Dachshund (Rabbit)
Also called Rabbit Dachshund, Kaninchenteckel, Kaninchendackel, Kaninchen Dachshund · Germany
The FCI writes one standard for all three sizes, so the Rabbit Dachshund is expected to have the same character: friendly, even-tempered, neither fearful nor aggressive, and a passionate, persistent hunter with an excellent nose.
At a glance
| Size | Small |
|---|---|
| Weight | 3.5 to 5 kg (8 to 11 lb)12 |
| Coat | Three coat varieties: smooth, wire-haired and long-haired |
| Origin | Germany34 |
| Group | FCI group 4 |
Ranges cover males and females and every standard linked on the line, so one standard alone may give a narrower range.
what they are likeDachshund (Rabbit) temperament
The FCI writes one standard for all three sizes, so the Rabbit Dachshund is expected to have the same character: friendly, even-tempered, neither fearful nor aggressive, and a passionate, persistent hunter with an excellent nose. Like its bigger relatives it is devoted to its people, can be wary of strangers, and has an independent streak. No source describes the Rabbit size as differing in temperament.26
how to spot oneDachshund (Rabbit) coat and colours
Three coat varieties: smooth, wire-haired and long-haired
The smallest Dachshund, built exactly like the larger sizes: long, low and compact, on short, strong legs with a deep chest. It is defined only by its narrow chest, which the FCI measures with a tape. The smooth coat is short and glossy, the wire coat harsh with a beard and brows, and the long coat soft with feathering.21
a typical week and yearThe care rhythm
A typical home-care rhythm for a Dachshund (Rabbit). A starting point, not a vet's advice.
- Brushingevery week
- Bathevery 8 weeks
- Nail trimSooner if you hear clicking on the floorevery month
- Ear checkevery 2 weeks
- Teeth brushingDaily brushing is idealevery 2 days
- ExerciseDaily walks and playevery day
- Flea, tick and worm protectionSchedule as your vet recommendsas your vet recommends
- Vet check-upevery year
how busy a day looksDachshund (Rabbit) exercise needs
Moderate. No size-specific guidance exists; the Royal Kennel Club's advice for Miniatures, up to an hour a day, is the nearest guide. In Germany the small sizes can still work in burrows and track wounded game.75
where they are happiestDachshund (Rabbit) at home
Suits a flat or small house. Very small, short-coated dogs lose heat quickly, so a coat helps in cold weather.67
who they like aroundDachshund (Rabbit) with people and other pets
Close to its family, like all Dachshunds. Its very small size means young children need close supervision.6
the hands-on bitsDachshund (Rabbit) grooming and care
The same as other Dachshunds of the same coat: a weekly brush for smooths, more often for long and wire coats. Keep it lean, limit jumping, and keep up tooth brushing, since dogs under 10 kg are about three times as likely to have dental disease as large dogs.789
what to watchDachshund (Rabbit) health problems
The conditions the breed clubs and health schemes name for the Dachshund (Rabbit). Most animals of the breed never get them; this is what to ask a breeder or an insurer about.
Intervertebral disc disease (IVDD)
Discs in the long back harden and can slip, causing pain or weak back legs. Keep the dog lean, fit and away from repeated jumping. No Rabbit-size data. The UK survey found IVDD in every variety studied, with Miniatures at 15.7% to 29.9%; the same build applies here. ↗
Progressive retinal atrophy (cord1 PRA)
Inherited retinal degeneration leading to blindness; a DNA test for the RPGRIP1 variant is available for Dachshunds. Highest frequency found in Miniature Long-haired Dachshunds; no Rabbit-specific rate published. Worth asking for, especially in long-haired lines. ↗
Lafora disease
Late-onset progressive epilepsy described in small wire-haired Dachshunds; a DNA test exists. Studied in Miniature Wire-haireds (7.0% affected genotype in 733 dogs); no Rabbit-size data found. ↗
Dental disease
Very small mouths crowd the teeth, so tartar and gum disease build up early; brush teeth and have them checked yearly. VetCompass: dogs under 10 kg had 3.07 times the risk of dental disease of dogs weighing 30 to 40 kg. ↗
Tests a good breeder can show you
- Spine X-ray for IVDD No Rabbit-specific scheme found; the KC/Dachshund Health UK scheme covers only UK-recognised varieties ↗
- cord1 PRA DNA test Recommended for Miniatures by the Kennel Club; nearest guidance for the Rabbit size ↗
- Lafora DNA test Recommended for Miniature Wire-haireds; nearest guidance for wire-haired Rabbits ↗
Little is published for this breed; these are the usual conditions for its size and type. Not veterinary advice: for your own animal, ask your vet.
per year, in your countryWhat a Dachshund (Rabbit) costs
Running costs for a Dachshund (Rabbit), built from current prices in each country: food scaled to the weight of the breed, insurance to its size, the rest per country. The purchase price and unplanned vet bills come on top.
| Foodabout 29 kg of dry food a year | 95 GBP ↗ |
|---|---|
| Routine vet care | 345 GBP ↗ |
| Pet insurancetypical policy, varies by breed and age | 346 GBP ↗ |
| Dog tax | 0 GBP ↗ |
| Licence and registration | 12 GBP ↗ |
| Gear to start | 531 GBP ↗ |
| Microchip and registration | 26 GBP ↗ |
Yearly cost in all 28 countries
- Australia 1,264 AUD
- Austria 863 EUR
- Belgium 444 EUR
- Canada 1,417 CAD
- Czech Republic 11,191 CZK
- Denmark 5,218 DKK
- Estonia 417 EUR
- Finland 533 EUR
- France 496 EUR
- Germany 762 EUR
- Hong Kong 5,647 HKD
- Ireland 492 EUR
- Italy 382 EUR
- Japan 98,046 JPY
- Luxembourg 657 EUR
- Netherlands 449 EUR
- New Zealand 1,290 NZD
- Norway 5,631 NOK
- Poland 1,653 PLN
- Qatar 1,968 QAR
- Singapore 966 SGD
- South Korea 677,447 KRW
- Spain 696 EUR
- Sweden 8,298 SEK
- Switzerland 920 CHF
- United Arab Emirates 2,570 AED
- United Kingdom 798 GBP
- United States 1,918 USD
Estimates from the sources linked on each line. Food: a complete dry food at about 3,600 kcal/kg at the NRC maintenance energy for the average weight of the breed. Insurance: a typical adult policy scaled by size; real quotes depend on breed, age and cover.
by countryIs the Dachshund (Rabbit) legal where you live?
No breed-specific rule names the Dachshund (Rabbit) in the 61 countries we check. General dangerous-dog laws still apply everywhere, and some cities keep their own lists.
See the rules and sources for every country
Laws change and local rules exist; this is a sourced overview, not legal advice.
homemade and simpleTreats they will love
- Blueberry Oat Biscuits Dogs Trust
- Frozen Yogurt & Strawberry Hearts PDSA
- Banana and Peanut Butter Dog Treats RSPCA
Not veterinary advice. Check with your vet first if your pet has allergies, a health condition, is on a special diet or is pregnant. Treats should stay a small part of the daily food. Cut to a safe size and supervise. Terms of use
for the dinner tableFun facts
The Rabbit Dachshund is told apart from the Miniature by a tape around its chest, measured once the dog is at least 15 months old.2
With three sizes and three coats, the FCI counts nine Dachshund varieties, and the Rabbit size is one third of them.3
Neither the AKC nor the UK Kennel Club recognises the Rabbit size; in the US, dogs between the official sizes are jokingly called tweenies.4
Dogs Australia registered its first Rabbit Dachshunds in 2020; by 2025 there were 22 a year, 15 of them long-haired.10
where it all beganDachshund (Rabbit) history
The Dachshund was bred in Germany to hunt below ground, and smaller sizes were developed for rabbits as well as badgers. Kaninchen is German for rabbit. The FCI recognises the Rabbit Dachshund as the third size, defined by a chest girth of up to 30 cm for females and 32 cm for males, alongside the Miniature and Standard in smooth, long and wire coats. Kennel clubs in the US and the UK do not recognise it, so outside FCI countries small dogs from Miniature lines are simply registered as Miniatures. Dogs Australia began registering the Rabbit size in 2020, in small numbers.4123710
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Dachshund (Miniature)
Dachshund (Standard)the official bitsRecognised by
- FCI
- Standard no. 148, Group 4 Dachshunds (working trial); definitive recognition 01.01.1955; current valid standard published 25.05.2021 (English text dated 14.03.2022). Rabbit Dachshund (Kaninchenteckel) is the smallest of three sizes, each in smooth, long and wire coats. Chest circumference measured at 15 months or older: males 27 cm up to 32 cm, females 25 cm up to 30 cm. No weight is given.2
- AKC
- Not recognised as a separate size. In the US only the standard and miniature sizes are officially recognised.4
- The Royal Kennel Club
- Not recognised as a separate size. The UK recognises two sizes (Standard and Miniature), while Germany has three.7
- Dogs Australia
- Registers Rabbit Dachshunds in smooth, long and wire varieties; first registrations appear in 2020.10
Popularity Australia: 22 Rabbit Dachshunds registered with Dogs Australia in 2025 (15 long-haired, 7 smooth, 0 wire).10
Sources (11)
Every fact on this page has a numbered source. Spotted an error? support@petwiki.app.
- Wikipedia: Dachshund en.wikipedia.orgused for secondary: miniature height, Rabbit weight, name, tweenies
- FCI Standard No. 148 Dachshund fci.beused for size by chest girth, coats, colours, temperament, use
- FCI Nomenclature: Dachshund (148) fci.beused for FCI group, varieties, recognition and standard dates
- AKC: Dachshund History, The Badger Dog's Fascinating Past akc.orgused for development of the small sizes, US recognition of two sizes only
- Wikipedia (German): Dackel de.wikipedia.orgused for secondary: German names, use
- VCA Animal Hospitals: Dachshund vcahospitals.comused for temperament, social needs, cold sensitivity, children
- The Royal Kennel Club: Dachshund (Miniature Smooth Haired) royalkennelclub.comused for UK group, exercise, grooming, lifespan, home size, health tests, dapple rule
- The Royal Kennel Club: Dachshund (Miniature Long Haired) royalkennelclub.comused for grooming, health tests
- RVC VetCompass: New research gets to the root of dental disease in dogs rvc.ac.ukused for dental disease risk in dogs under 10 kg
- Dogs Australia: Registration statistics 2018 to 2025 dogsaustralia.org.auused for Australian registrations incl. Rabbit varieties
- Science News: Explore the expected life spans of different dog breeds (McMillan et al. 2024) sciencenews.orgused for Miniature median life expectancy in the UK
Text is written in our own words from these sources.