Grooming and coat
How do you care for a Dachshund's coat?
Last updated 23 September 2026 · How we write and check this
Short answer
Dachshunds come in three coat types, smooth, long, and wire, each needing different care: smooth coats need a weekly wipe with a rubber curry brush, long coats need brushing two to three times a week to prevent tangling behind the ears and on the belly, and wire coats benefit from occasional hand stripping to keep their texture.
The smooth coat, the simplest to manage
A smooth coated Dachshund, weighing roughly 7 to 15 kg (15 to 33 lb) depending on standard or miniature size, sheds lightly year round but rarely mats, so a weekly five minute session with a rubber curry brush covers most of what the coat needs, along with attention to keeping the belly clean given how close it sits to the ground.
The long coat's specific trouble spots
A long haired Dachshund's silky coat tangles most easily behind the ears, along the feathering on the legs, and on the belly and chest, which drag along the ground more than on longer legged breeds. Brushing two to three times a week with a pin brush, followed by a comb check in these specific areas, prevents most matting.
The wire coat's dual texture
A wire haired Dachshund carries a harsh outer coat with a softer undercoat, similar to other wire coated breeds, and benefits from the same twice weekly brushing with a slicker brush plus occasional hand stripping every few months to maintain the coarse texture that clipping alone gradually softens.
Key takeaways
- Dachshunds have three distinct coat types, smooth, long, and wire, each with different grooming needs.
- Long coated Dachshunds tangle most on the belly, chest, and leg feathering because of their low body clearance.
- Wire coated Dachshunds benefit from occasional hand stripping to keep their coat's characteristic texture.