Dachshund puppies may be tiny, but they go through big changes as they grow! From their wobbly first steps to their full-grown, sausage-shaped bodies, every stage of development is important for their health, training, and personality. Dachshund mini puppies for sale
If you’re wondering how big your dachshund will get, when they stop growing, and what to expect at each stage, this guide has you covered! 🐾
🐾 Dachshund Growth Timeline
| Age | Development Stage | What to Expect |
|---|---|---|
| 0-2 Weeks | Newborn | Eyes closed, nursing, sleeping all day |
| 2-4 Weeks | Early Awareness | Eyes open, wobbly walking starts |
| 4-8 Weeks | Socialization | Playful, teething, learning from littermates |
| 8-12 Weeks | Puppyhood | Starts training, exploring, rapid growth |
| 3-6 Months | Juvenile | Teething, energetic, learning independence |
| 6-12 Months | Adolescence | Growth slows, behavioral changes, testing boundaries |
| 12-18 Months | Young Adult | Reaches full size, matures emotionally |
🐶 Detailed Dachshund Puppy Growth Stages
🌱 0-2 Weeks: The Newborn Stage
🔹 Puppies are blind, deaf, and completely dependent on their mother.
🔹 They sleep 90% of the time and only wake up to eat.
🔹 Their tiny bodies are underdeveloped, and they can’t regulate body temperature yet.
💡 What You Can Do: Keep them warm, safe, and with their mother.
👀 2-4 Weeks: Early Awareness
🔹 Eyes and ears open around 10-14 days old.
🔹 They start to wobble and attempt walking.
🔹 They recognize their littermates and begin little barks and whines.
💡 What You Can Do: Gently handle them daily to get them used to human touch.
🐾 4-8 Weeks: Socialization Begins
🔹 Puppies become very playful and curious.
🔹 They start teething (so they’ll bite everything! 🦷).
🔹 They learn important behaviors from their mother and siblings (like bite inhibition).
💡 What You Can Do:
✔ Expose them to new sounds, smells, and gentle human interaction.
✔ Avoid separating them from their litter before 8 weeks to ensure good social skills.
🏡 8-12 Weeks: Adjusting to Their New Home
🔹 Puppy energy is at full speed! Expect zoomies and mischief.
🔹 They begin house training and learning basic commands.
🔹 Socialization is crucial—introduce them to new people, pets, and environments.
💡 What You Can Do:
✔ Start crate training & potty training early.
✔ Teach basic commands like “sit” and “come.”
✔ Provide safe chew toys to help with teething.
📏 How Big? Miniature dachshunds weigh ~4-6 lbs, standards ~7-11 lbs.
🐕 3-6 Months: The Juvenile Phase
🔹 Teething is at its worst—expect chewing on furniture and fingers!
🔹 Their energy levels are HIGH, and they need daily exercise.
🔹 They become more independent, testing boundaries (aka, the “teen phase”).
💡 What You Can Do:
✔ Reinforce training and socialization.
✔ Give plenty of exercise to avoid boredom (which leads to barking and destruction).
✔ Start leash training early.
📏 How Big? Miniatures 6-9 lbs, standards 11-16 lbs.
🦴 6-12 Months: Adolescence (a.k.a. The “Rebellious Phase”)
🔹 Dachshunds become more stubborn—they may ignore commands they already know.
🔹 They need consistent training to prevent bad habits like excessive barking.
🔹 Growth slows down, and their adult teeth are fully in.
🔹 Males may start marking territory, and females may experience their first heat cycle.
💡 What You Can Do:
✔ Be patient & firm—don’t let them develop bad habits.
✔ Continue daily walks & training to keep their minds busy.
✔ If not breeding, talk to your vet about spaying/neutering options.
📏 How Big? Miniatures 7-10 lbs, standards 14-22 lbs.
🏆 12-18 Months: Fully Grown, But Still a Puppy at Heart!
🔹 Dachshunds reach their full adult height (~8-9 inches for standards, ~5-6 inches for miniatures).
🔹 Weight stabilizes, but they can still fill out with muscle.
🔹 They become more emotionally mature and settle into their personality.
🔹 They may still have puppy energy, but it’s more controlled.
💡 What You Can Do:
✔ Keep training—bad habits can still develop if rules aren’t reinforced!
✔ Maintain a healthy diet to prevent obesity (a major issue for dachshunds!).
✔ Provide regular exercise to keep their long backs strong.
📏 Final Adult Size:
- Miniature Dachshunds: 8-11 lbs
- Standard Dachshunds: 16-32 lbs
📢 When Do Dachshund Puppies Stop Growing?
🐶 Dachshunds reach their full height at around 8-12 months, but they may continue gaining muscle and filling out until 18 months old. Dachshund mini puppies for sale
🛑 Signs Your Dachshund May NOT Be Growing Properly
🚨 Underweight? Ribs are very visible, low energy, slow growth.
🚨 Overweight? Round belly, difficulty running, struggles with stairs.
🚨 Delayed Growth? Still very small at 6+ months, weak legs, poor appetite.
💡 If you notice any of these, check with your vet!
🐾 Final Thoughts: What to Expect as Your Dachshund Grows
✔ Dachshund puppies grow FAST, but their personalities develop over time.
✔ Training & socialization are crucial—start early for a well-behaved pup.
✔ Proper diet & exercise are key to preventing health problems later.
✔ They stay playful and loving for life, even when fully grown! Dachshund mini puppies for sale
🐕 How old is your dachshund puppy? Let us know in the comments! ⬇️🐾. Visit dachshundcommunity