Fun Wire-haired Dachshund Facts For Kids

Moumita Dutta
Oct 20, 2022 By Moumita Dutta
Originally Published on Aug 06, 2021
Edited by Luca Demetriou
Fact-checked by Gowri Rao
Wire-haired dachshund facts tell us about their shedding habit.
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Age: 3-18
Read time: 9.2 Min

Are you interested in getting a pet dog? If yes, then you must be looking at different dog breeds. One of the best dog breeds that you can adopt is the dachshund dog breed. We especially like the wire-haired dachshunds because of their beautiful coat. The dachshund originated in Germany, and the breed is also known as the wiener dogs. By the 19th century, the breed started to get popular in the US and the UK. There was a time when these dogs were used for hunting. The wire-haired dachshund falls under the larger dachshund dog breed. Other than wire-haired dachshunds, there are also smooth-haired and long-haired dachshunds.

The muscular gait of this dog, along with its wiry fur coat, makes it look extremely appealing. These dogs might be small, but it has a huge personality. These dogs are affectionate towards their owners along with being alert and responsible towards their family members. You will need to keep an eye on the dog's health when your dog reaches an older age. Want to know more wire-haired dachshund facts? Keep on reading! Also, check out these dachsador facts and pitbull dachshund mix facts to know more about dogs.

Wire-Haired Dachshund Interesting Facts

What type of animal is a wire-haired dachshund?

The wire-haired dachshund is a popular dog breed that originated in Germany.

What class of animal does a wire-haired dachshund belong to?

The wire-haired dachshund belongs to the class Mammalia and to the genus Canis like all other domestic dogs.

How many wire-haired dachshunds are there in the world?

The number of wire-haired dachsunds has not been recorded.

Where does a wire-haired dachshund live?

The wire-haired dachshund originated in Germany about 600 years ago. Currently, the dachshund breed is popular worldwide and has been recognized by international canine associations. The American Kennel Club places the wire-haired dachshund under the hound group of dogs.

What is a wire-haired dachshund's habitat?

Like other loveable dog breeds, wire-haired dachshunds prefer a comfortable human household. Dachshunds need to stay in a place that is neither too cold nor too hot. As a fairly small dog, the wire-haired dachshund wouldn't mind living in an apartment.

Who do wire-haired dachshunds live with?

Wire-haired dachshunds love human beings. As a pet, it is also quite affectionate towards children. However, dachshunds don't perform well when it comes to strangers. Most of the dogs may have a barking problem. It is also a territorial dog; hence your wire-haired dachshund may require some time to get used to a person. If you already have pets, then be prepared to socialize the wirehaired dachshund puppy before it can fully adjust to the home environment.

How long does a wire-haired dachshund live?

The average lifespan for wire-haired dachshunds is around 12-16 years. This breed is prone to bone problems when it gets old, hence it is important to keep its health under check.

How do they reproduce?

Just like other breeds, female wire-haired dachshunds also go through estrus (heat) cycles. Wire-haired dachshunds are known for having tough pregnancies. Hence, it is best to get an ultrasound done as soon as you know about the pregnancy. Due to its small size, females will usually have 4-8 puppies. Like other dog breeds, the gestation period is around 58-68 days. Most of the time, the number of puppies is on the lower side. Dachshund bitches are really good mothers to the puppy, but you will need to pay attention to its health. Be careful to follow the rules and guidelines that the organizations set before breeding your dog or bitch.

What is their conservation status?

The conservation status of wire-haired dachshunds is Not Listed under the International Union for Conservation of Nature.

Wire-Haired Dachshund Fun Facts

What do wire-haired dachshunds look like?

The dachshund breed has received many funny names. The broad breed is usually divided into three categories, the smooth-haired dachshund, long-haired dachshund, and wire-haired dachshund. Here, we are dealing with the third one; hence it is crucial to talk about its coat. By the name, you can understand that the coat is wiry and kinky. These dogs have a double coat, which has the appearance of being smooth. Apart from the double-coated body hair, you can also see distinct bushy eyebrows and a mustache on wire-haired dachshunds. Their coats need to be stripped sometimes to keep them even and tangle-free. Their coat comes in different colors, and the American Kennel Club is elaborate with patterns and colors. Common colors include red, cream, black, chocolate, wild boar, fawn, and gray. The mixed and dappled color patterns are most common.

When it comes to other physical traits, the wire-haired dachshund has a sausage-like appearance because of its long body and short height. It also has a long neck along with a pointy head. Their ears are floppy, and their eyes are well set with a pleasant expression. The body of a wire-haired dachshund dog is evenly muscular, and the back looks straight with a graceful arch in the shoulder area. The dog's tail is a continuation of the spine, and it lacks any curve or kink. The hind paws are smaller than the front paws. The dog's muscular legs are meant for hunting. According to the American Kennel Club, your wire-haired dachshund should have a well-balanced appearance and have an alert face.

Wire-Haired Dachshund sitting on ground

How cute are they?

Apart from looking like a tough police dog, the wire-haired dachshund looks quite pleasing, especially with its wiry hair coat.

How do they communicate?

The wire-haired dachshund, like other dachshunds, can be extremely loud, and it loves barking. This intelligent dog can also be trained to learn other cues of communication. As a protective dog, this breed can also use its bark as a warning, especially for its owners. Like other dogs, wire-haired dachshunds also use their scent as a communication marker for other dogs.

How big is a wire-haired dachshund?

The average height of a standard-sized wire-haired dachshund is between 8-9 in (20-23 cm). The average height of miniature wire-haired dachshunds is between 5-6 in (12-15 cm). This dog breed is slightly smaller in height than the French bulldog breed that has an average height of 11-12 in (28-30 cm).

How fast can a wire-haired dachshund run?

As the dachshund breed was raised as a hunting breed, it has a fast speed of about 15–20 mph (24.1-32.2 kph). Its fast speed along with its strong muscular legs makes it a fast runner and a great sports dog.

How much does a wire-haired dachshund weigh?

The average weight of the wire-haired dachshund weight is based on its size. The standard version weighs about 16-32 lb (7.2-14.5 kg), while the miniature dogs weigh around or less than 11 lb (5 kg).

What are the male and female names of the species?

The male is called a dog and the female is called a bitch just like other dog breeds.

What would you call a baby wire-haired dachshund?

A baby wire-haired dachshund is known as a puppy.

What do they eat?

Wire-haired dachshunds need to have a proper diet to maintain their health. It is important to feed dogs with high-quality food that is rich in proteins, vitamins, and minerals. Start looking after the diet of your pet at an early age to avoid any health-related problems. Dachshunds have a huge potential of gaining weight; hence it is crucial to consult a vet before choosing any food for the pets. These dogs have a stubborn personality; hence it might take you some time to get accustomed to making them eat new food. In general, a standard wire-haired dachshund will eat 0.5-1.5 cups of food daily.

Are they slobbery?

No, being slobbery isn't one of the traits of the dachshund breed. A particularly slobbery breed are the Saint Bernard dogs.

Would they make a good pet?

Yes, the wire-haired dachshund is one of the best pets that you can have. When it comes to its personality, the dog has great personality traits, which include an affectionate outlook along with being clever and intelligent. It has the personality and quality to be an amazing family dog. It doesn't require a whole lot of exercise; hence dachshunds have always been popular among people who are a bit busy. However, one can easily take the dogs for training and exercise by taking them on frequent trips.

This breed can be a little stubborn with its owner and may want to have its own way. At the same time, training this dog is easy. Try to train it from an early age and include socialization and help it develop a calm and composed personality through proper training. A consistent training schedule is also needed if you want the dog to participate in any sports. One of the unique personality traits of the wire-haired dachshund is that it can be more mischievous than the smooth-haired dachshunds.

Learn to give your dachshund some space as they are stubborn and independent animals. However, your dachshund may demand a lot of attention and want to cuddle with you. The breed is a bit clingy because of its protective trait towards the owners. Another reason to train the dog early is to help it coexist with other humans and animals. Talk with a professional if you are facing difficulty in training this lovely dog. Grooming is an aspect that is often neglected while adopting a puppy, but it's actually quite important. You can understand that a wire-haired dachshund has some special grooming needs compared to the smooth-haired variant. Your dog will require brushing 2-3 times a week.

These dogs also shed more compared to dachshunds with smooth hair. Shedding increases during some seasons, but regular brushing will minimize the amount of hair you see around the house. Along with brushing the dog, you will also need to clean the ears and teeth of the dog. Stripping the coat of the dog is also recommended 2-3 times a year. However, it is important to get the stripping done by a professional. All dachshunds love to bark; hence this German dog is not meant for an owner who cannot stand loud noises.

Did you know...

The main point about this German dog breed has to be its health. The dachshund family can have acute health problems, one of them being heart disease. Hence, it is important to keep them in good health. Other diseases that are common among the dog are Intervertebral Disc Disease (IVDD), Progressive retinal atrophy (PRA), epilepsy, Gastric dilatation-volvulus (GDV), Cushing's disease, diabetes, and deafness. Consult a doctor as soon as possible to eradicate the possibility of getting any of the diseases.

What is the rarest dachshund color?

Black is the rarest coat color that is seen in wire-haired dachshunds, closely followed by an all-white dachshund. You will need to contact a proper breeder to get hold of such a unique dog. These rare colored dachshunds are often bred through selective or mixed breeding; hence the colors might not be accepted for dog sports competitions. The average cost of a wire-haired dachshund puppy is around $500-$3,500, and it is based on its color and rarity.

Do wire-haired dachshunds smell?

Not really! Make sure to give your dog regular grooming sessions to reduce any smell. However, if you still find an odd smell on your pet dog, make sure to check with a good vet.

Here at Kidadl, we have carefully created lots of interesting family-friendly animal facts for everyone to discover! For more relatable content, check out these kordofon giraffe facts and pine marten facts pages.  

You can even occupy yourself at home by coloring in one of our free printable wire-haired dachshund coloring pages.

Wire-Haired Dachshund Facts

What Did They Prey On?

N/A

What Type of Animal were they?

Omnivore

Average Litter Size?

4-8

How Much Did They Weigh?

Standard: 16-32 lb (7.2-14.5 kg) Miniature: 8-11 lb (3.6-5 kg)

What habitat Do they Live In?

human households

Where Do They Live?

globally

How Long Were They?

N/A

How Tall Were They?

Standard: 8-9 in (20-23 cm) Miniature: 5-6 in (12-15 cm) ‍

Class

Mammalia

Genus

Canis

Family

Canidae

Scientific Name

Canis lupus familiaris

What Do They Look Like?

Red, cream, black, chocolate, wild boar, fawn, gray, mixed, dappled

Skin Type

Fur

What Are Their Main Threats?

injuries and diseases

What is their Conservation Status?

Not Listed
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Written by Moumita Dutta

Bachelor of Arts specializing in Journalism and Mass Communication, Postgraduate Diploma in Sports Management

Moumita Dutta picture

Moumita DuttaBachelor of Arts specializing in Journalism and Mass Communication, Postgraduate Diploma in Sports Management

A content writer and editor with a passion for sports, Moumita has honed her skills in producing compelling match reports and stories about sporting heroes. She holds a degree in Journalism and Mass Communication from the Indian Institute of Social Welfare and Business Management, Calcutta University, alongside a postgraduate diploma in Sports Management.

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