Long haired Dachshund ownership requires effort in managing shedding which is a great challenge for most fur parents. The good news is we have smooth-flowing tips and strategies when it comes to ways how to groom a long haired Dachshund. Despite their hunting and guarding abilities, small hounds of this breed are now household pets.
Common characteristics of this breed are being stubborn, adventurous, and independent. The most notable feature is that they are long-haired in addition to their prominent chasing, barking, digging, and prey drives. You would also love to know that these miniature, long-haired dogs are devoted protectors to their owners. Aside from that, they live their lives in a healthy way.
Part of their regular upkeep is the maintenance of their silky smoothness and lack of tangles, a monthly bath, and a healthy diet. That’s a minor sacrifice for such a cute puppy, though. So, if you aim in achieving that goal, read this guide and discover the proper ways how to groom a long-haired Dachshund.
Long-Haired Dachshund: Knowing Them
Dachshunds are charming four-legged animals even if they have a diminutive build. Dachshund dogs have long, slender frames, short, stocky legs, and a pointed snout. The Dachshund coat flows gracefully, most likely if they are long-haired Dachshunds.
The long-haired type is one of three different types of long haired Dachshunds coats that both the regular and the mini Dachshunds species can have. Other existing coats of this dog breed are smooth or wired. Dachshund grooming and care demands distinguishing these three coat kinds. However, there are hints that a dog’s health and temperament vary as well.
Temperament
Owning a Dachshund will give you a brave, smart, and self-reliant dog. With that kind of attitude, these dogs are highly perceptive and motivated to hunt. More so, extensive positive reinforcement training is their major requirement.
A good thing to note is that this breed was first developed with a singular purpose in mind. So, it is not surprising if your Dachshund doesn’t appear right away; they might be busy.
When it comes to kid-friendliness, Dachshunds are not as friendly as other canines. The reason behind this is the aggressiveness of the Dachshunds. So, a good piece of advice is to assess the behavior of the Dachshund before taking them home. This is most likely true if you have kids or other animals at home.
Dachshund Health
Expect that your Dachshund may suffer from IVDD. Their elongated spinal column is the main culprit for this. Compared to other dog breeds, Dachshunds have about 10 to 12 times more predisposed to IVDD than other canines. Moreover, expect your dog to have degeneration once they suffered from IVDD.
You may notice your dog to be in pain, and experience stiffness and lameness as IVDD may cause spinal discs to harden. As part of treatment, surgical intervention is occasionally necessary. There is a reduction in the risk of IVDD in Dachshunds when they are exposed to more hours of activities daily. Additionally, dogs hopping over the furniture have a significant risk reduction of IVDD compared to those that were not.
But, before engaging your Dachshund in any kind of exercise, it is better to have a discussion with your vet first. Yet, worry no more as Dachshund with long hair is less likely to contract IVDD than a dog with a shorter coat. Still, caution must be taken when lifting them.
How to Groom a Long haired Dachshund: Their Hairstyle
The coats of a Dachshund are either short, silky, or long-wired hair. Their long-haired coat is a significant addition to their attractiveness. In order to keep their beaches in good condition, make sure that they are included in the regular dog grooming practice.
Take note that grooming a dog is the minimum requirement for a dog’s coat upkeep. Additionally, the occasional bath is also a must. Fringes in their coat may appear, but the trick to make it look presentable is regular maintenance.
Do Dachshunds Love Styling Their Hair?
How to groom a long haired Dachshund? Basically, when it comes to long-furred dogs, we always include styling their hair as part of their grooming regimen. But, most Dachshund puppy does not take to grooming immediately.
Of course, each dog is unique. These four-legged creatures are naturally wary of the strange things that are happening in their surroundings. The key here is to be patient with your Dachshund if they aren’t fond of getting groomed. Their stress level will go down in direct proportion to the frequency of their action or grooming habit.
Start by showing them how to use essential items like a brush and nail clippers. Reward them, if necessary, so that this dog breed may respond positively to those grooming tools whenever they saw them. Don’t forget to praise your Dachshund every time they accomplish a grooming task like cutting your Dachshund’s nails.
For humans, tooth brushing and nail cutting are normal self-care routines. However, our paw friends can’t think like this without our assistance. So, the important thing is to establish a regular schedule for performing these acts of personal dog hygiene.
Dachshunds Requirements for Professional Grooming
Basically, a professional groomer is unnecessary for a Dachshund. One of the major mistakes that pet owners usually commit is taking their dogs to the groomer for a thorough haircut. Yet, this is unnecessary for Dachshunds. Dachshunds with long fur may need a haircut, but shaving is a no-no!
Aside from haircutting, dog groomers can do more further. It is possible for your Dachshund to have a relaxing experience at the dog spa. Brushing, ear cleaning, and nail clipping are great additions to bathing that groomers may conduct to your doggo every session.
How Much Grooming Does a Dachshund Need?
Frequent brushing is a must for Dachshunds with lengthy coats. Remember that the biggest factor for the development of uncomfortable mats in a dog’s coat is the lack of regular grooming. Maintaining their long, silky coats in good condition generally requires a once or twice-a-week brushing schedule.
Bathing them for a schedule of just a few weeks is okay for the Dachshund even for those with lengthy coats. Yet, giving them a shower more frequently would also be good especially if they breathe in something bad or start to smell sooner. However, considering protecting their skin’s natural oils, the best practice to observe is not to bathe them more often than once a week.
In terms of nail clipping, the normal schedule for a Dachshund is once a month. But, if you forget to clip their nails in a while, doing so on an every two weeks schedule is perfect. The most important thing in a dog’s nail clipping is to remember the nail nerve called the “quick“.
Don’t trim the Dachshund’s nails too short to avoid cutting the quick. If you allow the nails to grow too long, trimming them more often might help them return to a healthy length.
Proper Method of Grooming a Dachshund
Grooming a Dachshund actually depends on their individuality as their coats and hues may vary. This dog breed is typically clean and you won’t smell them stinking often. Moreover, specialized skills and grooming supplies are not necessary when grooming a Dachshund. Since taking care of them only needs a little effort, Dachshunds are an excellent option for first-time dog owners.
Step-by-Step Guide in Dachshund Grooming: The Basics
No two Dachshunds should have the same haircut. The fact that Dachshunds can have any number of different coat colors and patterns makes them a unique breed. While brushing is necessary for all coats, some varieties of hair shed more than others.
Your Dachshund’s health and happiness depend on regular brushing and bathing. Here are some measures you may take to ensure that no bases are left unexplored.
1-Bathing
If a month or a couple of it had gone by without subjecting your Dachshund to a bath, then it’s time to give him one. Perhaps, bathing them would be very helpful if they look very unclean and smelling. When they are first introduced to baths, most dogs show reluctance. So, you should give them a tasty treat afterward.
Use a good-grade dog shampoo when cleaning their fur. A dog shampoo containing natural, hypoallergenic ingredients may prevent your dog’s skin from developing irritation. It is also important to check for any presence of parasites, skin lesions, or other imperfections, such as fleas, ticks, lumps, or scrapes. After they’ve finished, thoroughly dry them with a cloth or a canine-specific hair dryer.
2-Coat Brushing
The recommended schedule for brushing the hair of your Dachshund is many times a week. Short-haired Dachshunds do not need regular coat brushing compared to lengthy-furred ones. Better to use a wire brush when you have a Dachshund with tangled or thick hair.
Remember to brush your dog’s coat immediately after bathing. Having a wet or moist coat is the best time to de-mat your Dachshund. This is due to the fact that loose hair falls out during this dog’s bodily phenomenon.
Brush out any mats or knots in your lengthy-haired Dachshund’s coat. As an added bonus, you might be able to sort them by hand if their coat strand is manageable. Your dog’s groomer may have to surgically remove them if they are too thick to be safely separated.
3-Dog’s Tooth Brushing
Brush your Dachshund’s teeth as often as possible, preferably every day. A dog-specific toothbrush and paste are essential for this. Brushing a dog’s teeth is an ordeal they’d rather avoid, so be sure to show your appreciation afterward.
There are alternatives to using a toothbrush, including dental treats and water additives if your dog is very averse to the toothbrush. However, regular brushing is still necessary to maintain good oral health. Your veterinarian may also suggest a professional cleaning as your senior dog ages.
4-Nail Trimming
On a monthly basis, clip your Dachshund’s nails. Consider a 2 mm reduction in their nail’s length from the quick. Since the darker section of the nail if your dog has black nails, spotting the quick is a real challenge. Even if you have the time and patience, some dogs are just too difficult to clip their nails at home.
Pick a nail trimmer that won’t harm your dog when you get around to doing that job. Yet, a nail grinder is the tool of choice for most first-time dog owners. This is because it files down the nail of your Dachshund gradually compared to a nail clipper that cuts off a chunk of a dog’s nail.
Whatever you do, don’t use a nail trimmer without a safety guard. In the event that you trim your dog’s nails too short, he or she may lose faith in you and refuse to allow further nail-cuttings.
5-Ear Cleaning
Check for any signs of discharge or odor in your dog’s ears every few weeks. Perform ear cleaning once you see anything out of ordinary. Consult a veterinarian if you suspect your Dachshund has an ear infection.
6-Complete Body Check-up
A head-to-toe assessment of your dog is a must even if there is routine grooming performed on your Dachshund. Blurred eyes, dry skin, and cuts are some abnormalities to check for. Make sure that your vet knows these concerns. Always be cautious.
Grooming a Long-Coated Dachshund
Frequent brushing of the coat of your Dachshund may keep their long, sleeky fur from too much shedding. Moreover, additional maintenance is a requirement in preventing matting. The use of a bristle brush comes from a recommendation of grooming experts. This is for the purpose of preventing your dog from getting hurt.
Check their fur if there is some strange feeling while brushing. Fur being lodged can highly be experienced. Those with longer hair are more likely to bring back interesting finds from their strolls, such as twigs, thistles, and the like. Dealing with matted fur simultaneously can help prevent further injury.
Guide to Cutting the Hair of a Dachshund
Only Dachshunds with long hair need frequent haircuts. Their grooming needs are slightly different from other dog breeds. Subjecting your dog to a bath before hair clipping is a good thing to follow. Doing so will help your dog to prevent any dirt.
Clippers can be helpful sometimes, but small shears are often easier to use for making clean cuts. Safeguard your Dachshund by only using scissors with rounded tips.
A thinning shear is a helpful tool to thin out the top outmost layer of the Dachshund’s fur. This applies true if you feel that the fur also needs cutting. Afterward, remove any loose hair by brushing their coat very well. Going with grain is advisable when you brush your dog’s coat. As a result, your Dachshund with a lengthy coat will look clean and presentable.
Grooming Tips for Lengthy-Furred Dachshund
- Brushes with pins or bristles are advisable.
- Look for knots and debris in their coats.
- Pick out the mats with your fingertips or a comb and get rid of them.
- They should have their coats trimmed, but not shaved.
- Use sectioning clips to separate hair and avoid missing any knots.
- If you are unsure about yourself, seek advice from a professional
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: When should you groom your Dachshund?
The length and texture of the coat of the Dachshund, as well as the dog’s personality, determine how often and how thoroughly it must be brushed. This dog breed typically requires weekly brushing and occasional bathing. However, this depends on how dirty the dog is. It’s possible that Dachshunds with lengthy fur require regular haircuts, too.
Q: How frequently does one need to groom a Dachshund’s long hair?
Dachshund with a long coat involves three basic chores in caring for the fur. Pet owners must perform these actions based on step-by-step processes rather than simultaneously. All of this can be done on your own, but you might also think about going to a professional groomer.
Frequent bathing is dangerous to their skin and fur by removing their protective oils. Avoiding unnecessary bathing by merely washing up when absolutely necessary is recommended.
For example, Dachshunds with long hair need to be brushed more often than shorter-haired dogs. The minimum recommended frequency of tooth brushing is twice a day. This is done to keep the fur from becoming matted and tangled, keeping it looking luscious. Also, to reduce the amount of hair shed from it.
Q: Can you completely shave a Dachshund with long hair?
Certain dog breeds require regular shaving because their fur grows in much the same way that human hair does. Puddles typically have their coats shaved down to the skin, while Dachshunds do not. Some Dachshund owners think, wrongly, that trimming their dog’s fur in the summer will help keep its body temperature down.
Shaved Dachshunds with long hair don’t need as much sun protection because they shed in the summertime anyway. After a bath, the dog’s fur is often trimmed in two body parts: the underbelly and the area around the ears. Getting the long hair of a Dachshund this short is as close as you can go.
Q: What to do for a dry-skinned Dachshund?
If prolonging the smoothness and shine of your dog’s coat is what you aim for, it is better to choose and use a dog shampoo that is allergy-friendly.
Q: Is it expensive to have your Dachshund professionally groomed?
To sum it up, the cost of professional grooming is more than that of DIY grooming. However, the cost may still vary depending on one groomer to the other. Also, price variations rely upon one service to the next.
Final Thoughts
In general, grooming the Dachshunds does not involve any special requirements. The long-coated ones do not require haircutting on a monthly basis as they do not shed too much. However, this is not a cause for neglecting basic hygiene. The process of grooming a dog includes several different steps. It is like cutting the hair, brushing, clipping the nails, cleaning the teeth, and bathing the dog.
With that, grooming the Dachshund is no different. So, it is important to be knowledgeable in caring and grooming for your Dachshund before bringing one home. Don’t be so surprised to take away too much time and money because dog grooming is an important part of pet parenting.
