German Shepherd Dachshund Mix: Breed Information

The German Shepherd Dachshund mix, also known as the Dachshund Shepherd, German Dachshund, and Dachsheperd, is a somewhat surprising designer dog but one that works seemingly well. Although his German parents are very different in terms of temperament and appearance, trainability, and energy, their differences blend together to create a well-balanced dog that is suited to many families.

His size is a unique mix of two breeds, with the Dachshund being the smaller version and the GSD being a medium to large-sized breed. Typically, this mix falls somewhere in the middle when it comes to size, temperament, and activity level.  As always, any mixed breed can have tendencies that lean more towards one parent breed than the other.

While he is suited to many, before you invite one of these curious crosses into your life, you need to make sure that he is the one for you. Without further ado, meet the one and only German Shepherd Dachshund mix.

Parent Breeds

The Dachshund Shepherd is a new canine concoction, and as such, they can be wildly different in terms of looks and personality, even within the same litter. So it is very important to learn about both of his parents because you may find your pup is an equal split or more like one than the other. As with any designer or hybrid dog, expect the unexpected.

German Shepherd

This guy is most recognizable for working alongside the military and police forces across the world, and his employment has given him a formidable reputation. Those who know this breed know they are sweet at heart and love to retire back to the warmth of home after a long day at work.

The German Shepherd is a popular dog in America. In 2023, the American Kennel Club (AKC) ranked him as the fourth most popular dog out of 200 breeds, and he is well-loved for a whole bunch of reasons. He is described as confident, courageous, and smart, and he is one of the most loyal and trainable dogs on the planet.  The GSD is a popular mix with other smaller breeds, like the Beagle Shepherd mix or the Shollie.

Dachshund

Despite his reputation for being a well-deserved spoiled lapdog, this little long guy is a well-accomplished hunting dog. His name translates to badger dog, and with his tenacious personality, high prey drive, long body, and big paddle paws, he is very good at what he does. Although he is now more commonly found on the lap of his master, he has retained his hunting instinct and loves to chase animals through the park if he catches a scent.

The Dachshund, or Doxie, is also a popular family pet, and he currently ranks as the sixth most popular breed in America. He is described as friendly, curious, and spunky, and despite his low stature, he has a bold and vivacious personality that has won hearts across the world. He is cheeky and knows what he wants, and his master certainly knows it, too.

Often described as the king of the canine world, the lively Doxie has held the record for the oldest dog twice, with one reaching the grand old age of 21 and another 20.  While the Dachshund Shepherd is a newer and unique mix, there are other popular Dachshund mixes already out there, including the Chiweenie or the Dachsador.

Dachshund Shepherd

Although his parents are two of the most recognizable German breeds, it is believed that the Dachshund Shepherd mix’s origins lie in America, similar to most newer designer dogs. Given that he is so new, it is important to expect a combination of any characteristics from either parent.

Temperament

This mixed pooch is likely to be very loyal and adore his one special human. While this sociability extends to his entire family, he has a soft spot for the one whom he considers to be his main caregiver. With this comes the propensity to become overprotective, and he may snap and nip to stop people from coming too close to his master. He needs to be socialized from an early age to avoid this.

It is likely that he is very sociable. Although he might be aloof with strangers at first, thanks to his Dachshund personality, they’ll be fast friends.

The Dachshund Shepherd is full of spunky energy and can keep you entertained for hours on end. He has a lot of pent-up energy that he needs to expel. Otherwise, he can become quite destructive and damage everything in his path, so be sure to provide him with his recommended exercise and spend as much time as you can with him because he doesn’t like to be left alone for too long.

He makes a wonderful family pet for most, but being quite intense, he is not suited to all as he requires a lot of physical and mental stimulation to keep him healthy.

Size & Appearance

This guy varies quite wildly in appearance. He weighs anywhere between 20 and 60 pounds and measures anywhere between 10 and 20 inches tall. His size also depends on whether his Dachshund parent is a miniature or standard size. Be sure to ask your breeder which size his parents are.

He may or may not inherit the shorter legs and outward-turned feet of the Dachshund but is not as tall as his German Shepherd parent. Your GSD Doxie mix may inherit the large triangle ears of both parents. However, it is up to chance and genetics if they are floppy or erect. They may even have one of each. This designer pup has big, dark, round eyes and a square fleshy nose. Overall, he is a very handsome-looking pup, albeit a curious one who has passersby asking you what exact breed he is.

Coat & Colors

This is entirely dependent on his parents, as the Dachshund has three types of coat, smooth, wirehaired and longhaired, and the German Shepherd has two types of coat, a medium and long-haired coat, so this offers a wide and unique set of colors and textures to choose from. This double coat sheds moderately throughout the year and heavily during shedding seasons. If you aren’t a fan of canine hair on your clothes or furniture, then this mix might not be for you.

Both of his parents have a long list of colors to choose from, but their most common colors are dark browns, blue coats, and black coats, with the typical German Shepherd dark facial mask. There is also the chance of inheriting other colors such as solid white, blue, red, or even merle, and his patterns are sporadic with brindle or piebald, but the more unique his colorings are, the more you can expect to pay for him as this quirky appearance is currently all the rage.

Exercise & Living Conditions

The Dachshund Shepherd needs to exercise between 30 and 60 minutes every day, depending on his size and energy levels. You can soon tell if he has had enough walking because, thanks to his Dachshund-spoiled genes, he’ll stop dead in his tracks and expect you to carry him.

After you physically exercise him, he still needs to be mentally stimulated throughout the day because of his intelligence and curiosity, so expect to play a lot of interactive games with him.

His living conditions are entirely dependent on his parents’ size because if he is a tiny pooch, he can easily adapt to an apartment, just as long as his exercise needs are met. If, however, he is on the larger side, then he is better suited to a home with access to a backyard.

If he is socialized well, he may be able to live with other household pets. Be sure to introduce him to them slowly and in a controlled environment, as his ancestors’ hunting genes might come into play. He should do well with children, but again, be sure to supervise him just as you would with any dog.

Training

It is likely that the Dachshund Shepherd is very trainable, thanks to his German Shepherd parents’ trainability. You might find him having an off-day now and then, where he would rather be sprawled across the sofa doing absolutely nothing, no matter how much you entice him to partake in a training session. With plenty of positive reward-based training in the form of verbal praise and treats, he should do well.

Whichever parent he takes after more, you should begin his training sessions as soon as you welcome him home and discourage any over-protective traits that he might display. It is also important to socialize him early from a young age with as many humans and other animals as possible so that he doesn’t feel the need to protect his family. He may also inherit a high prey drive, so you shouldn’t let this little guy off-leash in a public place because you might not get him back.

Health

The Dachshund Shepherd is a relatively healthy dog who lives between 7 and 14 years, or maybe a bit longer if he is related to the oldest Dachshunds on record. Of course, lifestyle and diet contribute to lifespan, as do genetics. The following health issues are the main concerns that your mixed pup might face, but remember that this is not exhaustive, so be sure to keep up with his regular veterinary checks.

1. Hip and Elbow Dysplasia – The German Shepherd parent is at high risk of hip and elbow dysplasia, which is caused by an abnormal formation of the hip and elbow joints. It can lead to grinding of the bones and cartilage, which eventually causes painful arthritis and mobility issues.
2. Luxating Patella – In addition to joint issues, the Doxie parent is affected by luxating patella, which is essentially a dislocated kneecap.
3. Intervertebral Disc Disease – Intervertebral Disc Disease (IVDD) affects short and long dogs like the Dachshund. It is caused by the eruption of the cushioning discs in the spine, which can lead to severe pain and paralysis. If he takes on the longer body shape of the Dachshund, then he is more likely to experience this.
4. Eye conditions – Both parent breeds are at risk of suffering from a variety of eye conditions, such as Progressive Retinal Atrophy and Cataracts. All reputable breeders should screen the parents for these.
5. Mitral Valve Disease – This condition occurs when the heart valves weaken and blood flows back into the atrium, eventually leading to cardiac failure. It is more common in Dachshunds, but veterinarians can identify it early, so it is important to keep up with his regular checks.

Also, consider pet insurance for your pup to help extend their lifespan as much as possible by getting them vet care when needed without worrying about the cost. Insurance cannot directly increase your pup’s lifespan, but insured dogs often live longer because their owners take them to the vet when something pops up, which allows vets to diagnose and address a condition sooner. Read our pet insurance reviews to learn more.

Nutrition

The Dachshund Shepherd eats anywhere between 1 ½ and 2 ½ cups of food every day, but of course, this is dependent on his weight and energy levels, so it is advised to follow the food instructions or speak to your veterinarian for tailored advice. He would do well on high-quality kibble with plenty of protein, fiber, vitamins, and minerals to meet his needs.

You should also add wet food to his diet and consider adding fresh dog foods. These provide a boost of nutrition and flavor. Learn more about fresh dog food and how it can boost your pup’s mealtime in our guide.

Given his potential mobility and spinal health concerns, it is important that you maintain a healthy weight for your Dachshund Shepherd. Otherwise, his health could go downhill much faster than it would at a normal weight. While he might thank you for those extra treats, his body won’t, so be sure not to overdo it.

Grooming

The amount of grooming that a German Shepherd Doxie mix requires depends on his coat type. If he has a short and shiny coat, then little grooming is required, but if he has a long and wiry coat, then he needs grooming every day to ensure that his coat does not become matted. Because he has a double coat, he needs to be brushed almost daily during the shedding season, regardless of coat type.

Dental cleaning is required, particularly if he has a smaller mouth similar to the Dachshund, as he’s more prone to periodontal diseases. If he has drop-down ears, then weekly ear cleaning is also required to keep bacteria and infections at bay.

As Family Pets

1. The Dachshund Shepherd adores their human family and may be reserved with strangers.
2. He would still like to lie on your lap in the afternoon, but he is not a typical lapdog.
3. This breed is typically full of energy and requires at least 30 to 60 minutes of exercise every day.
4. The Dachshund Shepherd needs to be around people and shouldn’t be left alone for long periods.
5. This breed can become protective, so early socialization is key.
6. Depending on his coat, he requires either minimal grooming or daily brushing.
7. The Dachshund Shepherd’s food consumption needs to be monitored (they are prone to overeating).
8. He is suited to families with younger children with supervision and potentially other household pets.
9. He needs to be stimulated with interactive games, training sessions, and brain games.

Breeders & Puppy Costs

It’s estimated that a well-bred mixed pup can cost between $1,000 and $3,000. Of course, the mother is always the German Shepherd and the Dachshund is always the father, as it would be dangerous for the Dachshund to carry a puppy of a much bigger size.

Finding a Breeder

It may take some work and patience to find a breeder of Doxie Shepherd mixes. You can start by checking with GSD and Dachshund breeders. Due to being a rarer pup, you should be prepared to travel much further for him compared to a standard German Shepherd or Dachshund. Once you find a breeder, ask to meet in person. You should also ask to see their pups and parents and get a feel for them. You may also have to wait for puppies due to the rarer nature of this breed.

Steer clear of puppy mills and unreputable breeders. They do not have the pup’s best interests in mind, and this is particularly important for an unusual mixed breed with completely different parents.  Backyard breeders are becoming more prevalent, so it’s important to make sure you minimize the risks when adopting a pup.

Rescues & Shelters

Finding a Dachshund Shepherd in a rescue shelter is going to be tricky, simply because he is very rare. However, because people often buy one of these pups hoping that they are going to a traditional lapdog that doesn’t require much exercise or training, they become overwhelmed. Because of this, you may have a chance at finding a German Shepherd Doxie mix in a rescue or shelter.

Start with breed-specific rescues for the parent breeds and inquire if they have any mixes. You can also ask your veterinarian about reputable rescue groups and look on social media to find connections.

Are You Ready For A Dog?

Before bringing any new dog home, it’s best to discuss the idea with your family members and housemates. Be sure everyone is aware of the work required and what they can contribute. This is especially important in homes with children and for higher-energy breeds like the German Shepherd Dachshund mix. Learn more about what to know before adopting a dog and age-appropriate dog duties for kids to help you get ready.

Why Trust Us?

Emma is a dog fanatic with over 20 years of experience and the proud mom of two rescue dogs, Bonkers and Chips. Before becoming a freelance writer specializing in canine content, she worked as a professional dog walker and sitter for many years. She has undergone various canine care courses and has looked after several breeds with different needs. Emma dedicates countless hours researching the latest pet care, health, food, and training developments to keep her two best buddies and other doggy clients as happy and healthy as possible.