Breed guide
Dachshund Breeding Guide: Litter Size, Whelping, Puppy Weights and Health Testing
Updated September 6, 2026 · 6 min read · By the BreedBloom team
Dachshunds come in three coats and two sizes, with different genetic priorities for each. The breed-wide concern is intervertebral disc disease, which recent genetic testing (CDDY) allows breeders to begin selecting against.
Dachshund at a glance
Typical litter size
4–6 puppies (average around 5; miniatures 2–4)
Birth weight
4–8 oz (110–230 g)
Adult weight
Standard 16–32 lb (7–14.5 kg); miniature 11 lb (5 kg) and under
Gestation
About 63 days from ovulation (57–72 from breeding)
Whelping
Usually free-whelping despite the shape. Miniatures produce very small neonates that need close temperature and weight monitoring.
Breeding and whelping notes
IVDD: the CDDY mutation is associated with disc calcification and disease risk. Its prevalence in the breed is very high, so the practical goal is to reduce copies over generations rather than eliminate them in one.
cord1-PRA is common in miniature longhairs; test both parents.
Neonatal miniatures can weigh under 4 oz. Warmth, frequent weighing and early supplementing are the difference between a fading pup and a thriving one.
Teach families about back care from day one: ramps, no jumping from furniture, lean body condition.
Health testing before breeding
•
Eyes: annual CAER exam
•
DNA: cord1-PRA (especially miniature long and wire), NCL (wirehaired), OI (osteogenesis imperfecta, wire), and the IVDD risk test (CDDY/CDPA)
•
Patellas: OFA
•
Cardiac exam
•
Thyroid panel in some programs
Keep the paperwork attached
Test results are only useful when they travel with the dog. Keep certificate numbers and dates on each dog's record and include copies in every go-home packet.
Tracking a Dachshund litter
Enter the ovulation or tie date and BreedBloom builds the Dachshund litter timeline: ultrasound window, X-ray count reminder, temperature checks, the day 3–16 ENS/ESI schedule, deworming and vaccination tasks, and per-puppy weight curves you can compare against the whole litter. Families follow along in the BloomPetz portal, and the go-home packet is assembled from the same records.
About these figures
Figures on this page are typical ranges drawn from breed club and veterinary references; individual lines vary. Confirm health-testing requirements with your breed's parent club, and whelping plans with your reproductive veterinarian.
Frequently asked questions
How many puppies do Dachshunds have?
Standards typically 4–6; miniatures 2–4.
Is there a genetic test for Dachshund back problems?
Yes. The CDDY mutation is associated with intervertebral disc disease risk. It is very common in the breed, so breeders use it to reduce copies gradually rather than exclude all carriers.
How much does a miniature Dachshund puppy weigh at birth?
Often 4–6 oz (110–170 g). Such small neonates need a warm box and twice-daily weights.
Run your program on BreedBloom
Dogs, litters, puppy weights, ENS/ESI tasks, waitlists, contracts and go-home packets in one connected record, with a family portal built in. Free for up to 3 dogs.
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