The query I get requested most frequently by potential Dachshund homeowners is, “Do you suppose a Dachshund is the proper breed for me?”
Dachshunds have been my life for the final 20+ years. To say I’m obsessive about them is an understatement.
I possible won’t ever personal one other canine breed in my life. Or no less than not whereas additionally proudly owning a Dachshund.
However I believe it’s essential to be trustworthy; I at all times inform individuals {that a} Dachshund isn’t the proper breed for everybody.
They’ve distinctive quirks; they are often difficult; they usually can require extra dedication than some “simpler” breeds.
After all, I believe Dachshunds have numerous wonderful qualities too.
However many Dachshunds find yourself in shelters yearly as a result of individuals didn’t perceive the breed’s persona and know what they have been stepping into earlier than getting one.
Beneath are the explanations that I believe the Dachshund breed isn’t the proper selection for each particular person.
Please be aware, I’m not saying that this stuff are a problem for everybody, nor a problem with all Dachshunds, however these are the commonest causes that somebody could remorse getting one.
1) Dachshunds Bark a Lot
Boy, does this breed bark! It’s of their genes (severely – they have been bred to alert their hunters of prey and hazard).
Normally, many individuals would describe a Dachshund’s barking behavior as “extreme”.
Whereas some Dachshunds could be taught to restrict the period of their barking, and a few could be desensitized to bark much less typically at little noises, barking will completely by no means be eradicated and a Dachshund will typically seemingly bark at “nothing”… the entire time.
Dachshunds have a “huge canine” bark too.
Whereas some small canine sound “yappy”, the Dachshund’s deep chest most of the time bellows out what is perhaps interpreted as a Rottweiler behind the door (I had a number of pizza supply individuals say this).
Regardless of what number of occasions 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 count on such a loud bark to return out of just a little canine.
In case you like a canine that’s seen greater than heard, a Dachshund most likely isn’t your best option for you.
You probably have a new child child that wakes up and cries each time they hear a loud noise, or a noise phobia your self, I’d most likely proceed your breed search.
2) Dachshunds Are Cussed
It is a Dachshund persona trait listed by the American Kennel Membership (AKC). Nonetheless, cussed just isn’t an acceptable descriptor in my view.
You see, Dachshunds have been bred to hunt imply vermin down in holes and suppose on their very own. That signifies that they might have totally different concepts than you do they usually could attempt to get their approach.
Opposite to fashionable perception, a Dachshund can be trained. Most are literally tremendous good and desperate to please (or no less than get the deal with).
It’s simply that you might have to place extra time, dedication, and be extra constant when coaching them so your canine doesn’t develop these frequent habits points. And you should use very clear communication (nothing harsh, simply in a approach they perceive).
In case you aren’t prepared to place in additional effort, or don’t suppose that you’ve got the time, a Dachshund is probably not the proper breed for you.
3) They Can Be Arduous to Potty Practice
In line with individuals on the web, it’s virtually unimaginable to potty prepare a Dachshund. Folks report their Dachshunds nonetheless having accidents in the home at 3 years outdated or by no means being 100% potty educated.
I don’t agree with this although. Following my “foolproof” dog potty training method, each of my Dachshund puppies have been 100% potty educated inside 3 months of coming house.
I’ve additionally used these strategies as a refresher for older canine with nice success.
Nonetheless, I do suppose that Dachshunds usually require extra consistency and a spotlight to potty prepare than another breeds.
In case you aren’t capable of take 2-4 weeks off after your Dachshund comes house to kickstart their potty coaching, you aren’t prepared to by no means depart them unattended till they’re totally potty educated, and you may’t clear up many messes within the meantime with out getting mad, then a Dachshund is probably not for you.
4) They’re Liable to Separation Nervousness
Dachshunds are very social canine and get very hooked up to their individuals. Some may 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 while you’re in the home after which later whenever you depart.
In case you don’t, your canine could scream and “yell” when you leave them alone, disrupting neighbors and doubtlessly getting you kicked out of your residence.
Separation nervousness may also manifest as destruction of furnishings, flooring, partitions, and going potty on the ground even when they simply went exterior.
In excessive circumstances, as soon as separation nervousness is established, it could by no means fully go away.
Chances are you’ll really feel like you’ll be able to by no means depart your canine or you might have to spend some huge cash on canine daycare or canine walkers to assist consolation them if you end up away.
In case you aren’t capable of put within the time to incrementally desensitize your canine to being away from individuals for longer and longer intervals, otherwise you don’t have the cash for or entry to canine walkers and daycares, a Dachshund is probably not for you.
I’ll be aware {that a} part of separation nervousness is suspected to be genetic – some canine are simply vulnerable to it and others aren’t – so your canine may very well be impartial and never thoughts in case you depart from day one.
5) Dachshunds Want a Lot of Consideration
As I mentioned earlier, Dachshunds are very social canine and get hooked up to their individuals.
This most frequently signifies that they are going to be your shadow, following you to the lavatory, ready exterior the bathe for you, touching you if you end up sitting on the sofa, and simply usually being underneath foot numerous the time.
An sad Dachshund pressured to be away from you’ll typically 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 dedicate a good portion of your non-working hours to your Dachshund, then the breed may not be best for you.
6) They Want Average 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 have been bred as searching canine, operating by means of the forest to chase critters, in order that they have loads of power and stamina.
Whereas they’ll alter to a extra sedentary way of life, they want loads of train to maintain them glad, wholesome, and at a correct weight.
My minimal advice is 45-60 minutes of brisk train 4-5 days every week.
It’s vital to additionally present loads of psychological stimulation by means of coaching and canine enrichment activities in order that these good canine don’t turn into bored and develop behavioral points.
In case you aren’t ready or prepared to verify your Dachshund’s bodily and psychological train wants are met, then it’s possible you’ll need to select a canine breed with decrease train wants.
7) Dachshunds are Scrappy and Liable to Reactivity
Dachshunds wish to act robust, are sometimes described as “huge canine in a small physique”, and tend to be cautious of unusual canine, individuals, and conditions.
All of this stuff can lead to what’s referred to as reactivity – barking, lunging, snapping, or performing out if you end up on a stroll or firm comes into your own home.
There are at all times exceptions to the rule – some Dachshunds are naturally chill and adapt simply to a altering surroundings – however it is a frequent trait you want to pay attention to.
If you’re getting a canine anticipating that they are going to be calm and pleasant in direction of everybody in each scenario, a Dachshund most likely isn’t the breed for you, no less than not in case you aren’t prepared to place a whole bunch of hours, and doubtlessly {dollars}, into coaching.
8) Dachshunds Have a Excessive Prey Drive
Typically, a Dachshund will chase something that strikes – livestock, 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 speculated to chase like cats and youngsters have one of the best probability of not rising as much as chase them. Not less than not those that dwell in their very own home.
Nonetheless, I wouldn’t wager on a Dachshund not eager to chase something they understand as “prey”, so in case you can be pissed off by this habits, or it could pose a danger to different animals and people in your family, a Dachshund is probably not the canine for you.
9) They Are Liable to Again Issues
Roughly 25% of Dachshunds will expertise again points of their life attributable to a genetic illness referred to as Intervertebral Disk Disease (IVDD).
Of that 25%, many may have minor to reasonable points that may be “healed” by means of conservative treatment, a portion will turn into fully paralyzed and require expensive back surgery.
In excessive circumstances, a Dachshund could also be paralyzed or crippled for all times.
There is no such thing as a dependable test 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.
In case you don’t need to take the chance and/or aren’t prepared or capable of set as much as $10,000 apart for emergencies (or pay for pet insurance that covers hereditary circumstances like Trupanion), this breed may not 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 searching anymore.
Now, I admit that this trait has been much less of a problem with my Dachshunds – they both didn’t begin a digging behavior within the first place or it was simple to curb – I’ve heard many, many tales about Dachshunds that spoil their proprietor’s good garden or backyard by digging holes in all places.
My new pet likes to dig and, if left to his personal units, he might most likely dig a 1 foot deep gap in underneath 5 minutes, so we’ll see if I can break him of the behavior.
Often, it’s potential to show a Dachshund who develops a foul digging behavior to dig solely in a sure space of the yard, however that takes numerous persistence and dedication to do.
If you wish to maintain a pristine garden or backyard, and will not be prepared to work to coach your canine to dig solely in a selected spot or in no way, a Dachshund is probably not your best option for you.
11) Dachshunds Prefer to Lick You
All of my Dachshunds have had bother 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 generally 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 once I get out of the bathe and one licks my legs and ft underneath 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 instantly… 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 tough to coach.
I’d argue that these little smarties are simple to coach, however they’re additionally very simple to untrain.
That is simply an statement I made over the past 20 years of proudly owning and canine sitting Dachshunds, however in case you let a Dachshund get away with one thing, they may know that you’re a sucker and make the most of you.
Defined one other approach, in case your Dachshund learns to sit down and also you solely give them a reward for sitting totally, then they’re prone to do it each time.
Nonetheless, in case you get lazy a pair occasions and reward your Dachshund for a half sit, or they stand there looking at you so that you surrender and provides them the deal with anyway, you might have simply efficiently untrained your Dachshund.
They are going to keep in mind this – that they don’t at all times have to sit down when requested to get the reward – and be much less prone to do it sooner or later.
Whereas this will typically be corrected in case you understand your mistake instantly, in case you don’t consistently maintain your Dachshund accountable to comply with by means of, then they may solely do what you ask once they really feel prefer it…. which for a Dachshund, isn’t typically.
In case you’re not prepared to be clear and in step with coaching, I wouldn’t get a Dachshund until you’re comfortable with proudly owning an untrained canine.
13) You Could Should Spend Time Undoing Issues You By accident Taught Them
Dachshunds are tremendous good, perceptive, downside solvers.
They are going to study patterns, and work to determine what they suppose you need, even if you’re not conscious you have been truly instructing them particular habits.
For instance, I used to run with my first Dachshund within the metropolis and we stopped at each road nook, mentioned “wait”, and regarded earlier than crossing.
Ultimately, he placed on the brakes every time we’d get close to an intersection, or once I mentioned “wait”, even when it was in a unique context.
One other instance is in case you take a look at and discuss to your Dachshund each time they bark at you. They are going to possible study that they’ll now “demand” consideration any time that they need.
With a Dachshund, you’ll possible should be very exact and considerate together with your habits and actions, and be prepared to acknowledge what you unintentionally “taught” your Dachshund, and be prepared to just accept duty and unteach it.
14) Strangers Will Speak to You Very Usually
Dachshunds are a cute however humorous wanting canine and many individuals are endeared to them.
If you find yourself out strolling, many strangers will make eye contact and make a remark about your canine, or they may come immediately 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.
In case you’re an introvert or weirded out by random strangers approaching you, then a Dachshund may not be for you.
15) Dachshunds Can Be a “One Individual Canine”
Dachshunds usually 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 may turn into possessive of this particular person and “guard” them towards different individuals in the home of holiday makers.
The most important concern is that your Dachshund will select their favourite particular person and it is probably not 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 needs to spend most of their time with him.
Or a guardian will get a Dachshund for his or her child, and the canine finally ends up changing into hyper-attached to the Mother as a substitute.
Whereas the “favourite” selection could be considerably influenced by who does many of the caretaking like strolling, feeding, snuggling, and so on., it’s not at all times this person who the canine chooses.
It is a risk try to be conscious of and comfortable with in case you select to carry a Dachshund into your property.
16) You’ll Must Often 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 might have meals. By means of physique language and a pathetic look, they may attempt to persuade you that they’re ravenous and that it is best to hand over the snackos.
The factor is although, Dachshunds are prone to obesity, which might set off again issues and result in a shortened lifespan.
Because the human, it is advisable to “know higher” and stand agency – keep on with the suitable portion of meals at time for dinner, restrict the variety of treats, and resist the urge to present them “only a chunk” each time you might have meals.
In case you can’t keep sturdy to your canine’s sake, then possibly 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.”
After all, I cherished him his entire life and was glad he lived to an outdated age, however bigger canine have shorter lifespans, usually starting from 8-10 years outdated.
In case you plan to retire and journey the world throughout the subsequent decade, otherwise you see your life circumstances drastically altering and a canine would not be fascinating, it’s possible you’ll need 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 youngsters from the pet stage, they’re prone to get together with them.
Some Dachshunds, even when not uncovered to them typically, love youngsters. My first Dachshund did.
Nonetheless, basically, Dachshunds and youngsters don’t combine if they aren’t uncovered to them usually or are launched for the primary time at an older age (the canine).
Kids typically 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.
You probably have pals or relations that solely come over sometimes with their children, and you aren’t prepared to consistently monitor your Dachshund throughout their go to or put your Dachshund in one other room, a Dachshund is probably not your best option for you.
19) Dachshunds Could be Possessive
Dachshunds connect themselves to what they love and they aren’t at all times prepared to share. They’re mostly defensively defend meals, toys, individuals, or sure spots like a canine mattress.
This overly-protective habits can turn into useful resource guarding and will contain rising, snarling and exhibiting their enamel, and snapping or biting.
If you personal a Dachshund, you’ll have to pay shut consideration to physique language and habits with and round sure gadgets to forestall these guarding points from creating within the first place.
In some circumstances, 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 Should Change Your Home Setup
There are various changes you’ll need to make to your own home in case you get a Dachshund.
Continuously leaping off excessive locations, which Dachshunds like to do, just isn’t suggested for spinal well being. To forestall this, it’s possible you’ll have to get decrease furnishings or set up a ramp to assist your Dachshund get on and off.
In my case, to be sure that mine solely used the ramp, I opted to put a “fence” around my couch utilizing freestanding canine gates. It ain’t fairly, nevertheless it works.
Additionally, Dachshunds shed. Some shed loads. My mini clean haired do what I name “ejection shedding”. Hair is in all places.
Relying on the colour of your canine and the way a lot seen canine hair bothers you, it’s possible 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 will not be a great first canine. After proudly owning a number of, I can see why.
I actually wouldn’t describe the Dachshund as an “simple” canine breed. They’re not a “set it and go” canine.
Most first time canine homeowners know nothing about proudly owning a canine, not to mention addressing issues early on with coaching earlier than they turn into habituated behavioral points.
To lift a well-behaved Dachshund, individuals would ideally have some animal dealing with expertise, the power to remain agency and do what you already know is finest to your canine as a substitute of giving in to their calls for or pleading, and the foresight to outsmart your Dachshund.
With that being mentioned, though I had numerous childhood expertise with animals, a Dachshund was my first canine as an grownup and issues labored out okay. I bought fortunate as a result of my first one was usually 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 evident points that I wanted to cease.
Remaining Ideas
The underside line is, in case you actually desire a Dachshund, get one. It is going to work out.
Not like once I bought my first Dachshund in 2003, the web makes obtainable a wealth of knowledge and assist and you’ll find virtually any reply that you simply want in seconds.
I do imagine it’s essential to learn although and sensible about what sort of canine you count on, the kind of life you envision, how a lot effort and time it’s important to dedicate to a canine, and select a breed that’s best for you.
Nonetheless, the whole lot on this record could be mitigated or addressed by means of administration, coaching, a change in your mindset to reduce it or make it a non-issue (if it even is within the first place).
The truth is, many of those “unhealthy” Dachshund quirks are exactly what some individuals discover loveliest in regards to the breed.
For some extra on the constructive and humorous aspect of Dachshund possession, try my articles Funny Things About Dachshunds Only Owners Will Understand and Hilarious and True Dachshund Memes That Will Totally Make Your Day.