If you live with a dachshund, you've seen it. The shivering on cold mornings, the reluctance to step outside and the way they burrow under blankets at every opportunity.
Here's the thing, they're not being dramatic. Well okay, they're always dramatic. But when it comes to cold weather? Your dachshund is genuinely struggling while the golden retriever next door is living his best life.
Why Dachshunds Feel the Cold So Easily
Let's be real. Dachshunds were designed by someone who clearly never considered winter.
That adorable long body? More surface area equals more warmth escaping. It's a heat-losing machine.
Those short legs? They keep your dachshund's entire underside centimetres from the cold ground.
Their coat? Or rather, their lack of one. Even long-haired varieties don't have the protective undercoat that other breeds have.
Your Dachshund Temperature Guide
- 15°C+ (59°F+): You're good
- 10-15°C (50-59°F): Keep an eye on puppies, seniors and smooth coats
- 7-10°C (45-50°F): Time for a coat, especially for morning/evening walks
- 4-7°C (39-45°F): Coat is non-negotiable
- Below 4°C (Below 39°F): Coat is essential, keep walks brief
Cold Isn't Just Uncomfortable, It's Actually Dangerous
Remember how dachshunds are basically one wrong jump away from a back injury? Cold makes that worse. When your doxie gets cold, their muscles tense and stiffen which increases the risk of back injuries. Nobody wants to deal with a slipped disc because Snowball decided to shiver-jump off the porch.
But it's not just their backs. Cold exposure weakens their immune system, leaving them vulnerable to respiratory infections and illness. Senior dogs with arthritis? Every walk becomes painful as their joints lock up in the cold. And because dachshunds are small with minimal insulation and maximum ground contact, hypothermia isn't some far-off possibility, it's a real risk.
Your Dachshund Is Counting on You
Your dachshund will go outside in freezing weather because you're going outside. They'll shiver through a walk because they love you that much. They'll push through discomfort and even pain just to be by your side.
That kind of loyalty deserves a coat that actually fits their special body.
