Dachshund Puppy Growth Spurts & Chart Guide
Dachshunds may be known for their tiny size, long body, and charming personality, but it’s essential for pet owners to understand their growth milestones.
From one month to the next, Dachshund puppies go through a fascinating transition toward adulthood, with each stage having a real impact on your pup’s overall health and development. Noticing how their features change and their character matures makes them even more irresistible over time.
Dachshund Puppy Growth Spurts & Chart Guide – Short Answer
Dachshund puppies grow quickly, hitting important milestones each month as they transition to adulthood. Tracking their growth helps ensure good health, proper development, and gives pet owners a deeper appreciation for their tiny size, long body, and charming personality.
Dachshund Puppy Growth Stages
Newborn to 2 Weeks – Dependent Stage
In the newborn to 2 weeks dependent stage, puppies are blind, deaf, and completely reliant on their mother for warmth and nutrition. This is the very first and most fragile phase of their lives, where their survival depends entirely on her constant presence and care.
During this time, they are unable to regulate their own body temperature or feed themselves, making the mother’s role vital. Providing a safe, warm, and quiet environment helps ensure they begin life strong and ready for the next stage of growth.
3–4 Weeks – Early Exploration
At 3 to 4 weeks, the early exploration phase begins as puppies’ eyes and ears open, allowing them to engage more with the world around them. They start walking a bit shakily, taking their first wobbly steps toward independence.
This period brings steady growth in both size and confidence, as well as a surge in curiosity. Puppies begin to sniff, nibble, and interact with their littermates, which helps develop social skills. It’s a short but exciting stage that lays the groundwork for more active play and learning in the weeks ahead.
5–8 Weeks – Rapid Physical Growth
From 5 to 8 weeks, puppies experience rapid physical growth, with weight gain remaining steady as their bones strengthen. During this time, they also begin to build social skills and develop important interactions with their littermates and humans.
New puppy owners often benefit from reading helpful guidance to prepare for this stage.
This stage lays the foundation for both physical structure and behavioral confidence, making it a key period for gentle handling and early training.
9–12 Weeks – Weaning Complete
By 9 to 12 weeks, the weaning process is complete, and puppies are fully on puppy food. This is when the first noticeable growth spurt often becomes visible, especially in leg length and chest width.
Their bodies begin to take on a more defined shape, showing the early signs of their adult proportions. Proper nutrition during this period is crucial, as it fuels healthy development and supports the rapid changes happening in their frame and muscle tone.
This is also around the stage when many people start wondering the right age for a Dachshund to leave the breeder.
3–6 Months – Peak Growth Phase
From 3 to 6 months, puppies enter the peak growth phase, marked by significant muscle and bone development. Their coat also thickens, giving them a fuller, more mature look. During this stage, they gain strength, coordination, and stamina, which means they’ll be more active and playful.
Providing a balanced diet rich in nutrients and keeping a consistent exercise routine helps ensure their bodies develop properly. This period sets the foundation for their long-term health, shaping how they carry themselves into adulthood.
6–12 Months – Adolescent Growth
From 6 to 12 months, puppies enter the adolescent growth stage, where slower weight gain becomes the norm. The focus shifts to filling out rather than lengthening, giving them a sturdier, more balanced body shape.
This is when their frame solidifies, and muscle tone becomes more defined, signaling the approach of full physical maturity. Maintaining proper nutrition and regular activity during this stage ensures they develop into strong, healthy adults.
12+ Months – Adult Size Reached
By 12+ months, adult size is reached for most standard Dachshunds, with their full height and length now set. Miniatures may finish growing earlier, but both types show their final proportions, muscle tone, and coat maturity during this stage.
While rapid development has slowed, it’s still important to maintain a healthy routine of exercise, balanced nutrition, and regular vet check-ups. This ensures they not only keep their ideal shape but also enjoy strong joints, good stamina, and overall long-term well-being as they move into full adulthood.
Average Dachshund Growth (Standard & Miniature)
- 2 months – Standard: 5-10 pounds, Miniature: 2-5 pounds
- 3 months – Standard: 6-13 pounds, Miniature: 3-8 pounds
- 4 months – Standard: 7-16 pounds, Miniature: 4-9 pounds
- 5 months – Standard: 9-20 pounds, Miniature: 5-9.5 pounds
- 6 months – Standard: 11-25 pounds, Miniature: 5.5-10 pounds
- 7 months – Standard: 13-26 pounds, Miniature: 6-10.5 pounds
- 8 months – Standard: 15-28.5 pounds, Miniature: 7-11 pounds
- 9 months – Standard: 15.5-30 pounds, Miniature: 7-11 pounds
- 10 months – Standard: 16-32 pounds, Miniature: 7-11 pounds
- 11 months – Standard: 16-32 pounds, Miniature: 7-11 pounds
- 12 months – Standard: 16-32 pounds, Miniature: 7-11 pounds
Signs of a Dachshund Growth Spurt
Common signs of a Dachshund growth spurt include increased appetite, where your pup seems hungrier than usual as their body demands more fuel. You might notice a bit of clumsiness or awkward walking as their proportions shift, along with noticeable size changes in a short period.
They may also have higher sleep needs for recovery, allowing their muscles, bones, and energy levels to adjust to rapid development. Recognizing these signs helps owners provide the right care and nutrition during these quick phases of growth.
Nutrition During Growth Spurts
Proper nutrition during growth spurts is essential, and a protein-rich, breed-appropriate formula can support bone and joint health. This ensures puppies develop strong structures while maintaining balanced energy levels for their active and rapidly changing bodies.
Portion Adjustments
It’s important to adjust feeding quantities temporarily during spurts to match your puppy’s increased nutritional needs. Growth phases demand more energy, protein, and vitamins, so slightly increasing portions can help fuel muscle, bone, and organ development.
Once the spurt slows, returning to normal feeding levels prevents excess weight gain while keeping your Dachshund healthy and balanced.
Hydration
Adequate water intake supports metabolic changes during growth spurts, helping the body process nutrients efficiently and regulate temperature. Consistent hydration keeps joints lubricated, aids digestion, and ensures that rapid growth doesn’t strain developing organs.
Exercise & Joint Health During Growth
Moderate exercise helps avoid joint stress during your puppy’s development, allowing them to build stamina and coordination without risking injury. Overexertion can harm still-forming bones and cartilage, so activities should be kept low-impact and age-appropriate.
It’s equally important to avoid high-impact jumping until at least 12 months, as the spine and joints of a Dachshund are particularly vulnerable. Instead, opt for short, frequent walks, gentle play, and mental stimulation that keeps them engaged without putting strain on their growing frame.
During outdoor activities, it’s worth knowing how to choose clothing for Dachshund puppies to protect them in different weather conditions.
When to See a Vet About Growth
Knowing when to see a vet about your puppy’s growth is essential for keeping them healthy. If their development suddenly stalls, it might signal nutritional gaps, hormonal imbalances, or hidden health concerns.
You should also act quickly if you notice signs of limping or discomfort, as these can point to joint or bone issues common in Dachshunds. Being underweight or overweight compared to chart averages can also put unnecessary strain on their body. Early checkups and adjustments to diet or activity can help prevent small problems from becoming long-term issues.
Final Thoughts
Growth spurts are a natural part of your Dachshund’s journey, but they need careful monitoring to maintain healthy development. You can use the chart as a helpful guideline, yet always remember that each Dachshund is unique in how they grow and mature.
By combining close observation, proper nutrition, and regular veterinary care, you’ll support your pup’s individual needs and help them thrive at every stage.
FAQ’s
Do Dachshunds have growth spurts?
Bear in mind that puppies can grow at different rates, with growth spurts of quickly increasing size, followed by a period of slower progress. Overall, a healthy Dachshund puppy on a quality diet high in protein will gain weight steadily as they age. These changes are normal and part of balanced development.
What are the signs of a puppy’s growth spurt?
Signs of a puppy’s growth spurt include increased appetite and noticeable size changes in a short time. They may show clumsiness or awkward walking as their body adjusts. Higher sleep needs help with recovery during rapid development.
What age do Dachshunds grow the most?
Dachshunds are bred with the chondrodysplasia (dwarfism) gene, so their legs take longer to fully develop. They grow rapidly for the first 8 months as bones lengthen. Leg development continues until growth plates close at 10-12 months.
How much do Dachshunds grow after 4 months?
After 4 months, Dachshunds continue steady growth, with standards often reaching 7-16 pounds and miniatures 4-9 pounds. They start filling out in muscle and body shape while gaining height and length. Growth remains active until around 10-12 months, when it slows toward maturity.
