The mini long haired dachshund is the most requested combination in the breed, and the hardest one to find. It pairs the smallest recognised size with the least common coat type, which means fewer of them are born and most are spoken for before they are listed.
This guide covers what to actually expect: adult size, when the coat fills in, how much grooming it really needs, and what these puppies cost.
What “Mini Long-Haired” Actually Means
Two separate traits combined in one dog.
Miniature is a size class: 11 pounds and under at twelve months, roughly 5 to 6 inches at the shoulder. It is measured by adult weight, not by how small a puppy looks at eight weeks.
Long-haired is a coat type, and it is recessive. Both parents must carry the gene for a long-coated puppy to be produced. That is why long coats appear less often in litters and usually cost more.
Put the two together and you have a genuinely limited supply. Add a dapple or a less common colour and availability tightens further.
The Coat: What Happens Over the First Year
A long-coated puppy does not look long-coated when you collect it. At eight to ten weeks it may look only slightly softer and fluffier than a smooth-coated littermate.
The coat develops over roughly the first twelve months:
- 8 to 12 weeks: soft, slightly wavy, not obviously long
- 4 to 6 months: feathering begins on the ears and the backs of the legs
- 6 to 12 months: chest, tail and leg feathering fill in properly
- 12 months and beyond: full adult coat, still thickening slightly
If you are buying based on how a puppy looks in a photograph, remember you are looking at an early stage. Ask to see a parent.
Grooming a Mini Long-Haired Dachshund
Moderate, not intensive. More than a smooth coat, considerably less than a Poodle.
Brushing: two to three times a week with a pin or slicker brush. Concentrate on behind the ears, the armpits, and the trousers on the back legs. These are where mats form, and a mat that reaches the skin is painful and usually has to be cut out rather than brushed out.
Bathing: every four to six weeks, or when needed. Over-bathing strips the natural oils and leaves the coat dull.
Ears: long feathering on drop ears traps moisture and reduces airflow, which makes ear infections more likely. Check weekly. Head-shaking or persistent scratching at one ear needs a vet.
Feet: hair grows between the pads and collects grit, ice and seeds. Trim it flush every few weeks.
Shedding: moderate and year-round, heavier seasonally. The volume is similar to a smooth coat but the longer hairs are far more visible on furniture and clothing.
Professional grooming is generally not necessary. Regular home brushing plus occasional tidying around the feet and sanitary areas is enough for most owners.
Temperament
Long-haired Dachshunds have a reputation as the calmest of the three coat types, with wire-haired considered the most mischievous. There is a widely repeated theory that the long coat came from spaniel crosses far back in the breed’s history and brought a gentler disposition with it. It is plausible and widely believed, but it is not established fact.
The more useful point: coat type is a weak predictor of personality compared with the temperament of the parents and how the puppy was raised.
What is true of every Dachshund regardless of coat or size:
- Bold, confident, and completely unaware of being small
- Loud, and an excellent watchdog as a result
- Stubborn and clever in equal measure — trainable, but on their terms
- Intensely bonded, often to one person, with a real tendency toward separation anxiety
- High prey drive that can override recall entirely
Health and the Back
Neither the miniature size nor the long coat creates health problems of its own. The health issue that matters in this breed is the spine.
Intervertebral disc disease affects Dachshunds at far higher rates than most breeds. The long back and short legs come from a form of dwarfism that also changes how spinal discs develop and degenerate.
Being small offers no protection. Small dogs are if anything more likely to be lifted awkwardly and allowed to jump off furniture.
Practical prevention:
- Keep the dog lean — an overweight miniature is carrying a large proportional load
- Ramps or steps instead of jumping down from beds and sofas
- Support the back and rear when lifting; never lift by the front legs
- Harness rather than neck collar
- Sudden reluctance to move, hunching, shivering or hind-leg weakness is an emergency
Miniatures also tend toward dental crowding because of the smaller jaw, so plan on regular dental care.
What Mini Long-Haired Dachshund Puppies Cost
This combination sits at the top of Dachshund pricing because it stacks two things buyers want: the smallest size class and the least common coat. Demand consistently exceeds supply.
Our puppies are $1,000, including the veterinary examination, age-appropriate vaccinations and worming, our one-year health guarantee, and the paperwork for your vet. Delivery is quoted separately.
Be sceptical of cheap listings for this specific combination. It is one of the most commonly faked descriptions in online puppy fraud precisely because it is so in demand. Warning signs are pressure to pay by wire transfer or gift card, refusal to do a video call, and photographs that turn up on multiple unrelated sites.
Frequently Asked Questions
How big does a mini long-haired Dachshund get?
Up to 11 pounds at twelve months, around 5 to 6 inches at the shoulder.
When does the long coat come in?
It develops across the first year. Expect a significant change between eight weeks and twelve months.
Do they need professional grooming?
Usually not. Home brushing two to three times a week plus occasional foot trimming is generally sufficient.
Are they hypoallergenic?
No. No Dachshund is.
Are they good apartment dogs?
Size-wise yes. The limiting factor is barking, not space.
Can I tell at eight weeks whether a puppy will be long-haired?
Usually yes — the coat is softer and slightly wavier — but the full extent only shows later. The parents’ coats are the reliable guide.
Available Mini Long-Haired Puppies
We raise our puppies at home rather than in kennels. Each is vet-checked and current on vaccinations and worming before leaving. See who is available now on our available puppies page, read our health guarantee, or check how delivery works across the United States.
Because this combination moves quickly, it is worth contacting us even when nothing is listed — we can tell you what is expected.
