A dachshund's belly rides a few centimetres above frozen pavement, their legs are short, and a smooth coat offers very little insulation. Put simply, they feel the cold before almost any other breed. Here's how to keep a doxie warm through winter, at home, on walks and in the car, without wrapping them up so much they overheat.
- Most dachshunds want a layer below about 10°C (50°F), and need one below 4°C (40°F).
- At home: a bed off cold floors and away from draughts, plus a blanket to burrow into.
- On walks: a sweater or vest, shorter outings, and a towel-dry when you get back.
- Watch for shivering, a hunched back, lifted paws or refusing to walk. Those mean "too cold".
Why dachshunds get cold so fast
Three things work against them. They're small, so they lose body heat quickly. They're low, so wind, frost and wet grass hit their chest and belly on every walk. And smooth-coated dachshunds have very little undercoat to trap warmth. Long-haired and wire-haired doxies cope a bit better, but their bellies are just as close to the ground.
Puppies, seniors, lean dogs and anyone recovering from illness feel the cold more again, because they have less fat and muscle to burn for heat.
How cold is too cold?
| Temperature | What it means for a dachshund |
|---|---|
| Above 10°C (50°F) | Comfortable for most. A light layer for seniors, puppies or thin-coated dogs on windy days. |
| 4 to 10°C (40 to 50°F) | Most doxies want a sweater or vest, especially smooth coats. Shorten walks if it's wet. |
| Below 4°C (40°F) | A warm layer is needed. Keep walks short and frequent, and dry them off afterwards. |
| Below freezing | Short toilet trips in a warm coat, with a sweater underneath for smooth coats. No long walks. |
Wind and rain change everything. A damp 8°C with a stiff breeze feels far colder to a low-slung dog than a still, dry 3°C.
Keeping warm at home
- Get the bed off the floor's cold spots. Tiles, laminate and floors near external doors drain heat. Put the bed on a rug or in a carpeted room, out of draughts. A floor-level bed is still right for a dachshund's back; just choose where it goes.
- Raised sides and a blanket. A den-style bed with bolsters traps body heat, and a light fleece blanket gives them something to burrow under. Most dachshunds will arrange it themselves.
- Keep the heating steady. Dogs handle a cool house fine if it's consistent. Big swings, like a warm evening followed by a cold night, are harder.
- Check the sleeping spot at night. Hallways and utility rooms get much colder after the heating goes off. If your doxie sleeps there, add a thicker bed or move them.
- Indoor layers for the cold-prone. Seniors and puppies often benefit from a thin sweater in the evenings. Take it off at bedtime unless the room is genuinely cold.
Doxie Gang Paw Bed
Plush faux fur with raised sides to tuck into and a cushioned base that holds heat. Floor level, 80 cm across, machine washable.
See the Paw BedKeeping warm on walks
Choose the right layer
A knit sweater is the everyday choice for cold, dry days. A fleece-lined vest adds more warmth across the chest and back and is quicker to get on and off, which makes it ideal for the daily routine of short winter walks and garden trips. A waterproof coat is for wind and rain. On the coldest days, a thin sweater under a vest or coat beats one bulky layer. Our coat vs sweater guide goes into the details.
Whatever you choose, it needs to be cut long in the body and clear of the toilet area, and it needs to fit under the harness. See the clothes size guide for how to measure.
Doxie Gang Fleece-Lined Vest
Quilted outer, plush fleece lining, and snap buttons along the back so it goes on in seconds. Sizes S to XXL, and it layers under the harness.
See the vestAdjust the routine
- Shorter and more often. Two or three brisk 15-minute walks beat one long cold one.
- Walk in daylight when you can. Midday is warmest, and it's easier to see a low dog on the pavement.
- Keep moving. Standing around chatting is when a small dog gets cold. Save the sniffing for sheltered spots.
- Avoid salted paths and grit. They irritate paws and are harmful if licked off. Wipe paws when you get home.
- Dry them properly. Towel the belly, chest and paws as soon as you're in. A wet dachshund loses heat fast even in a warm house.
- Swap wet layers. A damp sweater makes a dog colder, not warmer. Keep a spare on rotation.
In the car
Cars are cold until the heater catches up, and a dog in a crate or booster seat doesn't get the benefit of the warm air for a while. Put a blanket in the crate, keep the sweater on for the journey, and never leave a dachshund in a parked car in winter: a cold car is as dangerous as a hot one for a small dog.
Signs your dachshund is too cold
- Shivering or trembling
- A hunched, tense posture with a tucked tail
- Lifting paws off the ground or stopping to hold one up
- Slowing down, stopping, or asking to be picked up
- Whining or looking back at you
- Burrowing much more than usual once home
Any of these on a walk means head home. Persistent shivering indoors, or a dog that seems cold all the time, is worth a vet check, as it can point to weight loss, thyroid problems or pain.
A dachshund can overheat in a warm house wearing a thick layer, and a dog that pants, paces or pulls at their clothes indoors is too warm. Clothes are for cold rooms and cold walks, not all day. Never leave a dog to sleep in a damp or tight garment.
Common questions
Do dachshunds need a coat in winter?
Most do, at least on cold or wet days. Smooth-coated dachshunds, miniatures, puppies and seniors feel the cold most. A sweater or fleece vest covers most winter days; a waterproof coat is for wind and rain.
Can dachshunds sleep outside in winter?
No. Dachshunds are indoor dogs with very little tolerance for cold. They should sleep inside, in a draught-free spot with a warm bed.
How do I warm up a cold dachshund?
Bring them inside, towel them dry, wrap them in a blanket and let them warm up gradually next to you. Avoid hot water bottles directly against the skin. If they're lethargic, stumbling or very cold to the touch, call your vet.
Should my dachshund wear a sweater to bed?
Usually not. A warm bed and a blanket are better. If the room is very cold, a thin, well-fitting layer is fine, but check it isn't damp or tight.
General guidance, not veterinary advice. If your dog seems cold all the time or is shivering indoors, see your vet.
