John Lewis Pet Insurance for your miniature dachshund
Choose from six levels of vet-fee cover, up to £12,000
Lifetime cover, when you renew your policy with no break in cover
24/7 access to vetfone™ helpline
John Lewis Pet Insurance is arranged, administrated and underwritten by Pinnacle Insurance Ltd.
Terms, policy limits, exclusions and conditions apply.
Why we love miniature dachsunds
Pocket-sized and full of personality, miniature dachshunds are a popular breed in the UK. 14,500 were registered in 2023 alone!
They originated in Germany in the 1800s. Small dachshunds were bred to create miniature dachshunds that could be hunters.
In 1972 a dachshund named Waldi was the first ever mascot to represent the Olympic Games in Munich.
In 2014 the first ever British dog to be cloned was a dachshund. Winnie the sausage dog was recreated in a test tube, producing Minnie Winnie!
Miniature dachshund facts
Lifespan | 12+ years |
|---|---|
Average price | £1,000 - £2,000 |
Size | Small |
Weight | Up tp 5kg |
Colours | Black, tan, red, blue, chocolate, fawn or a combination |
Coat and grooming | Wire-haired, smooth-haired or long-haired - each variety requires weekly brushing (the longer the hair, the more regular brushing) |
Personality | Loyal and brave despite their size, intelligent and potentially stubborn |
Exercise frequency | Up to an hour per day |
Common health problems for miniature dachshunds
No two dogs are the same (apart from Winnie and Minnie Winnie), so it's hard to predict future health issues. We hope that your four-legged friend doesn’t experience any of these conditions. But by knowing what health issues can develop for your particular breed, you can catch them early.
This list is not exhaustive, and any concerns you have for your pet's health should always be raised with a vet.
Back problems
Miniature dachshunds have short legs and long bodies. This makes them more likely to experience back problems than larger dogs. The most common in sausage dogs is Intervertebral Disk Disease (IVDD). This causes the discs in a dog's spine to age prematurely and become frail or brittle.
Signs to look for:
Signs of pain when pressure is applied to the back
Struggling to walk
Struggling with stairs
What to do:
To help prevent IVDD from developing, you can support your dog’s back and front legs when carrying them. You can also discourage them from jumping up or down large distances, such as from the sofa to the floor. If you think your dog may be developing back problems, you should speak to your vet for advice.
Skin conditions
All dogs scratch, but repeated scratching, broken skin, or red patches can be a sign of a skin condition. These can be caused by allergies or environmental factors.
Signs to look for:
Red or irritated-looking skin
Increased, repeated scratching
Ear infections
Scratching
Chewing feet
What to do:
If you think your dog may have an allergy that is causing itchy skin, you should take them to the vet for advice. Your vet will be able to prescribe allergy medication or work out if something more serious is going on.
Eye problems
Vision problems such as cataracts or dry eye are common in senior dachshunds. They aren't life-threatening conditions, but they can affect your pet’s quality of life.
Eye problems could be the following:
Dry eye (keratoconjunctivitis sicca or KCS): the cornea and surrounding tissue of your dog's eye become inflamed
Cataracts: films that develop in the eyes that can make it hard for your dog to see
Signs to look for:
Milky disks forming in the centre of the eyeball
Red or irritated looking eyes
What to do:
If you think your miniature dachshunds's eyes may have changed and you are concerned it’s best to take them to the vet. Some cases can be treated with eye drops, antibiotics or steroids. In more serious cases, surgery may be recommended by your vet.
What does John Lewis Pet Insurance include?
Pet Insurance could help if your mini dachsund becomes unwell. John Lewis Pet Insurance offers six different vet fee cover levels, ranging from £2,000 - £12,000 per policy year.
Our pet insurance includes:
Lifetime cover
If your pet develops a long-term illness, there’s no limit to how long you can claim for their treatment. As long as you renew and there's no break in cover, you can continue to claim.
24/7 vetfone™ helpline
Have a question about your pet's health or behaviour? Make a video call to the vetfone™ helpline for expert advice. It’s included in your policy, and you can use it as often as you like.
Dental treatment
John Lewis Pet Insurance provides cover for dental conditions, and dental treatment as a result of accidental injury, as long as:
Your dog has a history of annual check-ups — if not annual check-ups, then as recommended by your vet. We would need proof that any advice given has been followed within 6 months
The treatment is to relieve suffering due to illness
The cost of dental treatment is as a result of an accidental injury
Online claims made simple
Choose whether claims payments go directly to you or, if they agree, to your vet — whichever works best.
Treatment foods
If prescribed by your vet, your policy could cover up to 25% of the costs for 6 months maximum per condition (excluding obesity/weight loss).
Complementary therapies
These can be carried out by your vet or by a specialist under your vet’s direction. With John Lewis Pet Insurance, you’re covered for up to £1,500 per policy year. This would be deducted from your annual vet fee limit.
Vet fees - treatment limit per year | Up to chosen vet fee limit |
|---|---|
Lifetime cover1 | Yes |
vetfone™ helpline - 24-hour advice from veterinary nurses | Yes |
Treatment food2 | 25% of the cost for a maximum period of 6 months per condition (excludes obesity/weight loss) |
Complementary treatment - such as physiotherapy2 | Up to £1,500 |
Third party liability (dogs only) | Up to £2m |
Boarding kennel and cattery fees3 | Up to £1,500 |
Dental cover | Up to chosen vet fee limit |
Lost or stolen | Up to £1,500 |
1 As long as you renew your policy with us and there is no break in cover
2 Cover forms part of vet fees
3 Covered if you cannot look after your dog or cat due to personal injury or illness that results in a hospital stay for more than 48 hours
What's not included with John Lewis Pet Insurance?
Treatment for any pre-existing medical conditions
Vet fees following an accident in the first 3 days of your cover start date
Any new illnesses or symptoms that occur in the first 14 days of your cover start date
Pet insurance with six levels of vet fee cover
We understand that every owner’s situation is different. But this shouldn’t affect the quality of care for your pet. You can choose a level of vet fee cover that suits your budget — when you get a quote.
There are six levels of vet fee cover options available under lifetime insurance:
up to £2,000
up to £3,000
up to £5,000
up to £7,500
up to £9,000
up to £12,000
If you’re looking to reduce your premium costs, you can choose an excess fee to pay each time you claim. Choosing a higher excess means you will pay a lower monthly or yearly price, but you will need to pay the higher excess amount if you need to claim for Vet Fees. If you choose a lower excess, you will pay a higher monthly or yearly price, but you will pay the lower excess amount if you need to claim for Vet Fees. You will need to consider if a lower price would benefit you more than having to pay more towards the cost of a claim.
Average treatment costs for miniature dachshunds
The cost of treatment for unwell miniature dachshunds can vary. Factors like the severity of your dog’s condition and the vet you visit can affect the total bill. If you know the amount you may have to make a claim for, it can help you work out the level of pet insurance you could need.
Looking for insurance for your miniature dachshund?
Pet insurance could help if your furry friend were to become unwell. John Lewis Pet Insurance offers six different vet fee cover levels, ranging from £2,000 - £12,000 per policy year.
Common questions about miniature dachshunds?
Do miniature dachshunds shed?
Miniature dachshunds are minimal shedders. The amount they shed depends on their fur type. Long-haired dachshunds will shed more than their wire-haired relatives.
How far can a miniature dachshunds walk?
This can vary depending on your dog's age and energy level. Most young dachshunds can walk for an hour or more each day. The older they get, the less they may enjoy walking, so you should adjust your walks accordingly.
When do miniature dachshunds stop growing?
Most dachshunds will stop growing in height around their first birthday. They may continue to gain weight up until they turn two.
This article is for promotion or information purposes only. You must not rely on it for advice.
Pet Insurance through John Lewis is subject to eligibility. Terms and conditions apply.
John Lewis Money and John Lewis Finance are trading names of John Lewis plc. Registered office: 1 Drummond Gate, Pimlico, London SW1V 2QQ. Registered in England and Wales (Registered company number: 233462).
John Lewis Plc is an introducer appointed representative of Pinnacle Insurance Ltd which is authorised by the Prudential Regulation Authority and regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority and the Prudential Regulation Authority (register number 110866). Registered Office: 4th Floor, Limelight, Elstree Way, Borehamwood, Hertfordshire, WD6 1JH. John Lewis Pet Insurance is a trading style of and arranged, administered & underwritten by Pinnacle Insurance Ltd. John Lewis Plc and Pinnacle Insurance Ltd are not part of the same corporate group.