Dachshund Growth and Weight Chart (Standard & Mini) – The Complete Guide

Last Updated on July 2, 2023

Dachshund Growth Chart Guide

Dachshunds (Doxies) are known for their adorable sausage-shaped bodies and vibrant, intelligent personalities.

Their small, compact size makes them so appealing as companion pets the world over. 

But when you’re looking at their puppies, it can be confusing to know just how big your dog will get, especially considering there are different versions of sausage dogs.

In this article, we will unpack everything you need to know about how big Doxies get.

We’ll also help you understand the different stages of your pup’s life to know if he is on track with his weight and height. 

Overview: A Few Fun Facts About the Dachshund

Dachshunds are a breed that was originally developed in Germany. They have a long history dating back some 300 years when they were first bred to hunt badgers.

Their long, low-slung body enabled them to be particularly effective at this task as they could efficiently track and dig badgers out of their dens. 

Doxies are determined, courageous dogs that will fiercely protect their territory. They also love to hunt.

And while today, they are loved as lap dogs, they also have tireless energy and big personalities. 

How tall is a Sausage dog?

A Standard Dachshund standing on a couch
A Standard Doxie – Source: @mauriliodach / IG

Dachshunds are not very tall dogs. In this article, we’ll give you several charts to consult so you can better track his weight and height as he ages.

Depending on the variety you have, your pup will be between 5 and 9 inches (13 and 23 cm) in height. 

When most Doxies are a year old, Standard Dachshunds will weigh around 32 pounds or 14.5 kilograms, while Miniature Dachshunds will weigh around 11 pounds or 5 kilograms.

These dogs are prone to obesity, so it’s a good idea to get your pet frequently checked by your vet to ensure he is of a healthy weight.

Is Your Dachshund Standard or Miniature?

A Standard Dachshund and a Miniature Dachshund
A Standard Dachshund and a Mini Dachshund

To properly know if your puppy is fully grown, overweight, or underweight, it’s important to understand what type of dog you have.

Doxies come in two size varieties, namely the Mini and the Standard Dachshunds.

How big does a Mini Dachshund get?

Mini Daschunds weigh under 11 pounds (5 kg) and stand between 5 and 6 inches (13 to 15 cm) tall.

Both Mini and Standard Doxies have similar coat types, that being either long-haired, smooth, or wire-haired, and the colors of the coat can be brown, black, tan, cream, red, or a combination of these colors.

Meet an adorable eight-week-old Miniature Doxie puppy here:

How big is a standard-sized Dachshund?

On the other hand, Standard Dachshunds weigh between 16 and 32 pounds (7 and 15 kg) and grow to a height of around 8 or 9 inches (20 or 23 cm).

The best way to determine how big your Standard Doxie puppy will ultimately be is to look at the parent dogs, as this will give you a good idea of how big your pet might be. 

The Ultimate Dachshund Puppy Growth Chart by Weight

A Standard Dachshund puppy

A Dachshund puppy growth chart will help you determine if your dog is at the right weight for its current age so that your puppy doesn’t grow too fast or slow.

When weighing your puppy to see if they’re on track for the correct weight according to their age, it’s essential to keep their gender in mind as male Doxies are significantly bigger than females

Don’t worry if your puppy doesn’t match up to these figures exactly.

A few pounds or kilograms here and there won’t make the most significant difference in your pet’s life at the end of the day.

You can always ask your vet if you have any concerns regarding your puppy’s development.

Standard Dachshund Puppy Growth Chart (lb & kg)

Below is your Standard Doxie puppy’s estimated weight at the different stages of his life.

Just remember every puppy grows at its own rate, and if you’re ever concerned about your Doxie’s weight, don’t hesitate to consult your vet.

Age Standard Dachshund 
Average Weight
3 months 13 lb (5.9 kg)
4 months 18 lb (8.2 kg)
5 months 22 lb (10 kg)
6 months 25 lb (11.3 kg)
7 months 27 lb (12.2 kg)
8 months 29 lb (13.2 kg)
9 months 30 lb (13.6 kg)
10 months 31 lb (14.1 kg)
11 months 32 lb (14.5 kg)
12 months 32 lb (14.5 kg)

Miniature Dachshund Puppy Growth Chart (lb & kg)

As mentioned, miniature Doxie puppies will weigh significantly less than standard Dachshunds. 

Age Miniature Dachshund 
Average Weight
3 months 7.1 lb (3.2 kg)
4 months 9.5 lb (4.3 kg)
5 months 11.5 lb (5.2 kg)
6 months 12.8 lb (5.8 kg)
7 months 14 lb (6.3 kg)
8 months 14.9 lb (6.7 kg)
9 months 15 lb (6.8 kg)
10 months 15.7 lb (7.1 kg)
11 months 16 lb (7.2 kg)
12 months 16 lb (7.2 kg)

Standard & Mini Dachshund Growth Chart Infographic

Our Dachshund Growth Chart Infographic provides essential information on the growth stages of Standard and Mini Dachshunds. Track their development from puppyhood to adulthood, ensuring their health and happiness.

Standard and Mini Dachshund Growth Chart Infographic

Standard Dachshund Puppy Growth and Development with Pictures

You may be worried about if your Standard Doxie is on track with their development and if you’re feeding them the right food or giving your dog the right amount of exercise to build a healthy weight.

Below, we’ll help you determine if your Standard Doxie puppy is growing correctly for the current stage of its life. 

0- to 4-week-old

A newborn Dachshund puppy
Source: @huisdierfotografie / IG

Puppies grow the most in the first two weeks of their life, which is also when they are most vulnerable. They still rely on their mom for food and warmth during this time.

At this stage, humans should intervene as little as possible and let the mother dog care for her babies as she is best equipped to do so.

After two weeks, Dachshund puppies will also begin to learn to move, their eyes will open, and their hearing will develop. 

4-week-old (1-month-old)

A one-month-old Dachshund puppy
Source: @jacqui_allard / IG

By four weeks old, your puppy will begin to interact with other dogs and the world around him.

A four-week-old Doxie pup should still be with their mother as they will learn playing and socialization skills from their mom and their other littermates. 

During these weeks, your puppy should become more coordinated. His ears may begin to stand up, and he may learn to bark. 

8-week-old (2-month-old)

A two-month-old Dachshund puppy
Source: @daisy_and.bandit / IG

At the two-month mark, you will be able to bring your Dachshund puppy home from the breeder.

You will also need to take your puppy to the vet for vaccinations, and your vet will also weigh and measure your dog to ensure that he is at the right weight for his age.

An 8-week-old miniature Doxie is tiny. When you bring them home, these dogs will not weigh more than 5 pounds, which is only 2.2 kilograms.

12-week-old (3-month-old)

A three-month-old Dachshund puppy
Source: @_jackson_the_dachshund / IG

By three months old, your pup’s senses will be fully developed, and your growth rate will begin to slow.

At this stage, Standard Dachshunds will weigh around 13 pounds or 5.9 kilograms, while Miniature Doxies will weigh about half of that at 7.1 pounds or 3.2 kilograms.

16-week-old (4-month-old)

A four-month-old Dachshund puppy
Source: @ronda_0505 / IG

Your Doxie puppy will have gained more confidence and independence by the time he is four months old.

He will love exploring the world around him but can be easily distracted. Their appetite will also increase dramatically as they reach a growth spurt around this age. 

20-week-old (5-month-old)

A five-month-old Standard Dachshund puppy
Source: @_jackson_the_dachshund / IG

By five or six months old, your Standard Doxie will weigh between 22 and 25 pounds (10 and 11 kg).

At this stage, your dog should still be eating three small meals a day at breakfast, lunchtime, and in the evening.

In comparison to the standard Dachshund, a Mini Doxie that is five months old will weigh only 11.5 or 12.8 pounds (5 and 6 kg).

This is about half the weight of a Standard Dachshund at this stage of his life.

6-month-old

A six-month-old Dachshund puppy
Source: @_jackson_the_dachshund / IG

Your Dachshund puppy enters his adolescent phase at around six months old.

Their temperament is becoming more developed here, and they need plenty of exercise, playtime, and companionship. 

1-year-old

A one-year-old Dachshund puppy
Source: @thelittleweeniesss / IG

By the time your Dachshund puppy is one year old, he will have reached his fully grown height and weight, although he may still have some puppy-ish features.

Your dog would have reached emotional maturity at around a year, and their final facial features will develop. 

8 Things You Should Know About Your Dachshund’s Growth

What you need to know about Dachshund's growth

Various factors will determine how big your Dachshund will be when it’s fully grown.

While the above growth charts provide a reliable estimation of how big your Doxie puppy will be, various other factors can influence the size of your dog.

The biggest one is your dog’s genetics, with the size of the parent dogs having a big part to play in how large or small your pup will ultimately be. 

1. How to measure the height and weight of your Doxie?

A Dachshund being weighed by a veterinarian

It’s pretty easy to measure the weight of your Dachshund. Small Doxie puppies can just be placed on a baby scale or bathroom scale to accurately get their weight.

Most vets have a pet scale and will measure your dog when you go in for checkups. 

If you want to weigh your dog at home and can’t keep your puppy still, a simple solution is to weigh yourself without your dog first and then get on the scale holding him.

The difference in weight would be the weight of your puppy.

To measure the height of your Doxie, measure your dog with a tape measure when he is standing.

You need to measure from the ground to the withers, the uppermost point on his shoulder blades. 

How thick is a Dachshund neck?

Having the accurate size of your Dachshund dog’s neck will enable you to buy the proper size harness, collar, and jerseys for your pooch.

A full-grown Standard Doxie’s neck will typically measure between 16 and 20 inches (41 and 51 cm) in circumference. 

A Dachshund with a measuring tape

Just remember when buying gear for your Doxie puppy that he will grow quickly, so it’s best to purchase items that can grow with him and will still fit when he is an adult dog.

2. Health issues that can influence your puppy’s growth

Dachshunds are known for their unique appearance in that they have long bodies with very short legs.

Unfortunately, while adorable, this unique body structure does put them at risk of developing specific health problems. 

Their low-slung shape makes them predisposed to back issues, while dental disease, obesity, cancer, and heart issues are all commonly associated with this breed.

Regular vet checkups throughout your puppy’s life will help you pick up, prevent, and treat any of these health issues.

3. How to identify an overweight Doxie dog?

An overweight Dachshund
Source: @snovhkids / IG

As the Dachshund breed is prone to becoming obese, it’s essential to keep a close eye on your dog’s weight. An overweight pup could be at risk of developing several health problems.

To tell if your dog is overweight, you need to feel his ribs.

A Doxie with a healthy weight, you should be able to feel the ribs when running your hand over his body, while his waist should be visible when viewed from above. 

If this is not the case with your dog, and you’re struggling to see his body’s definition, he could be overweight.

Overweight Dachshunds may also get quickly tired, are slow, have visible fat rolls, and are not eager to play.

To keep your pup at a healthy weight, you need to provide him with quality nutrition as an imbalanced diet can cause him to put on too much weight.

You’ll also want to avoid giving him fatty treats and instead opt for healthy vegetables like butternut or carrots.

You also shouldn’t feed your pup table scraps or human food, which could put him at risk of developing diabetes.

Regularly exercising your dog will also help him stay in shape.

At the same time, regular play will also help keep him mentally stimulated and help avoid any bad habits such as chewing or digging.

You should try to provide him with between 30 and 60 minutes of exercise every day.

You should also get your overweight Doxie checked out by the vet as he could have a health condition preventing him from losing weight. 

A Dachshund being given with dog food
Source: @floki.dachshund / IG

Dachshunds are active dogs that need nutrition that has been formulated to support their energy levels with reasonable quantities of protein.

While underweight Doxies are less likely than overweight dogs of this breed, this can occur.

Underweight dogs can struggle to generate enough body heat to keep themselves warm.

To help your dog gain weight, you should chat with your vet as he may advise a higher-calorie diet or supplements that can help him gain weight.

4. Dangers of stunted or accelerated growth 

You need to take care of your Dachshund when he is still young as his bones and joints are very fragile at this time.

Puppies that jump up and down too much or that are not carried properly could be at risk of developing intervertebral disk disease, which is caused by increased stress on your dog’s spine.

5. At what age are Dachshunds fully grown?

A six-month-old Dachshund
Source: @featuringfreo / IG

Your Dachshund puppy will have reached his full size when he is between six and eight months old.

Even though your sausage dog will be his fully grown weight and height at this age, he may still have puppy features such as a rounder face, soft fur, and a small chest.

By the time your pup is around two years old, he should have lost these puppy features and look like a fully grown adult Doxie.

6. What is the best age to spay or neuter your pup?

Dogs can experience growth issues if they are spayed or neutered too young.

This is particularly the case for large breed dogs who can experience joint problems if they are spayed or neutered before six months old.

As Dachshunds are not large breeds, you likely won’t have these same problems.

Spaying or neutering your puppy will help calm his temperament and prevent unwanted pregnancy and health issues.

Thus, many vets recommend spaying or neutering your Doxie at around six months old.

Conclusion: How Big Will My Dachshund Puppy Grow Into?

Now you should know a bit more about the healthy weight of Dachshunds and exactly how big your puppy will be as he grows up.

Exactly how large or small your pup will get is primarily determined by his genetics, but diet, physical activity, and of course, what type of Doxie you have will also play a role.

Exactly how big your pet will be as a fully grown dog will also depend on if you have a Miniature Doxie or a Standard-size Sausage Dog.

Dachshunds grow a lot in their first year, with most of them reaching their full adult size as early as six or eight months of age. 

How big is your Doxie? We would love to know. Please feel free to tell us all about your dog in the comments below.

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