Dachshund: The Bold Little Dog with Character

If you live with a Dachshund, you know that look at dinner time only too well: loyal eyes, a quiet whimper, and before you know it one bite too many has landed in the bowl again. Hardly any other breed has a Dachshund diet so closely linked to its health as the Dachshund (Teckel). The long back, short legs and strong-willed personality make this dog unique, but they also make it especially vulnerable to the consequences of the wrong or overly generous feeding. In this guide you'll find out what really matters when feeding your Dachshund, why weight plays such a special role here, and which snacks and chews suit its build.

The Dachshund at a glance: why weight determines its health

The Dachshund belongs to the small breeds and was originally bred for work underground, for hunting badgers and foxes in their dens. That's exactly what its body shape is made for: elongated, short-legged, agile. However, this unusual anatomy has a downside. The Dachshund's spine carries proportionally far more weight than that of normally proportioned dogs, and the discs between the vertebrae are therefore under permanently increased strain.

The result is that Dachshunds are among the breeds with the highest risk of a slipped disc, known in technical terms as IVDD (Intervertebral Disc Disease). Even moderate excess weight can make the crucial difference between a spine that copes with daily strain and one that suffers painful, in the worst case paralysing, disc prolapses. While a few extra kilos often go unnoticed for a long time in larger breeds, every additional kilogram has a disproportionate effect on the joints and discs of a ten-kilo dog. That's why it's no exaggeration to say: in hardly any other dog does diet have such a direct impact on back health as in the Dachshund.

The right food for the Dachshund

Food for the Dachshund should follow three basic principles: high-quality, single-protein nutrition, no unnecessary fillers, and a portion size matched to actual energy needs rather than to the dog's enjoyment of eating. Dachshunds are known for eating with great enthusiasm and stamina, and their urge to move often can't keep pace.

A grain-free dry food with a clearly named, single protein source is a good foundation for many Dachshunds. Grain-free doesn't automatically mean low in calories, so it's worth taking a close look at the actual composition: a high, high-quality protein content, moderate fat content, and no superfluous sugars or flavour enhancers that encourage the dog to overeat. Anyone who likes to offer their Dachshund some variety, or has a dog with a poor appetite, can supplement with wet food, though keeping a watchful eye on the total daily calorie count.

Since every Dachshund is active to a different degree and needs change with age, it's worth taking a look at the Food Finder. There, based on breed, weight, age and activity level, you can work out a suitable recommendation instead of feeding by feel.

It's also important to spread portions across the day: two to three smaller meals are often more sensible for a Dachshund than one large ration, as this keeps blood sugar levels more stable and prevents the hasty, greedy eating that many Dachshund owners know all too well.

Excess weight & back health: the most important lever

If there's one figure that should be watched particularly closely when keeping a Dachshund, it's body weight. A healthy Dachshund should show a clear waist when viewed from above, and the ribs should be easy to feel with light pressure without being visibly prominent. If that's not the case, it's worth having an honest conversation with your vet about changing the diet.

Excess weight in Dachshunds is not a cosmetic side issue but a genuine health risk. Extra weight increases the pressure on discs that are already heavily strained and speeds up wear on the spine. Studies and veterinary experience show time and again that overweight Dachshunds develop IVDD symptoms more often, and frequently earlier in life, than their slimmer counterparts. Anyone wanting to do something good for their Dachshund's back isn't just doing it at the gym or on walks, but above all in the food bowl.

In practical terms, this means: consistently factor snacks and treats into the daily ration rather than feeding them on top. As a rule of thumb, rewards and chews together should make up no more than about ten per cent of daily energy intake. For a dog as small as the Dachshund, this share is reached quickly, especially when several family members are generous with treats. Calorie-conscious, lean snacks help preserve the joy of a reward without putting extra strain on the spine.

Suitable chews for small dogs

Chewing is one of the most natural activities for any dog, it relieves stress, keeps teeth clean and simply makes dogs happy. For a Dachshund, though, it's worth taking a closer look at two things: the size of the chew and its fat content.

On size: a chew made for a German Shepherd is usually unsuitable for a Dachshund, both in terms of handling and texture. Smaller and medium-sized chews sit better in the paw and can be worked on more calmly over a longer period, rather than being wolfed down in a few greedy bites. The Chew Finder helps you choose the right option for your Dachshund's size and chewing strength.

As for fat content, lower-fat and medium-fat chews are the better choice for a small dog prone to weight gain than very fatty varieties. Single-protein, air-dried beef jerky, or a lean beef snack, delivers high-quality protein at a manageable calorie count and is well tolerated, particularly for Dachshunds with a sensitive digestion. Buffalo tendons are naturally lean yet pleasantly long-lasting to chew, ideal for Dachshunds that enjoy being kept occupied for longer. If you have an especially persistent chewer at home, buffalo trachea offers a long-lasting snack that keeps the dog occupied for many minutes without constant refilling. Chicken feet round out the range as a smaller, low-calorie option that works well as an in-between treat.

All of these chews share the same philosophy: single-protein, grain-free, gently air-dried and free from additives. That's a decisive advantage over industrially processed chews with an unclear recipe, especially for a breed prone to sensitive digestion and excess weight. When it comes to the small rewards in between, it's also worth looking at single-protein treats that come without unnecessary additives and can easily be split into small portions. You'll find our full range of natural chews in our shop.

Allergies & sensitive digestion

Like many small breeds, Dachshunds occasionally tend towards sensitive digestion and food intolerances. Typical signs include recurring itching, soft stools, frequent ear shaking, or redness on the paws and belly. The cause is often not a classic allergy but an intolerance to certain protein sources or additives in the food.

To find out which ingredient is triggering the symptoms, a structured elimination diet is recommended: over several weeks, only a single protein source not previously fed is given, without any other reward or additional food. If symptoms improve, individual ingredients are then reintroduced step by step to identify the problematic component. What matters here is consistency, even the smallest exception can distort the result. Single-protein foods and snacks make this process considerably easier because they contain only one clearly named protein source from the outset and can therefore be used in a targeted way.

The Dachshund puppy

Good back health begins at the bowl even for a puppy. Growth that's too fast due to overfeeding can put extra strain on the frame of small, elongated breeds like the Dachshund before the muscles and ligaments have even matured. Feeding should therefore be tailored to age and weight, with several small meals a day, rather than following the principle of "as much as he wants".

Chews are also worthwhile for puppies, but in a particularly small and softer form so as not to overwhelm the still-growing jaw and sensitive stomach. Anyone unsure which product suits the age and size of a young Dachshund can find reliable guidance via the Food Finder and the Chew Finder instead of guessing.

Frequently asked questions about Dachshund diet

How much should a Dachshund eat per day?

That depends on weight, age and activity, there's no blanket amount. The feeding recommendation on the respective food packaging serves as a guide, adjusted to your dog's actual ideal weight rather than its current weight if it's already too heavy. The Food Finder helps calculate a realistic daily amount.

Why is grain-free food recommended for Dachshunds?

Grain-free food contains fewer rapidly available carbohydrates and avoids ingredients that more often trigger intolerances in sensitive dogs. For Dachshunds with sensitive digestion or a tendency towards excess weight, a high, high-quality protein content with reduced fillers is particularly beneficial.

From what point is a Dachshund considered overweight?

If the ribs can no longer be felt easily and the waist is no longer visible from above, the dog is overweight. Since even a few hundred grams noticeably affect such a small dog, regular weighing and an open conversation with your vet are worthwhile.

Which chews are best suited to a Dachshund?

Lower-fat, single-protein chews in a small to medium size are ideal, such as lean beef jerky, buffalo tendons, buffalo trachea or chicken feet. They provide occupation and chewing enjoyment without jeopardising the calorie balance, and with it back health.

Character & who the Dachshund (Teckel) suits

In short, the Dachshund (Teckel) suits best: confident owners with an eye for dogs full of character.

• Size: small
• Energy level: medium
• With children: good with children
• Flat living: suitable for flats
• For beginners: with some experience
• Coat care: low maintenance
• Trainability: moderately eager to learn
• Alertness: alert

Not sure whether this breed suits your life? Find out with our Breed Finder "Which dog breed suits me?".