How Much Does a Dachshund Cost in 2023?

Dachshund Characteristics

Call it the Wiener dog or Sausage dog, or Badger dog; Dachshunds are the dwarfs of the dog world. Short legs and a long body are how these dogs give a sausage-like look. The term badger was given to it for the fact that it was bred to scent, chase, and flush badgers. Now whether you believe it or not, there is a smaller version of these dwarfs called miniature Dachshunds. The size may be small, but both of these variations were bred to hunt burrow-dwelling animals.

These are one of the most unique-looking dogs, and for that reason, they also occupy a place in the top 15 most popular dog breeds in the U.S. They may be from Germany but contain traces of French and British hounds and terriers as well. They have enjoyed aristocratic status with several royals in Europe, including Queen Victoria having one of them as a pet.

These sausages come in 3 types of coats; long-haired, short-smooth-haired, and wire-haired. These coats come in a wide variety of colors, including red, cream, black, tan-pointed, wild boar, etc., and in patterns like merle, sable, brindle, and piebald.

What is the price of a Dachshund? 

The initial purchasing price can vary depending on the purchase avenue. You can get a Weiner dog from a breeder, rescue shelter, Craigslist, puppy farms, etc. Its age, breeder’s reputation, gender, coat color, and type, and bloodline are some factors influencing the price. Let’s try to break down the price by categorizing it by initial buying/adoption costs, vaccinations, diets, healthcare, and grooming.

Buying: $1500 – $2000  

A Dachshund puppy price from a reputable breeder is usually going to be in the higher price range of about $1500-$2000. This usually comes with an assurance of a healthy pup. The price of a sausage dog can be lower at around $500-$600 if bought from a puppy farm. The health may be compromised in that case as hundreds of puppies are bred and taken care of together at these farms. You should always do your research before bringing a dog home.

If you are looking for Dachshund puppies for under $300, adoption may be the best option for you. The U.S. has plenty of reputed and trusted adoption centers and rescue shelters. Apart from cost savings, these sheltered dogs are generally well cared for. They will probably include the incurred expenses in your bill when you decide to adopt one, but it’ll be worth it as you are enabling the shelter to house more stranded pets.

Monthly costs for a Dachshund

Diets: $20-$50

A small dog usually means a small diet. But in the case of sporting and hunting dogs, even small dogs can need a good amount of food to fulfill their energy needs. A dachshund may need a 30 lbs bag of high-quality vet-recommended raw dog food in a month which could cost you around $20-$50 depending on the level of premium food you opt for.

Grooming: $30-$50

Dachshunds are not hypoallergenic per se and do shed a little. The wire-haired may shed a little less, though, as compared to other variations. Basic grooming can include weekly brushing and monthly bathing, regular teeth and ears cleaning, and nail trimming. Grooming sessions with a professional can cost around $30-$50 per session.

Medical Costs: $700-$1200

During the first years, it is recommended you take your pet to the vet about 3-4 times annually. Vet fees can range from $100 to $300 and could include things like annual wellness exams and blood tests, among other recommended preventive care treatments. Other examinations and tests could cost you another $300-$400.

Like all breeds, Dachshunds are at risk for developing health conditions in their lifetime. Common conditions include intervertebral disc disease because of their long bodies and short legs, obesity, and hip dysplasia. The costs associated with treating these conditions could be as follows:

Intervertebral disc disease - $2000-$4000

Obesity - $800-$900

Hip dysplasia - $1800-$3000

One-time costs for a Sausage Dog

Initial Costs: $400-$450

If this is going to be the first dog in the house, then you will need an initial setup for your dog’s daily life. This can include a bed, crate, toys, chewies, leashes and collars, food, and water bowls, among others you may need. Altogether, this cost can be around $400-$450.

Microchipping: $50-$70

Statistics say that 90% of lost pets are not found, but 70% of microchipped pets find a way home. The average cost of microchipping is around $50, but may vary from state to state. Along with a dog license, it could cost an additional 10-20 bucks. Spot pet insurance highly recommends every pet parent get all their pets microchipped as it can increase the chances of finding a lost pet.

Vaccines: $250-$300

There are certain core vaccinations that a Dachshund would need. These include distemper, parvovirus, Adenovirus, type 1, Adenovirus, type 2, and rabies. All of these could cost you around $150-$200.

There are certain non-core vaccinations as well that are recommended by most vets for a Dachshund. These include parainfluenza, Lyme disease, and leptospirosis. The cost of these vaccines can be around $130-$150.

Lifetime Dachshund Cost

Looking at the expenses that you may have to manage for your Dachshund throughout their life, you can expect a lifetime cost of around $18,000-$20,000. This figure is estimated by adding the initial costs of $500 + buying cost of $1500, one-time costs of $800, and annual expenses of $1200-$1500 for its life span of 12-14 years.

How can Spot Pet Insurance help?

Spot accident & illness pet insurance plans offer a wide variety of coverages from microchip implantation to surgeries and prescription food and supplements prescribed to treat your pet’s unexpected accidents and illnesses. (Prescription food and supplements used for general health or weight maintenance are not covered). For an extra cost, Spot plans offer preventive care coverage add-ons to help cover the costs of certain routine vaccinations, annual wellness exams and other preventive care treatments. You can view the add-on preventive care coverage options. Get in touch with us to know more!

Conclusion

You may think that the cost of owning a Doxie is high, but when you come home tired after work and experience its excited bark, wiggling tail, and wet kisses, it will feel all worth it. Plus, Spot plans can help cover up to 90% of your eligible expenses for covered conditions! So go ahead and get the Wiener home!

Happy Parenting to you, and Lots of Love to your Pup!

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