Breed · Short smooth coats
Dachshund grooming: smooth, longhaired and wirehaired coats
AKC's Dachshund coat facts for all three varieties: a hound-glove wipe, longhaired brushing, wirehaired stripping, and monthly nail trims for all.
Also listed as Dachsie
We may earn a commission if you buy through links on this page, at no extra cost to you. Unless a page says otherwise, our picks come from published specifications and listing research, not hands-on testing. How we make money · How we research
Short answer
Dachshunds come in three coats with different needs (AKC). Smooth coats need little beyond a wipe with a towel or hound glove; longhaired coats may need more frequent brushing; wirehaired coats can be plucked or hand-stripped several times a year, with brushing or combing once or twice a week. AKC rates the breed 2 of 5 for shedding. Core tools: hound glove, nail clippers, and a slicker for long or wire coats. Don't skip nails: AKC says every Dachshund needs a monthly trim.
Key facts
- Coat type (AKC)
- Smooth[1]AKC's trait field lists Smooth, but the breed comes in smooth, longhaired and wirehaired varieties.
- Coat length (AKC)
- Short, Medium[1]
- Shedding (AKC, 1-5)
- 2 of 5[1]AKC's grooming text calls Dachshunds moderate shedders.
- Brushing (AKC guidance)
- Smooth: a towel or hound-glove wipe; longhaired: more often; wirehaired: once or twice a week[1]
- Seasonal shedding
- None noted by AKC[1]
- Clipping and shaving
- Wirehaired: plucked or hand-stripped several times a year, plus occasional beard and eyebrow trims[1]AKC mentions no clipping for smooth or longhaired coats.
- Nail trims
- Every month, all three varieties (AKC)[1]
Watch out for
- Match the routine to the coat: AKC says grooming needs vary across the three coat types, and only the wirehaired coat benefits from hand-stripping.
- Monthly nails for every Dachshund, whatever the coat (AKC).
- Longhaired coats: a grinder can catch the feathering on the feet (VCA), so hold it back or use a clipper.
- Clipping a wirehaired coat softens it over time, according to AKC's hand-stripping article.
What fits
Product details below are the seller's own description unless a source is shown. Pick the variant named for each item.
Nail grinder
Two-speed rechargeable pet nail grinderChoose the white grinder.
For smooth coats, where hair is less likely to snag; VCA suggests 1-2 second touches.
Sold by Pawsh Living Store
Nail clipper
Scissor-style pet nail clipper with LED lightChoose the gray clipper.
For longhaired and wirehaired coats, where a grinder can catch hair (VCA).
Sold by Shop1105233629 Store
Slicker brush
Self-cleaning slicker brush (PS1140)Choose the single brush; any color.
For longhaired and wirehaired coats; AKC's weekly wire-coat routine ends with a slicker.
Sold by Stone's Store
Smooth: a wipe with a towel or hound glove as needed. Longhaired: brush and comb more often than a smooth coat, depending on its thickness. Wirehaired: brush or comb once or twice a week, trim the beard and eyebrows occasionally, and plan on plucking or stripping several times a year (AKC). All three: nails every month.
AKC's 2025 registration ranking put the Dachshund at No. 5, the first time it has reached that spot since 2003.
No catalog pick yet for a hound glove, a comb or a stripping tool. See the wire coats family page for stripping vs clipping and the long coats family page for mat care.
Questions
How do I groom a longhaired Dachshund?
AKC says longhaired Dachshunds may need more frequent brushing than smooth ones, depending on the thickness of the coat. Brush to the skin and comb the ear and leg feathering; nails still need trimming every month.[1]
Should a wirehaired Dachshund be stripped or clipped?
AKC says the wirehaired coat can be plucked or hand-stripped several times a year to look its best. Clipping is simpler, but AKC's hand-stripping article says it eventually softens a wire coat and affects its color and texture.[1][2]
How often should Dachshund nails be trimmed?
Every month, for all three coat varieties, according to AKC.[1]