The dachshund, affectionately known as a worsie, worshond, sausage dog, daxie, or dachie, is a playful, curious dog with an adorable waddle. As a dachshund lover, premium pet insurance is vital in ensuring protection against common health issues or injuries, offering genuine peace of mind. MediPet’s comprehensive cover includes hereditary condition cover, such as intervertebral disc disease (IVDD), ensuring your dachshund gets the full care they need when it matters most.
Personality & Characteristics Of Dachshunds
Dachshunds, with their unique long bodies & short legs, are full of charm & personality. Known for their playful energy & curious nature,
these little doggos are devoted companions who fill your life with joy & laughter.
Whether they’re exploring new spaces, or cuddling up for a nap, dachshunds are always up for an adventure. Their spunky attitude &
precious hearts make them such an irresistible & beloved breed.
Average Sizes & Weight
Of The Breed
12 – 22 cm
5 to 11 kg
Dachshunds are inquisitive & energetic, with a big personality packed into a small body. They are affectionate with their families & tend to bond closely, making them the best companions.
Trainability Level
Energy Level
Barking Level
Mental Stimulation Needs
Characterised by their long, sleek bodies & short legs, dachshunds come in smooth, longhaired, or wiry coats. Despite their compact size, they are always up for an adventure. Their loud bark is well-known, & they are highly trainable, requiring mental stimulation to remain happy.
Shedding Level
Coat Grooming Frequency
Drooling Level
Coat Type
Wiry Rough Curly
Hairless Corded Wavy
Smooth Double Silky
Coat Length
Short Medium Long
Dachshunds are prone to intervertebral disc disease (IVDD) due to their long spine, as well as gum disease, & tooth decay, requiring regular dental care. They’re also at risk for hip dysplasia, patellar luxation, & obesity, which can worsen any existing health issues.
Endocrine & Metabolic Disorders
Hyperthyroidism – A common endocrine disorder, especially in older cats, which affects metabolism & leads to increased thyroid hormone production.
Symptoms: Increased appetite with weight loss, hyperactivity, vomiting, increased thirst.
Oral Health
Dental Disease – Dental disease, including periodontal disease, affects cats’ gums & teeth. It can lead to infections & tooth loss if not managed. If there are infections in the mouth it can allow bacteria into the body via the blood stream, & cause illness elsewhere.
Symptoms: Bad breath, difficulty eating, lethargy, loss of appetite, excessive drooling.
Different Types Of Cancer
Cancer – Cats can develop cancers like lymphoma, squamous cell carcinoma, & mast cell tumors. These may affect organs, skin, or the lymphatic system & can be serious if not caught early. Early diagnosis & treatment improve outcomes & quality of life.
Symptoms: Weight loss, lumps, lethargy, appetite changes, breathing issues, persistent sores.
Urinary Health
Urinary Tract Issues – Conditions such as urinary tract infections (UTIs) or blockages are common, especially in male cats.
Symptoms: Frequent urination, straining to urinate, blood in the urine, & crying while urinating.
Kidney Disease
Chronic Kidney Disease (CKD) – This is particularly common in older cats, & can affect their ability to filter waste from the blood.
Symptoms: Increased thirst & urination, weight loss, poor appetite, vomiting, lethargy, dehydration.
Reasons Why MediPet Is Perfect
For Dachshunds
MediPet offers South Africa’s most comprehensive accident & illness cover for all conditions, as well as
breed-specific conditions (often excluded by other insurance cover or with limited cover) like IVDD, heart conditions, orthopedic disorders or eye conditions with annual limits of R62 000 or R75 000.
Our Essential & Ultimate360 plans also include holistic wellness benefits like rehab, acupuncture & physiotherapy.
Ultimate360’s exclusive offering of dental care cover of one procedure per year, unique in South Africa.
Our plans are without sub-limits or triage & matrix restrictions.
Accident & Illness Cover
Dachshunds have a breed-specific predisposition to costly conditions like IVDD with surgery required to remedy, & also eye issues. This is where the R62 000 – R75 000 annual max without sub-limits on Essential & Ultimate360 provides genuine peace of mind.
Holistic Wellness
Alternative therapies like acupuncture, hydrotherapy, & physiotherapy are vital for dachshunds recovering from spinal or joint issues. These are included as a benefit on our Essential & Ultimate360 plans, valued at R5 000 per year.
Dental Care
Dachshunds are more prone to dental complications. Our Ultimate360 plan offers an exclusive dental benefit once a year, including x-rays, extractions, & anesthesia without any sub-limits.
Pre-Existing Condition Cover
Our unique LitePlus plan, offers accident & illness cover for all ages (including for pre-existing conditions) after a short 30-day waiting period.
Every Dachshunds Deserves
MediPet Pet Insurance
Our beloved dachshunds need comprehensive pet insurance to protect them from unaffordable hefty vet bills due to unexpected accidents & illnesses.
MediPet offers South Africa’s most comprehensive cover, including hereditary health conditions, without year-long waiting periods, sub-limits, or triage guidelines—ensuring our precious dachshunds receive the protection & care they deserve.
Essential Plan
Essential Plan
For Dachshunds
Our most popular plan, the Essential plan, offers comprehensive accident & illness cover, ideal for dachshunds, who may face breed-specific health issues like IVDD, without sub-limits or triage guidelines & matrixes.
This plan provides cover for necessary treatments such as consultations, medications, surgeries, & diagnostics. Other benefits include supplements, behavioural treatment & holistic wellness.
All pets joining the Essential Plan, have no breed-specific pricing. This plan ensures your pet is covered for accidents, day-to-day treatment & hospitalisation – offering genuine peace of mind for unexpected health concerns.
Starting from R479 per month
You get R62 000 in benefits per year, without sub-limits.
Ultimate360 Plan
Ultimate360 Plan
For Dachshunds
The Ultimate360 plan is MediPet’s top plan, & unmatched cover in South Africa for dachshunds, without sub-limits.
With up to R75 000 in annual cover, this plan covers vet visit consultations, medication, those expensive surgeries, pricey diagnostics, & post-hospital care, as well as exclusive benefits such as dental care, & prescription food.
Our most comprehensive plan goes above & beyond for dachshunds, offering the best cover for their unique health needs.
Starting from R699 per month
You get R75 000 in benefits per year, without sub-limits.
Daxies Who Love Us
Whether they’re dressed in cute costumes, exploring the great outdoors, or simply lounging in their cozy beds, dachshunds know how to capture the spotlight. Check out some of our doting daxies on our socials. #MediPetFamily
What Our Members Love
About MediPet Pet Insurance
This endorsement does not constitute financial advice.
Frequently Asked Questions
About Dachshunds
How Much Is Pet Insurance For Dachshunds?
MediPet offers 5 pet insurance plans, including comprehensive options ideal for dachshunds:
- The Essential Plan provides R62 000 annually, with premiums starting from R479 per month.
- The Ultimate360 plan offers up to R75 000 annually, starting from R699 per month, with exclusive benefits like dental care & prescription food.
- The Lite plan is our limited, most affordable plan with R40 000 in annual cover for all ages, starting at R309 per month.
- The LitePlus Plan, offers R40 000 in annual cover for older pets with pre-existing conditions, starting from R1 349 per month.
- The Accident Plan offers R25 000 in annual cover for any accidents, from R199 per month
Join MediPet today to see the difference!
What Common Health Conditions Do Dachshunds Usually Face?
Dachshunds are prone to several health issues, including intervertebral disc disease (IVDD) due to their long spines, hip dysplasia, patellar luxation, & obesity. They can also suffer from dental conditions & skin allergies. Due to their unique body structure, maintaining a healthy weight & regular vet check-ups is crucial.
Ensure your dachshund is covered for potential health issues with MediPet’s comprehensive plans. Join MediPet today for reliable pet insurance & genuine peace of mind.
Does MediPet Cover Routine Care For My Dachshund?
Yes, routine care can be added to your dachshund’s general cover with MediPet. Routine Supreme costs R195 per month, offering cover of R3 300 per year with a savings of R960 per year. Routine In-Between costs R130 per month, for annual cover of R2 200 per year, with a built-in savings of R640 per year. Lastly, Routine Lean costs only R65 per month, for R1 100 cover per year & R320 savings per year.
This benefit covers key dachshund preventative care such as vaccinations, tick/flea & deworming treatments, microchipping, sterilisation, grooming, nail-clipping, training, & puppy socialisation classes.
Why Is Dental Care, A Benefit Of The Ultimate360 Plan, Important For Dachshunds?
Poor dental hygiene can lead to long-term pain & discomfort for your dachshund, & often, pet owners are unaware because pets don’t always show obvious signs of pain—they simply tolerate it. Dental disease in older dachshunds can lead to illnesses that might be wrongly attributed to “getting old”. Infections in the mouth can allow bacteria into the bloodstream, potentially causing serious health conditions elsewhere in the body, including the kidneys, heart, lungs, & liver. Experts agree that by age 2, as many as 80% of dogs* already suffer from some form of dental disease.
Protect your dachshund’s health with dental care covered in the Ultimate360 Plan—because their smile deserves to be healthy!
Source:
* www.hillspet.co.za Jul ’23
Are Rescue, Re-homed, Or Adopted Dachshunds Welcome?
Absolutely! At MediPet, we proudly support many shelters & pet rescue organisations in South Africa. Something to note for rescued pets on joining Essential or Ultimate360 plans: If your pet was rescued or adopted in the last 6 months, & is over 18 months old, & you have no vet history, you will have a temporary limit of R3 000 for the first 6 months after joining. (This won’t apply to accident claims).
Can I Still Join MediPet If My Dachshund's Vaccinations Are Not Up To Date?
Yes, you can still apply, but if your dachshund’s vaccinations are not kept up-to-date according to your vet’s vaccination protocol, any vaccinatable diseases & related complications will be excluded from cover. Keeping your dachshund’s vaccinations current is key for their health.
For more frequently asked questions, visit our FAQ page.
