If you’re wondering whether dachshunds give birth naturally, you’re not alone. These little sausage dogs have unique bodies – long backs, short legs – and many new dachshund owners worry if that affects whelping (giving birth). The good news is yes, dachshunds can give birth naturally in most cases!
Can Dachshunds Give Birth Naturally? (And Do They Usually?)
Dachshunds can and do give birth naturally in most cases. Despite their small size and long body, nature has equipped them to whelp just fine. In fact, statistics show that the majority of dachshund moms don’t require a C-section or major intervention. One survey found only about 13.3% of dachshund mothers needed a Caesarean section (C-section) – meaning roughly 87% delivered their puppies naturally.
Similarly, about 13% needed some vet assistance during whelping (such as help with a stuck puppy), while the rest managed on their own. So, do dachshunds give birth naturally? Yes, most do, and without issues.
That said, dachshunds can have problems giving birth sometimes. Their long-bodied, short-legged build doesn’t usually hinder delivery, but it can pose challenges in certain situations.
For example, dachshunds may occasionally experience dystocia (difficult labor) if a puppy is unusually large or positioned wrong. Interestingly, one study noted that standard-sized dachshunds had a slightly higher rate of whelping difficulty (around 10.8% of cases) than mini dachshunds (around 4.6%).
This could be due to standard dachshunds often having larger pups or litters. But overall, serious birth complications in dachshunds are much less common than in some breeds with big heads or narrow hips like English bulldogs (where C-sections are almost routine).
Can mini dachshunds give birth naturally?
Miniature dachshunds can give birth naturally as well. If you have a mini doxie, you might worry due to her tinier size. Can mini dachshunds give birth naturally? Yes – the process is the same, though you should monitor a mini mom closely. Because mini dachshunds are so small, their litters are usually smaller too (often only 1 to 4 puppies).
A miniature dachshund giving birth to a larger litter or big puppies might struggle simply due to physical proportions. In some cases, a mini mom might need a vet’s help or even a C-section if a puppy is too large for her birth canal. Don’t panic – this isn’t super common, but it’s something to be aware of. The key takeaway is that both standard and mini dachshunds can give birth naturally, but every dog is individual. Be prepared and keep your vet’s number handy just in case of complications.
When Might a Dachshund Need a C-Section?
Most dachshunds won’t need surgical intervention, but it’s good to know why a dachshund might have trouble giving birth in rare instances. Difficult births (dystocia) can happen for a few reasons:
- Puppy Size or Position: If there is only one puppy in the litter, it may grow quite large (since it doesn’t have to share space/ nutrients). A single large pup can get stuck in the birth canal, making natural delivery hard. Similarly, a puppy coming out sideways or backwards can cause trouble.
- Exhaustion or Labor Issues: Some dachshund moms, especially first-timers, might experience uterine inertia (weak or stalled contractions). If a mom is straining for 20-30 minutes with no puppy produced, or if she takes a very long break mid-labor with puppies still inside, it’s a sign she may need help.
- Breed Traits: As mentioned, breeds with very large heads or very slim pelvises have more C-sections. Dachshunds generally aren’t in that high-risk category. Their puppies have proportionate heads for the mother’s size, so natural birth is usually possible.
Dachshund Pregnancy Basics: Timeline and Litter Size
How many months does a dachshund carry puppies? Dogs don’t stay pregnant for very long compared to humans. A dachshund’s pregnancy lasts about two months. More precisely, gestation is around 58–68 days (about 9 weeks) from conception to birth. Many people asking “how many months until a dachshund gives birth?” are surprised it’s just a bit over 2 months – much shorter than human pregnancy! The same timeline applies to minis and standards alike. Miniature dachshunds carry puppies for roughly 58–68 days as well, so there is no difference there in “how many months.”
How many puppies will your dachshund give birth to?
This can vary. Dachshunds, being a small breed, typically have smaller litters than larger breeds. Most dachshund litters are about 1 to 6 puppies, with an average of 3-4 pups in the first litter. First-time moms tend to have the smaller end of that range (often just 2 or 3 puppies), whereas a mature dachshund on her second or third litter might have a few more.
Miniature dachshunds usually have 1-4 puppies per litter, while standard dachshunds might have, say, 4-6 on average. Of course, exceptions exist – occasionally a standard dachshund might surprise you with 7 or 8 pups, but that’s not the norm.
On the flip side, single-puppy litters (called “singleton” pups) do happen and need special attention (as noted, a singleton pup can grow large and complicate labor).
To put it in perspective, you might hear of a dog giving birth to 15 puppies – but that would be a huge litter for a dachshund! Those kinds of big numbers usually occur in larger breeds like Labradors, German Shepherds, or other medium-large dogs. So don’t worry, your doxie isn’t going to have 15 puppies in there. A typical dachshund birth will bring just a handful of adorable sausage-shaped babies into the world, which is plenty for her to handle.
Signs Your Dachshund Is In Labor (How to Know It’s “Go Time”)
As the due date arrives, you’ll be on puppy watch. So, how do you know when your dachshund is in labor? There are a few telltale signs of dog labor to watch for – some start up to 24 hours before the first puppy is born. Here are the key visual signs of dog labor and behaviors that mean your dachshund is about to give birth:
Drop in Body Temperature
This is one of the most reliable early indicators. A normal dog’s temp is around 101–102°F. In many dogs, the rectal temperature will drop to about 98–99°F roughly 12-24 hours before labor begins.
If you have been charting her temp in the final week (some breeders do this twice daily), a drop below 99 is a red flag that puppies are coming very soon. Not every dog follows this rule, but many do.
Restlessness and Nesting
Your dachshund may become very restless, panting, and unable to get comfortable. She might retreat to her chosen nest spot (hopefully the whelping box) and scratch or dig at the bedding as if making a bed. She could also start hiding or seeking solitude, even if she’s usually a clingy lapdog. Don’t be offended – she’s following instinct to find a safe, quiet place for birth. You might see her shredding newspapers or blankets – nesting behavior at its finest.
Loss of Appetite and Possible Vomiting
It’s common for a dog to refuse food when labor is imminent. If your always-hungry dachshund suddenly isn’t interested in her dinner, labor could be hours away.
Some dogs will even vomit or have a little diarrhea as things get started (kind of like how some people get nauseous before major events – it’s the body’s reaction to pain and hormones). As long as it’s not severe, this can be normal.
Panting, Shivering, or Anxiety
Many dogs pant heavily during early labor, even if it’s not hot. She might also tremble or shiver – not necessarily because she’s cold, but due to the pain of mild contractions or hormonal shifts.
Your dachshund may look at you anxiously or cling to you one minute, then wander off the next. It can be a confusing time for her (and you!). Stay calm and offer gentle comfort without hovering too much.
Visible Contractions or Licking
As true labor (active contractions) begins, you might notice your dachshund’s abdomen tighten in waves. She may start to strain or push intermittently. Often she’ll also lick her vulva a lot; there might be some mild discharge.
A clear or slightly reddish mucus discharge is normal in early labor. If you see a green discharge before any puppy appears, or a lot of bright red blood, that’s a sign to call the vet because it could indicate placenta issues. But a small amount of discharge or mucus plug release is expected.
The Dachshund Birth Process: What to Expect When She’s Giving Birth
When labor moves into the active stage, things start to get real! Dachshund giving birth to puppies is an amazing (if messy) thing to witness. Here’s a rundown of how dogs give birth and what you can expect:
- Stage 1: This is the early labor (as described above) where the cervix is dilating and her body is getting ready. You already identified the signs in the previous section. Stage 1 can last 6-12 hours on average (sometimes less, sometimes more). You generally won’t see a puppy in this stage, just the signs of discomfort and nesting.
- Stage 2: This is the delivery of puppies. Each puppy is pushed out through the birth canal, usually still inside a thin membrane sac. How long does it take for a dachshund to give birth to all her puppies? It varies by litter size and the mother’s pace. On average, delivering an entire litter can take around 3-6 hours for small to medium litters. How long does it take for a dog to give birth between puppies? There is normally a gap of anywhere from 5 minutes up to about 1.5 hours between puppies. Some pups might pop out back-to-back, then mom rests for an hour before the next one. As long as the mother is not straining hard and seems calm between deliveries, a gap is okay.
How to Help a Dachshund Give Birth (Especially the First Time)
Now, let’s talk about how to help a dachshund give birth, particularly if it’s her first time (and maybe yours too!). The mantra here is “as little as necessary, but as much as needed.” In general, dogs know what to do, and too much interference from humans can stress the mom. However, you should absolutely be prepared to assist if a problem arises. Here are some general, simple tips and advice for assisting a whelping dachshund at home:
Stay Calm and Keep the Environment Calm
Your dachshund will pick up on your energy. Speak to her in a soothing voice, pet her gently if she allows, and encourage her.
Keep other pets or young children out of the room so it’s quiet. Do not allow the male dog (father) in the area. Male dogs cannot help with birthing and may stress the mother or even accidentally harm pups.
Equip Your Whelping Kit
Have some basic supplies on hand: clean towels or cloths, disposable gloves, dental floss or thread (for tying umbilical cords if needed), scissors (sterilized) for cutting cords if mom doesn’t chew them, and a bulb syringe to gently suction a puppy’s mouth/nose if it’s having trouble clearing fluids.
Also keep a comfortable warm spot like a heating pad (on low, wrapped in a towel) or a hot water bottle to warm any puppies that seem weak or chilled. Newborn pups can get cold quickly.
Hands-Off Unless Needed
Let your dachshund do the work. Most likely, she will push out a pup, break the sac open on her own, and start licking the puppy.
This licking cleans the pup and stimulates it to breathe. If she doesn’t break the sac within a half-minute or the puppy is still encased and squirming, you should step in: tear open the membrane. It’s thin, you can do it with fingers or a gentle rip with a towel, and clear the pup’s nose and mouth of fluids (use the bulb syringe or a towel to wipe). Rub the puppy gently but briskly to get it breathing. You might hear little sneezes or coughs as the pup clears fluid, then hopefully little squeaks. Once the puppy is breathing well, return it to mom. She should instinctively start cleaning it more and allow it to nurse.
Tie/Cut Umbilical Cord if Necessary
The mother usually chews off each pup’s umbilical cord a few inches from the belly. If she doesn’t, you can tie it off with floss about an inch from the pup’s belly and cut the cord on the mom’s side of the tie.
Help the Puppies Nurse
Newborn dachshund puppies should start nursing within an hour or so after birth. If a pup isn’t finding a nipple, you can gently guide it to one. Make sure each puppy gets a chance to drink colostrum, the first milk, which is rich in antibodies. This helps protect them from diseases early on.
Keep Mom Hydrated and Monitored
Offer your dachshund water (and maybe a little food like vanilla yogurt or a bit of puppy food) during breaks if she wants it. Some moms won’t eat during labor, but may drink. Once she’s done giving birth, she’ll be exhausted and very hungry.
Can Dachshunds Give Birth Naturally: Conclusion
So, can dachshunds give birth naturally? Absolutely – and most will do so without any issues. Dachshunds, standard or miniature, are perfectly capable mothers. They carry their puppies for about two months and usually have a small litter of a few pups. By knowing the signs of labor, you can be ready when your dachshund is giving birth.