay. Plus, we are sure your Doxie would love the extra attention from all the grooming.

Featured Image Credit: Shyjo, Shutterstock