Grooming Guide for Long-Haired Dachshunds: Best Practices, Styles & Care

A few simple routines and the right tools keep your dog’s coat tangle-free and healthy.

By Medha deb

Created on Sep 12, 2025

A few simple routines and the right tools keep your dog’s coat tangle-free and healthy.

Grooming Guide for Long-Haired Dachshunds

Long-haired Dachshunds are adored for their elegant, flowing locks, but these magnificent coats come with unique grooming requirements. Proper grooming not only enhances your doxie’s appearance but also maintains their health, comfort, and happiness. In this all-inclusive guide, explore the essential grooming routines, haircut options, product recommendations, and expert advice tailored specifically for long-haired Dachshunds.

Understanding the Long-Haired Dachshund Coat

Double-coated structure: Long-haired Dachshunds feature a soft, dense undercoat beneath their sleek guard hairs. This double-layer protects them from weather but makes their fur prone to tangling and matting.
Sensitive areas: Matting commonly occurs behind the ears, underbelly, legs, and feet. Regular attention to these areas is crucial to prevent discomfort and skin problems.
Seasonal shedding: They shed moderately year-round, with heavier seasonal sheds. Routine grooming minimizes loose hair and keeps their coat healthy.

Essential Grooming Tools for Long-Haired Dachshunds

Pin or bristle brushes: Ideal for gently detangling fur and removing loose hair without damaging the coat or irritating the skin.
Slicker brush: Excellent for removing mats and tangles, especially in dense undercoat areas.
Comb: Useful for delicate finishing touches and grooming sensitive regions such as the ears and tail.
Sectioning clips: Helpful in managing coat layers during brushing or trimming, ensuring even attention to all parts of the body.
Quality dog shampoo & conditioner: Maintains coat health and reduces tangling; opt for products formulated for long, double-coated breeds.
Dog-safe scissors and thinning shears: For trims around sensitive areas and shaping the coat.
Nail clipper or grinder: Keeps nails tidy and prevents injury.

Core Grooming Routine: Step-by-Step

1. Brushing

Frequency: Brush daily if possible, especially during shedding seasons or in humid climates.
Method: Place your dog in a comfortable spot and use sectioning clips to divide the fur into manageable areas. Begin by combing each section to untangle knots, then follow with a pin or slicker brush for gentle detangling. Brush from the neck down, paying special attention to the underbelly, armpits, and behind the ears.
Tips: Remove accessories (collars, coats) before brushing. Place a sheet under your doxie to catch falling hair and minimize mess.

2. Bathing

Frequency: Bathe every 4â6 weeks or as needed. Overbathing can dry out the skin, so adjust according to lifestyle and coat condition.
Products: Choose a gentle, moisturizing dog shampoo and conditioner for long-haired breeds. Avoid human products, which can disrupt the natural pH of your dogâs skin.
Technique: Thoroughly wet the coat, lather, and rinse well to avoid residue buildup. Use your fingers or a comb to gently detangle the fur during conditioning. Towel dry and finish with a blow dryer set to low or cool to prevent matting and speed up drying.

3. Trimming

Routine trims: Focus on areas where knots and dirt accumulate, such as the underbelly, feet, and behind the ears. Light scissor cuts help maintain a tidy appearance and prevent matting without over-styling the coat.
Sanitary trims: Carefully trim around the anus and genitals to keep these areas clean and hygienic. Minimal trimming is usually sufficient for long-haired Dachshunds.
Professional grooming: If unsure or nervous, seek help from a certified pet groomer. Professional advice ensures your dogâs trim matches breed standards and prevents accidental injury.

4. Nail Care

Frequency: Trim your Dachshundâs nails every 3â4 weeks. Overgrown nails can harm paws and disrupt walking patterns.
Method: Use a dog nail clipper or grinder, cutting only the tip to avoid the quick (blood vessel inside the nail). If unsure, ask for a demonstration at your vet or grooming salon.

Popular Long-Haired Dachshund Haircuts

Puppy Cut

Style: Fur is left about an inch long all over, with a little extra length on the ears.
Benefits: Low-maintenance; protects from elements; minimizes tangles and daily brushing sessions.
Maintenance: Requires regular upkeep to keep the cut neat and avoid growing out too fast.

Best-in-Show Cut

Style: Elaborate, precise grooming with thinned neck and head fur, accentuated midsection, and shaped throughout according to show standards.
Benefits: Maximizes your Dachshundâs natural beauty for competitions; demonstrates breed standards.
Challenges: Time-intensive; best handled by professional groomers with experience in show grooming.

Au Naturel

Style: Maintains your doxieâs natural coat length, with only slight trims around the undercarriage and ears post-bath for neatness.
Benefits: Easiest to maintain; natural look preserves body temperature regulation and comfort.
Maintenance: Requires thorough brushing and occasional trims to manage tangles, matting, and dirt.

Product Recommendations for Long-Haired Dachshund Care

Slicker brushes with fine, flexible bristles to tackle dense fur and prevent breakage.
Pin brushes for gentle, daily groomingâespecially on longer, flowing areas.
Hypoallergenic, oatmeal-based shampoos to soothe skin and detangle coat after baths.
Dog-safe conditioners for added moisture and smoothness.
Professional thinning shears for shaping and maintenance during trims.

Health Benefits of Regular Grooming

Improved skin health: Removes debris, distributes natural oils, and prevents irritations or hot spots.
Reduced matting: Frequent brushing prevents painful tangles and mats that can harbor bacteria and cause skin infections.
Early detection of issues: Grooming sessions allow you to check for fleas, ticks, lumps, or rashes before they become serious.
Less shedding: Regular brushing reduces the amount of hair shed in your home and helps keep your dogâs coat glossy and healthy.

Common Grooming Challenges (and Solutions)

Matting around ears and underbelly: Increase brushing frequency; use detangling sprays; section fur and gently tease out knots with fingers before using a slicker brush.
Dirt/debris in long coat: Focus trims on lower legs and undercarriage to minimize dirt collection; bathe after muddy play.
Resistance to grooming: Build trust with treats, gentle handling, and consistent routine; start young for best results.
Uneven cuts: Use sectioning clips and trim slowly; check both sides for balance and symmetry; avoid over-scissoring so the look stays natural.

Coat Care Throughout The Year

Spring/Summer: Increase brushing as shedding peaks; monitor for fleas and ticks; trim coat if overheating or matting occurs.
Fall/Winter: Maintain undercoat for warmth; check paws for salt or ice during walks; bathe less frequently to preserve skin moisture.

Summary: Haircut Styles Comparison Table
Cut Style	Length	Maintenance Level	Best For
Puppy Cut	~1 inch body, longer ears	Low	Active families, first-time owners
Best-in-Show	Precision-shaped, mixed	High	Show competitors
Au Naturel	Natural length, slight trims	Medium	All owners; easy up-keep

Expert Tips for Stress-Free Grooming

Begin grooming sessions with a calm, positive environmentâuse treats and gentle praise.
Brush out small tangles before they become problematic; never pull harshly on mats.
Always check for ticks, wounds, or skin irritations during brushing and bathing.
Condition regularly if your dog spends time outdoors or has a dry coat.
Reward your doxie after grooming with favorite toys or walks to foster good associations.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) About Grooming Long-Haired Dachshunds

Q: How often should I brush my long-haired Dachshund?

A: Ideally, brush every day to prevent matting. At minimum, brush 3â4 times per week, increasing during shedding seasons.

Q: Do long-haired Dachshunds need professional grooming?

A: While routine brushing and minor trims can be done at home, professional grooming is recommended for show cuts, thick mats, or if you’re uncomfortable trimming sensitive areas.

Q: Whatâs the best brush for my Dachshund?

A: Pin or slicker brushes work best for detangling the long coat and managing undercoat shedding, without pulling or damaging the fur.

Q: Does grooming affect shedding?

A: Yes, regular grooming reduces shedding, keeps the coat healthy, and lessens the amount of loose hair in your home.

Q: Are there any areas that need special trimming?

A: Focus trims behind the ears, underbelly, and feet where matting and dirt are most common. Sanitary trims are important for hygiene but should always be gentle and minimal.

Conclusion: Keeping Your Long-Haired Dachshund Beautiful and Healthy

Caring for a long-haired Dachshund requires regular grooming, thoughtful trims, and attention to their unique coat structure. With the right tools and techniques, your doxie will not only look stunning but also feel comfortable and stay healthy. Whether rocking a show-stopping style or an effortless natural look, these expert routines keep your furry companion looking and feeling their best every season.

References

Author

medha deb

Medha Deb is an editor with a master's degree in Applied Linguistics from the University of Hyderabad. She believes that her qualification has helped her develop a deep understanding of language and its application in various contexts.

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