Crochet Weiner Dog Pattern: Amigurumi Dachshund Tutorial
A long, low amigurumi dachshund with a tapered tan snout, dark floppy ears, four short legs and a cheerful upright tail — worked from an oval body in simple single crochet spirals with clear counts on every round.
Amigurumi · Crochet
- Finished size
- About 11 in / 28 cm long
- Making time
- About 5–7 hours
- Hook
- 3.5 mm, worsted-weight yarn
- Pieces
- 10 pieces to assemble
- Skill
- Easy
In this post
If you have ever laughed at a dachshund trotting down the street — impossibly long body, tiny legs working double time, ears flapping with every step — you already know why this little dog had to become a crochet pattern. Our crochet weiner dog pattern turns a few balls of warm brown yarn into a long, low, lovable amigurumi sausage dog with a proud snout, soft floppy ears, and a tail that points straight up like it has just heard the treat jar open.
This is an original Little Loop Finds design, worked piece by piece in simple single crochet spirals — no complicated colourwork, no tricky shaping. The secret to that classic silhouette is the body: instead of a round ball, we start with a chain and build an oval, so the body grows long from the very first round. Add a round head, a tapered snout, four short legs, and two flat floppy ears, and the breed appears almost by itself. Make one for a dachshund owner, a child, or your own sofa — it is a relaxed weekend project and a brilliant stash-buster.
Contents
- Why you'll love this weiner dog pattern
- Materials you'll need
- Size, gauge and skill level
- Abbreviations — US terms
- The pattern (US terms)
- Finishing: stuffing and assembly
- Tips for a long, low, lovable finish
- FAQ
- What to crochet next
Why you'll love this weiner dog pattern
Dachshunds are all about proportion, and this pattern leans into it. Most amigurumi dogs start with a round body and end up looking like any other pup. This one starts long. That oval foundation gives you the true sausage shape without sewing tubes together or using wire, and the body sits low and stable on its four short legs, so your finished dog poses beautifully on a shelf.
The face does the rest. A separate tapered snout gives you that long, noble profile and a perfect place for the nose, while the flat ears drape naturally down the sides of the head instead of sticking out. It is also a forgiving make: every piece is small, portable, and worked in spirals with clear counts. Makers who enjoyed our shih tzu crochet pattern will love having a second, very different breed to sit beside it — one long and low, one fluffy and round.
Materials you'll need
Use a smooth worsted-weight (aran / weight 4) acrylic or acrylic-blend yarn. Smooth yarn shows your stitches clearly and stuffs into a firm shape that holds the long body straight. Avoid very fuzzy yarn for your first try — it hides stitch tops and makes the oval foundation harder to read.
| Supply | What to get |
|---|---|
| Main yarn | Worsted weight in warm medium brown, about 130 yards (120 m) |
| Ear yarn | Worsted weight in dark chocolate brown, about 40 yards (37 m) |
| Snout yarn | Worsted weight in tan or light caramel, about 30 yards (27 m) |
| Hook | 3.5 mm (US E-4) crochet hook |
| Eyes | 10 mm black safety eyes, 1 pair with washers |
| Nose | 12 mm black safety nose, or black yarn for embroidery |
| Stuffing | Polyester fibre fill, about 3 oz (85 g) |
| Notions | Yarn needle, stitch marker, sharp scissors |
| Optional | Pins for assembly, stuffing tool, soft blusher for cheeks |
Amounts are generous. Dachshunds also come in black and tan, red, chocolate, and cream, so feel free to match a real dog you know, or keep everything one colour for a clean, modern plush. Leftovers are perfect for a finishing touch — our crochet dog collar pattern takes only a few yards and looks adorable sized down for this pup.
Size, gauge and skill level
Finished size: About 11 inches (28 cm) long from nose to tail, 5 inches (13 cm) tall, and 3.5 inches (9 cm) wide. With DK yarn and a 3 mm hook, expect about 8.5 inches (22 cm) long; with chunky yarn and a 5 mm hook, a cuddly 15 inch (38 cm) version.
Gauge: 5 sc and 5 rounds = about 1 inch (2.5 cm). Gauge is not critical, but stitches must be tight enough that stuffing does not peek through. If you see gaps, drop down half a hook size.
Skill level: Easy. You should know magic ring, chain, single crochet, increase, and invisible decrease. Working around a starting chain is explained where it appears.
Making time: About 5 to 7 hours in total.
Abbreviations — US terms
This pattern uses US terms throughout. A US single crochet is a UK double crochet, so UK makers should read every sc as a dc.
| Abbreviation | Meaning |
|---|---|
| MR | Magic ring |
| ch | Chain |
| sc | Single crochet |
| inc | Increase — 2 sc in the same stitch |
| dec | Invisible decrease — 2 stitches together, front loops only |
| sl st | Slip stitch |
| st(s) | Stitch(es) |
| rnd | Round |
| rep | Repeat |
| FO | Fasten off |
| BLO | Back loop only |
Numbers in parentheses at the end of each round, like (36), are the total stitch count. Check them as you go, work in continuous spirals unless told otherwise, and move your marker up at the start of every round.
The pattern (US terms)
Work the body, head, and legs in medium brown, the ears in dark chocolate, and the snout in tan. Leave a 12 inch (30 cm) tail on every sewn piece; that tail becomes your sewing thread. Stuff as you go where told — the long body is easier to stuff before the opening gets small.
Body
The body is an oval around a starting chain — this gives the dachshund its length, so take the first rounds slowly and count carefully.
- Rnd 1: Ch 14. Starting in the second ch from hook, sc in next 12 ch, 3 sc in last ch. Working along the other side of the chain, sc in next 11 ch, inc in last ch. (28)
- Rnd 2: Inc, sc in next 11 sts, inc in next 3 sts, sc in next 11 sts, inc in last 2 sts. (34)
- Rnd 3: (Sc, inc), sc in next 11 sts, (sc, inc) 3 times, sc in next 11 sts, (sc, inc) 2 times. (40)
- Rnd 4–14: Sc in every st. (40) — 11 rounds even
- Rnd 15: (8 sc, dec) rep 4 times. (36)
- Rnd 16–17: Sc in every st. (36)
- Rnd 18: (7 sc, dec) rep 4 times. (32)
- Rnd 19: Sc in every st. (32)
- Rnd 20: (6 sc, dec) rep 4 times. (28)
- Rnd 21: (5 sc, dec) rep 4 times. (24)
Start stuffing now, firmly and evenly. Push small clouds of fill into the far end first, then work back, keeping the shape long and plump. A chopstick helps you reach the far end.
- Rnd 22: (2 sc, dec) rep 6 times. (18)
- Rnd 23: (Sc, dec) rep 6 times. (12)
- Rnd 24: Dec 6 times. (6)
FO, thread the tail through the front loops of the last 6 stitches, pull tight to close, and weave in. Roll the body between your palms to smooth lumps. This closed end is the back; the chain end is the front, where the head will sit.
Head
Work in medium brown. The head is a simple sphere, slightly smaller than the body is wide, so the dog is not top-heavy.
- Rnd 1: 6 sc in MR. (6)
- Rnd 2: Inc in every st. (12)
- Rnd 3: (Sc, inc) rep 6 times. (18)
- Rnd 4: (2 sc, inc) rep 6 times. (24)
- Rnd 5: (3 sc, inc) rep 6 times. (30)
- Rnd 6: (4 sc, inc) rep 6 times. (36)
- Rnd 7–12: Sc in every st. (36) — 6 rounds even
- Rnd 13: (4 sc, dec) rep 6 times. (30)
- Rnd 14: (3 sc, dec) rep 6 times. (24)
Pause to place the face. Insert safety eyes between rounds 10 and 11, about 8 stitches apart, centred on the front. Check spacing with the snout held below the eyes before adding washers — safety eyes cannot be removed once clicked in.
- Rnd 15: (2 sc, dec) rep 6 times. (18)
- Stuff the head firmly now, shaping it round and adding a little extra fill in the cheeks.
- Rnd 16: (Sc, dec) rep 6 times. (12)
- Rnd 17: Dec 6 times. (6)
FO, leaving a long tail for sewing. Thread the tail through the front loops of the last 6 stitches, pull tight to close, and keep the remaining tail for assembly.
Snout
Work in tan. Like the body, the snout starts as a small oval around a chain, then tapers so it sits neatly against the head. This piece turns a generic dog into a dachshund.
- Rnd 1: Ch 7. Starting in the second ch from hook, sc in next 5 ch, 3 sc in last ch. Working along the other side of the chain, sc in next 4 ch, inc in last ch. (14)
- Rnd 2: Inc, sc in next 4 sts, inc in next 3 sts, sc in next 4 sts, inc in last 2 sts. (20)
- Rnd 3–5: Sc in every st. (20) — 3 rounds even
- Rnd 6: (8 sc, dec) rep 2 times. (18)
FO, leaving a long tail. Stuff lightly and pinch into a soft oval, flatter on the head side. If using a safety nose, push it through the chain end now and secure the washer before stuffing. If embroidering, stitch the nose after assembly.
Ears (make 2)
Work in dark chocolate brown, flat in rows — which is why they drape so softly. Make both ears one after the other so your tension matches.
- Row 1: Ch 9. Starting in the second ch from hook, sc in every ch. (8) Turn.
- Row 2: Ch 1, sc in every st. (8) Turn.
- Rows 3–9: Rep row 2 seven more times. (8) The ear should measure about 3 inches (7.5 cm) long.
- Row 10: Ch 1, dec, sc in next 4 sts, dec. (6) Turn.
- Row 11: Ch 1, sc in every st. (6) Turn.
- Row 12: Ch 1, dec, sc in next 2 sts, dec. (4)
FO, leaving a long tail. Do not stuff the ears. Lay them flat and check both are the same length. A slight edge curl is fine — it helps the ears hug the head.
Legs (make 4)
Work in medium brown, or rounds 1 and 2 in tan for light paws. These short cylinders are only six rounds tall. Make all four in one batch to keep them identical.
- Rnd 1: 6 sc in MR. (6)
- Rnd 2: Inc in every st. (12)
- Rnd 3: BLO sc in every st. (12) — this creates a neat flat edge for the paw
- Rnd 4–6: Sc in every st. (12) — 3 rounds even
FO, leaving a long tail on each leg. Stuff firmly, keeping the top slightly flattened so it sits flush against the body. Even stuffing stops the finished dog rocking side to side.
Tail
Work in medium brown, or start in dark chocolate for a darker tip. Sew it on pointing up and slightly back, in that cheerful flagpole pose.
- Rnd 1: 6 sc in MR. (6)
- Rnd 2: (Sc, inc) rep 3 times. (9)
- Rnd 3–7: Sc in every st. (9) — 5 rounds even
- Rnd 8: (Sc, dec) rep 3 times. (6)
FO, leaving a long tail. Stuff lightly, or leave the tip unstuffed so you can curve it.
You should now have ten pieces: body, head, snout, two ears, four legs, and tail. Lay them out in position before you pick up your needle.
Finishing: stuffing and assembly
Set aside a calm half hour, good light, and a handful of pins. Pin everything first, check the dog from the front, side, and above, and only sew when you love the pose. Pins are free; unpicking is not.
Start with head and body. Sit the head on the front end of the body, centred and tilted slightly down, as if sniffing forwards. Pin around the join, then whip stitch through one body stitch and one head stitch per pass. Add a pinch of extra stuffing into the neck before closing — a firm neck stops the head nodding forwards.
Sew the snout centred between and just below the eyes, top edge around round 12 of the head, stitching all the way around. If embroidering the nose, do it now: a small black oval at the tip, one short vertical stitch beneath it, and a tiny smile if you like. Keep it small — less is more.
Pin the legs underneath the body, two near the front and two near the back, set in about an inch from the ends. Check the dog stands level on a hard surface, then sew each leg on with small, tight stitches. Sew the tail to the back end, angled up and back, with extra stitches at the base so it stays skyward.
Finally, pin the ears to the sides of the head, top edge around round 6, hanging alongside the cheek just behind the eye line. Too high looks like horns; too low hides the snout. Check both sides match in a photo, then sew firmly across the top edge. Hide all tails deep in the body, roll gently to smooth stuffing, and add a tiny crochet bandana in a contrast colour if you like.
Tips for a long, low, lovable finish
Count the oval rounds twice. It is easy to miss a stitch on the far side of the chain in round 1. Count to 28 on the body and 14 on the snout before moving on.
Stuff in small clouds. Little pieces of fill, pushed into the far end first, give a smooth sausage shape. One big lump shows as a bulge and is hard to fix once closed.
Mark the front of the head. Once the eyes go in, tie contrast yarn at the back of the head so you never sew it on backwards during assembly.
Photograph before you sew. A phone picture shows lopsided ears and uneven legs more honestly than tired eyes do. Check it while the pins are still in.
Scale it with confidence. DK yarn and a 2.5 mm hook gives a 7 inch (18 cm) pup; chunky yarn, a 5 mm hook, and 15 mm eyes gives a big huggable version. Our crochet cat pattern is another fun one to try in two yarn weights.
Make it safe for little hands. For babies, embroider the whole face, skip safety parts, sew pieces on with extra passes, and tug-test seams before gifting.
FAQ
Is this crochet weiner dog pattern suitable for beginners?
Yes, if you are a confident beginner. You only need magic ring, chain, single crochet, increase, and invisible decrease. The oval start is explained stitch by stitch, and every round has a count to check against.
Why is it spelled weiner in the pattern name?
Weiner is the spelling many makers search for when looking for a sausage dog pattern. The dog itself is a dachshund — long body, short legs, big personality — whichever spelling brought you here, you are in the right place.
How big is the finished dachshund?
About 11 inches (28 cm) long and 5 inches (13 cm) tall in worsted yarn. Use DK for an 8.5 inch (22 cm) pup, or chunky yarn for a 15 inch (38 cm) version.
Can I sell dogs made from this pattern?
Yes — sell finished dogs you have made yourself at markets, fairs, and in your own shop. Please credit Little Loop Finds as designer, and do not share or resell the written pattern itself.
My body came out round instead of long — what went wrong?
Almost always, chain stitches were missed on the second side in round 1, turning the oval into a circle. Check round 1 ends at 28 stitches and round 3 at 40, and that you worked into both sides of the chain.
Can I change the colours to match my own dachshund?
Absolutely. Try black with a tan snout and legs for classic black and tan, solid red-brown for a red, or cream all over. Keep the snout lighter than the head so the face stays easy to read.
What can I use instead of safety eyes?
Embroider eyes in black yarn with a tiny white highlight, or sew on felt circles. For children under three, embroidered features are safest, with all pieces sewn on extra firmly.
What to crochet next
Thank you for making this little sausage dog with us. We would love to see your finished weiner dog — every dachshund turns out with its own expression, and that is exactly as it should be.
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