German Shepherd Dachshund mix, yeah, I said it, and I will repeat it for good measure. German Shepherd Dachshund mix! The new hybrid pooch is referred to as a Dachshund Shepherd, and boy, are they an adorable blend of intelligence, looks, and bold personality.
We will be looking at a handful of valuable information that all new pet owners should weigh before getting a dog. That would be trainability, potential health risks, temperament, and grooming. Since the Dachshund Shepherd mix is a newer breed, and very little data has been compiled, it’s essential to look at the two different parents to see if they would be the best fit.
Quick Comparison: Dachshund Vs. German Shepherd Vs. Dachshund Shepherd
| Dachshund | German Shepherd | Dachshund Shepherd | |
| Height | 8” to 9” | 22” to 26” | 8” to 16” |
| Weight | 16 to 32 lbs (standard) or 11lbs max (miniature) | 50 to 90lbs | 20 to 70lbs |
| Life Span | 12 to 16 years | 7 to 10 years | 7 to 14 years |
| Coat | Smooth, wire-haired, or long-haired | Medium Haired, long-haired | Smooth, wire-haired, or long-haired, medium-haired |
| Shedding | Moderate | High | Moderate to High |
| Grooming Needs | 1-3 times a week depending on coat length | 3-4 times every week depending on coat length | 1-2 times weekly depending on coat length |
| Brushing Needs | Minimal to moderate depending on coat length | Moderate to high depending on coat length | Moderate to high depending on coat length |
| Temperament | Clever, stubborn, mischievous, playful | Intelligent, Obedient, High Energy | Feisty, Intelligent, Energetic |
| Trainability | Hard | Easy | Easy |
| Kid-Friendly? | Yes | Yes | Moderate |
| Good with other Pets? | No | No | No |
| Good For New Dog Owners | Yes | Moderate | Moderate |
| Tolerance to being alone? | Moderate | Moderate | Moderate |
| Exercise Needs | 30-60 minutes per day | 60-120 minutes per day | 30-60 Minutes per day |
| Social? | Moderate | Moderate | Moderate |
| Okay in Heat? | Moderate | Moderate | Moderate |
| Okay in Cold? | Low | High | Moderate |
| Barking? | High | High | High |
A Brief History of The Shepherd and Dachshund
Both breeds started in Germany in the 1800s with specific job duties. The German Shepherd was used for a herding dog, with their high intelligence and obedience, they protected flocks from surrounding predators. It wasn’t until the 1900s that the German Shepherd came to America to enter our workforce to be used in the military, police force, and as a service dog for people with disabilities in the year 1990. This eager to please dog has ranked the second most popular breed from the years 2014 to 2018 in the AKC most popular dog breed list.
The dachshund, with their tiny legs and long muscular bodies, were bred to be hunting dogs. Their stumpy legs might be what makes them oh so adorable, but they served a purpose in the 1900s in Germany. They used their powerful legs and petite body to chase down badgers in their den and chase the animals out. The breed was also used for hunting wild boar, so they might look cute and sweet, but they were bred to be strong and courageous hunters.
Pros and Cons of Getting a Dachshund Shepherd
Pros of a Dachshund Shepherd
This hybrid is a highly vigilant breed, both parents are scored high with the AKC for their protective nature, so if you were looking for a breed for its watchdog characteristics, you’ve found one with the Dachshund Shepherd.
Dachshund Shepherd is a high-energy breed that will be happy to accompany you on many walks. The German Shepherd is a highly energetic working dog, and the dachshund with its hunting lineage both enjoy physical stimulation and play.
Most owners enjoy dogs with unique personalities, this dog will have a bold and courageous attitude. The Dachshund is known for its feisty temperament and independence, versus the German Shepherd, who can be a downright cuddle bug with its owner. The two combined have the potential to create a perfect blend of the two breeds.
Cons of a Dachshund Shepherd
This dog will likely be a barker, because of its watchful nature, which isn’t recommended for apartments or families with infants.
Both breeds are known for their love of their owner but are aloof towards outside people. They will need to be socialized from a young age to avoid aggression towards other animals, children, and strangers.
They are bred with two dogs that have a high prey drive. This means that the mixed breed will have a high probability of showing aggression towards small animals. It’s not recommended to have them off-leash.
German Shepherd Dachshund Mix Temperament
Due to its parent’s background, the German Shepherd dachshund mix should be an excellent dog for a family, with its playful and feisty personality. They will be the perfect blend of lap dog and loyalty.
The Dachshund is known for its energetic, stubborn personality. This mix will more than likely strongly bond to one of the family members (probably the animal’s caregiver). That does come with a concern of potential aggression towards another family member or strangers near their owner.
Dachshund Shepherd: Appearance, Height, and Weight
With the German Shepherd weighing in at 50 to 90lbs on average and a height of 22 to 2 inches, and the standard Dachshund full grown at 13 to 32lbs and a height of 8 to 11 inches tall the mix breed will weigh in at about 16 to 70lbs and 8 to 22 inches tall.
This crossbreed may not have the all too cute stumpy legs and long body of its dachshund parents, but long triangular ears are a 100% guarantee! Due to the genetics of both breeds, their ears can be floppy, erect, or if you are super lucky, both.
While German shepherds can have medium hair to long hair coats, the dachshund is known to have smooth, wire-haired, or long-haired fur. Length and type of fur will depend significantly on the hybrid’s parents.
The different color coats could range from:
- White
- Dark brown
- Bluecoat
- Black coat
- Merle
- Brindle
- Red
- Dark facial mask
- Piebald.
What Potential Health Problems Are Dachshund Shepherds Prone To?
Even though judging the lifespan of a newer breed is difficult, we can still look at the Dachshund Shepherd’s parent’s average life and potential health risks to determine that. German Shepherds typically live to 7 to 10 years due to their larger size and potential health issues, versus Dachshunds with a good breeder can live on average 12 years, and sometimes even up to 16 years old.
The Dachshund Shepherd’s lifespan today is estimated to be 7 to 14 years old.
One of the main concerns depending on your pup’s build is Intervertebral Disc Disease. IVDD is a neurological condition that affects the cushioning in between the vertebrae of the spinal column. The discs can bulge, and herniate causing paralysis, severe pain, and sometimes nerve damage.
This breed, in addition, has a long list of conditions that are common with the two breeds, such as:
- Bloat: When the stomach fills up with gas, food, or fluid and the stomach flips, which if not treated urgently can result in death.
- Degenerative Myelopathy
- Hip Dysplasia and elbow dysplasia are when the joint does not develop properly and can cause instability and even deterioration.
- Eye conditions (Check in details) being cataracts and progressive retinal atrophy.
- Mitral Valve Disease is common with Dachshunds.
- Ear infections
- Luxating Patella
- Seizures inherited from its Dachshund side.
- Irritable bowel syndrome is common with German Shepherds as well as a couple of other common Gastrointestinal diseases.
This hybrid breed has a list of potential conditionals that shouldn’t be taken lightly, so you must take your pet to routine wellness visits and sign up your pet from a young age with Pet insurance. Some Pet insurance for a small premium will offer pre-approvals for emergency visits, so if the stay is thousands of dollars, you will only have to pay a small portion of the visit to receive veterinary care. Care Credit is also a medical credit card often used at emergency visits. You can apply for that day that offers zero interest for a year for you to pay off your Veterinary bills.
Dachshund Shepherd Grooming
If your little guy has a double coat, you better prepare to invest in a good vacuum and brush weekly! At the beginning of the warmer weather, German Shepherds have whats referred to as a blowout. They shed their winter coats in preparation for the hotter season. You should expect hair to cling to every surface of you and your home.
Thankfully they do make plenty of brushes designed specifically for that tricky double coat, and a handheld vacuum does wonders for upholstery in between your weekly vacuuming. Due to the Dachshund’s different hair types, it is hard to say what length the fur will be, but brushing should be expected at least 1 to 2 times a week, possibly more.
#Recommended to check: How to groom your dachshunds with care.
It is also essential to make sure their nails are routinely trimmed, and teeth brushed regularly to help prevent any type of dental issue or disease.
Since the breed has long ears, it will also be necessary to occasionally clean your pet’s ears with warm water or a veterinary-recommended wipe.
Dachshund Shepherd Feeding and Nutrition
It’s super crucial that you do not overfeed your Dachshund Shepherd mix. Obesity can cause and put your dog at higher risk for potential health issues. The breed dependent on size will only need to be given about 1 ½ to 2 ½ cups every day.
I recommend higher quality brands for food due to gastrointestinal upset that’s common with the German Shepherd. Veterinary hospitals often use Royal Canin, and a science diet when feeding hospital patients.
Stray away from using any type of raw diet or grain-free diet, due to its long-term effects relating to heart disease, for prevention of arthritis or any other orthopedic issues developing, put a glucosamine supplement in their food daily. Another supplement that comes highly recommended for puppies and older dogs is Omega 3 fatty acids, and there are plenty of benefits to adding just a few pumps to your dog’s food that range from brain and eye function all the way to coat health.
How Much Exercise Does a Dachshund Shepherd need?
Exercise is vital for behavioral wellness in all breeds, but especially for this breed. This mix will be high energy, and both parents were used as working dogs. It’s in their nature to want to have a job. You should start with 30 to 60 minutes of exercise every day and adjust accordingly.
This mix can potentially become destructive if not adequately exercised mentally and physically. If you cannot put aside an hour of your time a day, this breed might not be the one for you.
The Dachshund Shepherd will be more than happy to run around with your children in the backyard. Walks are also a great way to exercise your mix without putting them at risk for any type of exercise back-related injuries.
Is the Dachshund Shepherd Easy to Train?
The short answer is YES. They should be. The Dachshund is one of the more difficult breeds to train because of its feisty, independent personality. German Shepherds are bred specifically for their easy trainability and obedience.
However, this mix needs to be trained and socialized early on to avoid potential behavioral issues. If there are any aggressive situations noted like resource guarding, please seek out the help of a professional dog trainer.
Is The Dachshund Shepherd Good With Children?
German Shepherds are typically good with the whole family, and the mixes counterpart Dachshunds are pack dogs and can be good with small children too. It is important to teach small children how to interact with any dog in the home appropriately.
Due to the dog having a high prey drive might not be recommended for you to have small children with this dog. It’s also noted that the breed can become aggressive towards people close in proximity to their owner. When getting a puppy, socialize them and always supervise them with any small children.
Are Dachshund Shepherds Good With Other Pets?
This dog does have a high likely hood of not getting along with other animals. The Dachshund Shepherd is prone to getting jealous and protective of its owner’s attention and space.
If you have another animal in the home, it might be good to get a puppy and socialize with them from a young age.
How Much Does a Dachshund Shepherd Cost?
Since this Designer Breed is a newer one, it’s hard to say the estimated cost. Typically mixed breeds run from $500 to $1000. It’s crucial, though, when selecting breeders to ensure they have proof of veterinary care and health tests for each dog they are breeding.
Rescues are typically significantly less. For a dog from the shelter or rescue, costs can range from $50 to $500. Most of the time, the dog is already spayed or neutered and vaccinated by the time you receive them.
Is The Dachshund Shepherd Right for You?
What do you think? They are a lovable, loyal, and intelligent breed that will make a great companion for the whole family. Just be prepared to put some work into this puppy. All dogs should be trained from a young age and taught basic manners. Both German Shepherds and Dachshunds are breeds that need a lot of training, in the beginning, to prevent any behavior issues from arising.
It might be better to adopt this breed because of all of its potential health risks.
It’s safe to say this is a dog breed that requires a more seasoned dog owner that can handle a high intelligence, energetic dog. I can guarantee though if you put the time, energy, and love into this little guy, you will get the same return tenfold. They will be the most loyal, loving pooch you can ever ask for!
Other Choices of Dachshund Mix
You might want to see other Dachshund mixes, check out the list below:
