Is a Dachshund right for your family?

 

Dachshunds are loyal, loving, and intelligent. They are fun and love to play with you as much as they love to curl up with you on the couch. They are happiest in your bed under your blankets.

Dachshunds are a wonderful breed but they aren't for everyone. They are stubborn little guys who like to get their own way. They can be hard to house train because they would much rather pee on the rug in the warm dry house than go outside in the rain. They seem to weigh the consequences all the time and pleasing you might not be as important to them as their own comfort. Dachshunds can be trained but it takes time and patience as well as several bags of tasty treats.

Originally bred to hunt badgers, they are shaped as they are so they can fit down badger burrows. Strong legs and big paws help with digging. Short legs ensure that they the first thing a badger meets is their teeth, not their toes. They are smart independent thinkers without fear.

A dachshund may not be the right choice for you if:You have young children
All children should be supervised with any dog at all times. A dachshund can make great companion for a child if the dog is properly trained and if the child is taught how to behave around a dog. Dachshunds will not stand for being teased and may snap if provoked. Dachshunds are very territorial and take time to warm up to and to trust visitors - like your child's friends. Kids and dachshunds can be great companions but both the child and the dachshund must be trained to respect each other. Also, dachshund backs are fragile and children should not be allowed to roughhouse with a dachshund. If you have a toddler who may try to use the dog to pull himself up or might accidentally fall on the dog a miniature dachshund is not the breed for you.You want a quiet dog
Dachshunds are hounds and have a hound-sized bark. People will comment that they can't believe such a loud bark can come from such a small dog. I've heard that they were bred to be loud barkers so that their owners could find them in badger burrows and pull them out. Dachshunds are territorial and will let anyone walking by know that they are passing a dachshund's home.You are proud of your white carpets
Dachshunds are not the most reliable dogs. Why should they freeze their tail off peeing outside in the snow when there's a nice warm rug in that fancy room that you never use? Some dachshunds are easily housetrained and some rescued dachshunds will already be trained, but be aware that few dachshunds are 100% reliable when it comes to accidents in the house.You have cats, birds, or rodents
Dachshunds are bred to hunt. Many of them have a very strong prey drive and their hunting instinct is stronger than their desire to obey you. Some dachshunds get along with cats and other animals from the start and some can learn to accept other animals into their pack. If you get a puppy you can socialize him with your other animals from day one and you're likely to get pets that are best friends. If you rescue an adult dog you are taking a risk. Some of the dogs in rescue were brought up with other animals but often we don't know how the dogs were brought up. It is your responsibility to make sure that all of the pets in your care are kept out of harm.You are at work for 10 hours each day
Dachshunds have strong pack instincts and like to be with their pack. They do not like to be left alone. If you plan to have a pet and are away all day, please consider a dog sitter. Neighbourhood kids are often very willing to walk your dog after school for a couple of dollars. Dogs live for your companionship. Rescue dogs have often been abandoned and need a lot of attention and love. Dachshunds do well in pairs

You are a pushover
Give a dachshund an inch and he will take over your house. Dachshunds are smart and crafty and they have a look that will melt your heart. If they don't feel like you are in charge, they will gladly take charge of you. Discipline is very important but you should never ever hit a dog. Dogs understand that you are in charge when you reward their good behaviour and they see that all good things, like food and attention, come from you. Bad behaviour can be discouraged by ignoring it or with gentle correction such as a squirt from a water gun to stop excessive barking or marking.You can't afford pet insurance
It costs a lot of money to own a dog but with dachshunds there is an extra likelihood of a large vet bills. Dachshund backs are not designed for life in a world of couches, stairs, and human beds. There is a good chance that your dog will require vet care due to a back injury sometime in his life. If worst comes to worst, your dachshund may require surgery that can cost upwards of $2000. Dachshunds also live a long time and are prone to the diseases that plague older pets like Cushings and liver diseases.

 

***Dachshund concerns***

Every dog breed carries a distinct set of genetic advantages and health risk factors. The following are the most common diseases found in the Dachshund breed. Hopefully, your Dachshund will not face these problems. However, early detection and preventive healthcare can make all the difference in helping your dog live a longer, happier life (see breed-related disease descriptions below).

Puppy (birth to 1 year)

• Retained deciduous teeth
  
• Developmental bone/joint disease
• Pattern baldness

Adult (1 to 6 years)

• Intervertebral disc disease

Senior (7 years and older)

• Cushing's syndrome
• Oronasal fistula

Breed-related disease descriptions

Cushing's syndrome

 Caused by excessive cortisol production by the adrenal glands. Signs include increased thirst and urinination, increased appetite, weight gain, distended abdomen, hair loss and skin infections.

 

Developmental bone/joint disease

Includes abnormal development and arthritis of the hip joint (called hip dysplasia in large-breed dogs and Legg-Perthe's disease in small-breed dogs); elbow joint (elbow dysplasia); shoulder, knee, or ankle joint (osteochrondritis dissecans or OCD); or inflammation of the bones of the leg (hypertrophic osteodystrophy and panosteitis). Affects predominantly young, large-breed dogs. Dogs may show no signs or may show pain, lameness, and reluctance to exercise. With hip dysplasia, there may be muscle wasting in the hind legs.

 

Intervertebral disc disease (IVDD)

Slipping of the discs in between the bones of the spine. Signs include back or neck pain with or without weakness and wobbliness, and sometimes paralysis of the back legs or both the front and back legs.

 

Oronasal fistula

 An abnormal passage between the nose and mouth that may cause rhinitis (inflammation of the nose) or sinusitis (inflammation of the nose and sinuses).

 

Pattern baldness

 Hair thinning to hair loss that is similar on both sides of the body. Diagnosis is based on appearance of the hair coat, complete skin examination, tests to exclude other causes of hair loss (may include microscopic examination of skin scrapings, hormonal testing, skin cultures) and skin biopsy.

 

Retained deciduous teeth

Delayed shedding of deciduous ("baby") teeth can obstruct and displace permanent teeth. This can cause food to become entrapped and, left untreated, can lead to periodontal disease.

Help your dog live a longer, healthier life. Ask your veterinarian about a
breed-related preventive health plan.