Dachshund vs Labrador Retriever
Side-by-side comparison across all 14 AKC trait ratings, with a clear verdict on which breed fits which kind of household.
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Dachshund
Labrador Retriever
5–9 in
Height
21.5–24.5 in
11–32 lb
Weight
55–80 lb
12–16 yr
Lifespan
10–12 yr
$1.5–3.5k
Puppy price
$1.5–4.0k
#12
AKC popularity
#1
Trait-by-trait
Higher bar = more of that trait. Shedding, barking, drooling, grooming flipped for readability.5
Affectionate w/ Family
5
3
Good with Young Children
5
4
Good with Other Dogs
5
2
Shedding Level
4
2
Coat Grooming
2
2
Drooling Level
2
4
Good with Strangers
5
4
Playfulness
5
4
Watchdog / Protective
3
4
Adaptability
5
4
Trainability
5
3
Energy Level
5
5
Barking Level
3
3
Mental Stimulation Needs
4
Dachshund Labrador Retriever
Overlay
Where they diverge
Good with Young Children
Labrador Retriever is better with kids (2-point difference)
Shedding Level
Dachshund sheds less (2-point difference)
Energy Level
Labrador Retriever has more energy (2-point difference)
Barking Level
Labrador Retriever barks less (2-point difference)
Good with Other Dogs
Labrador Retriever is better with other dogs (1-point difference)
The verdict
Choose the Dachshund if…
- Apartment living
- Singles and couples
- Families with older children
- You value barking level — Dachshund scores noticeably higher.
Choose the Labrador Retriever if…
- Families with children
- First-time owners
- Active individuals
- You value good with young children — Labrador Retriever scores higher here.
Dachshund Owner’s Guide
Everything you need before bringing your Dachshund home.
Breed variants, breeder red flags, and what to ask
First-week checklist and daily schedules by age
Training timeline from 8 weeks to adulthood
Health screenings, emergency card, and feeding portions
Grooming schedule, first-year costs, and what nobody tells you
Labrador Retriever Owner’s Guide
Everything you need before bringing your Labrador Retriever home.
Breed variants, breeder red flags, and what to ask
First-week checklist and daily schedules by age
Training timeline from 8 weeks to adulthood
Health screenings, emergency card, and feeding portions
Grooming schedule, first-year costs, and what nobody tells you