Key takeaways
- The long coat is a recessive trait, so two long-haired parents reliably produce long-haired puppies with that signature silky, feathered coat.
- Plan on brushing two or three times a week, plus extra attention to the ears, chest, legs, and tail feathering where mats form.
- Long-haired dachshunds tend to be calm and affectionate companions that bond closely with their families.
- The breed comes in a wide range of colors and patterns, including red, cream, black and tan, dapple, and piebald.
- Buy from a breeder who health-tests, socializes litters at home, and lets you meet the puppy's parents.
Long haired dachshund puppies are the silky-coated version of the classic "wiener dog," known for a soft, flowing coat and an affectionate, easygoing personality. If you are choosing between the three coat types and leaning toward the long-haired variety, this guide walks you through the coat itself, the grooming it needs, the temperament to expect, and how to find a healthy puppy from a responsible source.
The dachshund comes in three recognized coats: smooth, wirehaired, and long-haired. The long-haired variety stands apart for its elegant, feathered appearance, and it tends to carry a gentle, mellow disposition that many families find easy to live with.
What Distinguishes the Long-Haired Coat Variety
The long-haired coat is a recessive trait, which means a puppy needs to inherit the gene from both parents to grow the long, silky fur. When two long-haired dachshunds are bred together, their litters reliably produce long-haired puppies. This is why reputable breeders can predict coat type with confidence when both parents carry the long coat.
The coat is straight to slightly wavy and sits close to the body, with longer feathering that appears behind the legs, along the chest and belly, on the underside of the tail, and on the ears. Newborn long-haired dachshund puppies often look deceptively short-coated. The characteristic feathering fills in gradually, and a puppy usually reaches its full adult coat somewhere in the first one to two years.
A few features define a good long coat:
- Silky texture with a slight sheen rather than a coarse or woolly feel
- Feathering that frames the ears and flows from the underside of the body
- A plumed tail, one of the breed's most recognizable long-haired features
- An overall streamlined look, without hair so profuse that it hides the dog's shape
Long-haired dachshund puppies come in both the standard and miniature sizes, so you can find the silky coat on a full-size companion or a smaller lap-sized dog.
Grooming Routine for a Long-Haired Dachshund
A long-haired dachshund needs regular brushing to keep the coat healthy and tangle-free, but the routine is manageable for most owners. Brushing two or three times a week prevents mats and removes the loose hair that would otherwise collect on your floors and furniture. During seasonal coat changes, you may want to brush daily for a week or two.
Focus your attention on the areas where the long feathering tends to knot:
- Ears: The long hair on the ears mats easily and can trap moisture, so check and brush them often.
- Chest and belly: Feathering here picks up debris on walks and needs gentle combing.
- Legs and "trousers": The hair behind the legs tangles quickly, especially after outdoor play.
- Tail: The plume looks best when combed through regularly.
Use a pin brush or slicker brush to work through the coat, then follow with a metal comb to catch any tangles the brush misses. Work gently on mats rather than pulling, and start grooming sessions early in puppyhood so your dog learns to enjoy the routine.
Beyond brushing, a long-haired dachshund needs a bath only occasionally, roughly once every month or two or when genuinely dirty, since over-washing strips the coat's natural oils. Round out the routine with regular nail trims, dental care, and ear checks. Because the breed's long back is prone to spinal problems, keep your dog at a lean, healthy weight and discourage repeated jumping on and off furniture. The dachshund is a chondrodystrophic breed, meaning its build carries a known risk of degenerative disc disease, so protecting the back is part of everyday care. For a fuller picture of the breed's characteristics and health considerations, the American Kennel Club's dachshund breed page is a reliable independent reference.
Temperament and Personality of Long-Haired Doxies
Long-haired dachshunds are affectionate, loyal companions that bond closely with their people, and many owners describe the long-haired variety as calmer and more laid-back than its smooth and wirehaired cousins. That mellow streak makes long-haired doxies a popular pick for families and for anyone who wants a devoted lap dog with a playful side.
Underneath the gentle exterior, this is still a dachshund. The breed was developed in Germany to hunt badgers, and that heritage shows up as boldness, curiosity, and a strong nose that loves to follow a scent. Expect a dog that is:
- Devoted: They form deep attachments and often pick a favorite person.
- Alert: Dachshunds make good little watchdogs and will announce visitors.
- Clever and independent: Their intelligence comes paired with a stubborn streak, so training works best with patience, consistency, and rewards.
- Playful: They enjoy games and interactive toys well into adulthood.
Early socialization is the single best investment you can make in temperament. Puppies exposed to new people, sounds, and gentle handling grow into confident, well-adjusted adults. With children, long-haired dachshunds generally do well when kids are taught to handle them gently and supervise play, in part to protect the dog's sensitive back. The Royal Veterinary College's VetCompass research programme publishes independent studies on canine health, including the spinal conditions that affect this breed.
If you want to understand how the breed fits into family life more broadly, our guide on finding dachshund puppies for your family covers what to expect day to day.
Colors and Patterns in Long-Haired Dachshunds
Long-haired dachshunds appear in a wide spectrum of colors and patterns, one of the most varied of any breed. On the silky long coat, these colors take on a rich, glossy depth that many owners find especially striking.
Common solid and two-tone colors include:
- Red and cream, the classic single colors, often with subtle darker shading
- Black and tan, a sharp, familiar combination
- Chocolate and tan, a warmer brown alternative
- Wild boar, blue (gray), and fawn (Isabella), each typically carrying tan or cream markings
On top of these base colors, dachshunds can display several recognized patterns:
- Dapple: A mottled, marbled effect over the base color
- Brindle: Dark striping layered across a lighter background
- Sable: A shaded pattern most visible on the long coat
- Piebald: Areas of white combined with the base color
One word of caution for buyers: breeding two dapple dogs together (a "double dapple" pairing) is linked to serious sight and hearing defects. A responsible breeder avoids that pairing entirely, so ask about the parents' colors and patterns before you commit to a puppy.
Where to Find Healthy Long-Haired Dachshund Puppies
The best place to find a healthy long-haired dachshund puppy is a responsible breeder who health-tests their dogs, raises litters in a home environment, and welcomes your questions. Coat type matters far less to a puppy's long-term wellbeing than the care and screening behind it, so put the breeder's practices first.
When you are comparing breeders, look for these signs of a good one:
- Health testing: Ask about screening for the breed's known concerns, and expect honest answers about the parents' health.
- Meeting the parents: A trustworthy breeder lets you meet at least the mother and see where the puppies are raised.
- Early socialization: Puppies raised underfoot in a home, exposed to normal household sounds and gentle handling, start life more confident.
- Documentation: Vaccination records, a veterinary check, and a clear health guarantee should come with your puppy.
- Questions for you: A breeder who cares about their puppies will ask about your home and lifestyle too.
Be wary of anyone selling puppies with no health records, refusing to let you visit, or offering unusually cheap prices. A low upfront price often means higher veterinary bills and heartache later.
At Nobledachshundpuppies, we raise long-haired dachshund puppies at home with early socialization and careful attention to health, so families bring home a well-started companion. Whether you choose a standard or miniature long-haired pup, prioritize a source that treats the puppy's health and temperament as seriously as you will.
Ready to take the next step? Review a breeder's health-testing practices and ask to meet a puppy's parents before you decide. A little diligence now sets up years of happy companionship with your silky-coated dachshund.
Frequently asked questions
Are long haired dachshund puppies more expensive than smooth coats?
Price depends far more on the breeder's health testing, lineage, and care than on coat type. A responsibly raised long-haired puppy is worth more than a bargain pup with no health screening.
Do long haired dachshunds shed a lot?
They are moderate shedders. Regular brushing two or three times a week keeps loose hair and mats under control and reduces what ends up on your furniture.
At what age does a dachshund puppy's long coat come in?
Puppies are born with shorter, softer fur. The full feathering on the ears, chest, legs, and tail usually develops over the first one to two years.
Are long haired dachshunds good with children?
Yes, with early socialization and gentle handling. Their affectionate nature makes them good family dogs, though play with young kids should always be supervised.