Do dachshunds need a coat? How cold is too cold?

Many do in cold or wet weather, but not every dachshund on every walk: it depends on the coat, size, age and health of your dog. The American Veterinary Medical Association (AVMA) says short-haired pets feel the cold faster, and long-haired or thick-coated dogs tend to cope better but are still at risk ¹.

Almost none of this has been studied in dachshunds. It comes from vets' guidance and research on dogs in general, so watch how your own dog copes.

Many do, for three reasons: a short coat, a small body and a belly close to the ground. Both breed standards describe the smooth coat as short, and neither mentions an undercoat. Wirehaired dachshunds have an undercoat as well as their wiry topcoat, and the international standard gives longhaired dachshunds one too ^3,7.

A thermal camera hints at why. In a small 2026 study of 33 healthy dogs of many breeds, the coat surface on the side of the body averaged about 4.7°F warmer in short-haired dogs than in medium- or long-coated dogs, and the authors suggest short coats likely insulate less ⁹.

Small dogs have more skin for their volume, so they lose heat faster ⁶. A veterinary review adds little body fat, age, illness and not being used to the cold to the risks for hypothermia ⁴.

The international standard puts a dachshund's ground clearance at about a third of its height at the shoulder ³. On a dachshund 8 inches tall, that's under 3 inches. The AVMA notes that short-legged pets may get cold faster because their bellies and bodies are more likely to touch snow-covered ground ¹.

There's no tested cut-off, but a smooth or miniature dachshund can feel the cold well above freezing, and rain, wind and time outside all add to the risk. Below a certain temperature, a dog has to burn extra energy to stay warm. For healthy adult huskies, that point is below 32°F; for some short-haired dogs, it's about 59°F ⁶. USDA guidance on the federal rules for licensed breeders and other dog facilities says indoor and sheltered housing must not fall below 50°F for dogs not used to the cold, for breeds sensitive to the cold, "such as short-haired or toy breeds," and for elderly, young, sick or injured dogs ¹⁰.

The Tufts weather safety scale, designed to help vets and animal welfare officers judge weather risk, scores the temperature by dog size. It adds a point for a toy dog, and another for a dog under 6 months old or elderly. It takes a point off for a northern or heavy-coated breed, for good shelter and bedding, and for a dog used to the cold ⁵.

In practice, shorten walks in very cold weather ¹. Small and short-haired dogs may need a coat for short walks in cold, windy weather ⁸. A University of Illinois vet's rule of thumb: if it's too cold for you, it's probably too cold for your pet ¹¹. None of these figures comes from dachshunds. Our hot and cold walks guide has a quick coat check.

Often, yes. On a dog this low, rain, puddles and wet grass soon reach the chest and belly, and wet fur doesn't keep heat in well. A veterinary review explains that rain-soaked fur doesn't insulate effectively, because water conducts heat away, and that a wet animal is more likely to become hypothermic ⁴. The Tufts scale gives rain or sleet two risk points, more than any other cold-weather adjustment ⁵.

Choose a waterproof coat that covers the chest and belly, not just the back. After winter walks, wipe or wash the feet, legs and belly, which can pick up de-icers, antifreeze and other chemicals that can poison a dog that licks them off ¹.

Shivering, whining, slowing down, lifting the paws or hunting for somewhere warm to burrow all mean it's time to head home. These can be signs of hypothermia, a potentially fatal drop in body temperature ^1,8. Indoors, dry your dog and wrap them in a warm blanket ⁴. Skip the hair dryer, heating pad or other direct heat: a cold dog may not be able to move away from it, and chilled skin burns easily ^4,12. If your dog is still shivering or isn't back to normal once warm and dry, call your vet ¹.

A dog that is cold and has stopped shivering, seems confused or collapses needs a vet straight away ^1,4. Wrap it in a blanket and go: rewarming a dog this cold is a job for the clinic ⁴.

Frostbite is harder to spot. It most often affects the paws, ears and tail: the skin may look pale, gray or bluish, then red and painful as it thaws, and signs can take several days to show. Wet dogs are more at risk. Don't rub the area, and call your vet if you suspect it ^1,12.

Size it by back length, not weight: the coat should reach from the base of the neck to the base of the tail, cover the chest and belly, and leave the legs free. A dachshund's body is about 1.7 to 1.8 times as long as its height at the shoulder ³, so measure rather than guess. PDSA's vets advise measuring from the neck, where the collar sits, to the base of the tail, and the chest just behind the front legs. They add that longer dogs, such as greyhounds, need coats designed for their dimensions ². Our measuring guide shows where the tape goes.

• Length: it reaches the base of the tail, covering the lower back.
• Underneath: it closes under the chest and belly, the parts closest to the ground.
• Movement: your dachshund can walk, run, jump, pee and poop as usual ².
• Comfort: biting or scratching at the coat, or rubbing against furniture, means it doesn't fit right ².
• Not sure of the size? The fit finder turns your measurements into a coat size.