Dachshund Size Guide

One breed name, two sizes, and a long, low dog, so the tape matters more than the name. Start with your Dachshund’s variety, then measure.

The short answerA Miniature Dachshund usually lands in Size 2 — Small. A Standard Dachshund sits at the top of Size 3 — Demi.Size 2 — Small is for dogs over 15 to 19 inches, and Size 3 — Demi over 19 to 23 inches, from the tip of the nose to the base of the tail.
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Measure yours first

The wiener dog, or sausage dog, is sized by its length rather than its weight. A Standard Dachshund near the top of Size 3 — Demi is worth measuring twice.

Length

From the tip of the nose to the base of the tail, with your dog standing calmly on a flat floor. The base is where the tail joins the body, the point where it starts to move when they wag. Stop there, not at the end of the tail.

Standing height

From the floor to the crown of the head, with your dog standing normally and the head not raised. If their ears stand up, measure to the ear tips as well, and send us both.

Breed charts usually give height at the shoulder, which is lower than the top of the head, so go by your own measurement.

The curl

Wait until your dog is asleep, then measure straight across the widest part of them, just as they’re lying, curled or stretched out. Don’t wake them or move them into position.

Measure twice and use the larger reading, rounded up to the nearest half inch.

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The Dachshund sizes

Most Miniature DachshundsSize 2 — SmallYour dog’s lengthOver 15 to 19 inInside floor25.42 × 18.25 inOutside, with the base27.75 × 19.50 × 29.81 inReleaseFirst release
Most Standard DachshundsSize 3 — DemiYour dog’s lengthOver 19 to 23 inInside floor29.42 × 21.25 inOutside, with the base31.75 × 22.50 × 33.94 inReleaseFirst release
A long Standard DachshundSize 4 — MediumYour dog’s lengthOver 23 to 27 inInside floor33.42 × 23.75 inOutside, with the base35.75 × 25.00 × 37.63 inReleaseFirst release

Every size gives 6.4 inches of floor beyond the dog it is drawn for. Heights include the maple base. Where standing height calls for a larger size than length does, the larger size is the one we recommend, because the arch has to clear the head.

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Questions

Which size is right for a Miniature Dachshund?

Most Miniature Dachshunds land in Size 2 — Small, for dogs over 15 to 19 inches from the tip of the nose to the base of the tail.

Which size is right for a Standard Dachshund?

Most Standard Dachshunds sit at the top of Size 3 — Demi, for dogs over 19 to 23 inches. Long, low dogs are sized by their length rather than their weight, so measure twice.

What if my Standard Dachshund measures over 23 inches?

Then Size 4 — Medium is the one, for dogs over 23 to 27 inches. The breed gets you close, and the measurement decides.

My Dachshund is still a puppy. Which size do I need?

We size for the dog they are becoming rather than the puppy they are this month. Puppies are sized to their grown-up measurements, never to today’s, and the Concierge can help you get there.

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The Atelier List

Hear when commissions open, with pricing and how to begin. Joining the Atelier List is free. Every other breed, and the size it usually lands in, is on Sizes by Breed.