Dachshunds

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 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 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 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 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.

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 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.