Tiny, long and packed with personality, dachshunds have become an unlikely mascot of the cycling world – popping up everywhere from pro riders’ Instagram feeds to the sidelines of the Tour de France.
But what makes this little sausage-shaped dog so irresistible? Here’s everything you need to know about the dachshund.
Why do so many cyclists have dachshunds?
It’s a great question – but dachshunds are among the most popular dog breeds, and are also a great option for dog lovers who are looking for a small dog breed… one that could fit in a backpack and cycle along with you, perhaps. While dachshunds may not keep up with Tour de France speeds, they’re surprisingly good at long walks despite their short legs.
Dachshunds are popular celebrity dogs generally, with Monty Don owning a wire-haired dachshund named Peggy.
Dachshunds of the Tour de France
Irish cyclist Ben Healy wore the yellow jersey for two days at the 2025 Tour de France, gaining attention and headlines not only for his team – EF Education-EasyPost – but also for his miniature dachshund named Olive.
He’s not alone though. British cyclist Tom Pidcock has two long-haired dachshunds named Chestnut and Acorn, who have captured the hearts of road and mountain bike racing fans. They live in Andorra with Tom and his partner Bethany. The pair also have their own Instagram account, @thenutsisters, for cycling fans and dachshund lovers alike.
Away from the Tour de France, Alexey Vermeulen is another cyclist known for his long-haired miniature dachshund, Sir Willie, who joins the American gravel rider on training rides and races. “Sir Willie the Wiener” starred in a documentary with Vermeulen for cycling brand Pearl iZUMi, highlighting his aims to be FKD (Fastest Known Dog) – a play on FKT (Fastest Known Time).
Tour winner Tadej Pogačar’s UAE Team Emirates teammate Pavel Sivakov is another dachshund-loving cyclist. His dachshund Cookie has been known to have playdates with Pidcock’s dachshund Chestnut.
Dachshunds are popular in the UAE team, with another UAE rider, João Almeida, also welcoming a dachshund to his family in 2024.
It's not just cyclists who are dachshund fans. Formula 1 star Charles Leclerc is often spotted with his miniature long-haired dachshund Leo – which has now developed an enormous social media following of his own, with Instagram account @leo_leclercc.
Dachshund characteristics
With their low back and long silhouettes, dachshunds are an iconic dog breed. Thanks to Lynley Dodd’s Hairy Maclary series, young readers will also be familiar with the breed through the character Schnitzel Von Krumm (with a very low tum).
Due to their physical shape, miniature dachshunds are prone to a spinal condition known as Intervertebral Disc Disease, which, in extreme cases, can cause paralysis. For that reason, we included them in our round-up of the unhealthiest dog breeds.
Dachshund personality
Dachshunds are faithful and versatile dogs, but can be intimidated by larger dog breeds – so it’s important to integrate them with other animals and socialise them from a young age.
They are keen to please owners, so they should be relatively easy to train, but as very vocal dogs it’s important to manage their barking in early training. They can be stubborn, so owners must be patient and consistent in their training.
What types of dachshund are there?
Dachshunds come in two sizes – standard and miniature, but the Fédération Cynologique Internationale in Europe also recognises the 'rabbit dachshund' (one of the world’s smallest dog breeds), which is even smaller than the miniature.
They also come in three coat types: smooth, long-haired and wire-haired dachshunds.
Where did dachshunds come from and what were they bred for?
The name 'dachshund' comes from the German 'badger dog', which references their origins as badger hunters and other burrow-dwelling animals. Packs of dachshunds were often used on wild boar, and were even bred to work in quarries.
Why are they called sausage dogs?
The affectionate name of 'sausage dog' or 'weiner dog' comes from their long, low shape, which has the appearance of a sausage. Pop it between a bun, and you’ve got yourself a hot dog.
Colours of dachshund
Dachshunds come in one of six basic coat colour combinations: red, cream, black and tan, black and cream, chocolate and tan, and chocolate and cream. They can also come in a variety of patterns: dapple, brindle, sable and piebald.
Suitable dachshund owners
While they can be good with children, this will depend on their temperament and it’s important to socialise them early. They love affection, but can be sensitive to rough handling, so it’s equally important to teach children how to handle them carefully and correctly.
How long do dachshunds live?
Dachshunds tend to live between 12 and 15 years of age, depending on their health.
How much exercise do dachshunds need?
It’s wrong to assume that dachshunds don’t need much exercise because of their small stature. Like all dogs, they need regular exercise to stay fit – but they also need to build strong muscles to support and protect their back. Inevitably, miniature dachshunds need less exercise than a standard dachshund but still need outings for the same reason. Two short walks a day should suffice, and then they’ll likely curl up with you and rest.
Never allow your dachshund to run up and down stairs or jump on and off furniture, because it can damage their backs.
If you're interested in a dog that needs lots of exercise, check out our round-up of the best active dogs for active people.
Top image credit: Getty
