How to Draw a Dachshund (Easy Step by Step)
A dachshund is a happy sausage on four little legs, and that makes it a great first dog to draw. It is built from just a few simple shapes: a long oval for the body, a rounded head with a pointy nose, a tall oval ear, and four short U-shaped legs.
- Easy
- 12 minutes
- 9 steps
You need: paper, a pencil, an eraser, and crayons or markers for coloring.
Start drawingIn this article (7 sections)
How to draw a dachshund step by step
How to Draw a Dachshund · tinyhandscreate.com
Step 1: Guide shapes
Lightly sketch these 2 ovals. They only show where the big parts go, so press softly. You will erase them at the end.
Step 2: The long body
Draw a long, flat oval stretched across the right side of your page, like a sausage lying down. Leave the left end open, because the head will join there.
Step 3: The head
On the left, start at the top of the body and curve up and over for the head. Draw out to a pointy nose, then curve back under the chin.
Step 4: The floppy ear
Draw a tall, narrow oval on the back of the head, right where the head meets the body. This big floppy ear hangs down over the edge of the head.
Step 5: The neck line
Draw a short, nearly straight line from the top of the body down to the bottom, just behind the ear. It shows where the neck meets the body.
Step 6: The front legs
Under the middle of the body, draw two narrow U shapes pointing down, side by side. Make one a little taller than the other, with the open ends touching the belly line.
Step 7: The back legs
Under the back of the body, draw two more narrow U shapes pointing down. Make one short and one tall, with the open ends touching the belly line.
Step 8: The tail
At the back end of the body, draw a short curved line that swooshes up into the air, like a little hook.
Step 9: Eye and smile
Near the front of the head, draw a small filled dot for the eye. Below it, add a little curved smile line.
All done!
Erase the guide shapes, go over your lines, then color it in.
Finished your dachshund? Keep the pencils out and learn how to draw a fox or how to draw a hedgehog next.
Tips for drawing a dachshund
- Make the body much longer than it is tall. The long, low shape is what makes it look like a dachshund and not another dog.
- Draw the ear as a tall oval that overlaps the back of the head. If it feels tricky, sketch it lightly first, then press harder once it looks right.
- Start each leg at the belly line and draw down in a narrow U shape. Keep the legs short so the dog stays long and low.
Free dachshund coloring page
Want to go straight to coloring? Open this dachshund coloring page at full size and print it. It is the same drawing you just learned, with clean lines ready for crayons or markers.
How to color your dachshund drawing
Try chocolate brown or reddish tan for the body, with a darker brown for the ear and tail. For a creative twist, color the body in a rainbow of stripes or add a polka-dot pattern.
Dachshund fun fact for kids
Dachshunds were first bred in Germany to hunt badgers, and the name means "badger dog" in German. Their long, low bodies helped them squeeze into tunnels.
Questions about drawing a dachshund
What shapes do I need to draw a dachshund?
You need a long oval for the body, a rounded shape with a pointy nose for the head, a tall oval for the ear, and four U shapes for the legs. A short curved line makes the tail.
How do I make my dachshund look cuter?
Make the ear extra big and floppy, and add a small curved smile. A small eye dot also helps give your dog a friendly look.
Why is a dachshund so long?
Dachshunds were bred to follow badgers into tunnels, so a long, low body was useful. In your drawing, stretch the body wide to show it off.
