Longhaired Dachshund Fur Care

Longhaired dachshunds have a coat of hair that is soft, shiny and has a slight wave. It is longest on the underside of their bodies, legs and on their ears. Longhaired dachshunds come in colors like red and cream, chocolate, black and grey. Unlike a shorthaired dog, there are certain steps you have to take daily to keep your dachshund's fur beautiful and healthy. Brushing and bathing your dog often will help to keep it's coat lustrous and shiny.

Section off your dog's hair with a clip so that you can thoroughly untangle and brush each section. Choose a firm wire brush and brush through each section of your dog's hair and then follow up with a comb. Longhaired dogs, like cats, have a tendency to get mats which can be annoying and painful. Use your comb to remove any mats on your dog's fur. Mats tend to show up around the ears. Brush your dog's hair while you are shampooing it to remove more dead hairs. Longhaired dachshunds should be groomed daily to avoid tangling.

Purchase a shampoo for longhaired dogs and bathe your dog twice a week in the summer and once a week in the winter. You do not want to over-bathe your dachshund or you can cause dry skin and hair. Dry your dog's hair with a blow dryer after bathing to get it straight and shiny. Hold the dryer away from the roots so you don't burn your dachshund's skin. Hold it a few inches away your dog's body. Too much heat can make the hair weak and cause your dog to shed even more.

You should take your dachshund to a professional groomer at least once or twice a year to get it's fur trimmed. This is especially important to do once in the summer, because it will help keep your dog cool. You can have the professional groomer do other things at this time, like clip the dog's nails.

There are certain things you can feed your dachshund that will give it a shiny, healthy coat. Foods rich in omega-3 fatty acids are extremely beneficial to dogs. Flaxseed oil and fish oil are high in omega-3 and can be added to your dog's diet. Simply take a teaspoon of the oil and mix it into your dog's food. Foods high in omega-6 fatty acids, like sunflower oil or safflower oil, will also give your dog a shiny, healthy coat.