How to bathe a dachshund: step by step

There is no single number for how often to bathe a dachshund. Frequency depends on coat type, lifestyle, how dirty the dog gets and the condition of the skin [S1]. Bathe the dog when he is dirty or starts to smell, not on a schedule.

The “every 6 to 8 weeks” figure that circulates in owner guides refers to certain non-shedding coat types, not to dachshunds. This article is informational and does not replace veterinary advice, particularly if the dog has a skin condition.

What you need

• A shampoo made for dogs, not for humans
• A microfibre towel
• A non-slip bath mat
• A jug for rinsing

Step by step

1. Brush the dog before he goes in the bath. Tangles turn to felt once wet.
2. Use lukewarm water. Avoid clearly hot or cold water [S2].
3. Wet from the back downwards. Do not pour over the head, water should not get into the ears.
4. Leave the shampoo on for as long as the label says. Medicated products often need around ten minutes of contact time, ordinary ones far less [S5]. A universal “five minutes” does not apply to every shampoo.
5. Rinse thoroughly. Shampoo residue on the skin can cause itching.
6. Towel dry. A smooth-haired dachshund dries quickly, a long-haired one may need a dryer on low heat.

Does frequent bathing damage the skin

The popular claim that weekly bathing destroys the skin’s lipid barrier is too categorical. In a 2024 study, seventeen dogs with atopic dermatitis were bathed weekly for four weeks with no significant deterioration in most barrier parameters [S3]. Regular bathing is in fact part of the management of canine atopic dermatitis [S4].

In practice: frequent washing may temporarily change skin parameters, and the effect depends on the product and on the dog’s skin. Frequency in a dog with skin disease is set by a vet, not by a guide.

What not to do

• Do not use dry shampoo instead of a bath. It masks smell, it does not clean.
• Do not clean ears in the bath. That is a separate procedure.
• Bathe a very young puppy only when necessary. The key issue is immature thermoregulation, especially in the first weeks of life, so a puppy must be dried and warmed thoroughly afterwards [S6].

Long-haired and wire-haired dachshunds

Long coats need regular brushing to avoid matting. Wire coats are stripped, meaning dead hair is removed, depending on how mature the coat is and what type it is. We give no fixed interval in months, because the need depends on the individual dog’s coat.