Clinical & Salon Overview
Dachshunds come in three coats — smooth, longhair, and wirehair — which means three completely different grooming routines under one long, stubborn, hilarious breed. The coat type you have determines almost everything. Here's the coat-by-coat guide our Memphis groomers give Dachshund parents at All About Pawz, plus the nail-care rule that matters more for this breed than any other.
Smooth Dachshunds wear a short, sleek single coat — the wash-and-wear option.
Smooth Dachshunds wear a short, sleek single coat — the wash-and-wear option. Longhairs carry a soft, slightly wavy medium coat with feathering on the ears, chest, legs, and tail that tangles and mats. Wirehairs have a harsh, wiry double coat with the breed's signature beard and eyebrows — and the most specialized care: the traditional method is hand-stripping, pulling dead topcoat by hand or with a stripping knife a couple of times a year to preserve the harsh texture. Clipping a wirehair softens the coat permanently, so it's a real decision. Identify your coat type before doing anything else — the routines diverge completely from here.
Smooth: weekly once-over with a rubber curry or hound glove; two minutes, mostly for shine and loose hair.
Smooth: weekly once-over with a rubber curry or hound glove; two minutes, mostly for shine and loose hair. Longhair: two to three times a week with a slicker and steel comb, focusing on the feathering behind the ears, the chest, and under the belly — longhair mats form in the friction zones. Wirehair: weekly brushing with a slicker to remove dead hair, plus hand-stripping sessions two to three times a year (learn from a pro or book it — bad stripping hurts and damages the coat). Never shave a wirehair Dachshund; it ruins the wiry texture the breed is known for.
Smooth: every four to six weeks, or when the little hunter has been somewhere fragrant.
Smooth: every four to six weeks, or when the little hunter has been somewhere fragrant. Longhair: every three to four weeks, always brushing out tangles first. Wirehair: every six to eight weeks — overwashing softens the harsh coat texture; when you do bathe, use a shampoo made for wiry coats and rinse well. All three: lukewarm water, thorough rinse, towel dry. Dachshunds get cold easily after baths, so dry them warm and keep them out of drafts — a chilled Dachshund burrows under your blankets for an hour, which is adorable but avoidable.
This is the big one for the breed.
This is the big one for the breed. Dachshunds' long backs are vulnerable, and overgrown nails change how the feet land, stressing the legs and spine over time. Keep nails short — every two to three weeks, without fail. If you hear clicking on hard floors, they're overdue. Many Dachshunds are dramatic about nail trims (the breed's stubbornness is legendary), so start young, keep sessions short and treat-heavy, or book a pro. A Dremel-style grinder works well for gradual shortening if your dog tolerates the vibration. This is the single highest-impact grooming habit for a Dachshund's long-term comfort.
Ears: long, floppy, and prone to infections
Ears: long, floppy, and prone to infections — check weekly for odor or redness and clean with a vet-approved solution. Teeth: Dachshunds are prone to dental disease; brush a few times a week and ask your vet about professional cleanings. Trimming: smooths need only paw-pad tidying; longhairs benefit from neatened feathering, sanitary trim, and paw tidying every couple of months; wirehairs get hand-stripped, not clipped. No Dachshund needs a body haircut.
| When | What |
|---|---|
| Weekly | Brush (smooth: curry; longhair: slicker + comb; wirehair: slicker) |
| Every 2–3 weeks | Nail trim — non-negotiable |
| Every 3–6 weeks | Bath (by coat type) |
| 2–3x per year | Hand-stripping (wirehair) |
| Ongoing | Weekly ear checks; teeth brushing |
Wirehair owners: book hand-stripping with someone who actually knows the technique
Wirehair owners: book hand-stripping with someone who actually knows the technique — it's a skill, and a bad strip job takes months to grow out. Longhair owners: book a tidy trim every couple of months for the feathering and sanitary area. Everyone: if nail trims at home are a battle of wills you're losing, a pro gets it done in minutes. And Dachshund puppies should meet the groomer early — the breed's famous stubbornness softens a lot with early, positive handling experiences.
Serving Pets Across Greater Memphis & Shelby County
Whether you live near Midtown, Germantown, Bartlett, Collierville, or Arlington, All About Pawz offers full salon appointments and concierge pet care.