Affectionately known as the wiener dog, the Dachshund is a cute and curious breed due to its long cylindrical body that looks resembles America’s favorite ballpark food. This little dog is also amiable and an excellent companion.
Due to its small size, it is not great with young kids, but the Dachshund can make an ideal family dog if you have older children. You quickly notice its spunky personality and lively spirit; owners often find themselves laughing at the Dachshund’s personality. This breed has been around for hundreds of years and has a life span of 12 to 16 years. Its affectionate nature is sure to make your pup a treasured member of the family.
There are many stereotypical Dachshund names. However, you and your pup may be happier if you take the time to come up with a unique name choice. If you are struggling, we have some lists from which you can choose or get ideas. You want to be sure you get it right, so your new friend isn’t stuck with a name that doesn’t suit it. Read through our lists to find the perfect fit.
Popular Dachshund Names
The Dachshund is best known for its long body and short legs. People often call it a wiener or sausage dog because of its looks, and hot dog costumes for Halloween were made for this breed. They are active little pups but not athletes. Their stature and body shape make it tough for them to compete in jumping or other feats. However, they are natural hunters.
Originating in Germany, this breed was a badger hunter. They would dig into the dens and uncover the prey for hunters. Dachshunds make great watchdogs because they have a very loud hound-like bark. They may not scare off someone trying to break into your home with their looks, but the bark will throw them off and make them think twice.
This breed is also rather stubborn and courageous. The combination means they are fearless little bundles of life that keep you on your toes.
When naming a Dachshund, you may want to keep these facts in mind. Some names simply seem to fit this breed because of their heritage, personality, or looks.
Male
| Zip | Sammy | Jack |
| Felix | Cooper | Louie |
| Frank | Buddy | Bentley |
| Chip | Max | Winston |
| Fig | Bologna | Dexter |
| Billy | Salami | Tucker |
| Slinky | Vienna | Pepper |
| Pickle | Pepperoni | Henry |
| Peanut | Haggis | Leo |
| Dash | Banger | Rocky |
| Arlo | Petey | Duke |
| Charlie | Beau | |
| Finn | Lenny | Buster |
| Mason | Oscar | Lucky |
Female
| Minnie | Clara | Lotta |
| Daisy | Emma | Abi |
| Lexi | Nora | Greta |
| Izzy | Orla | Edie |
| Olive | Martha | Darla |
| Lulu | Tilly | Elle |
| Winnie | Bella | Flower |
| Ruby | Penny | Pearl |
| Stella | Molly | Dawn |
| Gracie | Frankie | Roxy |
| Roxy | Lily | Maisie |
| Piper | Zoe | Iris |
| Chloe | Sophie | Ada |
| Luna | Bailey | Moon |
Coat Color-Based Dog Names
Smooth coats are the most common and the original coat type, but as hunters developed more uses for the breed, they developed two other coat types.
Wirehaired Dachshunds are meant to work in thorny or underbrush-filled areas. The wiry coat protects them from the roughness of the hunting environment.
The longhaired coat type is for dogs working in colder environments. The long hair provides more protection and warmth, allowing the pup to stay comfortable and healthy during the hunt.
These dogs come in a variety of colors, including:
- Black
- Chocolate
- Fawn
- Cream
- Tan
- Red
- Blue
- Wild boar (black/tan – heavy black layer over base coat color)
While they certainly can be a solid color, it isn’t uncommon for a Dachshund to be a mix of colors. Dachshunds commonly have different patterns as well.
One coat pattern a Dachshund may have is dapple. A dapple coat has splotches of color. You may know this also as merle, but in this breed specifically, you call it dapple.
Sable is another type of coat coloring. It is unique and very beautiful. Their hair grows with a light shaft and dark tips. You may consider this similar to ombre. If you like this look, that is a good thing because sable coloring ties to a dominant gene. It is very easy to breed this into pups.
Another look a Dachshund may have is brindle. This is a rare look for the breed, but it is a striping of the fur. Many people compare it to tiger stripes. The most common look is dark-colored stripes on a light base fur color.
Piebald or pied is the name for a coat with white spots. Your pup can be any color and can have white spots.
Dachshunds can also be a mix of brindle and piebald. This produces an interesting striped and spotted coat with various coloring. It occurs most often on dogs with red coats.
The coloring of the pup can help you to choose a name. You can also use the pattern or coat type to help you come up with a unique name that suits your dog well.
Male
| Shadow | Checkers | Feathers |
| Red | Grain | Cloud |
| Smokey | Leopard | Puffin |
| Spud | Mottle | Quill |
| Sunny | Crumb | Wookie |
| Fox | Fleck | Dusty |
| Tiger | Patches | Sulley |
| Bruno | Peanut Butter | Shaggy |
| Hershey | Ghost | Bear |
| Copper | Shady | Fuzz |
| Reese | Patches | Grizzly |
| Snickers | Spotty | Lion |
| Blotches | Stipple | Ducky |
| Brindle | Chewie | Wolf |
Female
| Onyx | Cocoa | Fawn |
| Pearl | Brownie | Dotty |
| Red | Mocha | Droplet |
| Ebony | Tootsie | Pebbles |
| Rose | Silvy | Specky |
| Ginger | Brindley | Smudge |
| Poppy | Marbles | Tabby |
| Pepper | Mottley | Lamb |
| Silky | Whiskers | Cashmere |
| Marly | Orchard | Sprinkles |
| Teddy | Blue | Apple |
| Blondie | Berry | Ashley |
| Coffee | Coral | Burgundy |
| Cotton | Ink | Caramel |
Breed Size-Based Dog Names
They do not get too big, but they are not usually too small. They are a nice in-between size where you can still pick them up without straining your back, but you also aren’t stepping or sitting on them because they are so tiny.
The breed comes in two general size categories. The smaller of the two is the miniature category. Miniatures are usually five to six inches in height and weigh under 11 pounds. The other category is a standard. The standard Dachshund is about eight to nine inches tall and can weigh up to 32 pounds.
When naming a Dachshund, many people decide to use the appearance and size as a guide. Some people go the literal route and use names that signify smallness. Others default to humor and give the pup a name that is the opposite of its looks.
You can use size as one point to help you decide the name of your little furry friend. Feel free to be creative and use humor if you like. Remember, these dogs have big personalities, so giving your pup a name that represents largeness probably won’t miss the mark.
Male
| Bean | Elf | Half Pint |
| Munchkin | Nugget | Jellybean |
| Peewee | Puny | Junior |
| Smalley | Shorty | Little |
| Squat | Shrimpy | Low Rider |
| Squirt | Klein | Biscuit |
| King | Barchen | Dino |
| Hulk | Link | Slinky |
| Meatloaf | Waddle | Stretch |
| Chip | Tank | Icecube |
| Golf Ball | Boba | Gumball |
| Leaf | Waffle | Turtle |
| Corn | Wink | Monster |
| Boots | Brick | Pipsqueak |
Female
| Baby | Bitty | Button |
| Mini | Minnie | Mite |
| Tiny | Teensy | Morsel |
| Liebling | Cookie | Cupcake |
| Pixie | Fairy | Princess |
| Bubbles | Boo | Blossom |
| Rosebud | Snowball | Salt |
| Snowflake | Cutie | Frou-Frou |
| Star | Oreo | Trinket |
| Teacup | Spoon | Bitsy |
| Cricket | Star | Little |
| Micro | Sprout | Runt |
| Poppy | Thimble | Jellybean |
| Roo | Sweet Pea | Thumbelina |
Dog Name Trends And Naming Tips
When naming a Dachshund, you can go a few ways. Popular names often focus on the German heritage or the sausage-like appearance. Human names are also popular since these pups quickly become one of the family.
Popular German names include Otto, Bruno, and Schnitzel. The names that speak to the dog’s appearance include Banger, Bratwurst, and Frankie. Names that are common for humans and Dachshunds include Cody, Ruby, and Cooper.
Of course, you can choose whatever name you love the most and that best suits your pup. However, here are some tips to help you make the right choice.
Do Not Change A Name
If you adopt an older dog, it is usually not a good idea to change its name. The exception is if it was a shelter dog named by the shelter because its name was unknown. In that case, you can change it.
The idea of sticking with a name helps the dog because it already knows it. Trying to make a change can be confusing, and it could make an already tense situation as your pup is trying to adjust to a new home even more stressful for the animal.
If you must change the name because, for example, you dislike it or it is the name of a family member, then change it to something rhyming. For example, if the dog’s name is Charlie, your son’s name, you could change it to Harley, Ronnie, or something else with the same ending sound.
Think Outside The Box
If you take your dog to the park or daycare, avoiding popular names can be a good idea. Thinking outside the box can reduce issues. A name like Spot is likely to be multiple other Spots at the dog park that come running when you call for your pup.
This is especially important if you have a common last name at the vet’s office. If records get confused, it can be terrible for everyone. For example, if your name is Sarah Smith and your dog’s name is Max, there is a possibility the vet may have another Sarah Smith with a dog named Max.
Choose A Name Ending In A Vowel
Fatherly suggests choosing a name ending in a vowel because it works better for the way your dog hears. Dog hearing senses higher frequency levels better. When you end a word in a vowel, your tone usually goes higher.
By choosing a name with a vowel at the end, you make it easier for your pup to recognize when you are calling for it. It makes training much easier, and if your pup is getting into something, it grabs the attention fast.
Consider Your Dog’s Personality
You want to choose a name that suits your dog’s personality. It would seem odd to name a quiet and shy dog Sparky because that name evokes images of a lively and friendly pup. You may need to take a little time to see the personality develop before you settle on a name. That is fine. You can use a nickname or a term of endearment in the meantime.
For example, you can simply call the dog Pup or Little One until you decide on the proper name.
Sometimes, these placeholder names end up fitting the dog so well. They are what you end up going with for a name. So, just follow your instincts and don’t stress out about choosing a name. It probably comes to you naturally. These tips can be quite helpful as you consider the perfect name for your Dachshund. Keep them in mind to help you avoid common mistakes.
Final Thoughts
It can seem like a huge responsibility to choose your dog’s name, and it is. The name is so much more than what you decide to call them. Your dog’s name is part of its identity. It is how they learn to listen to you. It can help as you work on training and behavior with your pet.
A name also defines a dog. If you give them a strong name, then people see a powerful dog. If you give a softer name, people understand how much you treasure them.
Choosing a name is something you should take some time doing. Once you begin calling your dog by its name, it is hard to change it. So, make sure the one you settle on works for you and your dog. In the end, you should be happy with whatever you choose. Feel free to use the inspiration we’ve provided as a starting point or choose one of the options we’ve provided.
