They are loyal, playful and sausage-shaped. But is your wallet prepared for the bite?
The average price for a dachshund on international marketplace Next Day Pets is $600, but this can reach up to $5,500 for particular varieties.
Whilst the initial cost is crucial in your decision-making, there are additional expenses that are often overlooked. You need to consider each of these carefully to provide your dachshund with the longest, highest quality life possible.
Initial cost for buying a Dachshund Puppy
How much you pay will depend on the quality of the breeder, so you need to consider whether you want to pay a premium in return for a reduced chance of health or behavior problems in your dachshund.
Breeder Quality
The American Kennel Club (AKC) “breeder of merit” program can provide you with the assurance that the breeder is rigorous in screening, caring for and placing each of their puppies.
According to The Humane Society of The United States, there are over 2 million puppies sold across America every year that come from puppy mills.
Breeders sourcing dachshunds from puppy mills will charge much less than high-quality breeders; but whilst the low price may seem attractive, these puppies begin their life in substandard and often cruel conditions which are likely to be reflected in inferior genetics, health and development.
Remember that if you decide to buy from a lower-quality breeder to save money at this stage, it is likely that you will pay for it later through health costs such as vaccinations and medical bills.
Different varieties/characteristics
The initial cost of a dachshund may also be affected by the variety and characteristics you desire. Miniature dachshunds (those weighing under 11 pounds) can cost up to $10,000, whilst factors such as coat type and eye color can also affect the price.
Medical costs
According to the AKC, the most common health problems you might encounter with your dachshund are back injuries and ear infections. You are likely to encounter relatively fewer medical problems with higher-quality breeders, although this may not always be the case.
Wherever you buy your puppy from, you can expect to spend between $400 and $1000 each year on medical expenses. You might consider getting pet insurance, the price of which will vary greatly depending on the variety and health of your dachshund.
Grooming costs
When compared with other dogs, dachshunds require minimal grooming. Depending on their coat type, some may not need to visit a professional groomer. If your dachshund has a short-haired, smooth coat, you can get away with grooming them once a week yourself.
Whatever variety of dachshund you have, it will need its nails trimmed monthly. The AKC recommends a “hound mitt” such as this for brushing ($9) and nail clippers such as these ($5-$25) if you wish to groom them yourself.
Longer-haired dachshunds may need to see a professional groomer but, as they are a small dog, this will only cost between $25 and $35 per session (usually depending on weight).
It also comes down to what level of grooming you want – if you want your pup looking Crufts-ready you might have to fork out a little more!
Food
It is very important to monitor your dachshund’s food intake, even more so than with other breeds of dog. Those back problems we mentioned earlier can be brought on or worsened by obesity, which dachshunds are very susceptible to.
Perhaps surprisingly due to their small size, dachshunds are known for their insatiable appetites so overfeeding can be a significant issue!
To combat this, Royal Canin has created the perfect blend of nutrition specifically to suit the needs of a hungry dachshund puppy.
The wet food can get quite pricey ($24 per 12 oz), so it is perfectly fine to feed your dachshund this kibble ($20 per 40 oz bag) or a mix.
Training and toys
Due to their small size and friendly nature dachshunds require little effort to train. The main characteristic to manage is barking, so you will need to train them from the beginning if you want to maintain a peaceful household.
If you would like to take your dachshund to a professional, it will cost between $30 and $120 per session (depending on the group size).
True to their original role as hunting dogs, dachshunds love to find! Whether you hide food in a cone or a toy behind your back, your dachshund can have hours of fun with low-cost items.
A ramp is a must-have for any dachshund to avoid those infamous back injuries, which will cost anywhere upwards of $25.
You will also need a crate or bed, depending on where you want them to sleep, as well as any additional luxury items (clothes, hats – we aren’t here to judge).
So, how much does a Dachshund cost?
The answer is that it depends! It depends on where you buy your dog initially. It depends on health issues and behavioral traits.
Overall, you can expect to pay an average of $600 initially, and any offers much lower than this should be carefully researched and considered.
Now it is time to decide your budget for ALL parts of your new dachshund’s life.
Can you pay more upfront for increased health and temperament prospects? Check out the American Kennel Club.
Do you feel confident enough to train and groom your new pup? Don’t forget the Hound Mitt and Nail Clippers.
Is Royal Canin’s Puppy kibble ($20) the right food for your dachshund?
To let us know, or to find out more about dachshunds, please leave a comment or send us a message.
References / Further Learning
https://www.nextdaypets.com/Dachshund.htm
https://www.akc.org/breeder-programs/akc-breeder-of-merit-program/
https://www.akc.org/dog-breeds/dachshund/
https://www.humanesociety.org/sites/default/files/docs/puppy-mills-facts-and-figures.pdf
https://homeguide.com/costs/dog-grooming-prices
https://www.sausagedogcentral.com/blogs/news/the-average-annual-cost-of-owning-a-dachshund