The query I get requested most frequently by potential Dachshund house owners is, “Do you suppose a Dachshund is the correct breed for me?”
Dachshunds have been my life for the final 20+ years. To say I’m obsessive about them is an understatement.
I seemingly won’t ever personal one other canine breed in my life. Or not less than not whereas additionally proudly owning a Dachshund.
However I feel it’s crucial to be sincere; I at all times inform individuals {that a} Dachshund isn’t the correct breed for everybody.
They’ve distinctive quirks; they are often difficult; they usually can require extra dedication than some “simpler” breeds.
In fact, I feel Dachshunds have a variety of wonderful qualities too.
However many Dachshunds find yourself in shelters yearly as a result of individuals didn’t perceive the breed’s character and know what they had been moving into earlier than getting one.
Under are the explanations that I feel the Dachshund breed isn’t the correct alternative for each particular person.
Please observe, I’m not saying that these items are a difficulty for everybody, nor a difficulty with all Dachshunds, however these are the most typical causes that somebody could remorse getting one.
1) Dachshunds Bark a Lot
Boy, does this breed bark! It’s of their genes (critically – they had been bred to alert their hunters of prey and hazard).
Generally, many individuals would describe a Dachshund’s barking behavior as “extreme”.
Whereas some Dachshunds may be taught to restrict the length of their barking, and a few may be desensitized to bark much less usually at little noises, barking will completely by no means be eradicated and a Dachshund will usually seemingly bark at “nothing”… all the time.
Dachshunds have a “massive canine” bark too.
Whereas some small canines sound “yappy”, the Dachshund’s deep chest most of the time bellows out what is likely to be interpreted as a Rottweiler behind the door (I had a number of pizza supply individuals say this).
Irrespective of what number of instances I warn individuals who ask to pet my Dachshunds, they’re virtually at all times startled to the purpose of tripping over themselves as a result of they don’t anticipate such a loud bark to return out of somewhat canine.
If you happen to like a canine that’s seen greater than heard, a Dachshund in all probability isn’t the only option for you.
When you have a new child child that wakes up and cries each time they hear a loud noise, or a noise phobia your self, I might in all probability proceed your breed search.
2) Dachshunds Are Cussed
This can be a Dachshund character trait listed by the American Kennel Membership (AKC). Nonetheless, cussed just isn’t an acceptable descriptor in my view.
You see, Dachshunds had been bred to hunt imply vermin down in holes and suppose on their very own. That signifies that they could have totally different concepts than you do they usually could attempt to get their approach.
Opposite to in style perception, a Dachshund may be educated. Most are literally tremendous sensible and desirous to please (or not less than get the deal with).
It’s simply that you will have to place extra time, dedication, and be extra constant when coaching them so your canine doesn’t develop these widespread conduct points. And it’s essential to use very clear communication (nothing harsh, simply in a approach they perceive).
If you happen to aren’t prepared to place in further effort, or don’t suppose that you’ve the time, a Dachshund might not be the correct breed for you.
3) They Can Be Onerous to Potty Prepare
In response to individuals on the web, it’s virtually not possible to potty prepare a Dachshund. Individuals report their Dachshunds nonetheless having accidents in the home at 3 years previous or by no means being 100% potty educated.
I don’t agree with this although. Following my “foolproof” canine potty coaching methodology, each of my Dachshund puppies have been 100% potty educated inside 3 months of coming residence.
I’ve additionally used these methods as a refresher for older canines with nice success.
Nonetheless, I do suppose that Dachshunds typically require extra consistency and a focus to potty prepare than another breeds.
If you happen to aren’t in a position to take 2-4 weeks off after your Dachshund comes residence to kickstart their potty coaching, you aren’t prepared to by no means go away them unattended till they’re absolutely potty educated, and you may’t clear up many messes within the meantime with out getting mad, then a Dachshund might not be for you.
4) They’re Liable to Separation Nervousness
Dachshunds are very social canines and get very hooked up to their individuals. Some would possibly even describe them as needy.
This hyper attachment is one thing that must be actively counter-conditioned when they’re younger by desensitizing them to being aside from you, first if you are in the home after which later while you go away.
If you happen to don’t, your canine could scream and “yell” while you go away them alone, disrupting neighbors and probably getting you kicked out of your house.
Separation anxiousness may manifest as destruction of furnishings, flooring, partitions, and going potty on the ground even when they simply went exterior.
In excessive instances, as soon as separation anxiousness is established, it might by no means fully go away.
Chances are you’ll really feel like you may by no means go away your canine or you will have to spend some huge cash on canine daycare or canine walkers to assist consolation them if you find yourself away.
If you happen to aren’t in a position to put within the time to incrementally desensitize your canine to being away from individuals for longer and longer durations, otherwise you don’t have the cash for or entry to canine walkers and daycares, a Dachshund might not be for you.
I’ll observe {that a} part of separation anxiousness is suspected to be genetic – some canines are simply susceptible to it and others aren’t – so your canine may very well be unbiased and never thoughts in the event you go away from day one.
5) Dachshunds Want a Lot of Consideration
As I stated earlier, Dachshunds are very social canines and get hooked up to their individuals.
This most frequently signifies that they are going to be your shadow, following you to the toilet, ready exterior the bathe for you, touching you if you find yourself sitting on the sofa, and simply typically being beneath foot a variety of the time.
An sad Dachshund compelled to be away from you’ll usually discover methods to busy themselves, which is often by doing issues that make you indignant and/or aren’t secure for them.
If clingy pets aren’t your factor, you’re employed lengthy hours, or can’t commit a good portion of your non-working hours to your Dachshund, then the breed won’t be best for you.
6) They Want Reasonable Train and Loads of Psychological Stimulation
Many individuals mistakenly select a Dachshund as a result of they suppose a small canine doesn’t want a lot train. Oppsie!
Dachshunds had been bred as looking canines, operating via the forest to chase critters, in order that they have loads of power and stamina.
Whereas they’ll regulate to a extra sedentary life-style, they want loads of train to maintain them joyful, wholesome, and at a correct weight.
My minimal suggestion is 45-60 minutes of brisk train 4-5 days per week.
It’s necessary to additionally present loads of psychological stimulation via coaching and canine enrichment actions in order that these sensible canines don’t grow to be bored and develop behavioral points.
If you happen to aren’t ready or prepared to verify your Dachshund’s bodily and psychological train wants are met, then chances are you’ll wish to select a canine breed with decrease train wants.
7) Dachshunds are Scrappy and Liable to Reactivity
Dachshunds wish to act powerful, are sometimes described as “massive canines in a small physique”, and tend to be cautious of unusual canines, individuals, and conditions.
All of these items can lead to what’s known as reactivity – barking, lunging, snapping, or appearing out if you find yourself on a stroll or firm comes into your home.
There are at all times exceptions to the rule – some Dachshunds are naturally chill and adapt simply to a altering setting – however this can be a widespread trait you want to concentrate on.
If you’re getting a canine anticipating that they are going to be calm and pleasant in the direction of everybody in each state of affairs, a Dachshund in all probability isn’t the breed for you, not less than not in the event you aren’t prepared to place a whole lot of hours, and probably {dollars}, into coaching.
8) Dachshunds Have a Excessive Prey Drive
Typically, a Dachshund will chase something that strikes – cattle, wildlife, cats, children, leaves blowing within the wind, and so on. due to their excessive instinctual prey drive.
In my expertise, puppies raised with issues they aren’t imagined to chase like cats and children have the perfect likelihood of not rising as much as chase them. Not less than not those that stay in their very own home.
Nonetheless, I wouldn’t guess on a Dachshund not desirous to chase something they understand as “prey”, so in the event you can be pissed off by this conduct, or it might pose a danger to different animals and people in your family, a Dachshund might not be the canine for you.
9) They Are Liable to Again Issues
Roughly 25% of Dachshunds will expertise again points of their life on account of a genetic illness known as Intervertebral Disk Illness (IVDD).
Of that 25%, many may have minor to average points that may be “healed” via conservative remedy, a portion will grow to be fully paralyzed and require costly again surgical procedure.
In excessive instances, a Dachshund could also be paralyzed or crippled for all times.
There isn’t any dependable check for IVDD so, regardless of all efforts and guarantees, a breeder can’t make a 100% assure that your canine received’t have points.
Whereas that leaves 75% of Dachshunds that received’t expertise a again concern, you received’t know if yours is likely one of the unfortunate ones till it occurs to them.
If you happen to don’t wish to take the chance and/or aren’t prepared or in a position to set as much as $10,000 apart for emergencies (or pay for pet insurance coverage that covers hereditary circumstances like Trupanion), this breed won’t be for you.
10) They Like to Dig (Holes In Your Yard)
When Dachshunds hunted, they dug into the earth to get to animals like foxes, rabbits, and badgers that lived in tunnels and dens.
This digging intuition hasn’t gone away simply because most Dachshunds aren’t used for looking anymore.
Now, I admit that this trait has been much less of a difficulty with my Dachshunds – they both didn’t begin a digging behavior within the first place or it was straightforward to curb – I’ve heard many, many tales about Dachshunds that smash their proprietor’s good garden or backyard by digging holes all over the place.
My new pet likes to dig and, if left to his personal units, he might in all probability dig a 1 foot deep gap in beneath 5 minutes, so we are going to see if I can break him of the behavior.
Often, it’s attainable to show a Dachshund who develops a nasty digging behavior to dig solely in a sure space of the yard, however that takes a variety of persistence and dedication to do.
If you wish to maintain a pristine garden or backyard, and usually are not prepared to work to coach your canine to dig solely in a particular spot or in no way, a Dachshund might not be the only option for you.
11) Dachshunds Wish to Lick You
All of my Dachshunds have had hassle holding their licker.
All of them like to lick and “kiss” my face. Throughout. Like up my nostril, in my eyeball, and even in my mouth typically if I’m speaking to somebody whereas they’re licking my face.
Two of my Dachshunds additionally like to lick the water off of my legs after I get out of the bathe and one licks my legs and toes beneath the covers for a couple of minutes virtually each night time in mattress.
If the texture of one thing with a tough tongue licking you creeps you out, be ready to be very agency from day one to place a cease to the licking straight away… and be ready for a continuing battle about this behavior.
Or don’t get a Dachshund.
12) Dachshunds Are Straightforward to Untrain
The vast majority of individuals parrot the stereotype that Dachshunds are troublesome to coach.
I might argue that these little smarties are straightforward to coach, however they’re additionally very straightforward to untrain.
That is simply an statement I made during the last 20 years of proudly owning and canine sitting Dachshunds, however in the event you let a Dachshund get away with one thing, they’ll know that you’re a sucker and make the most of you.
Defined one other approach, in case your Dachshund learns to take a seat and also you solely give them a reward for sitting absolutely, then they’re prone to do it each time.
Nonetheless, in the event you get lazy a pair instances and reward your Dachshund for a half sit, or they stand there gazing you so that you hand over and provides them the deal with anyway, you’ve got simply efficiently untrained your Dachshund.
They may bear in mind this – that they don’t at all times have to take a seat when requested to get the reward – and be much less prone to do it sooner or later.
Whereas this could usually be corrected in the event you notice your mistake straight away, in the event you don’t continually maintain your Dachshund accountable to comply with via, then they’ll solely do what you ask once they really feel prefer it…. which for a Dachshund, isn’t usually.
If you happen to’re not prepared to be clear and in line with coaching, I wouldn’t get a Dachshund until you might be comfortable with proudly owning an untrained canine.
13) You Could Need to Spend Time Undoing Issues You By chance Taught Them
Dachshunds are tremendous sensible, perceptive, downside solvers.
They may study patterns, and work to determine what they suppose you need, even in case you are not conscious you had been truly educating them particular habits.
For instance, I used to run with my first Dachshund within the metropolis and we stopped at each avenue nook, stated “wait”, and seemed earlier than crossing.
Finally, he placed on the brakes every time we might get close to an intersection, or after I stated “wait”, even when it was in a special context.
One other instance is in the event you take a look at and speak to your Dachshund each time they bark at you. They may seemingly study that they’ll now “demand” consideration any time that they need.
With a Dachshund, you’ll seemingly have to be very exact and considerate together with your habits and actions, and be prepared to acknowledge what you by chance “taught” your Dachshund, and be prepared to simply accept duty and unteach it.
14) Strangers Will Discuss to You Very Usually
Dachshunds are a cute however humorous wanting canine and many individuals are endeared to them.
If you end up out strolling, many strangers will make eye contact and make a remark about your canine, or they’ll come straight as much as you to ask a query or share a narrative about their private expertise with Dachshunds.
That is very predictable and even will get a bit tiring even for extroverts.
If you happen to’re an introvert or weirded out by random strangers approaching you, then a Dachshund won’t be for you.
15) Dachshunds Can Be a “One Individual Canine”
Dachshunds sometimes connect themselves to at least one major particular person.
In a best-case state of affairs, they are going to be affectionate to a different particular person within the family if their chosen particular person just isn’t current.
At worst, they are going to be unconsolable when the chosen particular person just isn’t current and/or they’ll grow to be possessive of this particular person and “guard” them in opposition to different individuals in the home of holiday makers.
The largest concern is that your Dachshund will select their favourite particular person and it might not be the particular person that you really want it to be.
I’ve heard tales the place the spouse will get a Dachshund as a companion, however the canine decides that the husband is the favourite particular person and desires to spend most of their time with him.
Or a mother or father will get a Dachshund for his or her child, and the canine finally ends up turning into hyper-attached to the Mother as an alternative.
Whereas the “favourite” alternative may be considerably influenced by who does a lot of the caretaking like strolling, feeding, snuggling, and so on., it’s not at all times this person who the canine chooses.
This can be a risk you ought to be conscious of and happy with in the event you select to deliver a Dachshund into your house.
16) You’ll Have to Usually Resist Pleading Eyes
I swear that Dachshunds have developed “pleading eyes” as a survival mechanism. They’ll attempt to manipulate you with these eyes to get what they need.
That is most true when you’ve got meals. By way of physique language and a pathetic look, they’ll attempt to persuade you that they’re ravenous and that you must hand over the snackos.
The factor is although, Dachshunds are susceptible to weight problems, which may set off again issues and result in a shortened lifespan.
Because the human, that you must “know higher” and stand agency – keep on with the suitable portion of meals at supper time, restrict the variety of treats, and resist the urge to provide them “only a chunk” each time you’ve got meals.
If you happen to can’t keep sturdy on your canine’s sake, then perhaps a Dachshund isn’t for you.
17) Dachshunds Are a Lengthy-Time period Dedication
I inherited my first Dachshund from a good friend and didn’t know something in regards to the breed to start with.
One of many first issues I discovered is that they’ve a mean lifespan of 15-16 years and I assumed, “Holy cow! I didn’t join having a canine for that lengthy.”
In fact, I cherished him his complete life and was glad he lived to an previous age, however bigger canines have shorter lifespans, sometimes starting from 8-10 years previous.
If you happen to plan to retire and journey the world throughout the subsequent decade, otherwise you see your life circumstances drastically altering and a canine would now not be fascinating, chances are you’ll wish to select a breed with a shorter lifespan and required dedication.
18) They Aren’t the Finest With Kids
If a Dachshund is raised round kids from the pet stage, they’re prone to get together with them.
Some Dachshunds, even when not uncovered to them usually, love kids. My first Dachshund did.
Nonetheless, usually, Dachshunds and children don’t combine if they don’t seem to be uncovered to them repeatedly or are launched for the primary time at an older age (the canine).
Kids usually transfer erratically and quick, are loud and shriek, and infrequently cross a canine’s boundaries as a result of they don’t know any higher. This stuff could make a Dachshund fearful and trigger them to behave out.
When you have buddies or members of the family that solely come over often with their children, and you aren’t prepared to continually monitor your Dachshund throughout their go to or put your Dachshund in one other room, a Dachshund might not be the only option for you.
19) Dachshunds Might be Possessive
Dachshunds connect themselves to what they love and they don’t seem to be at all times prepared to share. They’re mostly defensively shield meals, toys, individuals, or sure spots like a canine mattress.
This overly-protective conduct can grow to be useful resource guarding and will contain rising, snarling and displaying their enamel, and snapping or biting.
Once you personal a Dachshund, you’ll have to pay shut consideration to physique language and conduct with and round sure gadgets to stop these guarding points from creating within the first place.
In some instances, you’ll even have to take away the useful resource like, for instance, not permitting your canine to play with a toy that they get notably possessive over.
20) You’ll Need to Change Your Home Setup
There are numerous changes you’ll need to make to your home in the event you get a Dachshund.
Continuously leaping off excessive locations, which Dachshunds like to do, just isn’t suggested for spinal well being. To stop this, chances are you’ll have to get decrease furnishings or set up a ramp to assist your Dachshund get on and off.
In my case, to guarantee that mine solely used the ramp, I opted to put a “fence” round my sofa utilizing freestanding canine gates. It ain’t fairly, however it works.
Additionally, Dachshunds shed. Some shed so much. My mini clean haired do what I name “ejection shedding”. Hair is all over the place.
Relying on the colour of your canine and the way a lot seen canine hair bothers you, chances are you’ll have to get totally different coloured furnishings so it blends in.
Are Dachshunds Good for a Newbie Canine Proprietor?
The most typical sentiment is that, no, Dachshunds usually are not first canine. After proudly owning a number of, I can see why.
I definitely wouldn’t describe the Dachshund as an “straightforward” canine breed. They’re not a “set it and go” canine.
Most first time canine house owners know nothing about proudly owning a canine, not to mention addressing issues early on with coaching earlier than they grow to be habituated behavioral points.
To boost a well-behaved Dachshund, individuals would ideally have some animal dealing with expertise, the flexibility to remain agency and do what you recognize is greatest on your canine as an alternative of giving in to their calls for or pleading, and the foresight to outsmart your Dachshund.
With that being stated, though I had a variety of childhood expertise with animals, a Dachshund was my first canine as an grownup and issues labored out okay. I obtained fortunate as a result of my first one was typically a pleasant, laid again, easy-going man.
I didn’t formally prepare him. Partly as a result of I didn’t know that I must be and partly as a result of there have been no obtrusive points that I wanted to cease.
Closing Ideas
The underside line is, in the event you actually desire a Dachshund, get one. It’s going to work out.
Not like after I obtained my first Dachshund in 2003, the web makes out there a wealth of data and assist and you’ll find virtually any reply that you just want in seconds.
I do consider it’s crucial to be told although and real looking about what sort of canine you anticipate, the kind of life you envision, how a lot effort and time you need to dedicate to a canine, and select a breed that’s best for you.
Nonetheless, all the pieces on this record may be mitigated or addressed via administration, coaching, a change in your mindset to attenuate it or make it a non-issue (if it even is within the first place).
In reality, many of those “unhealthy” Dachshund quirks are exactly what some individuals discover most adorable in regards to the breed.
For some extra on the constructive and humorous aspect of Dachshund possession, try my articles Humorous Issues About Dachshunds Solely House owners Will Perceive and Hilarious and True Dachshund Memes That Will Completely Make Your Day.
