Dachshunds are small dogs that have existed since around the 1500s where they were bred in Europe, starting with Germany, as compact hunting dogs able to go down burrows to catch prey.
Actually, though, you might be surprised to learn that Dachshunds are even able to catch badgers, or at least lure them out for hunters.
This is partly why they’ve been bred to have small legs, hence their nickname ‘sausage dog’. Today, Dachshunds are much-loved pets and are known for their affectionate, intelligent yet sometimes independent temperament.
Dachshunds, as small(ish) dogs, won’t require large dog crates and since they were bred initially to hunt in small spaces, claustrophobia may not be as much of an issue as it could be with other dogs.
That said, it’s not an exact science by any means and you can’t assume you won’t need to train your Dachshund to be comfortable in a crate.
This article will look at the types of crates available for your Dachshund, sizings, training tips as well as our selection of the best crates for Dachshunds available in 2023.
Contents
Best Crate For Dachshunds – Top Seven Picks
1. 🏆 MidWest iCrate Starter Kit
| Preview | Product | Rating | Price | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
 | iCrate Dog Crate Starter Kit | 30-Inch Dog Crate Kit Ideal for Medium Dog Breeds (weighing 26 - 40... | 12,655 Reviews | $75.99 | Buy on Amazon |
MidWest provide a range of great crates for all breeds of dog, and this starter kit is ideal for Dachshunds of all age. A two door metal crate which includes a pet bed, a crate cover and two dog bowls which can be attached directly to the crate.
Measuring 30L x 19W x 21H – inches, it’s a good sized space for your Dachshund to sleep and relax in.
Having a cover included helps with privacy and can aid in getting a better nights sleep – particularly if your dog is often distracted by what is going on around it.
The bed inside is soft and made of a fleece material. By itself it’s very comfortable – though you may decide to add more blankets depending on your preference. There is, however, a divider at the bottom which can be added and removed if you have a dog still doing through potty training.
The detachable bowls are a nice touch. It gives an all-in-one environment while the door is open for drinking. It can also be used for training your Dachshund puppy to eat from their bowl in a safe, familiar environment.
Overall it’s a nice starter kit and great value for money.
2. Casual Home Wooden Pet Crate
| Preview | Product | Rating | Price | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
 | Casual Home Wooden Extra Large Pet Crate, End Table, Espresso | 1,013 Reviews | $191.99 | Buy on Amazon |
If you’re looking for something a little more stylish than a traditional metal framed crate – there are also wooden crates available. The Casual Home crate is an end table design made from chew-proof, sustainably sourced, solid wood.
Beautifully crafted and finished, the 31.5 x 44.5 x 30 inch dimensions are a good size for your Dachshund. The door at the front is lockable with a latch.
There is some assembly required – and it may not suit every home, but if your looking for something that blends in as part of the furniture – check out this crate.
3. Life Stages Double Door Folding Crate
| Preview | Product | Rating | Price | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
 | Medium Dog Crate | MidWest Life Stages 30" Double Door Folding Metal Dog Crate | Divider Panel,... | 27,568 Reviews | $55.99 | Buy on Amazon |
Simple to put up and take down, the Life Stages crate is a robust metal crate that can be collapsed down and stored away when needed.
It has a door on the front and sides which has two bolts at the top and bottom of each to stop your Dachshund from squeezing their way out.
It comes with a divider panel which means you can decrease the size when they’re a puppy and extend it as they grow. There is also a removable tray at the bottom.
4. MidWest Portable Tent Crate
| Preview | Product | Rating | Price | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
 | MidWest Portable Tent Crate, 31 by 21.75 by 23.75-Inch | 319 Reviews | $89.18 | Buy on Amazon |
Our first portable dog crate, this water resistant soft crate is great both in the home and for travelling.
5. Petmate ProValu Double Door Wire Dog Crate
| Preview | Product | Rating | Price | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
 | Petmate PRECISION PET ProValu Wire Dog Crate | 4,698 Reviews | $40.10 | Buy on Amazon |
6. MidWest Homes for Pets Dog Crate
| Preview | Product | Rating | Price | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
 | MidWest Homes for Pets Newly Enhanced Single & Double Door iCrate Dog Crate, Includes Leak-Proof... | 152,947 Reviews | $41.99 | Buy on Amazon |
7. BIRDROCK HOME Decorative Dog Kennel with Pet Bed
About Dachshund Dog Crates
Dog crates have many practical uses and they’re a crucial item for all dog owners. Crates are generally used as dens for a dog to relax in, and for them to sleep.
Some owners may enjoy having their dog sleep in the same bed as them but this isn’t for everybody and when your dog’s a puppy, you’ll still need to crate train it to housetrain it and help it learn to deal with being away from its owner.
A proper crate-trained Dachshund will be able to retreat to a crate when it feels anxious, tired, or otherwise needs alone time. Dogs do need downtime on their own, contrary to what many think, a dog crate enables them to retire to a safe place for peace and quiet.
Selecting Your Dog Crate
Selecting your dog crate depends on your use requirements and dog’s preferences. Some dogs will actually prefer smaller crates whereas others will become very agitated quickly.
The most popular type of crate is the wire crate which allows your dog to see out very easily. They’re also roomy, airy, and quite light in weight. Wire crates aren’t chewable and are therefore best suited to teething dogs or those who otherwise enjoy chewing.
Soft crates are made from plastic and/or fabrics and are generally best suited to dogs that are already crate trained. They’re maybe comfier and less restrictive, though the difference is slight. Travel crates are the smallest type of crate and are designed for transporting your dog small distances, like to and from the vets.
Dog Crates: A Breakdown
Dachshunds are small dogs and you’ll have a lot of choices when it comes to dog crates. As mentioned, there are 3 broad different types of crate and you may need one type or all 3 types over the course of your dog’s life. Dachshunds are very small as puppies and they don’t grow to be too much larger, meaning you’re less likely to need to upscale your crate more than once or max two times.
- Wire Crates
Wire crates are airy and roomy and allow your dog to see outside without much hindrance to their vision. They’re strong, durable, and escape-proof too. Wire crates can be easily decked out with warm bedding and blankets to make them much comfier than they look. Wire cages are more-or-less static cages and not many are suitable for transport unless they have a solid base. They’re definitely best suited to home use.
- Soft Crates
Soft crates are made from plastic and fabric and resemble more of a den than a cage. They’re kind of like a soft tent for your Dachshund, a warm enclosed space that a crate-trained dog may learn to really love. Soft crates may feel a little enclosed which suits some dogs but makes others anxious, but they’re less confining in the sense that they’re generally made from flexible materials so your dog can wriggle around and stretch freely.
- Travel and Car Crates
Travel crates are small and feature a carry handle. They’re best for transporting your Dachshund small distances, e.g. to the vets or through a public place when they’re too young to be on the lead.
They’re pretty small and whilst some Dachshunds might call them home when you leave them accessible as a den at home, it’s likely that they won’t be suitable as a permanent crate in the long term. Car crates are larger crates designed for car transportation. They’re usually a form of wire crate designed to fit in the trunk of a car.
What Size Dog Crate for Dachshunds?
Some Dachshunds are extra small dogs, even the larger ones rarely grow to heights beyond 10 inches. However, Dachshunds are very long for small dogs and some may even grow to lengths of beyond 24 to 28 inches! Miniature Dachshunds, however, may only be 12 to 14 inches long.
This means your crate requirements vary greatly depending on your Dachshund – you can get an idea of how large it’ll grow by looking at its parents or other grown puppies they’ve had before.
For smaller Dachshunds, you may well find the standardised crate size for smaller dogs – 30 inches – will suffice. It is best to measure your Dachshund first to see just how long they really are as you might be surprised!
To measure your dog, measure their height from the ground to the top of their head when sitting upright and their length from their nose to their tail. You’ll need to add a good 6 inches to allow for extra space.
Dachshund Crate Training Tips: A Starters Guide
Crate training can go one of two ways. You might find your Dachshund simply loves his or her own space from the get-go and learns quickly to enjoy it as its den.
On the other hand, your Dachshund may really dislike being inside a crate and may get anxious and stressed rapidly, barking and moaning to such an extent that you simply have to let them out. It is likely, though, that your Dachshund will need at least some level of crate training.
- Step 1: Introducing them to the Crate
This is relatively simple. Firstly, make sure the crate is somewhere near the family area, e.g. inside the living room.
You’ll want to crate train your dog in your presence before you teach them to spend time alone inside the crate. Deck out the crate with soft blankets and bedding, preferably ones your dog already lies on and likes.
The softer, the better! Blankets taken from the living area are ideal as they’ll have your smell on them which is comforting for your Dachshund
Show your dog the crate and talk to them in a sweet voice as you playfully attempt to lure them inside the crate, just to see if they take to it straight away. If they do, reward them with a treat.
- Step 2: Feeding Your Dachshund Meals Inside the Crate
The advantage of this step is that it builds further positive associations that the crate is your dog’s den, somewhere where good things happen. This is also beneficial for toilet training – dogs generally want to keep their dens clean anyway but this urge is stronger if they eat there.
First, place your Dachshund’s meal just inside the crate to urge them forward inside it. If this works fine, place it right at the back.
- Step 3: Training your Dachshund to remain in the crate
This is certainly the most difficult bit for most. If your Dachshund is happily entering its den to lie on its blanket and eat then great! It still doesn’t mean they’ll be fine when you close the door and they realise they can’t actually get out, though!
Call them to go inside the crate and slowly close the door. If they remain comfortable, give them a treat. If not, distract and comfort then whilst the door remains closed to see if they stop whining.
Once you’ve passed the stage of initial panic, you can begin to walk around the room, sit on the sofa, etc, whilst your dog remains in the crate. If they stop whining quickly or are otherwise calm, reward them.
Next, it’s time to exit the room. Once again, at the point they calm down and begin to lie down and rest, reward them. Never leave a dog alone in a crate for more than 4 hours or so.
Crate Training for Sleep
One of the primary purposes of a crate is to give your dog somewhere safe to sleep. This is a requirement for most puppies who would otherwise roam the house, try and escape or bother their owner.
To begin, you want to place the crate outside of your bedroom, somewhere where you’re out of sight but where your dog can still sense your presents via sound and smell.
Whining is pretty likely when your Dachshund is a puppy – they’ll want to be in bed with you. You can ignore this if it’s only temporary but if it’s persistent, it’s best to take your Dachshund out and relax it before trying again. If your dog goes most of the night, or a whole night without whining or protesting, reward the behaviour. Give your dog extra attention in the morning when you get up too to reassure them.
Dog Crate Hints and Tips
- Add an attachable water bowl to your cage for nights and periods when you’re leaving your dog inside the cage for a longer period of time
- Never use a crate as punishment
- Find chew toys that your Dachshund likes to add to the crate
- Pad out the crate nicely with all sorts of soft materials – the softer the better!
- Crate train via a routine of positive reinforcement, rewarding your Dachshund for spending periods of time within the crate
Summary
Wire crates are generally the first choice for dog crates. They’re strong, practical, and are comfortable when decked out properly with bedding. Dachshunds are small but long dogs so it’s likely you might need a bigger cage than you first suspect, though 30-inch crates are generally the go-to.
Dachshunds are generally not problematic when it comes to crate training due to their fearless temperament and breeding purpose for hunting in confined space.
However, they still love their owner’s company and may whine or suffer from separation anxiety if not crate trained seriously. Just because a dog isn’t particularly problematic in a crate doesn’t mean it doesn’t need strong positive reinforcement.
