Pet Insurance for Dachshund
Pet Insurance Australia has been helping owners protect their Dachshunds for years, with cover for the breed-specific conditions those short legs and long backs bring with them, from intervertebral disc disease to hip dysplasia and patellar luxation.
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Meet The Dachshund
Practically a pop icon, the Dachshund (or Sausage Dog) is beloved the world over. Their popularity is not surprising, considering their adorable long bodies and soulful eyes.
With an independent streak and a strong protective nature, these pups are fiercely loyal to their humans and will gladly play guardian—even if they are a bit closer to the ground than your average watchdog.
Claim Up To
$35,0002
Per Year
Common Claims For Dachshunds
Known for their long bodies, short legs, and affectionate, playful nature, the Dachshund, like all dog breeds, can be prone to specific health issues. This table shows just how expensive common conditions can be. With our pet insurance, you can claim back a portion of these costs and avoid large out-of-pocket expenses.
| COMMON CLAIMS | MAXIMUM CLAIM |
|---|---|
| Ear Conditions | $1,195.52 |
| Adrenal Disease | $729.77 |
| Gastrointestinal Condition | $2,411.20 |
| Heart Conditions | $1,054.40 |
| Ingestion of Foreign Body or Toxin | $3,380.36 |
| Skeletal Condition | $1,098.50 |
| Intervertebral Disc Disease (IVDD) | $11,375.90 |
| Skin Conditions Allergy | $475.05 |
| Skin Conditions Lumps | $2,019.35 |
| Urinary Disease | $3,261.56 |
Common Health Conditions
For Dachshunds
- Intervertebral Disc Disease (IVDD): The Dachshund's long back and short legs put the breed at high risk of spinal disc problems, making IVDD its most significant health concern. It can cause back pain, hind limb weakness or paralysis, and prompt veterinary care is crucial. Treatment ranges from monitoring the condition through to surgery on the affected disc.
- Obesity: Dachshunds adore their food, and the weight that follows accelerates back problems and other health issues. Keeping treats to a minimum alongside a healthy diet and regular exercise is the best prevention, while treatment can involve specialised diets and veterinary monitoring.
- Hip Dysplasia: A genetic condition common across many breeds, caused by a malformation of the hip and thigh joint that leads to mobility issues, lameness and arthritis. Treatment ranges from medication through to surgery to correct the hip.
- Patellar Luxation: A dislocation of the kneecap that some Dachshunds suffer from, causing lameness and pain, and it may need surgical intervention to correct.
- Eye Problems: Dachshunds can develop a range of eye conditions, including cataracts, glaucoma and progressive retinal atrophy (PRA). Regular eye check-ups are essential for monitoring and managing them, and treatment may involve medication or surgery depending on the condition.
- Skin Allergies: Food, environmental allergens and fleas can all trigger allergies in the Dachshund, causing uncomfortable itching, rashes and skin infections. Identifying the cause matters as much as treating it, and treatment can include medication, prescription diets and medicated shampoos.
- Diabetes: Dachshunds are at higher risk of developing diabetes, particularly if they are overweight, so monitoring diet and weight helps both prevent and manage the condition. Treatment involves medication.
- Ear Infections: Those adorable floppy ears trap moisture, which makes infections common. Regular cleaning and proper ear care prevent most problems, and treatment involves antibacterial or antibiotic medication.
- Gastric Dilatation-Volvulus (Bloat): Less common in Dachshunds than in deep-chested large breeds, but still a risk given the Dachy's habit of gulping food. Bloat is life-threatening and needs emergency surgery, so encourage slow eating and avoid exercise either side of a meal.
- Heart Disease: Some Dachshunds develop heart conditions such as mitral valve disease or dilated cardiomyopathy. Regular veterinary check-ups help detect and monitor these, and they can be managed with medication or surgery.
Get your first 2 months free when you sign up1
Flexible Cover Options
For Your Dachshund
Finding the right pet insurance for your Dachshund doesn’t need to be confusing. It should be as straightforward as giving them a belly rub! With Pet Insurance Australia, one plan does it all, and you decide how it works.
| Option | What It Means | Your Choices | Why |
|---|---|---|---|
| Annual benefit limit2 | This is the maximum amount you can claim for per policy period, subject to any applicable excess, for eligible accidental injuries and illnesses, as well as emergency boarding. Booster Care and Routine Care (non insurance benefit) are subject to their own limits. | $15,000; $25,000 and $35,000 | Lower for budget-conscious premiums; higher if you want more protection. |
| Benefit Percentage14 (Reimbursement) | The percentage of the eligible vet bill we will cover before the applicable annual excess is applied. Where applicable, it is also subject to the annual benefit limit or Booster Care limit. | 70%, 80%, 90% | Higher % can allow you to claim more back on your eligible vet bills. |
| Annual Excess4 | The amount you may contribute to your claim. The annual excess applies to each eligible claim in the policy period until fully paid. | $0, $100, $300, $600* *$600 annual excess not available with 70% benefit percentage | Choose a higher annual excess to help lower your premium. Just remember you may pay more out of pocket at claim time. |
| Routine care add-on7 | Optional non-insurance benefit to cover for everyday care such as vaccinations, microchipping, flea/tick | An optional benefit which you can add to your policy | Add for additional vet-cost cover. |
| Specified dental conditions add-on (Booster Care13) | Optional cover for specified dental conditions, subject to the Booster Care limit of $2500 | An optional benefit which you can add to your policy | Add for extra vet-cost protection; Great for breeds prone to dental issues. |
| Specialised therapies add-on (Booster Care13) | Optional cover for specialised therapies, subject to the Booster Care limit of $2500 | Add to your policy or skip | Add to boost vet-cost protection; skip to lower premium |
| Waiting periods8 | The time from your policy start date when your pet isn’t covered for certain conditions or benefits in the first year you first obtained cover for them. If a condition exists or occurs during the waiting period, it will be considered a pre-existing condition and may be excluded from cover. | Accidental injury – 2days Illness – 30days Cruciate Ligament Conditions – 6 months Specified dental conditions (Booster Care) – 6 months Behavioural conditions (Booster Care)– 30days | Starting early helps ensure your pet is covered sooner rather than later |
| Multi-pet discount12 | A percentage saving when you insure more than one pet. | Get 5% off for each additional pet you insure after the first, up to 15% max.* Example: 2nd pet: 5% | Helpful for multi-pet households. |
| Choice of vet | Use any licensed vet in Australia, other than yourself. | Included on all policies | Continue care with your preferred vet |
Want To Learn More? See Everything Our Dog Insurance Covers
Flexible Cover Options For Your Dachshund
Finding the right pet insurance for your Dachs doesn’t need to be confusing. It should feel as straightforward as giving them a belly rub! With Pet Insurance Australia, one plan does it all, and you decide how it works.
Annual Benefit Limit2
What It Means
This is the maximum amount you can claim for per policy period, subject to any applicable excess, for eligible accidental injuries and illnesses, as well as emergency boarding.
Booster Care and Routine Care (non insurance benefit) are subject to their own limits.
Your Choices
$15,000; $25,000 and $35,000
Why
Lower for budget-conscious premiums; higher if you want more protection.
Benefit Percentage14 (Reimbursement)
What It Means
The percentage of the eligible vet bill we will cover before the applicable annual excess is applied.
Where applicable, it is also subject to the annual benefit limit or Booster Care limit.
Your Choices
70%, 80%, 90%
Why
Higher % can allow you to claim more back on your eligible vet bills.
Annual Excess4
What It Means
The amount you may contribute to your claim. The annual excess applies to each eligible claim in the policy period until fully paid.
Your Choices
$0, $100, $300, $600*
*$600 annual excess not available with 70% benefit percentage
Why
Choose a higher annual excess to help lower your premium. Just remember you may pay more out of pocket at claim time.
Routine Care Add-On7
What It Means
Optional non-insurance benefit to cover for everyday care such as vaccinations, microchipping, flea/tick
Your Choices
An optional benefit which you can add to your policy
Why
Add for additional vet-cost cover.
Specified Dental Conditions Add-On (Booster Care13)
What It Means
Optional cover for specified dental conditions, subject to the Booster Care limit of $2500
Your Choices
An optional benefit which you can add to your policy
Why
Add for extra vet-cost protection; Great for breeds prone to dental issues.
Specialised Therapies Add-On Add-On (Booster Care13)
What It Means
Optional cover for specialised therapies, subject to the Booster Care limit of $2500
Your Choices
Add to your policy or skip
Why
Add to boost vet-cost protection; skip to lower premium
Waiting Periods
What It Means
The time from your policy start date when your pet isn’t covered for certain conditions or benefits in the first year you first obtained cover for them.
If a condition exists or occurs during the waiting period, it will be considered a pre-existing condition and may be excluded from cover.
Your Choices
Accidental injury – 2days
Illness – 30days
Cruciate Ligament Conditions – 6 months
Specified dental conditions (Booster Care) – 6 months
Behavioural conditions (Booster Care)– 30days
Why
Starting early helps ensure your pet is covered sooner rather than later
Multi-Pet Discount12
What It Means
A percentage saving when you insure more than one pet.
Your Choices
Get 5% off for each additional pet you insure after the first, up to 15% max.*
Example:
2nd pet: 5%
Why
Helpful for multi-pet households.
Choice Of Vet
What It Means
Use any licensed vet in Australia, other than yourself.
Your Choices
Continue care with your preferred vet
Why
Helpful for multi-pet households.
Caring For A Dachshund
Dachshunds are intelligent and hugely food-motivated, which makes training easier in one sense, though the breed can also be stubborn. Keep sessions fun, varied and consistent, and remember to count treats towards their daily calories. They were bred to dig and hunt prey, so those instincts need an outlet, and without enough stimulation a bored Dachshund will find its own entertainment. They are also prone to excessive barking when left alone for long stretches, which early routine and company help to prevent.
Grooming depends on the coat. Smooth-coated Dachshunds need only a weekly brush, which doubles as a chance to check for skin conditions, while wire-haired dogs need regular brushing and their coats stripped up to three times a year, so it’s worth asking a professional groomer to show you how. They are not a smelly breed unless they have rolled in something they shouldn’t, but those long floppy ears need regular cleaning to prevent infections, and a honey-like smell is a sign of yeast. Daily walks and play keep weight under control, which matters more for this breed than most, and high-impact jumping should be avoided to protect their backs, including jumping down from furniture.
The Dachshund is best suited to indoor living as a companion dog, and makes a great apartment dog for a sociable family. They are great with children, though play should always be supervised, and everyone in the household needs to know how to handle that long back safely. What they do not cope with is being left outside or alone for hours at a time. If you are choosing between the varieties, the main practical difference is the coat: smooth-coated dogs are the lowest maintenance, wire-haired need brushing plus regular stripping, and long-haired need more regular care. With a lifespan of 12 to 16 years, a Dachshund is a long commitment either way.
Fast Facts
Average Height
20-23 cm
Average Weight
7–14.5 kg
Temperament
Loyal, affectionate, playful and curious, often with a mischievous streak.
Lifespan
12-16 years
Known Genetic Issues
Intervertebral Disc Disease (IVDD), Hip Dysplasia, Patellar Luxation, eye problems such as Retinal Atrophy (PRA), Epilepsy, Obesity, Skin Allergies, ear infections, and heart disease.
Country of Origin
Germany
Exercise Requirements
Daily exercise is recommended for Dachshunds. As they typically have a love of food, there is a danger of obesity if they don’t maintain an active lifestyle.
Coat
Smooth, wire-haired, or long-haired, depending on breed.
Coat Colours
Dachshunds come in a wide variety of colours including red, black, tan and chocolate.
Specific Care Requirements
It’s important to limit high jumps and stair use to prevent back strain. Maintaining an ideal weight is also crucial to reduce stress on a Dachshund’s back.
Get Started with Pet Insurance Australia
Pet Insurance Australia is here to back your best mate with flexible options and fast claims. Get a quote today and explore pet insurance for Dachsunds in Australia—made to support your dog’s health every step of the way.
