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How Far can Dachshunds Walk? (Beginners Guide)

Have you ever wondered how far dachshunds can walk? You might be curious about your dachshund’s walking ability. But they are hunter dogs. 

Moreover, they can be energetic and playful. They have a natural instinct to walk, run, and be active. You might take them to walk with but are confused about how far dachshunds can walk with you.

Dachshunds need to exercise regularly. Besides, you have to keep in mind that they should not over-exercise. How far dachshunds can walk is dependent on their age, health, and other conditions. 

In this article, we will provide you information about dachshund’s ability to walk and exercise.

How far can dachshunds walk?

A healthy, grown-up dachshund can walk up to five to ten miles in a day. The walking ability of the dachshund depends on his age and health condition. If the dachshund is done with his walking or exercise, some common symptoms will come out, like limping, rapid heart rate, slow breathing, etc.

The walking ability of standard-sized dachshund and miniature-sized dachshund is not the same. Walking two miles in a day is enough for a healthy and grown-up dachshund. If your dachshund is a puppy, he requires less walking than grown-up dachshunds.

Every pet dog has unique characteristics and abilities. It is essential to observe how far your dachshund can walk. 

You can observe the ability by noticing some symptoms. If you see the following symptoms in your dachshund after walking some distance, the dachshund might be exhausted.

  • Refusing to walk.
  • Rapid heart rate
  • Limping
  • Slowing down
  • Licking specific area of the body

How long can dachshunds walk?

Dachshunds can walk 30 minutes to 60 minutes in a day easily. They can walk even longer. The walking time is dependent on the age, health, and physical condition of the dachshund. 

For an adult dachshund, 60 minutes of walking is enough. For a miniature-sized dachshund, 30 minutes of walking is suitable.

Dachshunds should not over-exercise or over-walk. This can lead to rapid heart rate, even heart failure. So, dachshunds need break time while walking. 

You can walk with your dachshund for 20 to 25 minutes and take a break for 10 to 15 minutes. These are the minimum range of walking for healthy Dachshunds.

Walking every day is effective for Dachshund’s health. Dachshunds are prone to obesity. They may walk longer time than 60 minutes considering the health condition.

How far can miniature dachshunds walk?

Miniature dachshunds can walk up to 5 miles in a day. According to their small size, they can walk less than the standard-sized dachshunds. If the dachshund is healthy, he can walk 1 to 2 miles in a day easily.

Dachshunds’ walking ability also depends on their size. Miniature dachshunds can walk 30 to 60 minutes a day. But 30 minutes of walking is the minimum requirement. Dachshunds must not over-exercise. 

That’s why 20 minutes of walking and 10 to 15 minutes of playtime is the suitable range for miniature dachshunds is.

You should maintain your dachshund’s walking routine, whether it is standard or miniature. Dachshunds need to walk regularly for their growth and well-being. Sometimes, they need more exercise than larger dogs.

How often should dachshunds be walked?

Dachshunds should be walked every day for a being fit and healthy. They need at least one hour of walking every day. You can break the total walking or exercise time into different parts of the day. Daily walking can improve the dachshund’s mental growth also.

You can take the dachshund to walk once a day. But if your dachshund is fit enough, you can take him to walk twice a day. You can grow the habit into the dachshund gradually by increasing the length and speed of your walk.

It is okay if you skip one day’s walking. But skipping day by day can become a habit for the dachshund. He could be destructive and refuse to walk. That’s why daily walking is recommended.

How long should I walk my dachshund puppy?

Dachshund puppies don’t need any formal exercise. A few minutes of walking is more than enough for your dachshund puppy. Specifically, 5 minutes of walking in a day are enough for a month-old dachshund puppy.

Your dachshund puppy requires 5 minutes of walking for every month of their age. For example, two months old dachshund puppy needs 10 minutes of walking. You can walk the puppy around your house or in the yard.

After four months, you can take the puppy outside to walk. But follow the 5 minutes rule for one year. After one year, you can increase the length and speed of walking.

When do dachshund puppies start walking?

Dachshund puppies start to walk after three weeks. After four weeks, they walk and play eventually.

So, you can start thinking about regular walking or exercise when the puppy is one month old.

Dachshunds are sensitive and hard to train. It will be effective if you start to teach them to walk regularly at the very beginning. But don’t walk them for a long time. Walking for a long time can lead to other health issues.

Do dachshunds need a lot of walking?

Dachshunds were bred for hunting. Being active and energetic is their natural intuition. That’s why they need regular walking or exercise.

Dachshunds are prone to over-weight. Seeing them, some people think that dachshunds are lazy and lapdogs. But the truth is, they need to walk every day to keep fit. An hour of walk is enough for one day.

Over-walking can also lead to rapid heart rate, limping, and other health issues. So, dachshunds don’t need a lot of walking. They require a minimum of an hour of walking but need to do it daily.

How do you walk a dachshund?

A one-year-old dachshund should walk an hour every day. You might be trying to walk your dachshund regularly, but he is not adopting the habit. Dachshunds are stubborn and distracted sometimes. So, you have to know how to walk a dachshund.

If your dachshund is still young, you can teach him the habit of walking correctly on a leash. For training to walk, you can follow some standard processes.

  • Give the dachshund treats after some time of walking to get inspiration to walk.
  • While walking on a leash, slowly pull the dachshund back in every five feet to teach control.
  • For encouraging, say the word “yes” a lot, or you can use a specific word.
  • If the dachshund goes ahead and pulls, give him treats to come to you and be on track.

Can dachshunds run long distances?

A healthy dachshund can run long distances with training. They are pretty good runners and can run 1 to 3 miles in a day if trained. Dachshund’s ability to run long distances also depends on their age, energy, health condition, and experience.

Dachshunds are short-legged dogs. For this reason, they can’t run more than 5 to 6 miles at a time. You can take your dachshund for jogging. But he has to get trained first. You can increase length and speed gradually.

While running, they can make a speed up to 15 to 20 miles per hour. This speed can be possible only for a short run. For long-distance, they have to keep a moderate or slow pace and training.

Is running bad for dachshunds?

Running is not bad for dachshunds at all if they are healthy. Even running is good for them to build their bone. They can run up to 1 to 3 miles in a day. 

Healthy dachshunds can run short sprints with a good speed and long runs with a moderate speed.

If the dachshund has back issues or health conditions, he should not run. Dachshund puppies also should not run because their bone is still growing. 

They can hurt themselves while running. Besides, older or senior dachshunds should not run because of their less energy.

If your dachshund has heart and respiratory problems, you should not take him to run. Even for a healthy dachshund, you should consult with a veterinarian before starting any exercise or running.

Is it OK for dachshunds to climb stairs?

No, climbing stairs is still risky for dachshunds. Climbing stairs up and down can cause strain in their back and grating on their spine. Eventually, these problems can lead to IVDD (Intervertebral Disc Disease).

Repetitive climbing stairs can cause disc calcification in dachshunds. Moreover, puppies and young dachshunds should not climb up and downstairs. 

Older dachshunds should also avoid stairs. You can use a stair gate for a dachshund or usually carry them to avoid stairs.

Dachshunds have a natural instinct to be active and energetic. They need to exercise regularly for their growth and being healthy. Walking can be an excellent exercise for them. 

If you are conscious about the dachshund’s health, you can start walking with him. They are also suitable for jogging with training. A dachshund can be a perfect walking buddy for you. 

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