Your dachshund probably spends most of their day sleeping—they’re famously lazy—but that doesn’t mean their coat, nails, and ears maintain themselves. A full grooming session at home costs a fraction of a professional appointment and gives you time to spot skin issues, ear infections, or nail problems before they become vet visits. The catch? Dachshunds come in three coat types (smooth, wirehaired, longhaired), and the grooming approach shifts based on which one you own.
This is not a guide to grooming a Standard Poodle, Bichon, or Cocker Spaniel at home—those breeds have continuously growing hair that mats fast and require professional clipping every 6–8 weeks. A dachshund is different. You can do this. Here’s how.
Before You Start: Timing and Setup
Set aside a quiet afternoon when you’re not rushed. Dachshunds get anxious in unfamiliar situations, and a stressed dog is a wiggly, difficult dog. Gather everything before you wet your dachshund: shampoo, towels, brush, nail clippers, ear cleaner, treats, and a non-slip mat for your tub or grooming table.
If you’re working in a standard bathtub, lay down the non-slip mat so your dog doesn’t panic about sliding. If you have a grooming table ($40–120, worth it for regular groomers), set it up beforehand with the mat secured.
Step 1: The Bath (45 minutes)
Fill your tub with lukewarm water—test it on your inner wrist. It should feel warm but not hot. Dachshunds are small and sensitive to temperature swings.
Wet your dachshund thoroughly from neck to tail, working in the direction of hair growth. Avoid the face and ears for now. Once soaked, apply shampoo and work it into a lather with your fingers, not your nails. Pay attention to the belly, armpits, and between the toes—dirt accumulates there.
Rinse completely. Any shampoo residue will irritate skin and make the coat dull. Rinse again. Yes, twice.
Now carefully wet the head and face. Cup your hand to shield the eyes and ears. Shampoo the face gently, rinse immediately, and dab dry with a towel.
For longhaired and wirehaired dachshunds, you can condition after shampooing if you want—it helps with tangles. Smooth-coated dachshunds rarely need it. Rinse if you use it.
Squeeze excess water gently and wrap your dachshund in a towel. They’ll shake, so do this in the tub. Let them shake, then rub them down. Some owners use a low-heat dog dryer after toweling; others let air dry for small dogs. Either works.
Step 2: Brush Out (30–45 minutes)
Once mostly dry (damp is fine), bring your dachshund to a grooming table or elevated, stable surface. This prevents you from hunching and saves your back.
Smooth-coated dachshunds: Use a slicker brush or rubber curry brush in the direction of hair growth. Quick, efficient pass. They shed year-round but not excessively.
Longhaired dachshunds: These need the most attention. Brush gently with a slicker brush, working through tangles with your fingers first. Check behind the ears, under the legs, and around the rear—mats form there. Work in sections, always brush-to-skin, not just the top layer.
Wirehaired dachshunds: Slicker brush works, but be gentle; their coat texture is fragile. Some owners hand-strip wirehaired coats (pulling dead hair by hand), but that’s beyond a typical at-home session and can be uncomfortable for the dog. Brushing suffices for maintenance.
Brush the tail thoroughly. Dachshunds often get mats at the base of the tail where they sit.
Step 3: Nail Trim (15 minutes)
This is where most people hesitate, but dachshund nails are small and manageable. Their nails are usually dark, so you can’t see the quick (the blood vessel inside). When in doubt, cut less; you can always trim more next month.
Use a scissor-style or guillotine clipper—both work fine for small dogs. Hold your dachshund’s paw gently but firmly. Clip at a slight angle, just the clear or lighter-colored tip. Aim to remove about 2–3 millimeters. If you hit the quick and it bleeds slightly, dab with a towel and a tiny bit of styptic powder (you can buy this for $5–8).
Do all four paws and the dewclaws (those small nails on the inside of the front legs, higher up). Dachshunds often have prominent dewclaws.
Talk to your vet if you’re nervous the first time. They can show you exactly where to cut, and it’s worth the peace of mind.
Step 4: Ear Check and Clean (10–15 minutes)
Dachshunds have long ears that hang close to the head—a warm, moist environment that breeds ear infections. Check them weekly, even on non-grooming days.
Gently fold back one ear and look inside. Normal ear skin is pale pink. If it’s red, swollen, smelly, or has dark waxy buildup, talk to your vet before you clean.
If ears look healthy, use a cotton round dampened with vet-approved ear cleaner. Gently wipe the visible inner ear flap, never pushing deep into the canal. Use a fresh cotton round for the other ear.
Some dogs tolerate a few drops of cleaner poured into the ear canal (vet-approved only), followed by a gentle massage at the base of the ear. Most dachshunds do not enjoy this; the wipe-down is sufficient for maintenance.
Dry the ears with a clean, dry cotton round or tissue. Moisture invites infection.
Common Mistakes That Cost You Extra
Buying the wrong brush size. A brush too stiff or too large will scratch dachshund skin or pull hair. Slicker brushes are not one-size-fits-all; buy one labeled for small dogs.
Skipping the second rinse. Shampoo residue causes itching and flaking within days. Rinse until water runs clear.
Trimming nails too short. If you draw blood once, you’ll be gun-shy forever. It’s better to leave a tiny bit of nail than to hit the quick. Monthly trims keep nails short without risk.
Forcing a full grooming session on a stressed dog. If your dachshund is anxious, break this into two sessions: bath and brush one day, nails and ears the next. A calm dog is safer and more cooperative.
What You’ll Spend
- Shampoo (16 oz): $8–15
- Slicker brush: $10–20
- Nail clippers: $8–12
- Ear cleaner: $8–12
- Cotton rounds (if you don’t have any): $2–4
- Non-slip mat (one-time): $10–15
Total first-time investment: $46–78. If you already own towels and have old cotton pads lying around, you’re closer to $30. Shampoo and ear cleaner last months, so future grooming sessions cost almost nothing.
Professional grooming for a dachshund runs $40–80 per session. At-home grooming pays for itself in two to three sessions.
Things to Do With Your Dachshund After Grooming
Your freshly groomed dachshund is happier, cleaner, and (if you did nails right) less likely to scratch your legs. This is a great time for a walk, some light play, or a training session—they’ll have fresh energy and fewer skin irritations. Many dachshunds reward themselves by sleeping for six to eight hours afterward, which is very on-brand for the breed.
When your dachshund’s next grooming day rolls around in 4–6 weeks, you’ll already know what to expect and where the tricky bits are. Keep notes on what worked—every dog is different, even within the breed.
