One of the most popular dog breeds, Dachshunds can be great travel companions especially with training and a strong relationship between pet and owner. For size and health, the Dachshund is a near perfect choice. It’s the attention-seeking behavior and potential for barking that can make it a dicey proposition to take an untested animal traveler on a long flight. This is one dog breed that’s known for training their owners, more than their owners training them. Nevertheless, many owners can soothe their pets during takeoff and then get them to calm down quickly after, especially by exercising and playing with them before the flight. Otherwise, a spooked Dachshund may go on a barking spell that can last a while.
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Size and Travel Options
The miniature Dachshund breed is small enough to easily fit under a plane seat, and even many standard Dachshunds can qualify with a soft-sided carrier. While some Dachshunds can grow to 30 pounds or more, its wiener-style body usually allows the dog to fit comfortably inside an airline-approved carrier. Miniature breeds are typically less than 12 pounds and no more than 6-7 inches tall. Unlike owners of larger dogs, you won’t have to worry about your pet’s safety and comfort traveling in the plane’s cargo hold. Your pet will fit into similarly small places in cars, on subways, and on trains. You can use hard- or soft-sided carriers, though we recommend soft-sided carriers to give the pet a little more wiggle room. Just be sure you have a durable lining on the bottom of the carrier: Many Dachshunds are burrowers, and you don’t want shredding bedding coming out the side vents of your pet carrier. Especially since this breed is NOT hypoallergenic.
Personality as a Travel Companion
Though stubborn, the Dachshund is also one of the smartest dog breeds. These dogs can be trained to do and respond to all sorts of things, especially if you find their soft spot for a particular treat or toy. A medium-energy dog that’s easily bored, you’ll likely develop a play routine and sensibility about what your pet does and doesn’t like. Be a little extra cautious when it comes to interactions with children or other animals. Plus, this breed is NOT hypoallergenic. The good news is that this animal is less likely to get freaked out by the airport or unfamiliar situations. Overall, the Dachshund can be the perfect travel companion, but you need to be prepared to make that extra effort to keep them comfortable and occupied.
Health and Longevity
Dachshunds tend to have fewer health issues than other dogs and can often live to be 12-16 years old, but one risk they do face is overeating. They may incessantly beg for food even when they’re not hungry, and many will just eat and eat if given the chance. Over the long term, this can lead to complications associated with obesity including diabetes, joint pain, back pain, and general fatigue. In the short term, it’s important to manage your dog’s diet and food intake prior to flying. Yes, you want to give the dog a solid meal within 4 hours of your flight time. However, you should avoid letting a Dachshund eat to their heart’s content right before takeoff. This can lead to painful stomach bloat while the dog is in a confined space. A better plan is to keep the dog exercising and busy as long as possible so the dog is ready for a rest while on the plane.
Dachshund Breeders and Adoption Centers
One of the most popular and well-established dog breeds, a Dachshund puppy is likely to cost only about $200-$1,000. That said, if you’re looking for a true travel companion, you should stick with miniature dachshunds or at least smaller animals in this breed group. To find a smaller size puppy that also has a healthy breeding stock can trend toward the more expensive side of this price range.