How Much Does a Dachshund Cost? (2024 Updated)

Despite being an extremely popular breed, the price of a Dachshund puppy is no higher than other hunting hounds. Although, you can expect purebred Dachshunds from a good lineage to come at a much higher price tag.

Nevertheless, there are still a lot of factors that contribute to the overall selling price of a Dachshund puppy, including their size, training, registration, coat color, gender, and health screening.

If you want to learn more about the Dachshund price, this article is for you. Up ahead are the initial and annual expenses of owning a Dachshund, other potential expenses, where to buy them, and some money-saving tips!

How Much Does a Dachshund Puppy Cost?

A purebred Dachshund from reputable breeders typically costs $500 to $4,000 depending on several factors, such as the pedigree and breed type. However, Dachshund puppies listed on the AKC Marketplace typically sell for around $1,500. 

As mentioned, there are several factors that directly affect the price of a Dachshund puppy, such as size and coat type. Here are the average puppy prices for different types of Dachshunds:

Aside from their coat type and size, another factor that affects the price of a Dachshund puppy is its color. The isabella Dachshund, which sports a faded grayish-brown coloration, is the most expensive.

How Much Does It Cost to Adopt a Dachshund From a Shelter? 

The cost of adopting a Dachshund from a shelter is only between $300 and $800. However, most rescues do not set a specific amount and only rely on an adoptee’s heartfelt donation. 

Usually, the adoption fee or donation you provide to the rescue goes to the welfare of the remaining dogs under their care. 

The fee also covers the physical and behavioral rehabilitation your adopted Dachshund underwent during its stay at the rescue facility.

Rarely do rescues give out Dachshunds for free because they need funds to keep the organization running.

First-Time Expenses of Dachshund Ownership

Bringing home a Dachshund, or any dog for that matter, is comparable to having a baby. You have to provide for their needs, including all essential products and services, so they get to live a good life. 

If you don’t know where to begin, below is a list of all the initial items you need to procure and essential services you have to avail of when owning a Dachshund puppy:

• Food and Treats: Food and treats are the lifelines of your Dachshund. As such, this should be at the top of your list. Since the Dachshund is a small to medium breed, expect to pay $30 to $110 for their initial dog food. This pricing is based on high-quality dog food brands. 
• Bowls: Bowls are essential in feeding your Dachshund. Food and water bowls ensure that your dog doesn’t make a mess when eating and that they consume the correct portion of food based on their size and age. The cost of good quality feeding bowls ranges from $10 to $30. stimulated. 
• Toys: Toys are essential not only to keep your dog entertained but also stimulated. A frisbee, for example, keeps them agile and fast. Meanwhile, chew toys help them during their teething phase and during periods when they are particularly bored. Most toys are between $20 and $60 on Amazon.
• Beds: Dog beds are crucial not only in providing a comfortable resting space for your dog. It also ensures that their bones develop well to avoid certain deformities such as hip dysplasia. A good quality dog bed that can fit a Dachshund costs around $30 to $200.
• Collars and Leashes: Collars and leashes are used during obedience training. But this is also essential if you plan to walk your dog and you fear that it might get lost. Collars and leashes, depending on the style, durability, and design, may cost you $15 to $50.
• Crates and Carriers: There will be times when you will need to travel with your Dachshund, whether attending a family reunion a few cities down or flying to another state. This is when crates and carriers come in handy. Luckily, you can find decent-quality crates and carriers on Amazon for $30 to $370.
• Grooming Essentials: Although Dachshunds have short hair and are relatively low-shedding dogs, they must still be groomed to prevent certain health issues and infections. Grooming essentials like dog shampoo and nail trimmers may cost $50 to $160 collectively.
• Initial Vet Visits: After bringing your Dachshund puppy home, your first order of business should be to bring them to a trusted veterinarian. The vet would do a general checkup to ensure that they are a hundred percent healthy. This would incur $100 to $500.
• Initial Vaccine Shots: Your Dachshund’s immunization should also not be overlooked. Some initial vaccinations may already be provided by the breeder. But you still have to provide the other shots, which may cost $50 to $300.
• Deworming, Flea, and Tick Medications: Dachshunds, just like other dog breeds, are prone to fleas, ticks, and worms. As such, you must give them over-the-counter medications every few months. You’ll initially spend $40 to $300 for this.
• Neutering or Spaying: If you do not plan to breed your Dachshund, it is suggested to have them neutered and spayed. This not only lessens possible aggression but also reduces their risk from certain health issues that plague the breed. Neutering and spaying amounts to $50 to $500.
• Microchipping: Microchipping is done by inserting a chip under the skin between the shoulder blades. This is so they can be tracked and identified whenever they get lost. This is completely optional and may run you $40 to $60.
• Dog License: A dog license is meant to identify your dog and you as the owner. Again, if your dog wanders and is found, it can be returned to you quickly because it is licensed. This is only $10 to $20.
• Other Essentials: As you go along with pet ownership, you might find it essential to buy training pads for your dog, as well as a poop scooper, poop bag, odor neutralizer, and sanitizer. Expect to spend $20 to $50 for all these.

Here is a detailed breakdown of the initial expenses that come with owning a Dachshund puppy:

As seen in the table above, the extra expenses when bringing home a Dachshund puppy are around $495 to $2,470. 

These are just estimates based on current market prices, so before deciding to bring home a pup, you should be financially prepared. 

Annual Cost of Owning a Dachshund 

Many of the initial expenses included in the list above aren’t one-time expenses. Food and parasite medications, for instance, should be continuously provided until your dog crosses the rainbow bridge.

For a more detailed list of your Dachshund’s annual expenses, refer to the table below:

After the initial year of purchasing your Dachshund pup, your monthly expenses would run between $122 and $370 — not exactly cheap, but it is definitely worth it, given how much joy your Dachshund can bring.

Other Potential Expenses to Consider

Now that we’re done with the essentials, let’s jump to the “nice-to-haves” as well as possible emergency expenses you might encounter on your Dachshund ownership. 

• Pet Accessories: Dachshunds are irresistible pets, and at some point, you might want to dress them up, buy them tiny socks and bandanas, etc. Such accessories and dresses can be expensive, especially if they are personalized. You’ll spend around $20 to $500 for all these.
• Grooming Services: Unless you are a professional groomer yourself, it’s best to bring your Dachshund to the pet salon so they get premium grooming from time to time. This ensures every part of their body is sanitized and free from parasites and infections. Professional dog grooming can run you $40 to $80 per session, depending on the services you’ll avail. 
• Dog Daycare: If you’re going somewhere for a long period and you cannot bring your Dachshund with you, you can leave them with doggie daycare. There, your dog would be given the best care, and they can interact with other pets, which can help develop their socialization skills. Dog daycare services charge $20 to $50 per day.
• Dog Sitting or Dog Walking: Busy owners who cannot find time to walk their dogs can employ dog walkers for the job. Similarly, pet owners who are always running errands or are gone for long periods all the time can hire a dog sitter to look after their dogs. These services can cost $15 to $30 per half an hour.
• Training Classes: For your Dachshund to behave well and follow certain commands, training is extremely essential. Individual training can run you $1,500 to $2,000 on average, while group training costs $150 to $200 depending on the trainer’s credentials, the age of your dog, and some other factors.
• Emergency Treatments: As your dog ages, they become more prone to certain health issues and diseases. There’s also the chance of accidents within or outside the household. As such, you need to prepare $1,000 to $5,000 for the emergency treatments of your Dachshund.

Although some of the items and services above are completely optional, you should still save up if your budget permits. This is so your savings won’t suffer if the need arises.

Best Places to Find Dachshund Puppies for Sale and Adoption

Dachshund breeders and rescues are everywhere, so finding a puppy won’t be much of a challenge. Nevertheless, you must still exercise extra caution so you don’t get a sickly pup. 

Here are some of the best breeders and sources to get a Dachshund puppy from:

• AKC Marketplace – The AKC Marketplace is a pet listing platform run by the American Kennel Club. Purebred Dachshunds are listed by breeders associated with the AKC, so you are guaranteed their health and quality. Moreover, all the information about the pup is already available on the AKC website.
• Nuforest Dachshund – This breeder has been around since 1974, which speaks of their dedication to the breed. They are located in California and have already produced more than 50 champion Dachshunds since they were established.
• Pattis Dachshund Farm – This Alabama-based Dachshund breeder registers their puppies in the AKC and CKC. They guarantee that their puppies are free from any genetic diseases and other health issues prone to the breed.

An alternative to buying a Dachshund from a breeder is adopting one from a rescue. This route not only helps you save money but also allows you to save a dog’s life.

Here are Dachshund rescues to check out if you want to adopt this breed:

• Dachshund Rescue of North America – This rescue comprises a network of rescuers who have already rehomed over 12,000 dogs. Since 1999, this rescue has spayed and neutered their dogs, provided them with rabies and DHPPC vaccines, tested them for heartworm, and provided dental cleaning.
• Dachshund Rescue Tennessee – This rescue, founded in Cookeville, Tennessee, is an all-volunteer organization that rescues Dachshunds in all sizes and shapes. Their adoption fees range from $275 to $475 based on the dog’s age. 
• All American Dachshund Rescue – This rescue not only saves neglected Dachshunds but also helps prevent animal cruelty, encourages spaying and neutering and teaches technical skills on how to take care of Dachshunds. You can register on their website to get full access to their list of adoptable dogs.

If you did not succeed in finding a Dachshund from these sources, don’t lose hope yet. 

We suggest driving around your neighborhood to check for free puppies or logging in to your favorite social networking sites, as some breeders and rescues post their available Dachshunds on their websites.

Money-Saving Tip for Dachshund Owners

In total, the amount of money you’ll spend on your Dachshund from the purchasing price, initial and annual expenses, emergencies, and nice-to-haves can balloon to thousands of dollars. 

If you are a frugal pet owner who wants to minimize spending for your pet, here are some money-saving tips for you!

• Groom your Dachshund at home. Gone are the days when bringing your dog to a professional groomer was your only option. YouTube already offers a bank of information about dog grooming, which you can leverage to save money. If you aren’t confident with the accuracy of YouTube content, you can always ask a professional groomer to train you so you can do it at home. 
• Bring them to the vet regularly. When you bring your Dachshund to the veterinarian regularly, any possible health issues they may develop are nipped in the bud. Granted, vet checkups aren’t cheap. But compared to emergency treatments, their cost is much more acceptable.
• Purchase high-quality dog accessories. Investing in high-quality items like dog beds, brushes, food and water bowls, crates, etc., can help you save money in the long run. These items will last a long time, unlike cheap items that break when used a few times.
• Make homemade dog food. Feeding your dog homemade food not only ensures they eat a nutritious meal but also allows your wallet to breathe. Dog food ingredients can be purchased for cheap from local markets, so if you have the luxury of time, just DIY.

Having bred and raised many Dachshunds myself, I have really considered creating different types of recipes for my dogs that I cook in bulk and store in the freezer, then reheat when it is time to feed my furbabies.

One of my Dachshunds’ favorites is boiled chicken with potatoes, carrots, string beans, and, of course, mixed with nutrient-dense kibbles. This nutritious mix extends my budget for their food and makes them even more excited for their next meal time.

In addition to these tips, you may also want to consider buying food in bulk, using vouchers and coupons when purchasing dog items, and creating a separate account for your pet fund.

Frequently Asked Questions

Why Are Dachshunds So Expensive?

Dachshunds can be expensive primarily because of their coat color and coat type — whether they are long-haired, short-haired, or wire-haired.

But many breeders also attribute their expensive pricing to the Dachshund’s dwarf status. This trait makes breeding a little more complex compared to other breeds. 

How Much Do Mini Dachshunds Cost?

Mini Dachshunds can cost $800 to a whopping $3,000 because they are selectively bred. The various colorations, as well as the demand for this tiny pooch, also significantly impact their price. 

Are Dachshunds High or Low Maintenance?

Dachshunds are low-maintenance dogs. They don’t shed as other hunting hounds, so they only need minimal grooming. 

Moreover, since they are relatively small, their bodies aren’t meant for exhaustive exercise and activities. Moderate exercise is enough for this breed.

Are Dachshunds Expensive to Own?

Yes. Dachshunds can be expensive to own if you also factor in the initial and annual expenses of owning them. Their initial expenses can amount to $495 to $2,470, while the annual expenses are between $1,465 and $4,450.

Final Thoughts

Owning a Dachshund does not end with the purchase price. As highlighted in this blog, you would need to buy some essential items and avail of some services to ensure they live their best life.

Thankfully, you’ll never run out of options these days as there are many shops (both brick and mortar and online) that cater to a Dachshund’s needs. Just be sure to invest in high-quality items and services to get your money’s worth.

Want to share how much you bought your Dachshund puppy and the expenses you did not anticipate during ownership? Leave a comment below!