Dachshund Skin Care: How to Treat Dry Ears and Bald Patches

Dachshunds are full of personality, but their unique little bodies come with some unique skin quirks.

If you own a smooth or wire-haired Sausage Dog, you’ve likely noticed two things:

1. The edges of their ears getting dry, cracked, or leathery.

2. Thinning hair or bald patches on their chest and neck.

These aren't always signs of illness—they are often just signs that your Dachshund’s skin is crying out for hydration.

Problem 1: "Leather Ear" (Margin Dermatosis)

Dachshund ears are long and thin. The blood flow to the very edges (margins) is poor, which causes the skin to dry out, thicken, and crack. It often looks like old leather.

• The Fix: You need to feed the skin from the outside.

• The Routine: Massage a tiny amount of Bark Butter Balm into the tips of the ears every evening. The Jojoba and Vitamin E in our formula mimic the skin’s natural oils, softening the leathery tissue and preventing cracks.

Problem 2: Pattern Baldness (Alopecia)

Many Dachshunds suffer from "Pattern Alopecia," where the hair follicles just shrink and stop producing hair, usually on the chest or behind the ears. While you can't cure genetics, you can keep the remaining hair healthy and the exposed skin protected.

Stop Using Drying Shampoos Using a standard pet store shampoo on a balding Dachshund is a disaster. It strips the natural oils, making the bald skin itchy and flaky.

Switch to "Super-Hydration" Use the Barkmere 2-in-1 Shampoo & Conditioner.

• Why? It uses Handmade Glycerine and Organic Coconut Oil.

• Glycerine is a "humectant"—it pulls moisture from the air into the skin. This keeps the exposed skin soft and supple, reducing the itchiness that often comes with hair loss.

Sun Protection for Sausages

Remember, if your Dachshund has bald patches, they have zero UV protection. The Bark Butter Balm is essential here too. The Australian Beeswax creates a natural physical barrier against the elements, perfect for protecting those pink naked spots during a walk.

FAQ Section (Add to both articles)

Why don't you use Oatmeal? While oatmeal is popular, some dogs with yeast issues can react poorly to the carbohydrates in grains. We prefer Calendula and Carrot Seed Extract—they offer potent soothing properties without feeding yeast.

Is Barkmere Palm Oil Free? Yes. We never use Palm Oil, sulphates (SLS), or parabens. Our products are 100% cruelty-free and ethically harvested in Australia.