On average, the standard size Dachshund breed produces between 1-8 pups per litter. Therefore, 6-8 puppies in a litter is a bit less common than 1-5. With the average lifespan for the Dachshund being 11 years, it is possible for them to carry roughly 20 litters this size in a lifetime, although it is not advisable.
A female Dachshund can produce a very high number of puppies; however, a few things can potentially affect the number of pups per litter, per year, or per lifetime.
For instance, to keep her breeding numbers ideal, you will want to keep the female in good health and observe any local laws on breeding. In addition, the Dachshund Breed Council has a code of ethics that you should strongly consider sticking to for your pet’s health while breeding her.
Do Standard Size & Miniature Dachshunds Have The Same Number of Pups?
Dachshunds are capable of producing the same number of pups, regardless of their size or coat type. The standard size and the miniature Dachshund both have average life spans of 12-14 years and can begin breeding as early as 6 months old. However, it is not typical for a female dog to undergo mating during her first heat or even her first year.
How Frequently & When Should You Breed A Dachshund?
Like most other small breed dogs, the females of the Dachshund breed go into Estrus twice per year on average. Some Dachshunds may have up to three Estrus cycles per year, but it is considered unusual.
Many vets and breeders discourage owners like yourself from breeding their dogs during their first year. Vets have seen complications arise from early breeding that includes-
- Hormonal imbalance issues
- Mammary gland issues
- Reproductive organ cancer
- Death
You should begin breeding at roughly 18 months of age when your Dachshund reaches her third cycle of Estrus. Assuming that your furry friend is on a healthy diet, has regular exercise and veterinary care, you can reasonably expect that she’ll produce 4-7 puppies in each litter or 8-14 per year. Breed specialists recommend that you stick to breeding 5 or fewer times for the health of your animal.
How frequently you can and should breed your Dachshund will vary by animal. However, you should get a good idea of your dog’s overall capabilities as a breed animal in the first year. If your four-legged friend has small litters, it’s safe to assume she’ll continue to do so. The same is true if she has large litters.
After your first couple of successes with breeding your Dachshund, your vet will be able to tell you how she does with the stress of pregnancy and how regularly she should be paired in the future. If your dog doesn’t have any outstanding health issues, there shouldn’t be any health reason standing in the way of breeding her twice a year.
A Code Of Ethics For Breeders of Dachshunds
Purebreds such as the Dachshund have been selectively bred for generations and generations, leading to the cute bundles of fur we know today. However, it is essential for you to take the responsibility of carrying on this tradition very seriously. Pet overpopulation problems have led to the American Kennel Club adopting the UK Breeders for Dachshunds Code of Ethics, which is an excellent resource for breeders and pet owners alike.
A few of their most essential points on breeding ethics will actually restrict how many puppies your Dachshund can have without fear of legal repercussions for you as the breeder-
- Owners will not breed any female that is less than one year old at the time of pairing.
- Owners won’t breed a female that is already eight years of age at the time of pairing (unless they have received Kennel Club permission via an application that includes a vet’s recommendation).
- Owners will refrain from breeding their female more than once in a 12 month period (unless they have a vet’s recommendation).
- Owners will not irresponsibly breed a female who has already whelped 4 litters.
- Dachshund owners will not breed a female that has a history of cesareans (C-Section).
How Does The Law Affect How Many Pups Your Dachshund Can Have?
While this code of ethics was initially developed as a guideline for Kennel Club members, it is well known amongst the veterinary community and other animal-loving groups as well. You don’t have to be a member of a Kennel Club to have legal action taken against you for breeding your pooch irresponsibly.
The Code of Ethics that the Dachshund Breed Council developed in the UK has been accepted as a standard of care by those who enforce the Animal Welfare Act in the US. Unfortunately, this means that if you choose to breed your pet against their recommendations, you could lose your animal and even be fined.
Taking all of this into consideration dramatically changes the number of puppies your Dachshund can and/or should have. Under healthy breeding circumstances, your dog will likely whelp all four litters permitted by the Animal Welfare Act. And if all of the pups survive, your Dachshund could easily still have as many as 32 puppies!
Remember, if you have a good reason for breeding the dog additional times, you can always speak to your vet about possibly whelping 1-2 more litters as well. That would give you an additional 10-16 pups, for a grand total of 48 puppies possible!
How To Find A Dachshund That Will Whelp Many Pups
If you’re considering buying your very first Dachshund, the American Kennel Club provides excellent resources for you to find a responsible breeder with a good reputation for healthy dogs. A Dachshund purchased or bred through a Club has a high likelihood of being a good breeder in the future as well.
So whether you’re interested in finding a Dachshund of your own or looking to get into breeding dogs yourself, you should definitely look into the Dachshund Breed Council as well as your local Kennel Club.
Even if you do not plan to register your Dachshund, the same animal welfare laws will restrict the number of litters your dog can have.