Best Dog Bed for a Dachshund: Sizing, Shape and Dog Stairs
A Dachshund treats bedtime as a project: dig, turn, tunnel, and finally settle with only a nose showing. This guide covers how to choose a bed for that, and how to give a long, low dog an easier way onto the furniture.
Key Takeaways
- Know which Dachshund you have. The AKC standard lists miniatures at 11 pounds and under and standards at 16 to 32 pounds. A miniature usually fits an X-Small or Small inner resting area; a standard usually needs a Small or Medium.
- Measure length, not just weight. A Dachshund stretched out is long for its weight. Size by the inner resting area with the dog fully extended.
- Keep the entry low. Short legs step over a low front more easily than a tall bolster.
- Plan for burrowing. Many Dachshunds like to sleep under something. A soft blanket laid in the bed gives them that without a separate product.
- For beds and sofas, choose dog stairs by the dog's size. Our Mini Companion Stairs® reach 14 or 21 inches with steps of 4.75 or 5.25 inches.
What size bed does a Dachshund need?
Size a Dachshund's bed by its inner resting area, measured with the dog stretched out. Miniature Dachshunds, 11 pounds and under in the AKC standard, usually fit an X-Small or Small. Standard Dachshunds, 16 to 32 pounds, usually fit a Small or Medium. If your dog sleeps fully extended, or falls between sizes, choose the larger.
Weight alone misleads with this breed. A Dachshund curled up takes very little space, but the same dog stretched out on its side can need several more inches than a squarer dog of the same weight. Measure both positions and buy for the longer one. Inner dimensions are listed for every size on our product pages.
Which bed shape suits a Dachshund?
A low-entry bed suits most Dachshunds, because a long body on short legs prefers to step in rather than climb. Curlers do well in a round nest with a low bolster; dogs who stretch out do better on an open rectangle; older Dachshunds often prefer a deliberately low front.
| Sleeping style | Shape | Example | Sizes from |
|---|---|---|---|
| Curls and nests, likes to dig | Round nest, low bolster, plush fill | Puffette™ | X-Small |
| Curls, wants foam support | Round bolstered nest, memory foam | Ruby Ortho Puff® | X-Small |
| Stretches out long | Open rectangle, no bolsters | Ruby Puff® Ortho Rectangle (Small 24" x 18") | Small |
| Older, steps in | Low front with headrest | Ruby Sydney™ Ortho | Small |
Why do Dachshunds burrow, and what bed works for it?
Dachshunds were bred to work in tunnels, and many still like to sleep under cover. A bed with a soft bolster to tuck against, plus a blanket laid inside it, gives a burrower what it wants. Choose a blanket with a washable construction so it can go in the wash with the bed's cover.
Our luxury dog blankets are made for exactly this kind of layering, and a Luxura-Protect™ waterproof blanket adds a washable barrier for a dog who has the occasional accident.
How should a Dachshund get onto the bed or sofa?
Many Dachshund owners prefer their dogs walk up to furniture rather than jump. Dog stairs sized for small dogs make that easy. Our Mini Companion Stairs® come in two sizes, chosen by your dog's size:
| Mini Companion Stairs® | Top height | Each step (rise) |
|---|---|---|
| Mini 3 Step | 14 inches | 4.75 inches |
| Mini 4 Step | 21 inches | 5.25 inches |
Both are built from high-density CertiPUR-US® certified foam, upholstered in micro suede, light enough to move between rooms, and finished with a removable cover that unzips for a cold wash and hang dry. For taller beds and the full range, see our dog stairs and ramps and our guide to dog stairs vs. dog ramps.
Can a bed help a Dachshund with back problems?
A bed or a set of dog stairs is a comfort product, not a treatment for a back condition. Dachshunds are a breed in which intervertebral disc disease (IVDD) is common, and if your dog has been diagnosed, your veterinarian is the right guide to bed height, furniture access and rest. What a well-made bed offers is comfort: an even, supportive surface and an entry low enough to step into.
How do you clean a Dachshund's bed?
Unzip the cover and machine wash it in cold water, then hang dry, with no dryer on any setting, no bleach and no bleach alternatives. Never machine wash or soak the insert; spot clean it with half white vinegar and half water and let it dry fully in open air, never in a dryer.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the best bed for a Dachshund?
The best bed for a Dachshund has a low entry, an inner resting area sized to the dog stretched out, and a cover that unzips to wash. Curlers prefer a round nest with a low bolster; dogs who stretch out prefer an open rectangle; older dogs prefer a low front.
What size bed does a miniature Dachshund need?
A miniature Dachshund, 11 pounds and under in the AKC standard, usually fits an X-Small or Small inner resting area. Measure your dog stretched out and size up when between sizes.
What size bed does a standard Dachshund need?
A standard Dachshund, 16 to 32 pounds in the AKC standard, usually fits a Small or Medium inner resting area. Because the breed is long for its weight, measure fully extended and choose the larger size when in doubt.
Do Dachshunds need dog stairs?
Many owners use them so the dog walks up to the bed or sofa instead of jumping. Choose stairs by the dog's size: our Mini Companion Stairs® reach 14 or 21 inches with steps of 4.75 or 5.25 inches.
Why does my Dachshund burrow in its bed?
Dachshunds were bred to work in tunnels, and many still like to sleep under cover. A bed with a soft bolster and a washable blanket laid inside gives a burrower a place to tuck in.
Comfort at Their Level
For more small-breed advice, read our guide to the best dog beds for small dogs or browse the Small Dog & Puppy Beds collection. A low entry, the right length, and a blanket to burrow under, and the nose poking out at night will be the only sign anyone is in there.