Dog Sweaters for Dachshunds: When Your Dog Needs One – and How to Make Sure It Fits Right

Most dog sweaters fail dachshunds in the same place: they are too short. What fits a compactly built dog leaves exactly that part of a dachshund's back uncovered where most warmth is lost. Fit is therefore the most important point — ahead of material and colour.

How to measure your dachshund correctly and which size suits his measurements comes further down. First, though, the question of whether your dog needs one at all.

Why dachshunds get cold faster than other dogs

Dachshunds have a long back, short legs and — depending on the coat type — little or no undercoat. That combination means they lose body heat faster than more compactly built dogs.

Then there is their closeness to the ground. Because of the short legs, the belly sits near cold, often damp ground. Wet grass, snow or mud draw additional warmth from the body. A long-haired dog with a dense undercoat copes well with this — a smooth-haired dachshund considerably less so.

Also particularly sensitive to cold are:

• puppies and young dogs
• older dogs
• very lean dogs with little body fat
• dogs recovering from illness or surgery
• other small breeds such as Chihuahuas, Miniature Pinschers, Italian Greyhounds or Yorkshire Terriers

Dogs with a dense undercoat usually manage well without an extra layer at normal winter temperatures. In hard frost, wind, or when your dog stands still outdoors for longer periods, a sweater can make sense for them too — what matters is less the coat than the combination of cold, damp and movement.

How to tell that your dachshund is cold

Dogs show quite clearly when they are cold — you just have to look for it. Typical signs are:

• Shivering after a few minutes in the cold air
• A tense posture, hunched back, lowered head
• Dawdling or wanting to turn back, although your dog normally enjoys walks
• Lifting individual paws or walking hesitantly
• Hanging back at the front door when it is time to go out

If you notice several of these signals, try a sweater and watch whether the behaviour changes. Usually the difference shows on the very next walk.

At what temperature does a dachshund need a sweater?

There is no fixed figure, because coat, age and condition vary from dog to dog. As a guide: from around 5 °C a sweater is worth it for smooth-haired dachshunds and small dogs on longer walks.

More important than the thermometer, though, are wind and damp. At 8 °C with rain and wind a dog cools down faster than at 2 °C in dry winter air. Movement plays a part too: a dog walking briskly keeps himself warm. On slow walks, during long stops or breaks along the way, body temperature drops noticeably.

For very young, old or frail dogs, set the threshold a little higher.

How should a dog sweater fit a dachshund?

The fit decides whether a sweater keeps your dog warm or simply gets in the way. Standard cuts for compact dogs are almost always too short on dachshunds — the lower back stays uncovered, exactly where the dog has the most surface area.

A well-fitting sweater meets these points:

• It covers the back down to the base of the tail without getting in the way when your dog sits.
• It sits close without constricting. One finger should fit under the hem.
• It leaves the front legs freely mobile — the leg openings must not cut into the armpit.
• It does not slip, even after a longer walk.
• The neck sits loosely enough for your dog to move his head freely.

A roll neck that can be folded over is particularly useful on dachshunds: the neck is slender, barely covered by fur and one of the places where most warmth is lost. That is why all our sweaters are made with a foldable roll neck.

On all our models the belly is covered. On the sweater for females the belly panel extends further back.

How to measure your dachshund correctly

The wrong size is the most common reason for returns — and almost always avoidable. Take two minutes and measure with a soft tape measure directly against the coat, without a sweater or harness. Your dog should be standing upright and relaxed, not sitting or lying down.

1. Back length

Measure from the base of the neck to the base of the tail. You can use the lower edge of the collar as a starting point.

2. Neck circumference

Measure the neck at its widest point. Lay the tape loosely — a little room is part of it.

3. Chest circumference

Measure just behind the front legs at the widest point of the ribcage.

Size chart for dachshunds and small dogs

The chest circumference varies by around one centimetre depending on the model. You will find the exact figures on each product page.

An example from practice: the miniature wire-haired dachshund in the picture above measures 38 cm back length, 29 cm neck and 44 cm chest at 6 kg — and wears size M. His back length therefore falls between S and M; in this case the chest circumference is what decides.

Unsure because your dog falls between two sizes? That is common with dachshunds — proportions differ considerably between standard, miniature and rabbit dachshunds. Simply send us his measurements and we will advise you personally: via the chat on this page or through our contact page.

Which material is right for a dog sweater?

The material determines how warm, how breathable and how comfortable a sweater is. Scratchy or stiff fabrics are often rejected by dogs — and rightly so.

Merino wool

Merino wool is particularly well suited to dog sweaters. The fibre is considerably finer than ordinary sheep's wool and therefore does not scratch.

• temperature-regulating: warms in the cold without overheating during movement
• moisture-regulating: absorbs moisture without feeling clammy
• odour-neutralising: needs washing far less often as a result
• keeps its shape and stays light, with good freedom of movement

Olive-Colored Knitted Dog Sweater ab €65,00 Jetzt ansehen

Checkered Knitted Dog Sweater ab €70,00 Jetzt ansehen

Cashmere

Cashmere is the finest and highest-quality fibre available for dog clothing. It comes from the undercoat of the cashmere goat, combed out by hand just once a year — one goat yields around 150 grams. That explains why cashmere is so much rarer and more valuable than sheep's wool.

For your dog this shows in several places:

• Warmth at minimal weight: cashmere insulates considerably better than sheep's wool while being lighter. Your dog wears noticeably less fabric for the same warmth — on a dachshund with short legs, a real difference in freedom of movement.
• Exceptionally soft feel: at around 15 micrometres the fibre is finer than any human hair. It sits softly against the skin without scratching or prickling — crucial for dogs that otherwise reject clothing.
• Naturally breathable: cashmere wicks moisture away and does not trap heat. Your dog will not overheat even at a brisk pace.
• Keeps its shape and lasts: the long fibre felts less and holds its form for years. A well-cared-for cashmere sweater lasts several winters.

Cashmere Knitted Dog Sweater ab €130,00 Jetzt ansehen

What our customers say about our cashmere sweaters:

"Wonderfully soft quality, my dachshund girl didn't want to take the sweater off again, and the fit is great as always. Thank you so much!!!"

"Excellent quality and a really good fit on our dog. Fast delivery and great service."

Fleece

Fleece keeps your dog reliably warm, is light, quick-drying and machine washable. Compared with natural fibres it regulates moisture less well and takes on odours more readily — in return it is easy to care for and unfazed by wet weather from outside.

Dog coat fleece brown ab €50,00 Jetzt ansehen

In our collection you will therefore find both: knitted sweaters in merino wool and cashmere for dry cold days, and fleece dog coats with a water-repellent softshell chest panel for rain and mud.

An additional model for females

All our sweaters cover the belly and fit males and females alike. On males, however, the front part of the belly has to stay clear so the sweater does not get wet when your dog relieves himself — which is why the unisex models end at that point.

For females there is an additional model that does not have to make that allowance: the belly panel extends further back and gives the belly area extra protection from the cold. Because of the cut, this model is suitable for females only.

"The sweater for females fits perfectly too and keeps the belly lovely and warm. Superb quality as always, and everything beautifully packaged."

Women's Knitted Dog Sweater ab €65,00 Jetzt ansehen

Caring for a dog sweater

Wool is easier to care for than many people assume — just differently from cotton or fleece. Thanks to its naturally odour-neutralising properties, in most cases it is enough to air the sweater after a walk rather than wash it. Dried dirt can simply be brushed off later.

Knitted merino sweaters: hand wash or dry clean. Do not bleach, do not tumble dry. Dry flat so the shape is retained.

Cashmere sweaters: professional cleaning only. Do not bleach, do not tumble dry.

Fleece coats: machine washable at 30 °C on a gentle cycle — the most straightforward option if it is often muddy outside.

Treated this way, merino and cashmere sweaters keep their shape and their warmth for years.

Can my dachshund wear his sweater all day?

No — and there is no need to. A sweater belongs in the cold air, not in a heated home. At room temperature it prevents heat from escaping and your dog can overheat.

Watch out for these signs:

• excessive panting
• increased drooling
• restlessness or noticeable exhaustion

Take the sweater off after the walk. At night it makes sense only in exceptional cases — for very old or frail dogs in cool rooms, for instance. Normally your dog sleeps better without.

All models at a glance

All our sweaters are cut for the long back of a dachshund and have a foldable roll neck. You can see which colours, patterns and sizes are currently available in the collection.