Have you ever wondered how the elegant long-haired Dachshund got its flowing, silky coat when most “wiener dogs” have short, smooth fur? These beautiful dogs didn’t just appear naturally – they were carefully created through selective breeding practices that began centuries ago.
Long-haired Dachshunds were developed by crossing standard smooth-coated Dachshunds with long-haired breeds like spaniels, setters, and small toy breeds such as Papillons. This breeding process gave them their signature flowing coat while keeping the classic Dachshund body shape you know and love.
Understanding the origins of your long-haired Dachshund helps explain why these dogs often have calmer temperaments than their short-haired cousins.
The spaniel influence brought not just beautiful fur, but also a gentler personality that makes them wonderful family pets. You’ll discover how different breeds contributed specific traits and why this mix created such a special companion.
Origins of Long Haired Dachshund
The smooth-haired dachshund came first as the original variety. Breeders created this original badger dog from German Shorthaired Pointer, Pinscher, and Bracke breeds.
Long-haired dachshunds developed much later through two possible methods. The first theory suggests that smooth dachshunds occasionally had puppies with longer hair than their parents.
The second theory involves deliberate crossbreeding. Breeders crossed standard dachshunds with spaniel breeds to create the flowing coat you see today.
Why did breeders want longer hair? The answer lies in their hunting purpose. Long hair helped protect these little hunters from sharp thorny bushes and branches during forest hunts.
Your long-haired dachshund’s coat comes from specific breeding practices rather than natural evolution. This makes them quite different from their smooth-haired ancestors.
Breeding Timeline:
- 1st: Smooth-haired (original badger dog)
- 2nd: Long-haired (developed later for protection)
- 3rd: Wire-haired (came last)
The American Kennel Club recognizes all three coat varieties today. Each type shares the same basic dachshund body but has different coat genetics from the original breeding programs.
What Breeds Make Long Haired Dachshund?
Long-haired dachshunds aren’t made from mixing different dog breeds. Instead, they come from selective breeding within the dachshund family itself.
The smooth-haired dachshund served as the foundation for creating long-haired varieties. Breeders used two main methods to develop these silky-coated dogs.
Method 1: Selective Breeding
- Breeders chose smooth dachshunds with naturally longer hair
- They bred these dogs together over many generations
- This gradually increased coat length in their puppies
Method 2: Spaniel Cross-Breeding
- Some breeders crossed smooth dachshunds with spaniel breeds
- This introduced the longer coat gene into dachshund bloodlines
- The long-haired variety is thought to have descended from spaniels
Your long-haired dachshund shares the same basic genetics as standard dachshunds and wire-haired dachshunds. The main difference is just the coat type gene.
| Dachshund Type | Coat Characteristics | Development Method |
|---|---|---|
| Smooth-coated | Short, sleek fur | Original breed type |
| Long-haired | Silky, flowing coat | Selective breeding + spaniel influence |
| Wire-haired | Rough, coarse texture | Developed later in 1800s |
The short-haired dachshund remains the foundation for all coat varieties. Through careful breeding choices, you get the beautiful flowing coat that makes long-haired dachshunds so special.
Characteristics of Long Haired Dachshund
Physical Appearance
Your long-haired dachshund has a silky, flowing coat that sets it apart from smooth and wire-haired varieties. The coat appears glossy and slightly wavy, with longer feathers on the ears, chest, legs, and tail.
These dogs maintain the classic dachshund body shape. They have long, low-slung bodies with short legs and deep chests that once helped them hunt badgers.
Size Variations
| Type | Weight Range |
|---|---|
| Standard | 16-32 pounds |
| Miniature | 8-11 pounds |
Temperament Traits
Long-haired dachshunds are known for being quieter and more gentle compared to other dachshund types. They often display spaniel-like qualities in their personality.
Your dachshund will be affectionate and loyal but can show stubborn streaks. They form strong bonds with family members and make excellent watchdogs despite their size.
Health Considerations
Intervertebral disc disease affects many dachshunds due to their long spine structure. This condition can cause back problems and requires careful monitoring throughout their lives.
Grooming Needs
You’ll need to brush your dog’s coat 2-3 times weekly to prevent matting. Pay special attention to the feathered areas around ears and legs where dirt collects easily.
Dachshund puppies develop their full coat length gradually. The silky texture becomes more pronounced as they mature into adults.
Colors Available
Your long haired dachshund can come in various colors including solid red, black and tan, chocolate and tan, dapple, and brindle patterns.
