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Dachshund vs Weimaraner: Which Suits Your Home?

Dachshund or Weimaraner? On paper they differ most on apartment suitability, and on the scales Weimaraner is the heavier at 55–90 lbs. Here is how the two compare on everything that shapes an ordinary week.

This is for someone already down to Dachshund and Weimaraner and deciding between them. For this pair the decision usually turns on apartment suitability and exercise need, so those are covered first and in most detail. Anyone choosing from a flat has a clear answer here: Dachshund rates 5/5 against 1/5. Breed history is left out; what follows is what you will actually live with.

Quick verdict

Between Dachshund and Weimaraner, apartment suitability is what separates them, and Dachshund is the lower-effort dog of the two to keep.

Choose dachshund if...

Choose Dachshund if you are in a flat or a smaller home, this is your first dog and your walking routine is modest.

Choose weimaraner if...

Choose Weimaraner if you do not want a standing grooming appointment, there are young children at home and you want a dog that picks up training quickly.

Head-to-head comparison

Feature	dachshund	weimaraner	Winner
Size class	small	large	Equal
Weight	11–32 lbs	55–90 lbs	Equal
Height	5–9 in	23–27 in	Equal
Lifespan	12–16 years	10–13 years	dachshund
Exercise need	Moderate (3/5)	Very high (5/5)	dachshund
Grooming need	Low (2/5)	Very low (1/5)	weimaraner
Shedding	Low (2/5)	Low (2/5)	Equal
Energy level	Moderate (3/5)	Very high (5/5)	Equal
Barking	High (4/5)	Moderate (3/5)	weimaraner
Apartment suitability	Very high (5/5)	Very low (1/5)	dachshund
Good for first-time owners	Moderate (3/5)	Low (2/5)	dachshund
Tolerates being alone	Very low (1/5)	Very low (1/5)	Equal
Trainability	Moderate (3/5)	High (4/5)	weimaraner
Good with kids	Moderate (3/5)	High (4/5)	weimaraner
Good with other dogs	Moderate (3/5)	Moderate (3/5)	Equal
Friendly to strangers	Low (2/5)	Moderate (3/5)	weimaraner
Cost level	Moderate (3/5)	Moderate (3/5)	Equal
Coat	Short, wirehaired, or longhaired	Short and sleek	Equal
Origin	Germany	Various	Equal
Typical monthly cost	$80–$150	$110–$240	Equal
Typical first-year cost	$1,200–$2,500	$1,700–$3,200	Equal

Deep dive

Size and build

The Weimaraner is a big dog by any measure — 55-90 lbs and 23-27 inches, sleek and athletic. The Dachshund tops out at 32 lbs and 9 inches. This is one of the larger size gaps you'll find in a breed comparison, and it affects everything from food bills to how much space each dog needs indoors.

Energy and exercise

Weimaraner exercise need sits at very high (5/5), the top of the scale, versus the Dachshund's moderate (3/5). Weimaraners were bred as all-day hunting companions and carry that stamina into pet life — long runs, not just walks, are closer to what they need. The Dachshund's moderate needs are a fraction of that.

Grooming and shedding

Coat care is a wash between them. Grooming rates very low (1/5) for the Weimaraner and low (2/5) for the Dachshund, and shedding ties at low (2/5) for both breeds despite the size difference. Neither is a heavy-maintenance coat, which is unusual for a dog the Weimaraner's size.

Apartment living, noise and time alone

The Dachshund rates very high (5/5) for apartment suitability, the Weimaraner very low (1/5) — driven by both its size and its very-high exercise need. Barking actually favors the Weimaraner, moderate (3/5) against the Dachshund's high (4/5), though the Weimaraner's health list flags separation anxiety directly, and alone-time tolerance is very low (1/5) for both regardless.

Training and owner experience

The Weimaraner trains better on paper, high (4/5) against the Dachshund's moderate (3/5), but headstrong is one of its own listed temperament traits, and first-time-owner suitability actually favors the Dachshund, moderate (3/5) versus the Weimaraner's low (2/5). A trainable dog isn't automatically an easy one — the Weimaraner's size and drive make mistakes costlier for a novice.

Kids, other dogs and visitors

The Weimaraner is better with kids, high (4/5) against the Dachshund's moderate (3/5), and friendlier to strangers too, moderate (3/5) versus low (2/5). Good with other dogs ties at moderate (3/5) for both. A Weimaraner's size means kid interactions need supervision for different reasons than a Dachshund's — less about nipping, more about an exuberant dog knocking a small child over.

Health and lifespan

The Dachshund lives longer, 12-16 years against the Weimaraner's 10-13, a fairly wide gap for a size-based comparison. The Weimaraner's health list includes bloat (GDV), a real emergency risk for deep-chested large breeds, plus hip dysplasia and von Willebrand disease. The Dachshund's risks stay concentrated around its back — IVDD, chondrodystrophy, degenerative myelopathy.

Cost to keep

The Weimaraner is the pricier breed, $110-240 monthly against the Dachshund's $80-150, and $1,700-3,200 in year one versus $1,200-2,500. Cost level is rated moderate (3/5) for both, but a large, high-energy dog eats more and often needs more gear, so the dollar ranges reflect that even where the rating doesn't.

Dachshund vs Weimaraner at a glance

Dachshund weighs 11–32 lbs and lives 12–16 years; Weimaraner weighs 55–90 lbs and lives 10–13 years. The two diverge most on apartment suitability, exercise need and energy level. They are level on tolerates being alone, cost level and good with other dogs, so those cannot decide it. The comparison marks an easier option only where one exists. Facts like weight and country of origin are not scored. Both dogs are rated from the same dataset, which is what makes the numbers comparable with each other even though any individual dog sits somewhere inside its breed's range.

Frequently asked questions

How big is a Weimaraner compared to a Dachshund?

Much bigger — 55-90 lbs and 23-27 inches versus the Dachshund's 11-32 lbs and 5-9 inches. It's one of the more extreme size gaps you'll see in a breed matchup.

Which one sheds more?

Neither much — shedding ties at low (2/5) for both breeds, and the Weimaraner's grooming need is actually rated lower, very low (1/5), against the Dachshund's low (2/5).

Is either good for a first-time owner?

The Dachshund scores better, moderate (3/5) versus the Weimaraner's low (2/5), even though the Weimaraner is easier to train on paper (high, 4/5). Its size, drive, and separation-anxiety tendency make it a harder day-to-day fit for a novice.

How do they do in an apartment?

The Dachshund is rated very high (5/5), the Weimaraner very low (1/5) — the bottom of the scale, mostly a function of its very-high exercise need and large size rather than noise, since it actually barks less (moderate, 3/5) than the Dachshund (high, 4/5).

What's the cost gap?

Meaningful — $110-240 a month for the Weimaraner versus $80-150 for the Dachshund, and $1,700-3,200 in the first year against $1,200-2,500.

Do their health risks overlap?

Not really — no conditions appear on both lists. The Weimaraner's risks include bloat (GDV) and von Willebrand disease, while the Dachshund's center on its spine and joints.

Which is friendlier with kids?

The Weimaraner, rated high (4/5) against the Dachshund's moderate (3/5), though its size means active supervision matters for different reasons than with a small dog.

Quick answers

View more answers

Living

Dachshund or Weimaraner — which fits your life?

The Dachshund for small spaces and lower activity levels. The Weimaraner for a household with a yard and time for serious daily exercise — it does not do well cooped up.

Costs

What's the monthly cost difference?

The Weimaraner runs noticeably higher, $110-240 versus the Dachshund's $80-150, reflecting its much larger size.

Behavior

Which needs more exercise?

The Weimaraner, rated very high (5/5) against the Dachshund's moderate (3/5) — expect real running time, not just walks.

Health

Which lives longer?

The Dachshund, 12-16 years against the Weimaraner's 10-13 — a fairly typical gap between a small breed and a large one.

Related DogBreedCompass guides

Dachshund breed guide – Readers comparing the two usually want the full profile of Dachshund before deciding.
Weimaraner breed guide – The same for Weimaraner, so the comparison can be checked against the detail.
Dachshund vs Brussels Griffon – Brussels Griffon is the closest breed to Dachshund on the measured axes, so it is the natural next comparison.
Weimaraner vs German Wirehaired Pointer – German Wirehaired Pointer sits closest to Weimaraner, which makes it the alternative worth ruling out.
What Dachshund costs to keep – Anyone weighing these two is usually also pricing them, and the cost pages carry city-level figures.
Weimaraner health problems – The health pages set out what each breed is actually screened for.

Related guides

Comparison

Important reminder

Health information here is general and is not veterinary advice. If your dog shows pain, sudden behaviour change, or worsening symptoms, consult a licensed veterinarian.

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