Y’all, I haven’t done a Dachshund breed of the week yet! That has to be remedied! So here it is. I’m looking to learn more about the Dachshund, so you will too. Come along!
First, I had no idea there was so much variation with the Dachshund. Check out what the AKC has to say about the breed:
[quote align=”center” color=”#999999″]The Dachshund, meaning “badger dog” in German, is a lively breed with a friendly personality and keen sense of smell. Known for their long and low bodies, they are eager hunters that excel in both above- and below-ground work. One of the most popular breeds according to AKC® Registration Statistics, they come in three different coat varieties (Smooth, Wirehaired or Longhaired) and can be miniature or standard size.[/quote]
Remember this Dachshund from the fall? Roxy? Her little needle teeth nearly annihilated the big Windee from Jones. I didn’t think the tiny dog had it in her, but she was fierce!
Growing up we had a Dachshund, Frieda. She hated children. She bit. But she was definitely a little badger dog, a hunter. On one picnic, she attacked and killed a nutria, a huge rodent native to south Louisiana. We were in awe. It was my birthday, I think. Heh.
Let’s walk through the pros and cons of owning a Dachshund, working from the Dog Breed Info page. FYI – Dog Breed Info lists three sizes of Dachshund – standard, miniature and toy.
Pros:
- Aesthetically, the Dachshund comes in a wide variety of colors, patterns, hair lengths and textures, as well as sizes (provided you like small dogs, as all sizes are small, smaller and extra small)
- Sweet, loyal and intelligent little clowns
- Great apartment dogs – this tiny dog will run and play indoors, making it great candidate for small dwelling spaces and lack of yard
- Fairly long life spans – 12-15 years
The Dachshund is a sweet dog. I’ve had opportunity to meet several around the country in the last year and a half and they’re all been wonderful. Their owners are 100% sold on the breed. I’d consider them for a lapdog here, but let’s look at the cons:
Cons:
- The long back and the short legs mean that jumping down from a couch or chair is frowned upon – damaging the back is easily done
- Small dog syndrome – I’ve met so many poor small dogs who suffer from this – Doxies are prone to it as well, bringing their own personality to the mix – but this is an owner issue, not a dog issue
- Health – spinal problems, weight gain, diabetes, tumors and more
- Grooming – this really depends on you and how much you enjoy this aspect of dog ownership, but all Dachshunds, regardless of their coat, require regular grooming of some sort
- Can be difficult to train and housebreak – in other words, don’t get a Dachshund puppy while you’re potty training a toddler
As to what treat the Dachshund would like, I already know that they love the Windee, the Wooferman, the Bully Stick and any of the jerkies and sausages that Jones carries. Doxies are prone to weight gain, though, so I’d probably stock up on Hooves and Knuckle Bones for these little ones. Lots of long term chewing satisfaction with fewer calories, as well as healthier teeth and gums.
I’m hoping that if you were looking to make a decision on a Dachshund that this helped! They’re awfully cute and unique. As always, feel free to educate us in the comments if you’re a Dachshund person. I’ve learned just as much about breeds in the comment sections as I have doing the research and meeting the dogs, so I thank you all for that service. 🙂
Until I write again …
Flea
