How Often Should I Groom My Dachshund? 9 Expert Tips (2025)
When we were deciding to get a Dachshund, we thoroughly researched their care, especially their grooming needs. How often you groom your dachshund can depend on their specific coat type — whether smooth, long-haired, or wire-haired.
Each coat has different requirements and brings unique commitments. Understanding your individual dog’s needs helps set the right frequency for grooming and ensures your pup stays healthy and happy.
How Often Should I Groom My Dachshund? 9 Expert Tips (2025) – Short Answer
Groom your Dachshund based on their coat type—smooth coats need brushing weekly, long-haired several times a week, and wire-haired may need hand-stripping every few months. Always adjust frequency to your individual dog’s needs.
1. Why Grooming Matters for Dachshunds
Dachshunds absolutely need to be groomed! With three different coat variations—smooth, long, and wire-haired—each one requires a bit of tailored treatment, but all need regular grooming attention.
From our own experience, we found that keeping up with a consistent grooming routine not only made our life easier but also built a bonding time with our furry friend.
Beyond just appearance, grooming also plays a vital role in the early detection of skin conditions, lumps, fleas, and other parasites. It’s a worthwhile habit that truly suits both the dog’s health and the owner’s peace of mind.
2. Grooming Frequency by Coat Type
Smooth-Haired Dachshunds
sleek fur that needs minimal grooming, making them the lowest maintenance type among the dachshund breed. For us, this was a big factor when choosing a smooth coat after being initially attracted to long haired varieties. Once we started researching the grooming requirements, we realized how much easier the smooth coat would be.
A bit of brushing with a soft brush or grooming mitt helps to remove loose hair and keeps their coat shiny, but this is less frequent compared to long haired or wire haired counterparts. In our experience, they don’t need frequent baths either—bathing every 2–3 months, or only when muddy or particularly dirty, is generally sufficient.
Long-Haired Dachshunds
Long-haired dachshunds have a long, silky coat that requires more attention compared to their smooth haired cousins. From our grooming experience, we’ve found that regular brushing is key to prevent tangles and matting—ideally daily, though weekly brushing is the bare minimum. Focus on areas that are prone to knots, like behind the ears and around the tail.
We also do occasional trimming to keep the hair in good condition. You can read more about this type of coat care if your dog fits the description.
These dachshunds also often need more frequent baths, especially depending on their activity level and general cleanliness.
Wire-Haired Dachshunds
Wire-haired dachshunds have a coarse, wiry outer coat with a softer undercoat, and they definitely benefit from weekly brushing using a slicker brush to remove loose hair and prevent matting.
From our experience, the unique texture of this coat type makes hand-stripping essential to maintain its proper texture, especially when the coat grows long, looks straggly, or starts curling. Hand stripping involves gently pulling out the hair using your finger and thumb in the direction the coat lies, starting at the front.
It should come out easily without causing harm or distress to the dog. While wire-haired dachshunds, like smooth haired ones, can be bathed every 2–3 months or as needed, consistent hand-stripping is far more crucial than frequent bathing for keeping this coat healthy. For more on proper coat maintenance, check this guide.
3. Nail Care
It’s incredibly important to keep your dachshund’s nails trimmed to a comfortable length, typically every 2–4 weeks. We’ve personally found that our dog’s nails grow very quickly, so staying on top of it is essential to avoid discomfort and promote healthy movement. Learn how nail trimming is done safely at home.
4. Ear Cleaning
Besides grooming their coats, it’s equally important to regularly check and clean your dachshund’s ears to help prevent infections. Since dachshunds have large ears, they’re more prone to issues—we learned this firsthand when our puppy developed a yeast infection just a few weeks after bringing him home. That’s why it’s best to start early with a gentle routine.
5. Dental Hygiene
Brushing your dachshund’s teeth regularly is essential to maintain oral hygiene, and it plays a big role in keeping their health in check while preventing bad breath. We make sure to brush her teeth with a very soft toothbrush once a week, using only doggy toothpaste to keep it safe and effective.
6. Professional Grooming
Depending on your dachshund’s coat type and your grooming experience, you might choose to let a professional groomer handle more intricate grooming tasks like hand-stripping, trimming, or styling, especially for long-haired dachshunds. It’s essential to begin grooming routines early in your dachshund’s life, helping them become accustomed to the process.
Beyond coat care, regular grooming sessions give you the perfect opportunity to check for any signs of skin issues, lumps, or other health concerns. You should also adjust the frequency of grooming based on your dachshund’s individual needs and lifestyle.
7. Diet & Coat Health
Feed a diet rich in omega-3, omega-6, and quality protein to promote a shiny, healthy coat—a common expert tip that adds great value to any grooming routine. We’ve noticed that poor nutrition often shows up first in the coat condition, with signs like dullness, flaking, or excessive shedding, so what you feed really does matter.
8. When to Start Grooming Your Dachshund
Begin grooming practices early in puppyhood to build your dachshund’s tolerance and establish a consistent routine. In our case, starting young helped our pup stay calm and cooperative during every session.
Using positive reinforcement with each grooming experience—like treats or praise—creates a bond and makes grooming something they actually look forward to over time.
9. Tools You’ll Need
- Soft-bristled brush or rubber mitt – ideal for smooth coat dachshunds
- Pin brush and comb – best for managing a long coat. For a deeper dive into which tools work best, we recommend this resource.
- Bristle brush or slicker brush – suited for a wire coat
- Dog nail clippers or grinder – for safe and regular nail trimming
- Ear cleaning solution – helps prevent ear infections
- Dog toothbrush and toothpaste – essential for maintaining oral hygiene
- Optional grooming table – offers easier handling during grooming sessions
Final Thoughts
Grooming your dachshund isn’t just about keeping them looking their best—it’s about supporting their overall health and comfort. Whether your pup has a smooth, long-haired, or wire-haired coat, regular grooming tailored to their specific needs makes a big difference.
By establishing a routine early, using the right tools, and paying attention to details like nails, ears, and teeth, you’ll not only maintain their appearance but also catch potential health issues early. Stick to a schedule that suits your dog’s coat type, lifestyle, and health, and grooming will become a rewarding part of your bond.
FAQ’s
How often should Dachshunds go to the groomer?
You should aim to groom your smooth-haired dachshund 1–2 times per week to keep their coat soft and clean. Use a soft-bristled brush, stay gentle, and focus on removing only what’s unneeded from the coat.
Do Dachshunds need haircuts?
Not all Dachshunds need haircuts. Long-haired Dachshunds may benefit from occasional trimming to keep their coat neat, especially around the ears, paws, and tail. Smooth and wirehaired varieties typically do not require haircuts but may need regular grooming or hand-stripping instead.
Can I bathe my Dachshund once a week?
You can, but it’s usually not recommended unless your Dachshund gets especially dirty. Weekly bathing may dry out their skin and strip essential oils from their coat. For most Dachshunds, a bath every 2–3 months or as needed is ideal.
Do Dachshunds need professional grooming?
Wirehaired Dachshunds need a weekly brush and occasional professional grooming a few times a year to maintain a neat and trim coat. Since all Dachshunds shed throughout the year, a regular hoover of their bed and home keeps things manageable.
