Are Dachshunds Good Apartment Dogs? What You Need to Know!

Thinking of adopting a Dachshund but live in an apartment and aren’t sure how these pups will do in that sort of space? Or maybe you already have a Dachshund but are moving to an apartment and want to ensure your pet will be happy there. Then, good news! Dachshunds can absolutely be excellent apartment dogs (they are the perfect size for apartment living, after all). But there are also some cons with this breed when it comes to living in an apartment.

There are also a few things about Dachshunds to keep in mind if you live in an apartment, other than the pros and cons. Here’s what you need to know!

Why Dachshunds Make Good Apartment Dogs

There are other reasons that Dachshunds do well with apartment living besides their small statures. For one, Dachshunds are fairly low-maintenance pets that don’t require a lot of grooming and don’t shed excessively, meaning you’ll be able to keep your apartment relatively clean with them living there. No fur all over the sofa or carpet here!

These fun-loving dogs can also be excellent with people if properly socialized. That will make it easier for your pup to make friends with neighbors, which should go a long way in keeping everyone happy. (Just be sure your Dachshund isn’t overly friendly with the neighbors the first time they meet!)

But with the pros of living in an apartment with a Dachshund also comes some cons.

Why Dachshunds Don’t Make Good Apartment Dogs

There are a few reasons, though, that Dachshunds don’t make such good apartment dogs.

For starters, this dog breed is big on barking because they were originally bred as hunting dogs (and hunting dogs bark). This could cause issues with your neighbors if you aren’t able to quieten your pup down.

Another reason you might have trouble with a Dachshund in an apartment is that the breed can be  at times. After all, as hunting dogs, this breed was made to run and dig around. So, if your pet doesn’t get the exercise it needs every day, you could find yourself with a destructive dog on your hands. Since you won’t have a yard they can run around in, aim for a couple of 30-minute walks every day.

Which leads us to the Dachshunds’ tendency to dig. As hunting dogs, this breed was designed to dig in burrows for badgers, so digging is an instinctive trait for them. And if there’s no yard to dig in, your pet might take to digging at the carpet, causing damage. You can help remedy this by investing in some good digging toys for your pet, though.

Dachshunds are also very social creatures that love nothing more than being with their people. That means if you leave them alone for hours at a time, they can become bored or lonely and go on a destructive bend. While this isn’t fun in any type of home, if you’re in a rented apartment, you might find yourself paying to fix anything that’s destroyed.

Considerations for Apartment Living With a Dachshund

There are a few other things to take into consideration when deciding whether to live in an apartment with a Dachshund, too.

The first thing you’ll want to do is check your apartment building’s pet policy to be sure it’s okay to have a pet in the first place. You’ll also want to make sure the Dachshund breed is acceptable, as some apartment complexes won’t allow certain breeds to live there (though these are primarily breeds such as pit bulls or large dogs). And chances are you’ll have to pay a pet deposit before moving in with your Dachshund.

Apartment living is different from living in a house for a variety of reasons, not least of which is that apartments can be noisier due to more people living there, and your pup may not enjoy a noisy neighborhood. So, introduce your pet to its new home slowly and consider keeping it on a leash more often in the beginning to prevent running off or aggression towards all these new people.

Ensure your Dachshund is fully vaccinated before it moves in because in the worst-case scenario, if your pet bites another animal or even a person, you’ll need to be able to prove the dog is vaccinated. Plus, living around so many other people and pets raises the risk of your dog catching something.

Finally, you’ll want to introduce yourself and your pet to your neighbors and other dogs in the apartment complex. This can help reassure any neighbors wary of dogs, plus your Dachshund could make some new friends! Just be careful if your Dachshund hasn’t been fully socialized; in this case, it could be a bit aggressive at first.

Final Thoughts

The Dachshund can make a good apartment dog; there are just a few pros, cons, and considerations to factor in. On the plus side, this breed is the perfect size for an apartment and can be great with new people and animals if they’ve been socialized. However, the Dachshund does have a penchant for barking (which could annoy the neighbors) and digging (which could damage the apartment floor).

Besides the pros and cons, you’ll need to read over your apartment’s pet policy carefully and be prepared to pay a pet deposit. You’ll also want to slowly introduce your pet to the noise of an apartment and other people and pets. Last but not least, get your pet vaccinated before moving in to avoid any issues!

See also:

• 20 Best Dogs for First-Time Owners in Apartments (With Pictures)
• Are Shiba Inus Good Apartment Dogs? Breed Temperament & Traits

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Featured Image Credit: Masarik, Shutterstock