The Dachshund is a small hunting hound with a characteristically long body and stubby legs. If you are looking for a tiny pooch with a big personality, these gorgeous little pups are perfect. There are three types of Dachshunds, the smooth-haired, the wire-haired, and the long-haired Dachshund. With its long, silky, and often wavy hair with feathering at the backs of the legs, ears, and tail, the long-haired Dachshund is the most striking of the bunch. If you’re looking to adopt one of these pups and want to know how much they shed, you’ve come to the right place. In this article, I’ll take a deep dive into the long-haired Dachshund’s shedding tendencies to answer any questions you might be having.
Do Long-haired dachshunds shed? Yes, like all dogs, the long-haired Dachshund sheds. Out of the three Dachshund varieties, the Long-haired dachshunds are the heaviest shedders, with most of the molting occurring in spring and fall. The little pup’s hair has to fall off to make room for a new coat with the right thickness for the time of the year.
Also known as a doxie, the wiener dog, or the sausage dog, the Dachshund is one of the biggest names in the canine kingdom and a family favorite. With his long wavy hair and thick undercoat, it comes as no surprise that the long-haired Dachshund sheds the most out of the three Dachshund varieties. If you are planning to adopt one of these little pups or just got your hands on one of them, you probably have many questions about what to expect when it comes to shedding. Below, I’ll try to address all your questions in the following sections. Read on to learn how much do Long-haired dachshunds shed, managing their shedding and whether these pups are considered hypoallergenic.
How Much Do Long Haired Dachshunds Shed?
Like all dogs, Long-haired dachshunds molt old, dead hairs to make room for new fur growth. The question is, how much do long-haired Dachshunds shed? Generally, the Dachshund is a low to moderate shedding breed. With this breed, it’s unlikely to come across lumps of fur on your couch or the floor. However, due to its long, thick, and shiny fur, the long-haired variety appears to shed more than the other two Dachshund varieties, and the shedding is also a little more noticeable. Still, there shouldn’t be too much fur around your house if you regularly groom your long-haired Dachshund.
Your long-haired Dachshund will shed twice a year heavily. You can expect a lot of hair during the excessive shedding period, which often lasts a week or two. You’ll also see some shedding throughout the other ten months, but you can easily take care of that with regular grooming. Even though they blow their coats twice a year, Long-haired dachshunds are considered moderate shedders.
Why Do Long Haired Dachshunds Shed?
Well, shedding is a natural process that all haired dogs go through. Of course, the shedding level varies from one breed to the next. The long-haired Dachshund, for instance, is a moderate shedder. One of the most critical functions of fur is to help the dog regulate body temperature. As seasons change and temperatures rise and fall, the pup has to grow a coat that’s more adapted to the new season. Old, loose dead hairs fall to make room for new fur to grow. The new fur will grow lighter or thicker depending on whether we’re approaching summer or winter.
Shedding Seasons and Frequency
When do Long-haired dachshunds shed? While most Long-haired dachshunds will molt throughout the year, your pup will shed more prominently two times a year. It will go through an excessive shedding season in the spring in anticipation of warm summer weather. During this shedding season, your pup will get rid of the extra fur since he doesn’t need as much insulation. In fall, your long-haired Dachshund will shed his light summer undercoat for a thicker one to provide warmth during the cold winter months. The fall shedding is not as heavy since there’s not much fur to lose from the lighter summer undercoat.
Note that seasonal shedding is more pronounced among dogs that spend most of their time outdoors. Some indoor pups may not go through seasonal shedding, so don’t be surprised if your long-haired Dachshund sheds the same amount of fur all year round. Either way, shedding is an inevitable part of having this dog, and you just have to find a way to moderate it.
Unhealthy Shedding
Shedding is a natural process through which dogs remove old or damaged hair to make room for new fur. And depending on factors such as breed, weather, and season, even shedding that seems excessive may be normal. However, your long-haired Dachshund can shed more than usual. Sometimes, excessive shedding should be a cause for concern. As a long-haired Dachshund owner, you must stay on top of your canine’s shedding patterns to know when your pup’s shedding should concern you. In most cases, though, there’s nothing to worry about.
However, if you can’t trace your pup’s excessive shedding to the time of the year or weather, there could be an underlying cause. It’s not unusual for a dog to lose fur excessively when not feeling well. Usually, unhealthy shedding is accompanied by other symptoms, including thinning fur, open sores, bald spots, skin irritation, and excessive itching. Some medical conditions that can contribute to unhealthy shedding are:
- Stress and anxiety
- Allergies
- Parasites such as fleas, mites, and lice
- Bacterial and fungal infections
- Immune disease
- Cancer
If you notice additional symptoms and excessive shedding, or your long-haired Dachshund doesn’t seem their usual self, go to the vet as soon as possible. The veterinarian will help you determine if the shedding is due to an underlying medical condition. They’ll also come with a plan to nurse your pup back to good health. Keep in mind that some of these conditions can be highly uncomfortable for your dog, so you must urgently check in with a vet.
What Type of Coat Does A Long-Haired Dachshund Have?
Dachshunds come in a few different coat varieties. Fur types don’t just vary among the three Dachshund types but also within the same variety. For instance, long-haired Dachshunds can be single or double-coated. However, Long-haired Dachshunds are often double-coated. Most Long-haired dachshunds spot a fluffy undercoat and a silky and shiny overcoat with long guard hairs that are often wavy. This is the standard you should expect. Their fur tends to be longer under the neck and ears, behind the legs, and on the chest. The undercoat will shed noticeably throughout the year, and the pup will typically blow its coat twice a year.
As I said earlier in the article, the long-haired Dachshund was bred for hunting in colder climates. Their double coats protect against the elements. For instance, the upper layer of their coats is waterproof for protection against rain, and their undercoats provide insulation against heat and cold. When it comes to coat appearance, Dachshunds come in a range of color combinations, including black and tan, black and cream, blue and tan, blue and cream, and fawn.
How to Manage and Reduce Long-Haired Dachshund Shedding?
They may not look like it, but the Dachshunds were originally bred as hunting dogs, and they still do some hunting in many parts of the world. The long-haired Dachshund was bred to hunt in cold climates, which explains their longer, thicker fur. As I’ve stated throughout the article, the long-haired Dachshund is the heaviest shedder of all the Dachshund types. But that’s not necessarily the case. Since their fur is longer and more conspicuous, it’s easier to spot around the house, giving the impression that they shed more. Either way, you can easily manage your long-haired Dachshund’s shedding the same way you would other varieties. All you need to do is maintain proper grooming habits and provide a healthy and balanced diet.
Long-Haired Dachshund Grooming
As I said earlier in the article, Long-haired dachshunds can be single-coated or double-coated. Either way, this dog needs regular brushing to eliminate dead, loose fur and reduce shedding. Regular brushing also helps avoid tangling and matting of the hair. Long-haired Dachshunds are particularly prone to tangles around their tails and behind their ears. If you don’t remove them in time, these knots tighten and become mats that you now have to shave off with clippers. If your long-haired Dachshund is double-coated, you’ll need a few de-shedding tools, including a top layer brush, a comb, and an undercoat rake to groom them effectively.
Long-Haired Dachshund Diet
You can’t keep your Dachshund from shedding, but you can reduce the amount of fur he’s dropping by helping him maintain a healthy coat through a healthy diet. A healthy diet goes a long way towards improving skin and fur health. To boost the condition of your pup’s skin and fur, consider switching to a raw food diet or increasing Omega 3-rich foods in his diet. Omega 3 rich foods such as flaxseeds, coconut oil, and fish oil nourish your pup’s skin and help reduce the amount of shedding. With a healthy diet, your Dachshund’s fur will be healthier and more robust and probably won’t fall out as much.
Baths, Supplements…
If you have a long-haired dachshund, you’ll also need to bathe him once in a while to remove the dead fur from his undercoat. Like brushing, bathing will remove any loose hair before it ends up on your sofa or floor. However, Long-haired dachshunds don’t need to be bathed as frequently as other breeds. Once every three or four months should be enough.
It would be best to consider enhancing your pup’s diet with supplements. When it comes to improving coat health and keeping shedding under control, Omega-3 is one of the most important supplements you can add to your dog’s diet.
Are Long-Haired Dachshunds Hypoallergenic?
Unfortunately for owners with canine allergies, Long-haired dachshunds — and wiener dogs in general — are not considered hypoallergenic. But that doesn’t mean you can’t live with a long-haired Dachshund if you have allergic reactions to dog fur. Because they don’t shed much, it’s possible to live with a long-haired Dachshund and not experience allergic symptoms. If you are an allergy sufferer and want to know if the pup you wish to adopt will trigger your allergies, spend some time with them before bringing them home.
You can also minimize the allergens they produce by regularly vacuuming and using a HEPA air filter. As mentioned earlier, brushing, bathing, and feeding a proper diet helps to reduce shedding, which in turn reduces allergy triggers in your environment. Lastly, keep your Dachshund away from the areas you spend a lot of time in like your bedroom.