Do Dachshunds Shed?

When it comes to choosing a pet companion, a dachshund is an excellent choice. It is popular among urban dwellers because of its small size and ease of care. However, there is one vital factor to consider when getting any dog, and that is shedding. No one wants to deal with daily cleaning, trying to get rid of layers of dog’s hair in the house. For this reason, you might be wondering – Do Dachshunds shed?

And if so, do they shed more or less than the other breeds? This article will tell you all you need to know about how much dachshunds shed, how can you handle dachshunds shedding, and how to make your wiener dog shed less.

Let’s talk about dachshund shedding and how to prevent it.

Do Dachshunds Shed?

The answer is yes, dachshunds shed; it is a normal process for dogs, and all canines shed to some degree.

The only exceptions are a few breeds of hairless dogs, like Argentine Pila or American Hairless Terrier.

The purpose of your dachshund’s coat is to regulate its body temperature and to protect the skin. Like humans, a dog’s hair has a natural life cycle. At the end of the growing phase, the hairs fall off, resulting in shedding.

Dachshunds are generally considered a low shedding breed.

Even though dachshunds don’t shed a lot comparing to other dogs, they are still not a hypoallergenic breed. If you are allergic to the dog’s hair, you should be aware of shedding; and the possible reactions from the allergens produced by dachshund’s hair.

The amount of shedding depends on several factors, such as dog’s overall health, time of the year, environment, hormones, as well as its diet and grooming routine.

How Much Do Dachshunds Shed?

As mentioned earlier, dachshunds are known to be a low shedding breed.

However, the amount of shedding will slightly differ according to their fur type.

As we already know, dachshunds are classified by the fur type: short-haired, long-haired, and wire-haired.

Some dachshund owners swear that their dachshunds do not shed a drop of hair, but this is not entirely true. The dachshunds shedding is usually very minimal, except for long-haired variety that tends to shed more.

Firstly, let’s discuss the short-haired dachshund shedding. Notably, smooth-haired or short-haired dachshunds have tiny hairs and a smaller inner layer than their long-haired and wire-haired companions. So some owners may not notice them shedding.

One of the most common questions is, – Do the longhaired dachshunds shed? The truth is that long-haired dachshunds shed the most because they have a dense inner layer. They have a fleece-like inner layer that helps them stay warm during cold weather.

Finally, let’s talk about the wire-haired dachshund shedding. The wire-haired dachshunds have a thick coat and extra hairs around their eyes and face.

These extra facial hairs give them their beautiful bearded appearance. Surprisingly, wire-haired dachshunds shed the least.

Do Dachshunds Shed: Minimising the Shedding

Nutrition and grooming are two main factors if you want to minimise your dachshund shedding.

First of all, put your dachshund on a well-balanced, highly nutritious diet. To start with, find a brand of dog food that does not use corn as a binder. It is a well-known fact that dogs can digest rice better.

Use whole meats instead of leftovers from meat processing. You can also combine your dog dry food with supplements and nutritious soft foods to help digestion.

Add a tablespoon of olive or cod liver oil to your dachshund’s diet every day. Oils contain omega-3 fatty acids that condition the skin and coat, keeping your dog healthy.

After a month of omega supplements, you might notice that your dog is shedding less.

Another option is to add molasses to the diet, as it effectively reduces shedding as well. Proper nutrition will help with skin problems, joint issues, make the coat healthy and shiny and minimise shedding after all.

My Dachshund Does Shed a Lot: Causes of Abnormal Shedding

It is frightening to see your dachshund shedding excessively, especially when it is hard to figure out what causes this condition.

Common causes of hair loss in dachshunds include poor grooming, endocrine diseases, nutritional deficiencies, hormonal imbalances, infections, and parasites infestations.
Let’s talk about them in detail.

My dachshund does shed a lot: grooming routine

A dachshund grooming routine might affect its level of shedding.

If you do not look after your pet’s coat regularly, it will result in your sausage dog excessive shedding.

The grooming routine depends on what type of coat your dachshund has. Generally, implementing regular brushing will ensure that you catch the hairs before they end up on your sofa or around the house.

Bathing occasionally will also help keep your dachshund’s coat healthy and shiny.

The type of grooming and the regularity of it out will depend on the type of coat of your dachshund.

All dachshunds produce sebum that keeps their fur healthy. The bath removes this sebum, so you should not bathe them too often, regardless of their coat. Also, always use a dog shampoo as human shampoos will be too harsh.

If you want to find out more about how to bath your dachshund, you will find a separate guide here.

When it comes to brushing, short-haired dachshunds can be brushed once a week with a soft bristle brush.

Long-haired doxies should be cleaned and combed daily to get rid of mats and tangles.

In some cases, you may have to untangle persistent knots by hand or cut them.

You can’t stop the natural process of your dachshund shedding, but proper grooming routine will manage it effectively.

My dachshund does shed a lot: Imbalanced diet

One of the most common reasons for excessive shedding is a nutritional deficiency, caused by imbalanced diet.

Sadly, many owners save on the dog’s food. Low-quality dog food lacks most of the essential vitamins and minerals.

It is important to remember that if your dachshund’s diet doesn’t have the right amount of nutrients, its hair will become weak and fall out.

A balanced diet is essential in keeping the hair follicles strong and healthy, and the coat shiny. Apart from hair loss, poor nutrition can also lead to many serious complications, such as obesity, allergies, heart disease, pancreatitis.

That is why, giving your dachshund a nutritious diet is vital, whether it is related to the hair loss or not.

My dachshund does shed a lot: Hormonal imbalance

It is known that specific thyroid imbalances, such as hypothyroidism or Cushing’s disease cause hair loss that tends to occur as bold patches.

Skin and hair disorders caused by an imbalance of reproductive hormones are called alopecia and dermatosis.

Imbalances in estrogen, testosterone, and progesterone may also contribute to your dachshund’s hair loss.

Some dog’s shed excessively after giving birth or after being neutered, which is related to a temporary hormonal imbalance.

The best way to help your dachshund live longer?
Watch our video to find out!

Infections and infestations in relation to dachshund excessive shedding

Sometimes the hair loss can indicate that your dog’s skin has got infected.

Skin infections can be bacterial, fungal, or yeast in nature. It can affect a small section of your dachshund’s body and then spread if left untreated. The treatment involves antibiotic therapy prescribed by your vet.

Another reason for a dog’s hair loss is infestation by mites, fleas or lice. Flea infestation usually results in the hair loss around your dog’s neck and tail.

Make sure to treat your dachshund regularly against fleas and other parasites; you can buy the flea treatment products in pet stores.

Medications

Some medications, such as prolonged treatment with corticosteroids, also cause excessive shedding. Hair loss due to drugs is reversible once the medication is discontinued.

High-Stress levels & Dachshund excessive shedding

Anxiety and stress are factors that can affect your dachshund in many ways, including increases in heart rate, loss of appetite, and abnormal behaviour. In some cases, it can also provoke excessive shedding.

Season & dachshund excessive shedding

Naturally, dachshunds shed more in spring, just before summer. As the weather gets warmer, they do not need as much insulation, so they get rid of the excess hair. Dogs that spend a lot of time outdoors can also be affected by excessive shedding.

Do dachshunds shed: Supplements

Supplements can help to thicken your dachshund hair and make it shiny and healthy. The most crucial dog supplements for a healthy coat are the omega-6 and omega-3 fatty acids.

They will ensure your dog’s coat is thick and supple. Therefore, look out for dog foods that include these vital ingredients.

You can find high omega contents in flaxseed oil, salmon oil, coconut oil, cod liver oil, menhaden oil, and even canola oil.

Another excellent supplement for your dog’s coat is vitamin B. Without the necessary amounts of B vitamins in the diet, your dachshund may end up with brittle hair, dry skin, and dull coat.

For instance, green vegetables, seaweed, brewer’s yeast have high levels of B vitamins. Brewer’s yeast is also rich in antioxidants, which will help to make your dachshund’s skin healthier and the coat shinier.

If your dog tends to suffer from itchy, dry skin, brewer’s yeast may be helpful. There are also plenty of specially formulated vitamin B supplements for dogs for that you can purchase in the pet stores.

Vitamin A is one of the supplements, that will help to improve the condition of your dachshund’s coat and skin due to its regenerative properties.

You can combat seborrhoea or dry and scaly skin with additional vitamin A in your dog’s diet. Vitamins A supplements for dachshunds will not only help with the condition of the coat but will also improve your dog’s health in general.

Tips for cleaning up after my dachshund shedding

Firstly, use moistened rubber gloves and rub your hands over all surfaces that need to be cleaned from your dog’s hair.

Then rinse the gloves when they are covered with hair and repeat as necessary. If you do not have rubber gloves, a damp sponge, or cloth will also do the job.

Additionally, lightly spray a mixture of fabric softener and water on the furniture and wipe it with a cloth. It will get rid of all the consequences of your dachshund shedding.

Moreover, for the wood furniture, use furniture polish or antistatic sprayer and wipe with a soft cloth, the sprayer will remove the static charge. A stiff cleaning brush will also do the trick by removing your sausage dog’s shedded hair.

Furthermore, if you have hardwood floors, you can use a moistened mop to pick up your dachshund’s hair. A wet mop will act like a magnet when it comes to picking up your weiner dog’s fur.

If you have hardwood floors in your house, make sure you use a wood cleaning product and avoid puddles of water on your floor. Different cleaning products have their characteristics, so you will have to read the labels carefully to use as described.

Lastly, when vacuuming carpets, clean the area twice, alternating directions to loosen the unruly hair of the pet. For carpets or rugs, use a pumice stone along the surface. A FURminator brush which does not damage the carpet comes in handy.

Conclusion

As can be seen, sausage dogs do shed. However, dachshunds don’t shed excessively. On the contrary, weiner dogs do shed the least in comparison to most other breeds.

I hope that with these tips, you can easily take care of your dachshund shedding, and recognise when the shedding is abnormal. In addition, this information will help you to minimise your dachshund’s shedding as much as possible.

If you are considering to get a dachshund puppy and concerned about the shedding, then I can reassure you that there is nothing you should worry about.

Just remember, dachshunds are among the dogs recommended as pets due to minimal hair loss. In addition to their loyal and loving nature, many people choose dachshunds because they are a low-shed breed.

If you want to find out more about the dogs that are, along with the dachshund, in the list of non-shedding (low-shedding) breeds, feel free to read our article “Non-shedding dog breeds”.

What is your query about?

Do dachshunds shed?

Yes, dachshunds do shed. However, it is considered a low-shedding breed.

Are dachshunds hypoallergenic?

Contrary to popular belief, dachshunds are not hypoallergenic. Yet, they shed less than most of the breeds, which can minimize the allergic reaction.

Do wire-haired dachshunds shed?

Wire-haired dachshunds shed less than the other two dachshund varieties. However, they do shed.

Do long-haired dachshunds need haircuts?

Long-haired dachshunds need regular grooming. Sometimes it requires cutting the hair in the belly and chest area and between the paws. Daily brushing and bathing once or twice a month is also beneficial.

Do long-haired dachshunds shed?

Long-haired dachshunds do shed. They are known as the most shedding dachshund variety. Long-haired doxies have a thick undercoat that results in shedding. However, the dachshund is a low-shedding breed in general.

Should long-haired dachshunds be trimmed?

You will need to get your long-haired dachshund trimmed regularly. This grooming routine will keep your long-haired weiner looking good and prevent mats from forming.

How do I stop my dachshund from shedding?

There are a few steps you can take to minimize your dachshund shedding. Firstly, daily brushing will reduce the amount of shedding hair considerably. As well as that, a nutritional diet rich with a high amount of omega fatty acids will help to minimize molting. Finally, use hypoallergenic dog shampoos, and eliminate any possibility of underlying health conditions, such as thyroid imbalances.

Do dachshunds have an odour?

Dachshunds are an odorless dog breed. If they smell unpleasant, they did probably roll into something smelly or have an underlying medical condition.