Dachshund VS Golden Retriever: 19 Differences

Which dog breed to choose depends on your lifestyle, personality, experience training dogs, the dog’s purpose, and how much free time you have to take care of it.

No dog is perfect, so you should know the pitfalls of having a golden retriever or dachshund, including health conditions and behavior problems.

If you struggle to choose after reading the comparison, visit different kennels and interact with both breeds to determine which feels closer to your heart.

Size & Weight

Golden retrievers are medium-sized dogs. Males reach 24 inches in height and weigh 65-76 pounds, whereas females reach 22 inches and weigh 55-65 pounds.

Dachshunds are smaller dogs that don’t exceed nine inches in height and weigh 16 to 32 pounds, depending on the dog’s age, sex, lifestyle, and health state.

Shedding

Golden retrievers are notorious shedders. They shed year-round, with intense shedding phases in spring and fall, so owners must be ready to see dog fur around the house and vacuum the floor daily.

Dachshunds are much easier to handle in this regard. Smooth-haired dachshunds shed year-round, but it isn’t as noticeable as with long-haired dogs, and they don’t have seasonal shedding phases.

Wire-haired and long-haired dachshunds shed more intensively but not nearly as bad as golden retrievers. For this reason, dachshunds make better dogs for people allergic to dander or fur.

Personality

Golden retrievers are friendly, intelligent, eager to please, obedient, and outgoing. These confident and curious dogs are natural-born extroverts who are always up to play and love to explore new terrains.

Goldens are very affectionate and loyal, so they can’t imagine their lives without the owner. Dachshunds, too, are intelligent, loyal, obedient, and affectionate with owners.

However, dachshunds are more aloof with strangers and won’t let an unfamiliar person pet them. They are more independent, stubborn, and better tolerate being alone.

Child-Friendliness

Golden retrievers are among the best dog breeds for families with kids because they are so affectionate and gentle, happily allowing kids to hug them. They are rarely aggressive and very patient.

However, a golden retriever can unintentionally knock over a child because of its goofiness and high energy levels. Goldens make perfect play buddies for older kids.

Dachshunds can be wonderful family dogs – they love cuddling, are watchful over children, and love to play. However, they aren’t as patient as goldens, so the child must know how to behave with the dog.

Pet-Friendliness

A golden retriever is the best choice for families with other pets. These dogs get along with everyone, dogs, cats, and rabbits included. They have a low prey drive and won’t chase a smaller animal.

Dachshunds, too, can become best buddies with another dog or even a cat.

However, they prefer to live with small dogs, and some dachshunds may get jealous of the owner’s attention or become territorial. They need proper training to prevent confrontation.

Barking Level

If you’re concerned about barking, get a golden retriever. These dogs may have a loud bark, but they almost never use it. A constantly barking dog would make a terrible retriever, so quietness is rooted in golden retriever genetics.

Dachshund bark is surprisingly loud, considering the breed’s small size. Furthermore, they bark frequently, whether there is or isn’t any reason. That’s something to keep in mind if you have a baby or neighbors.

Intelligence & Trainability

Golden retrievers are ranked the fourth most intelligent dog breed among 138 study participants by canine researcher Stanley Coren. These dogs quickly memorize commands, have excellent problem-solving skills, and are highly obedient.

Dachshunds are ranked 92nd on the same list. Although they are able to quickly memorize commands and can in no way be called dumb, their stubbornness and independence may hinder the training.

Common Behavior Problems

No dog is perfect, and golden retrievers that aren’t getting sufficient socialization, training, or exercise may develop behavior problems, including phobias, separation anxiety, jumping on people, pulling on the leash, and destructive behavior (chewing on things, digging).

Dachshunds are prone to the same behavior problems as golden retrievers in addition to excessive vocalization, aggression, and chasing people or other animals. They are less likely to have separation anxiety, but it is still possible.

Exercise Needs

Neither golden retrievers nor dachshunds can spend their lives on a couch. These dogs need at least an hour of exercise daily to prevent health conditions and behavior problem development.

Puppies and old dogs need less exercise than adult dogs. The exercise duration also depends on its type and the dog’s peculiarities.

Grooming Needs

Golden retrievers need daily brushing and regular bathing to keep their coat lustrous and healthy. Without proper grooming, they may develop skin conditions. Golden retrievers must never be shaved but will benefit from feather trimming.

Dachshunds, too, need to be groomed, but the process is much easier. Smooth-haired dachshunds only need occasional bathing and brushing about once a week.

Wire-haired dachshunds need to be brushed several times a week, and long-haired dachshunds require daily brushing. Minimal trimming is sufficient; dachshunds don’t need haircuts.

Lifespan

Golden retrievers have an average lifespan of 10-12 years, which is standard for medium-sized dogs.

Dachshunds live longer, for 12-15 years. However, a dog’s lifespan depends on many factors, including lifestyle, diet, and timely veterinary care.

Health Issues

Golden retrievers are more susceptible to particular health conditions than most dogs because of irresponsible breeding and their physical peculiarities.

The most common golden retriever health problems include hip dysplasia, progressive retinal atrophy, obesity, ear infections, skin conditions, and hypothyroidism.

Dachshunds often suffer from back problems – one in four dachshunds has intervertebral disc disease. These dogs are also prone to joint issues, hip dysplasia, obesity, skin conditions, thyroid disorders, and ear infections.

Price

Golden retriever puppy prices range from $1,000 to $3,000, although puppies with champion bloodlines may cost significantly more. Rescue golden retrievers or puppies from inexperienced breeders may cost under $600.

Dachshunds generally cost from $500 to $1,500, but if the puppy is of show quality and has champion bloodlines, it can cost well over $3,000.

Suitability for Inexperienced Dog Owners

Golden retrievers certainly aren’t the worst breed for first-time dog owners. They are demanding to exercise and grooming but easy to train and never aggressive.

Despite their small size and low grooming needs, dachshunds aren’t as easy to handle. They are stubborn, independent dogs that require dedication and patience.

This doesn’t mean that you can’t get a dachshund if you’ve never owned a dog before, but you may need to seek the help of a professional trainer to discipline the dog.

Suitability for Apartments

Golden retrievers can live in apartments with certain caveats. The apartment must be spacious and located near a park, stadium, forest, or another place where the dog can run freely.

Dachshunds are better suited for small apartments, but they also need plenty of physical activity to prevent weight gain and behavior problems.

Furthermore, dachshunds need proper training and mental stimulation to avoid excessive vocalization that may annoy neighbors.

Suitability as Service Dogs

Golden retrievers are among the best service dog breeds. They are friendly to strangers, eager to please the owner, loyal, obedient, physically strong, and intelligent – in short, they have everything it takes to become a great companion for an impaired person.

Dachshunds can be service dogs with proper training, but their stubbornness and dislike for unfamiliar people may be problematic. Dachshund’s small size limits their physical capacity to perform some tasks.

Suitability as Guard or Protection Dogs

Golden retrievers are loyal, athletic, and have loud, scary barks. These traits could make them excellent protection or guard dogs if not for their loving, affectionate nature.

A golden retriever won’t let someone hurt its owner on a walk, but goldens aren’t born to be guard dogs because they are too credulous.

Dachshunds tend to be over-protective of owners, bark a lot, and are aloof to strangers. But while they have the temperament traits of great guard dogs, they are unlikely to scare an offender because of their small size.

Suitability as Hunting Dogs

Golden retrievers and dachshunds were bred for hunting. The primary purpose of golden retrievers is retrieving waterfowl, so they have a soft bite, water-repellent coat, and webbed feet.

Goldens are obedient, communicative, and have excellent work ethics. Dachshunds, too, make wonderful hunting companions, but they are typically used for different purposes.

Dachshunds can sniff out animals and hunt small prey such as rabbits and groundhogs. Their narrow bodies allow them to crawl into tight spaces such as burrows.

Rarity

According to American Kennel Club, golden retrievers are the second most popular dog breed in the U.S., so they are in no way rare. However, finding a red golden retriever puppy is more challenging than a cream or gold one.

Dachshunds aren’t rare either – they are ranked the tenth most popular breed by the American Kennel Club.

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