Dachshund Price: How Much is a Doxie Dog?

Last Updated on April 19, 2023

Dachshunds (Doxies or Wieners) are known for their vibrant personalities, boundless energy, and adorable sausage-like shape.

These small dogs are sought over throughout the world as companion pets no matter the size of your home or family. 

But as they are in relatively high demand, they can fetch quite the price tag.

So exactly how much can you expect to pay for one of these dogs, and what will it cost to raise a Doxie from puppyhood to adult? Keep reading to find out.

How Much is a Standard Dachshund?

The average price of a Standard Dachshund puppy is between $500 and $1000, although many factors influence the cost of your pup.

However, they can cost significantly more than this during their lifetime when considering the various expenses that owning a dog incurs.

These can include medical expenses, puppy training, food, toys, accessories, etc. 

Should You Buy a Puppy or an Older Doxie?

If you’re looking for a Dachshund puppy, you may find one available to purchase at a breeder, or you might be in luck and find one available for rescue at a shelter.

However, as puppies are in high demand and older Dachshunds are less desirable than young pups, the dogs at rescue centers are generally older. 

If you plan to adopt an older Dachshund, you need to consider that you may be adopting some expensive health problems or even behavioral issues that could require much time, effort, and energy to sort out.

If you’re willing to put in the extra effort, you can rest easy knowing you will be giving new life to a dog in need. 

How much does a Dachshund puppy cost?

While you might pay as low as $300 for a Dachshund puppy at a rescue center, you could pay as much as $3000 for a single puppy from a registered breeder.

What type of Dachshund you’re buying, their coat variation and color, and their genetic history will all play a factor in the final cost of your dog. 

How much is a full-grown Dachshund?

Adopting or buying a full-grown Dachshund will be significantly more cost-effective than buying a puppy.

As full-grown dogs aren’t in as high demand, you can pick one up for as little as $300.

If you’re looking for a Dachshund to adopt, you can consider looking at a breed-specific rescue center near you.

Are Miniature Doxies more expensive than Standard Dachshunds?

Yes, generally, the smaller the Dachshund in size, the higher its price tag. Smaller Doxies are more famous recently, so they are more expensive.

There are two sizes of Dachshund dogs, the Standard, and Miniature or Mini Doxies.

Miniature Dachshunds should stand under 8 inches (20 cm) tall and weigh less than 11 pounds (5 kg). 

On the other hand, Standard Dachshunds weigh between 20 and 30 pounds (9 and 14 kg) and stand between 10 and 11 inches (25 and 30 cm) tall. 

How much should a Miniature Doxie cost?

Miniature Doxies are more sought after and trendier than Standard Dachshunds and thus can fetch a higher price tag.

Mini Dachshunds from reputable breeders can cost as much as $4000 or even $5000.

In rare instances, these tiny pups have even been known to fetch as much as $10,000. 

What Does a Dachshund Cost Through Reputable Breeders?

Reputable breeders are the best place to find a purebred Dachshund and will ensure you get one that is healthy without any genetic problems.

The downside to this option is that puppies can be quite expensive, as most breeders price Dachshund pups around $1,000.

Doxies from show lines or champion bloodlines can significantly set you back more than this. 

How to find reputable Dachshund breeders and avoid puppy mills

Dachshund breeders with good ethics will provide background on their dogs’ pedigrees, temperaments, and even their grandparents and will have done a lot of legwork to determine a good pairing.

Backyard breeders who sell Doxies for an unreasonably low price should be avoided.

There’s a chance that these breeders might not perform the expensive health checks that reputable breeders perform.

Although this might initially be cheaper, it can let you spend much more in terms of money and heartache. 

The Dachshunds in puppy mills are also not generally given the best living conditions and health care because these unethical breeders are only interested in making money and don’t care about the living conditions of their dogs.

A Dachshund from a puppy mill likely won’t have had any deworming or vaccinations and could come with many health problems right from the start.

What Does It Cost to Rescue and Adopt a Dachshund?

It can be considerably cheaper to adopt a Dachshund from a rescue organization than to buy one from a breeder, and the dog will be provided with a loving home. 

A rescue Dachshund from a shelter can cost as low as $300, with this fee also covering any registrations, vaccinations, or dewormings. This may also cover your pet’s neutering or spaying.

Why are Dachshunds so expensive?

Dachshunds are trendy companion pets. The American Kennel Club (AKC) lists Doxies as the 12th most popular dogs out of their 197 recognized breeds.

As a result of their popularity, demand often supersedes supply which means that these dogs can be pretty expensive. 

That said, various factors influence the price of a Dachshund puppy, including the following.

1. Bloodline and Breeder’s Reputation

Dachshund puppies that come from award-winning bloodlines or from parents who are both purebred show quality dogs will cost more. 

Also, Doxies from reputable breeders with several awards will be more expensive.

These breeders tend to spend more money than others as they’re more likely to breed for good health.

2. Registration Papers/Pedigree

Some breeders will sell their Doxie puppies with registration papers from the AKC. These puppies will be more expensive.

AKC-registered dogs are verified to match the strict breed standards and would therefore be more expensive than dogs not registered with the AKC.

It is possible to breed these dogs or enter them in show competitions.

3. Health Screenings and Medical Expenses

Doxies are susceptible to several diseases, including cataracts, obesity, glaucoma, allergies, and other skin problems.

Some of these diseases, such as Acanthosis Nigricans, which causes dark pigmentation on the skin, are heredity and can’t be cured, so Doxies that come from breeders are screened for these illnesses. 

When buying a Dachshund puppy, ensure that they have health screenings for Intervertebral Disc Disease, Progressive Retinal Atrophy, and Osteogenesis Imperfecta, another inherited disease that can affect the teeth and bones. 

The fees of these certificates should be included in the price of your Wiener but will set your breeder back between $40 and $300 a test.

4. Age

As mentioned, the age of a Dachshund dog does affect its price.

The younger a Doxie puppy, the more expensive he will be but beware of any breeders selling puppies under eight weeks.

Dachshund puppies need to be with their mothers for at least the first two months of their lives as they rely on their moms for warmth and food.

5. Gender

It has little impact on how much you will have to pay for your puppy because it is male or female. 

Sometimes male Dachshund puppies can be slightly more expensive as they don’t have the risks that female dogs do when it comes to becoming pregnant etc.

Still, price based on gender is more likely to be determined by how many puppies of each sex are in a specific litter.

6. Coat Color and Markings

There are three types of Dachshund coat: long-haired, smooth-haired, and wire-haired.

The wire-haired versions shed the least and thus can be more sought after, making them more expensive. 

However, Long-haired Dachshunds are rarer, making them fetch a higher price tag, although many pet owners don’t opt for this variant because of their increased maintenance.

Chocolate and Gold Dachshunds are some of the most sought after, thus the most expensive colors.

Doxie puppies with rare colors, such as Merle or Dapple Dachshunds, can also be more expensive.

However, some of the rare Dachshund colors are not accepted by the AKC, and you may be buying a crossbreed.

7. Other Factors

Various other factors can influence the cost of your Dachshund puppy, such as the breeder’s location, demand in your area, and if shipping fees need to be considered. 

Initial Cost of Dachshund Ownership

It would be best to consider other expenses when it comes to pet ownership, aside from the cost of buying your Dachshund puppy.

When you get your Doxie, you’ll need to purchase a bed, lead, collar, food, and bowls straight away.

You might also need a pet crate if you’re transporting him. You can look for second-hand items if you need to save costs.

The first year of your Dachshund’s life will likely set you back between $800 and $1500, as there are also quite a few initial medical expenses such as vaccinations and neutering or spaying your dog.

Long-Term Ownership Costs

You’ll need to think about saving money to care for your Dachshund in the long term.

Long-term expenses for him can include food, training, vet bills, grooming costs, pet accessories, daycare, walking services, etc.

Beyond the initial year, you could be spending around $500 to $800 annually on your pet.

1. Veterinary Costs

You should not have to take your Dachshund to the vet too often if they’re fed a high-quality diet and exercised regularly.

All dogs will need to visit the vet every so often for their annual checkups, vaccinations, and deworming.

Routine checks cost around $50 to $80, while the vaccinations will set you back between $15 and $30.

You’ll also need to factor in regular flea and tick preventative medications, costing you between $15 and $50 a month.

You might also want to do an annual heartworm test ranging between $40 and $50.

Common health issues and estimated costs to treat them

Dachshund dogs also suffer from certain health conditions, and some of these can be costly to treat. 

They are most commonly diagnosed with invertible disc disease than any other dog breed.

This can cause herniated disks in the spine, which can give him lots of pain and even lead to paralysis.

They are also prone to developing hypothyroidism which can cause weight gain and mobility problems. 

2. Feeding Costs

The exact amount your Doxie will eat will depend on his age, gender, and energy level, but you’ll want to provide him with high-quality food that can sustain his whole body’s health. 

A good bag of dog food will set you back between $20 and $70, but thankfully Doxies are small dogs, so they don’t eat a lot, and that bag should last you the whole month, if not more. 

Likewise, you’ll need to factor in giving your canine the odd treat or two once in a while, particularly assuming you’re attempting to train him.

You could hope to spend an extra $10 to $20 every month on treats.

Don’t miss out: 8 Best Dog Food for Dachshunds

3. Dog Grooming Expenses

Regarding grooming, most Dachshunds, except the long-haired type, are low-maintenance canines.

They don’t require regular outings to the parlor, and as long as you brush them consistently, you can keep their coat looking luxurious and glossy.

You might have to take him to get a bath and his nails cut occasionally, but if you want to save some cash, you could learn how to do this at home.

3. Pet Insurance Costs

To assist you with covering a portion of the medical expenses we have mentioned above, it is fitting to take out pet insurance for your pup.

This can likewise assist you with paying for any huge unexpected hospital expenses. 

For the ideal rates, sign your sausage puppy up as soon as possible, as the younger the dog, the cheaper he will be.

Dachshund puppies will cost around $25 per month, but older pups could set you back as much as $100 in pet insurance costs.

4. Environmental Maintenance

Dachshunds don’t have high exercise needs and are small dogs; thus, they don’t need much room to roam.

That means you don’t need to have a large house or even a big yard to have one of these adorable doggies as a pet.

They also won’t run holes in your grass but be warned; they might dig!

5. Entertainment costs

You’ll want to keep your Dachshund puppy entertained with toys to prevent him from chewing through your shoes or digging up your garden.

Most dog toys for Doxies cost between $10 and $20. 

How many you will need to buy depends on how quickly your pet destroys them, but it may be worth it to buy more expensive toys from the outset as they are less likely to break or be chewed up by your pup.

6. Pet Supplies

There’s also the cost of supplies to consider when it comes to pet ownership. These can include your dog’s bed, crate, leash, harness, collar, and food and water bowls. 

Food and water bowls range between $5 and $25, and collars and harnesses are between $10 and $30.

Your dog’s bed might be one of the most expensive accessories you can buy, costing around $50 to $100, but a good quality bed will last a good few years, if not his life.

Additional Costs that Come with Owning this Sausage Dog

Besides the above month-to-month expenses, a few different costs are associated with owning a Dachshund.

One of the main ones would be training as you teach him how to interact with other canines while also housebreaking your puppy. 

Training your Dachshund can cost between $50 and $125 for about two months of training with a weekly lesson.

Some other expenses you may need include doggie daycare, a pet sitter for when you go away, and a dog walker if you don’t have time to walk your pup yourself.

Average Monthly Cost

Remember that owning a Dachshund is about more than just the initial expense of purchasing a puppy.

After the first year of pet ownership, which is undoubtedly the most expensive, you can expect to pay $1105 annually, which works out to about $92 a month. 

First-Year Expenses

As mentioned, the first year of pet ownership is expensive as you need to pay for quite a few vet visits for your dog’s first vaccinations and puppy training.

That’s not to mention all the supplies you will need to purchase for your new pet.

These first-year expenses could set you back as much as $3,480 when you also factor in the purchase price of your pet.

Lifetime Expenses

Dachshunds have a life expectancy of around 12 – 16 years. This means that during his life, you can expect to pay about $17,845.

As you can see, pet ownership is quite an investment and not something you should enter into lightly.

Don’t miss out: How to Extend the Life of Your Dachshund?

High VS. Low Dachshund Prices

You can tell an unscrupulous breeder from a respectable one just by checking out the prices of the Dachshund puppies.

Puppy mills might sell Doxies for around $300 to $500, while canines from trustworthy AKC breeders will cost closer to $1000. 

You might have the option to get a puppy somewhere in the range of $600 and $1000 that, while not AKC registered, have still been raised by moral breeders who stick to the purebred guidelines set out by the American Kennel Club.

Are Doxies more expensive than other dog breeds?

Dachshunds can cost more than other dog breeds because they are pretty popular and highly sought after.

That said, some designer dog breeds that are also small will fetch significantly more than the more common Doxie. This includes breeds like the Shih Tzu and Yorkshire Terrier. 

Conclusion: Should You Buy a Dachshund Dog?

Dachshunds are adorable dogs most loved for their sausage shape, low slung backs, and short legs.

They are also loved for their good-natured, fun-loving temperaments and can make excellent family dogs.

If you can manage all of the costs referenced above, then a Dachshund puppy can make an excellent addition to your home.

Just ensure you’re mindful that there are a lot of expenses related to pet ownership than just the initial price tag of your puppy.

Likewise, make sure you search for a trustworthy breeder when buying your pup.

These little dogs should come with several health checks to ensure that you’re purchasing a good canine that will lead a long life.

Do you have a Dachshund at home? We would love to hear all about your pooch in the comments below.