How far should I walk my dachshund

How Far can Dachshunds Walk? (Beginners Guide)

Have you ever wondered how far dachshunds can walk? You might be curious about your dachshunds walking ability. But they are hunter dogs.

Moreover, they can be energetic and playful. They have a natural instinct to walk, run, and be active. You might take them to walk with but are confused about how far dachshunds can walk with you.

Dachshunds need to exercise regularly. Besides, you have to keep in mind that they should not over-exercise. How far dachshunds can walk is dependent on their age, health, and other conditions.

In this article, we will provide you information about dachshunds ability to walk and exercise.

How far can dachshunds walk?

A healthy, grown-up dachshund can walk up to five to ten miles in a day. The walking ability of the dachshund depends on his age and health condition. If the dachshund is done with his walking or exercise, some common symptoms will come out, like limping, rapid heart rate, slow breathing, etc.

The walking ability of standard-sized dachshund and miniature-sized dachshund is not the same. Walking two miles in a day is enough for a healthy and grown-up dachshund. If your dachshund is a puppy, he requires less walking than grown-up dachshunds.

Every pet dog has unique characteristics and abilities. It is essential to observe how far your dachshund can walk.

You can observe the ability by noticing some symptoms. If you see the following symptoms in your dachshund after walking some distance, the dachshund might be exhausted.

• Refusing to walk.
• Rapid heart rate
• Limping
• Slowing down
• Licking specific area of the body

How long can dachshunds walk?

Dachshunds can walk 30 minutes to 60 minutes in a day easily. They can walk even longer. The walking time is dependent on the age, health, and physical condition of the dachshund.

For an adult dachshund, 60 minutes of walking is enough. For a miniature-sized dachshund, 30 minutes of walking is suitable.

Dachshunds should not over-exercise or over-walk. This can lead to rapid heart rate, even heart failure. So, dachshunds need break time while walking.

You can walk with your dachshund for 20 to 25 minutes and take a break for 10 to 15 minutes. These are the minimum range of walking for healthy Dachshunds.

Walking every day is effective for Dachshunds health. Dachshunds are prone to obesity. They may walk longer time than 60 minutes considering the health condition.

How far can miniature dachshunds walk?

Miniature dachshunds can walk up to 5 miles in a day. According to their small size, they can walk less than the standard-sized dachshunds. If the dachshund is healthy, he can walk 1 to 2 miles in a day easily.

Dachshunds walking ability also depends on their size. Miniature dachshunds can walk 30 to 60 minutes a day. But 30 minutes of walking is the minimum requirement. Dachshunds must not over-exercise.

Thats why 20 minutes of walking and 10 to 15 minutes of playtime is the suitable range for miniature dachshunds is.

You should maintain your dachshunds walking routine, whether it is standard or miniature. Dachshunds need to walk regularly for their growth and well-being. Sometimes, they need more exercise than larger dogs.

How often should dachshunds be walked?

Dachshunds should be walked every day for a being fit and healthy. They need at least one hour of walking every day. You can break the total walking or exercise time into different parts of the day. Daily walking can improve the dachshunds mental growth also.

You can take the dachshund to walk once a day. But if your dachshund is fit enough, you can take him to walk twice a day. You can grow the habit into the dachshund gradually by increasing the length and speed of your walk.

It is okay if you skip one days walking. But skipping day by day can become a habit for the dachshund. He could be destructive and refuse to walk. Thats why daily walking is recommended.

How long should I walk my dachshund puppy?

Dachshund puppies dont need any formal exercise. A few minutes of walking is more than enough for your dachshund puppy. Specifically, 5 minutes of walking in a day are enough for a month-old dachshund puppy.

Your dachshund puppy requires 5 minutes of walking for every month of their age. For example, two months old dachshund puppy needs 10 minutes of walking. You can walk the puppy around your house or in the yard.

After four months, you can take the puppy outside to walk. But follow the 5 minutes rule for one year. After one year, you can increase the length and speed of walking.

When do dachshund puppies start walking?

Dachshund puppies start to walk after three weeks. After four weeks, they walk and play eventually.

So, you can start thinking about regular walking or exercise when the puppy is one month old.

Dachshunds are sensitive and hard to train. It will be effective if you start to teach them to walk regularly at the very beginning. But dont walk them for a long time. Walking for a long time can lead to other health issues.

Do dachshunds need a lot of walking?

Dachshunds were bred for hunting. Being active and energetic is their natural intuition. Thats why they need regular walking or exercise.

Dachshunds are prone to over-weight. Seeing them, some people think that dachshunds are lazy and lapdogs. But the truth is, they need to walk every day to keep fit. An hour of walk is enough for one day.

Over-walking can also lead to rapid heart rate, limping, and other health issues. So, dachshunds dont need a lot of walking. They require a minimum of an hour of walking but need to do it daily.

How do you walk a dachshund?

A one-year-old dachshund should walk an hour every day. You might be trying to walk your dachshund regularly, but he is not adopting the habit. Dachshunds are stubborn and distracted sometimes. So, you have to know how to walk a dachshund.

If your dachshund is still young, you can teach him the habit of walking correctly on a leash. For training to walk, you can follow some standard processes.

• Give the dachshund treats after some time of walking to get inspiration to walk.
• While walking on a leash, slowly pull the dachshund back in every five feet to teach control.
• For encouraging, say the word yes a lot, or you can use a specific word.
• If the dachshund goes ahead and pulls, give him treats to come to you and be on track.

Can dachshunds run long distances?

A healthy dachshund can run long distances with training. They are pretty good runners and can run 1 to 3 miles in a day if trained. Dachshunds ability to run long distances also depends on their age, energy, health condition, and experience.

Dachshunds are short-legged dogs. For this reason, they cant run more than 5 to 6 miles at a time. You can take your dachshund for jogging. But he has to get trained first. You can increase length and speed gradually.

While running, they can make a speed up to 15 to 20 miles per hour. This speed can be possible only for a short run. For long-distance, they have to keep a moderate or slow pace and training.

Is running bad for dachshunds?

Running is not bad for dachshunds at all if they are healthy. Even running is good for them to build their bone. They can run up to 1 to 3 miles in a day.

Healthy dachshunds can run short sprints with a good speed and long runs with a moderate speed.

If the dachshund has back issues or health conditions, he should not run. Dachshund puppies also should not run because their bone is still growing.

They can hurt themselves while running. Besides, older or senior dachshunds should not run because of their less energy.

If your dachshund has heart and respiratory problems, you should not take him to run. Even for a healthy dachshund, you should consult with a veterinarian before starting any exercise or running.

Is it OK for dachshunds to climb stairs?

No, climbing stairs is still risky for dachshunds. Climbing stairs up and down can cause strain in their back and grating on their spine. Eventually, these problems can lead to IVDD (Intervertebral Disc Disease).

Repetitive climbing stairs can cause disc calcification in dachshunds. Moreover, puppies and young dachshunds should not climb up and downstairs.

Older dachshunds should also avoid stairs. You can use a stair gate for a dachshund or usually carry them to avoid stairs.

Dachshunds have a natural instinct to be active and energetic. They need to exercise regularly for their growth and being healthy. Walking can be an excellent exercise for them.

If you are conscious about the dachshunds health, you can start walking with him. They are also suitable for jogging with training. A dachshund can be a perfect walking buddy for you.

Frequently Asked Questions:

How long can dachshunds hold their pee?

How do dachshunds breathe under blankets?

Can dachshunds get bloat?

Is a dachshund a hound or a terrier?

Is dachshund a small breed?

How Far Can Dachshunds Walk?

The distance which your dachshund can safely and comfortably walk will depend on their age, health, and whether they are a standard or miniature dog. Healthy, fit, full-size adult dachshunds may be able to cover five miles on foot or even further.

Puppies should take walks of a length appropriate for their age, in order to avoid developmental issues from over-or under-exercising. If your dog is older or has any health conditions, pay attention to their energy and exertion levels when planning the length of their walk. Miniature dachshunds may only cover half the distance of their full-size cousins.

Our clear and simple guide below sets out the relevant factors you will want to consider when working out how far your dachshund can and should walk.

Full-size Adult Dachshunds

Dachshunds reach physical maturity at around one year of age. As an adult, the distance your dachshund can walk depends mainly on their health and fitness. If you exercise your dog regularly and build up stamina and walking distance gradually, they will soon be able to cover five miles or more during a walk.

A full-size adult dachshund will need a minimum of one hours exercise every day. Walking on or off the lead is a good way to provide a large chunk of this. Exercise does not all have to be taken at once. You can also walk your dachshund several times a day for shorter distances.

Dachshunds are high-energy dogs, originally bred to hunt badgers, and may enjoy far more walking and other exercise than the minimum requirement. Allow some time during longer walks for mental stimulation through sniffing and unstructured playing. These good exercise practices can prevent boredom and poor behaviors in your dog.

Dachshund Puppies

Puppies have soft bones and immature bodies and brains. This will influence how far they can (and should) walk. Owners should pay attention to recommended levels of walking and other exercise for their dachshund puppies in order to promote healthy muscle growth and general fitness.

As a general guide, dachshund puppies should exercise for a minimum of approximately five minutes for each month of life. So, 10 minutes for a two-month-old puppy, 30 minutes for a six-month-old puppy, and so on.

For young dachshund puppies, formal exercise, such as walking on a lead, is unnecessary. Before they receive their inoculations, simply playing in a garden or yard should be sufficient exercise to support their development and keep them fit and healthy. After your puppy is inoculated you can gradually introduce them to walking outside.

Over-exercising your puppy can be dangerous before they are fully grown and the growth plates have closed in their bones. Forcing a puppy to walk overly long distances, could result in damage to the back, front feet, or other body parts.

Under-exercising can result in unhealthy body weight, weakened muscles, and poor general health.

Older Dachshunds

While dachshunds generally remain active for their full lifespan, after around seven years of age, the need for exercise will gradually decrease. Pay attention to how well your dog copes with longer walks or more strenuous play and this will help you to set a sensible walking length to suit the energy levels and stamina of an older dog.

Regular walking in older dachshunds will help your dog maintain a healthy weight and keep their bodies strong and supple. These factors are particularly important for dachshunds, as the breed is vulnerable to back problems.

Miniature Dachshunds

While the average height of standard dachshunds is 20-27cm, for miniature dachshunds, this is only 13-18cm. Due to their smaller size and shorter legs, miniature dachshunds generally only require half the amount of exercise and walk only half the distance of full-size dogs.

Pace Of Walking With A Dachshund

You should consider your walking pace, especially if you have a miniature dachshund. If you are going to walk at a faster speed, or jog, be aware that while dachshunds have evolved to run in shorter explosive bursts at 15-20 miles per hour, they are unlikely to be able to sustain this pace over longer distances.

Walking Environment

Dachshunds can walk comfortably on a range of surfaces, including grass, pavement, and sand. When walking your dachshund for any distance near a road, do remember to keep them on the lead as dachshunds have no road sense and will be at risk from vehicles.

While walking with your dachshund you should also avoid stairs or any stepped surfaces. Ascending or descending these can seriously hurt a dachshunds long back. If you come across steps unexpectedly, you may need to pick up and carry your dog to the top or bottom if there is no route around the obstacle.

Dachshund Health Issues

With their short legs and long backs, dachshunds are vulnerable to certain health complaints that could affect their ability to walk long distances. Health considerations mean that not all forms of exercise are suitable for dachshunds. You should bear these health risks in mind when planning longer walks with your dog.

As a breed dachshunds have particular susceptibility to back issues including Intervertebral Disc Disease (IVDD), an abnormality of the cushioning discs that sit between vertebrae in the spine. Miniature dachshunds may also be prone to heart disease or the sight condition Progressive Retinal Atrophy.

While walking a suitable distance remains a recommended activity for dachshunds of all ages, sizes, and fitness levels, dogs of this breed should not be allowed to jump while walking. Nor should they walk or run up and downstairs. Either of these activities could cause damage to their backs.

The Final Word

Dachshunds are energetic dogs who love to walk and generally can happily cover longer distances with their owners. Consider your dachshunds health, size, and age when planning the length of your walk, and consult your vet if you have particular concerns.

If youre still asking yourself how far a dachshund can walk, your best answer may come from putting a lead on your dog and taking them outside to find out!