Considering a Dachsund

[busterboy]

Greetings everyone, I just signed on as a new user.

We (my other half and I) have an opportunity to bring a dachsund puppy into our home.  We currently have a basset hound that is about a year and a half old.  He is a true joy to us.  He is amazing with people, children and ALL other animals.  For a while we have been concerned that he may be missed the company of other dogs.  He loves it when he gets to play with dogs of any breed, and we have started taking him to doggy daycare once a week so that he can have some interaction with other dogs.

This weekend we came upon an opportunity to take a dachund puppy into our home.  We wouldn't be able to take him home for another four weeks at the earliest, and have two weeks to make up our mind and confirm for sure. 

I'm wondering if all you experienced owners out there could assist us in helping us decide.  We are quite unfamilar with the breed - although we have known friends with this breed.  But we wanted to make sure that we did our homework first.  When we got our basset, we got him for specific reasons.  He has an amazing temperment.  He's totally easy going.  He's lovable.  He's patient with every one and every animal.  He's fairly low maintence in terms of excersise... we have to force him to go for a walk!  But, there were a few things we were unaware of when we got him... he's terribly stinky... although part of that was food related (too much corn in his diet) we have worked on that and we bathe him frequently.  He drools more than we thought and he sheds quiet a bit.

What kind of temperment do daucshunds have? 
What is the best thing about this breed?
What would you caution a potentional owner about?
What would you wish you knew before you got your first dachshund?
Why would you go with this breed versus another breed?
What kind of health problems are most common with this breed?

Sorry for the long message.  I'm looking forward to hearing from you all!!

[Leslie]

Well, one thing is for sure, a dachshund has a more INTENSE personality than a Basset. Training needs to be absolutely CONSISTANT.  These little boogers can be scary smart, and will read you like a book and use it to their advantage. 

A couple of problems are associated with the mutated structure of the breed:

First of all, they are normally very clean and a little brushing goes a long way.  Are you getting a short hair?  I use a human fingernail brush and a lint roller on mine to keep her fur nice.  They don't really have a doggie odor BUT because of their body shape--and this is kinda gross, they can't clean their nether regions well.  They need to have their anal glands (yup, just what it sounds like) expressed.  When they start scooting, that's when they need it.  Mine go to the vet for  it.

Now, there is also the genetic crapshoot of back problems.  Ya nevah know if, or when, they might develop serious problems with their spine.  So you MUST: keep their weight within normal limits, prevent jumping up on furniture and stairs, and keep them exercised so that they maintain good muscle tone. Ramps are a good idea. Still, I know folks who have done all three and have had dogs with bad backs.  I have know folks who do nothing and their dog has been fine all it's life.  But I would think that a healthy dog has a better chance of recovery than a fat, saggy one, eh?

All told, though, it's the personality of this breed that I love.  They are almost human, I swear.  They can be very focused, sometimes selfish,  comical, and always loving.  A wiener dawg, when not stealing food from yer kitchen table, is most likly glued to yer lap, licking your face!

Welcome aboard!  Folks here know a lot about the breed and can answer all sorts of questions.

Leslie -- Owned by Zuzu and Loki

[Dottiesdoxies]

Well hello and welcome!  You've come to the right place, everyone here is wonderful and willing to help or answer your questions!  Don't forget to put you pin on the member map!
The world of dachshunds is wonderful.  These little dogs have big hearts, they truly are a big dog in a short body!  Dachshunds temperments vary as with any breed, but I will tell you about my 2.  Most dachshunds don't know a stranger and will usually give lots of doxie kisses to anyone willing to give them some belly rubs!
Dachshunds are usually very bold, my dogs are not afraid of anything, they are bold to the point of being rash!  They are hunters!  My 2 have killed so far, 4 moles, 2 baby birds, injured an adult bird, fought with a possom and chase and tree squirels everyday!  They can de-stuff any stuffed animal in a matter of minutes, they shake and kill the stuffed toys until they pull the stuffing out and find the squeaker!   
They have personalities, usually the class clown!     They can be hard to potty train, they don't like going out in the rain or snow!  I have a doggy door and George and Grace are 95% potty trained.  They were easy actually, but I say 95% because on rainy days they sometimes will go inside, but not often!
Dachshunds to me can be somewhat cat like!  They have a mind of their own, but want to please.
My dogs will lay on the backs of the sofa like a cat, climb up on the table, if someone leaves a chair out! 
Dachshunds love to sleep on the big bed, and will dig and burrow in the covers until they feel right to them.  When it is cold they will sleep under the covers!  :thumb:
Dachshunds are usually great with kids, my worry is the kids causing an injury to the dachshund.  Dachshunds have those long backs and can hurt themselves easily!  They will climb, jump and run like crazy.  But you have to be careful of falls,  the wrong jolt can cause them to go down in the back.  Some dogs will have a gentic defect of the back.  There is no real test for this and sometimes doesn't show up until they are 3 to 5 years old.  Ask questions about the health of the parents of the puppy and ask if there is known back problems in the puppies line!
I have purchased dachshund ramps for getting on the bed and sofa.  I have a cape cod house so most everything is on the first floor, but watch lots of step climbing, if they fall or run the wrong way, they can hurt themselves.
My dachshunds really do well with other dogs and love my cat.  They get along and even sometimes boss my big dogs!
     Being owned by dachshunds has been the best thing to ever happen to me, my kids asked why we didn't have them years ago.  There is never a dull moment and they bring constant smiles.  If you want a fun dog, that will get into everything, give you lots of love, and you have patience, get a dachshund!

[Paula]

WELCOME!

You have definately come to the right place.

I would recommend you read DACHSHUNDS for DUMMIES. It is a good base to start from and also look on the internet for breed comparisons re: exercise, temperament, aggressiveness etc.

However, I am sure you will get LOTS of advice from all the great people on this board. Me personally... I would never get another breed. Hubby was SO NOT into doxies, but finally agreed to get me donuT for my birthday 2 years ago. He is now a doxie fanatic!!!! He is the one who gets up in the mornings for him, leaves the tv on for him when we go out, and is the first to bring him to bed with us.

That said, I would definately be careful with their backs, watch their weight and as with all dogs - socialise them very well as soon as you get your pup and make sure you get the pup from a reputable breeder. I hope this helps. Pls let us know how you go and hopefully we will have another doxie family to add to the group.

[busterboy]

Thank you for your warm welcome!!  Where else to get better information than right from the source.

I'm hearing some very encouraging words so far and I'm looking forward to further thoughts on this topic.

[Jeri]

Welcome to the message board!  We hope to hear more from you after you get your dachsie.  I'm a little short on time, so let me get right to the point.

Dachshunds can be anywhere from sweet tempered to high strung, depending on breeding, training and other factors.  Get to know the puppy's parents if you can, ask lots of questions about the parents behavioor an temperament--things traits are often inherited.  Your dachsie will be more demanding than the basset hound.  You do not own a dachsie--it owns you!  Many dachsies are not the best choice to have with small children.

The best thing about the breed?  I gotta pick just one?  Okay, it's the intensity of a dachsie's love.  You gotta give 110%, but the payoffs are worth it.

Cautions:  some are nippy with kids, they can be possessive, not always easy to housebreak--training will need to be consistent, and they slip into bad habits easily so you may need to keep this up throughout their lives.  They don't like having toenails cut, so introduce your puppy to the clipper early, gently, and often (mimick a nail clip if he doesn't actually need it--make sure he gets used to the clipper). 

What do I wish I knew?  That they are addictive.  I had always planned on a one-dog house!

Why dachsies?  I wish I had a good answer!  For you, consider that dachsies have almost no odor.  I have three, and I am told my house does not have much of a doggy smell.

Watch out for back problems.  You can ask the breeder for a history on back troubles, but sometimes breeders lie.  For back trouble, prevention includes weight control, excerise, and no jumping.  Jumping down is more damaging that jumping up.

[Krista]

Welcome.  You are doing the right thing by researching before deciding.  Here are my opinions in response to your questions:

What kind of temperment do dacshunds have?   - Stubborn, smart (on their own terms), loyal, funny, determined, loving, pack-oriented

What is the best thing about this breed? - Loyalty and companionship

What would you caution a potentional owner about? - They can be harder to house-train than some breeds, you need to keep their weight at a reasonable level, they need to be socialized with children if you want them to get along well with children (as with many smaller dog breeds), you have to learn how to be the alpha in your pack or a strong-willed dachshund might walk all over you.

What would you wish you knew before you got your first dachshund? - How they can be addicting and cause you to keep getting more dachshunds.

Why would you go with this breed versus another breed?  This is a personal choice for me.  I like their size, relative ease of maintenance and their stubborn, comical disposition.  I am a stubborn person and I enjoy their companionship and individual personalities.

What kind of health problems are most common with this breed? - a few of the main headliners below:
Back problems - intevertebral disk disease (also common in bassets, but more so in dachshunds)
Epilepsy is on the rise (as with many other breeds)
Luxating patellas is becoming more common in minatures
PRA (progressive retinal atrophy) runs in some lines

No breed is without it's pros and cons.  For me, dachshunds work very well in my lifestyle and family.  A great book you might want to read would be "The Complete Idiot's Guide to Dachshunds" by Liz Palika. (I think this book is much better than the Dachshunds for Dummies book.)

Good luck with your decision!

[Krista]

Dottie - Disk Disease actually shows up most commonly in Dachshunds age 4 - 8 from what I have read.

[Nikki]

Hi busterboy.  I am glad that you are asking questions about the breed before making your decision.  I have 4 of the little buggers and can't imagine my life without them.  As far as what to expect from a dachshund, well, just about anything.  LOL.  They are stubborn, smart (some times too smart) loyal, funny and generally a joy.  Like others have said, they can be hard to house train, as the rain is evil and must be avoided at all costs.  I have had three different vets tell me that of all dog breeds, dachshunds are the most human like.  They are very people oriented.  Where ever you are, that is where they want to be.  I can't remember the last time that I went to the bathroom at home alone.  I usually have one or more in attendance.  Like others have said, the health problem that you have to watch for is back issues.  The best way to avoid them is to keep their weight down (which can be a challenge since they are perpetually hungry) and keep them from jumping on and off (especially off) furniture.   Krista is right on the money about making sure that you establish yourself as the alpha with a dachshund.  They will challenge you for control.  Most of us say that we are owned by our dachshunds rather than we own them.  I also have to warn you that they are addictive.  I started out with the one 8 years ago and now have 4.  What can I tell ya?  They worm their way into your heart and take up residence there.  I got my first dachshund when I was 4 1/2 years old and I have never had any other dog breed.  I also can say that I won't be without at least one for as long as I can take care of them.  For me, a day without a dachshund is a day without sunshine.   

[Jen]

Hi Busterboy Welcome to the Group 

What kind of temperament do dachshunds have? 
What is the best thing about this breed?
What would you caution a potential owner about?
What would you wish you knew before you got your first dachshund?
Why would you go with this breed versus another breed?
What kind of health problems are most common with this breed?

Temperament -
Like all breeds there are some general characteristics with Dachshunds. Most tend to be pack oriented and do well with other dogs although some tend to have issues with big dogs... as you see they are big dogs in small long bodies :)
Then you have some characteristics that are common to the coat types -
Longhairs tend to be more passive i think a little more laid back and reserved although mighty hunters!
Wirehairs i would say are the opposite of longs... more energetic and high strung but at the same time smart and funny
Smooths are kind of in the middle  :)
These are just generalizations as they all have their own personality. When picking your puppy take time to talk to the breeder about the temperament of the parents and any other relatives you can meet.

The best thing about this breed .. hmmmmm that is tough! I have always liked hounds i was raised with 13inch beagles so when i settled down into my own home the time came to choose a pet which no doubt for me would be a dog but i wanted something a little different... we had a dachshund when i was really young as a house dog and i just loved her so i decided i would take the plunge and be aware these critters are addicting! 

Word of caution - Make sure you purchase a puppy from a reputable breeder... unfortunately these guys are very popular which makes supply and demand a factor. Here is a good link with lots of information
http://www.wonderpuppy.net/breeding.htm Make sure you do lots of research before purchasing your puppy another good place for information about health issues, history and finding a good breeder is the Dachshund Club Of American website
http://www.dachshund-dca.org


Before i got my first dachshund i wish someone would have told me how addicting they would be  :verdict:

I decided on dachshunds because they suit my personality especially the longhairs they do not have the doggie smell of some of the other breeds and just all around great companions that keep me laughing everyday 

I think the most common health problems in the breed are Autoimmune Issue and Back Problems.

Again welcome to the group... no question is a stupid question so keep asking!

[Ruth in MT]

No Problem ..... if you know how to treat  ROYALTY
eLlIe