Exercise

Exercising your Dachshund is as much about giving him mental stimulation as it is about physical exercise. The Breed Standard describes the Dachshund’s character as “Intelligent, lively, courageous to the point of rashness, obedient”. A bored Dachshund is likely to be a noisy and destructive Dachshund, so varied daily exercise provides the mental stimulation to keep him happy.

It is important not to over-exercise a puppy. Puppies spend a lot of time sleeping and you need to build up their exercise regime over the first year. Once your puppy has finished his course of inoculations, start to take him for a short walk of about 5 minutes every couple of days or so to help him get used to traffic and other people and dogs.

By the time he is about 4 months old, he should be having a 20 minute walk every day, then as he gets to 5 months gradually increase the distance and time to about 25 minutes every day. By 6 months he should be going for a 30 minute walk each day. By a year old you should be giving your dog a 45-60 minute walk a day (maybe split in two lots).

Once adult, your Dachshund will take any amount of exercise you care to give. This is equally true of Standard and Miniature Dachshunds. Remember, these were originally working hounds and, when adult, they should still be capable of out-lasting you on any walks.

Too much exercise, too soon, will cause out-turned feet, poor top-lines and poor body development. Whether your Dachshund is a pet or a working dog, or a show dog, he must be allowed to grow up naturally and with exercise suitable for his stage of development. You’d be far better allowing a puppy to exercise freely in the garden so he can decide when he’s had enough, rather than taking him on long walks where you risk over-tiring him. Worst of all is an exercise regime of little or nothing during the week, followed by an all-day marathon at the weekend. They are full of energy until they “grow up” (if they ever do), but you will have a far fitter dog in the long-term if you don’t over-exercise him when he is young.

At the end of the day, it’s up to you of course, but do ensure he gets out and about so he is well socialised by meeting different people and experiences different situations.