The query I get requested most frequently by potential Dachshund homeowners is, “Do you assume a Dachshund is the best breed for me?”
Dachshunds have been my life for the final 20+ years. To say I’m obsessive about them is an understatement.
I probably won’t ever personal one other canine breed in my life. Or at the very least not whereas additionally proudly owning a Dachshund.
However I feel it’s essential to be trustworthy; I at all times inform folks {that a} Dachshund isn’t the best breed for everybody.
They’ve distinctive quirks; they are often difficult; and so they can require extra dedication than some “simpler” breeds.
After all, I feel Dachshunds have a whole lot of superb qualities too.
However many Dachshunds find yourself in shelters yearly as a result of folks didn’t perceive the breed’s persona and know what they had been entering into earlier than getting one.
Under are the explanations that I feel the Dachshund breed isn’t the best selection 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 might 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 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 as a rule bellows out what may be interpreted as a Rottweiler behind the door (I had a number of pizza supply folks say this).
Regardless of what number of instances I warn individuals who ask to pet my Dachshunds, they’re nearly 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 come back out of a bit of canine.
In the event you like a canine that’s seen greater than heard, a Dachshund in all probability isn’t your best option for you.
If in case 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
It is a Dachshund persona trait listed by the American Kennel Membership (AKC). Nonetheless, cussed shouldn’t be an acceptable descriptor for my part.
You see, Dachshunds had been bred to hunt imply vermin down in holes and assume on their very own. That signifies that they might have totally different concepts than you do and so they might attempt to get their means.
Opposite to fashionable perception, a Dachshund could be skilled. Most are literally tremendous good and desirous to please (or at the very least get the deal with).
It’s simply that you’ll 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 could use very clear communication (nothing harsh, simply in a means they perceive).
In the event you aren’t keen to place in additional effort, or don’t assume that you’ve got the time, a Dachshund is probably not the best breed for you.
3) They Can Be Exhausting to Potty Practice
In line with folks on the web, it’s nearly inconceivable to potty practice a Dachshund. Individuals report their Dachshunds nonetheless having accidents in the home at 3 years outdated or by no means being 100% potty skilled.
I don’t agree with this although. Following my “foolproof” canine potty coaching methodology, each of my Dachshund puppies have been 100% potty skilled inside 3 months of coming house.
I’ve additionally used these methods as a refresher for older canine with nice success.
Nonetheless, I do assume that Dachshunds typically require extra consistency and a spotlight to potty practice than another breeds.
In the event you aren’t in a position to take 2-4 weeks off after your Dachshund comes house to kickstart their potty coaching, you aren’t keen to by no means depart them unattended till they’re totally potty skilled, 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 Susceptible to Separation Anxiousness
Dachshunds are very social canine and get very connected to their folks. 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 other than you, first when you are in the home after which later if you depart.
In the event you don’t, your canine might scream and “yell” if you depart them alone, disrupting neighbors and probably getting you kicked out of your house.
Separation nervousness can even manifest as destruction of furnishings, flooring, partitions, and going potty on the ground even when they only went outdoors.
In excessive circumstances, as soon as separation nervousness is established, it might by no means utterly go away.
It’s possible you’ll really feel like you possibly can by no means depart your canine or you’ll have to spend some huge cash on canine daycare or canine walkers to assist consolation them when you’re away.
In the event you aren’t in a position to put within the time to incrementally desensitize your canine to being away from folks 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 observe {that a} part of separation nervousness is suspected to be genetic – some canine are simply liable 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 stated earlier, Dachshunds are very social canine and get connected to their folks.
This most frequently signifies that they are going to be your shadow, following you to the lavatory, ready outdoors the bathe for you, touching you when you’re sitting on the sofa, and simply typically being below foot a whole lot of the time.
An sad Dachshund compelled to be away from you’ll typically discover methods to busy themselves, which is often by doing issues that make you offended 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 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 assume a small canine doesn’t want a lot train. Oppsie!
Dachshunds had been bred as looking canine, working by means of the forest to chase critters, so that they have loads of power and stamina.
Whereas they’ll modify to a extra sedentary way of life, they want loads of train to maintain them completely happy, wholesome, and at a correct weight.
My minimal suggestion is 45-60 minutes of brisk train 4-5 days every week.
It’s necessary to additionally present loads of psychological stimulation by means of coaching and canine enrichment actions in order that these good canine don’t turn into bored and develop behavioral points.
In the event you aren’t in a position or keen to verify your Dachshund’s bodily and psychological train wants are met, then you could need to select a canine breed with decrease train wants.
7) Dachshunds are Scrappy and Susceptible to Reactivity
Dachshunds prefer to act powerful, are sometimes described as “huge canine in a small physique”, and tend to be cautious of unusual canine, folks, and conditions.
All of these items can lead to what’s referred to as reactivity – barking, lunging, snapping, or appearing out when you’re 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 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 in all probability isn’t the breed for you, at the very least not in case you aren’t keen to place tons of of hours, and probably {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 forth. due to their excessive instinctual prey drive.
In my expertise, puppies raised with issues they aren’t purported to chase like cats and children have the very best probability of not rising as much as chase them. At the very least not those that reside 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 could be pissed off by this habits, or it could pose a threat to different animals and people in your family, a Dachshund is probably not the canine for you.
9) They Are Susceptible to Again Issues
Roughly 25% of Dachshunds will expertise again points of their life on account of a genetic illness referred to as Intervertebral Disk Illness (IVDD).
Of that 25%, many could have minor to average points that may be “healed” by means of conservative remedy, a portion will turn into utterly paralyzed and require costly again surgical procedure.
In excessive circumstances, a Dachshund could also be paralyzed or crippled for all times.
There isn’t any dependable take a look at 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 difficulty, you received’t know if yours is without doubt one of the unfortunate ones till it occurs to them.
In the event you don’t need to take the chance and/or aren’t keen or in a position to set as much as $10,000 apart for emergencies (or pay for pet insurance coverage that covers hereditary situations 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 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 simple to curb – I’ve heard many, many tales about Dachshunds that destroy their proprietor’s good garden or backyard by digging holes in every single place.
My new pet likes to dig and, if left to his personal gadgets, he may in all probability dig a 1 foot deep gap in below 5 minutes, so we are going to see if I can break him of the behavior.
Sometimes, it’s doable to show a Dachshund who develops a nasty digging behavior to dig solely in a sure space of the yard, however that takes a whole lot of persistence and dedication to do.
If you wish to maintain a pristine garden or backyard, and will not be keen to work to coach your canine to dig solely in a particular spot or in no way, a Dachshund is probably not your best 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 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 after I get out of the bathe and one licks my legs and toes below the covers for a couple of minutes nearly 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 relentless battle about this behavior.
Or don’t get a Dachshund.
12) Dachshunds Are Simple to Untrain
The vast majority of folks parrot the stereotype that Dachshunds are tough to coach.
I might argue that these little smarties are simple to coach, however they’re additionally very simple to untrain.
That is simply an commentary 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 are going to know that you’re a sucker and benefit from you.
Defined one other means, in case your Dachshund learns to take a seat and also you solely give them a reward for sitting totally, then they’re more likely to do it each time.
Nonetheless, in case you get lazy a pair instances and reward your Dachshund for a half sit, or they stand there watching you so that you hand over and provides them the deal with anyway, you’ve simply efficiently untrained your Dachshund.
They’ll 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 more likely to do it sooner or later.
Whereas this may typically be corrected in case you notice your mistake straight away, in case you don’t continually maintain your Dachshund accountable to comply with by means of, then they are going to solely do what you ask once they really feel prefer it…. which for a Dachshund, isn’t typically.
In the event you’re not keen to be clear and according to coaching, I wouldn’t get a Dachshund except you’re pleased with proudly owning an untrained canine.
13) You Could Should Spend Time Undoing Issues You By chance Taught Them
Dachshunds are tremendous good, perceptive, downside solvers.
They’ll study patterns, and work to determine what they assume you need, even if you’re not conscious you had been really instructing 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 appeared 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 distinct context.
One other instance is in case you take a look at and discuss to your Dachshund each time they bark at you. They’ll probably study that they’ll now “demand” consideration any time that they need.
With a Dachshund, you’ll probably should be very exact and considerate together with your habits and actions, and be keen to acknowledge what you unintentionally “taught” your Dachshund, and be keen to just accept accountability and unteach it.
14) Strangers Will Speak to You Very Usually
Dachshunds are a cute however humorous trying 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 are going to 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.
In the event 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 sometimes connect themselves to 1 major particular person.
In a best-case situation, they are going to be affectionate to a different particular person within the family if their chosen particular person shouldn’t be current.
At worst, they are going to be unconsolable when the chosen particular person shouldn’t be current and/or they are going to turn into possessive of this particular person and “guard” them towards different folks in the home of holiday makers.
The most important difficulty 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 dad or mum will get a Dachshund for his or her child, and the canine finally ends up changing into hyper-attached to the Mother as an alternative.
Whereas the “favourite” selection could be considerably influenced by who does a lot of the caretaking like strolling, feeding, snuggling, and so forth., it’s not at all times this person who the canine chooses.
It is a chance you need to be conscious of and comfortable with in case you select to convey a Dachshund into your own home.
16) You’ll Have to Repeatedly 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 meals. Via physique language and a pathetic look, they are going to attempt to persuade you that they’re ravenous and that you must hand over the snackos.
The factor is although, Dachshunds are liable to weight problems, which might set off again issues and result in a shortened lifespan.
Because the human, it’s essential to “know higher” and stand agency – stick 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’ve meals.
In the event you can’t keep sturdy on 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 buddy and didn’t know something concerning the breed to start with.
One of many first issues I realized is that they’ve a mean lifespan of 15-16 years and I believed, “Holy cow! I didn’t join having a canine for that lengthy.”
After all, I beloved him his complete life and was glad he lived to an outdated age, however bigger canine have shorter lifespans, sometimes starting from 8-10 years outdated.
In the event 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, you could need to select a breed with a shorter lifespan and required dedication.
18) They Aren’t the Finest With Youngsters
If a Dachshund is raised round kids from the pet stage, they’re more likely to get together with them.
Some Dachshunds, even when not uncovered to them typically, love kids. My first Dachshund did.
Nonetheless, basically, Dachshunds and children don’t combine if they aren’t uncovered to them commonly or are launched for the primary time at an older age (the canine).
Youngsters typically transfer erratically and quick, are loud and shriek, and sometimes 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.
If in case you have mates or relations that solely come over sometimes with their children, and you aren’t keen to continually 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 Might be Possessive
Dachshunds connect themselves to what they love and they aren’t at all times keen to share. They’re mostly defensively shield meals, toys, folks, 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 tooth, and snapping or biting.
While you personal a Dachshund, you’ll must pay shut consideration to physique language and habits with and round sure gadgets to stop these guarding points from growing within the first place.
In some circumstances, you’ll even must 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 a lot of changes you’ll should make to your home in case you get a Dachshund.
Continually leaping off excessive locations, which Dachshunds like to do, shouldn’t be suggested for spinal well being. To stop this, you could must 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” 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 in every single place.
Relying on the colour of your canine and the way a lot seen canine hair bothers you, you could must 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 very good 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, folks would ideally have some animal dealing with expertise, the flexibility to remain agency and do what 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 whole lot 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 practice 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.
Closing Ideas
The underside line is, in case you actually need 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 could find nearly any reply that you just want in seconds.
I do consider it’s essential to learn although and reasonable 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, all the things on this checklist 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 “dangerous” Dachshund quirks are exactly what some folks discover most lovable concerning the breed.
For some extra on the constructive and humorous facet of Dachshund possession, try my articles Humorous Issues About Dachshunds Solely Homeowners Will Perceive and Hilarious and True Dachshund Memes That Will Completely Make Your Day.
