Dachshund owners please come and talk to me?

[Ilmb]

For years Iv wanted one and now at a time I can have one. I know people who have had them so I’m aware of their temperament etc. However Iv been on a few daxie rescues for a while and one hasn’t come up in my area or if it has it has to go to an experienced Home and we obviously can’t be classed as that. So I don’t know wether to get a puppy or not but I’m reluctant....

Yes they are adorable etc etc but I’m not sure if I’m cut out for a puppy, the toilet training, crying etc at night, chewing everything etc. Can anyone share how they cake about their daxie? Or if you had them since a puppy how bad was it?

Tia

[Nesssie]

Not specific to daxies but just take a look at the hundreds of 'what have I done?' 'I regret my puppy' threads to see just how hard it is. Puppies are hard work. Probably some of the most stressful months of your life. 100% worth it at the end, but you will not think so at the time! Make sure you research research research and have a couple of months you can just dedicate to the puppy.

All small breed dogs are a little harder to toilet train simply because they have smaller bladders.
Daxies must have extra care taken due to their predisposition to have back problems.

Pedigree daxie puppies cost around £1500. Their insurance will also be high. Their exercise needs will obviously be lower than a large dog. but they are very clever little terriers so need stimulation. I've heard they can develop a barking habit so that will need to be trained out when young.

Saying that, daxies are bloody adorable and I want one!

[Ilmb]

Yes it’s reading those threads thT have put me off!

[adaline]

Read through all the "puppy regret" threads on here - puppies are HARD work and I say this as someone whose 7 month old pup is currently snoring away at my feet.

Ours toilet trained easily and we let him sleep in with us so night-time crying was never a problem. However he went through a horrible bitey phase and is currently entering his teenage phase - which has entailed lots of barking/whining, a few accidents, lots of scent-marking and fussiness with food. None of that is unique to any particular breed either, it will happen even with tiny breeds like Daxies.

And yes, like a PP said smaller breeds are harder to toilet train. They can't hold their wee for as long as bigger breeds so need taken out frequently. We have a beagle and he was up twice a night until about 4-5 months, and only recently has he started regularly sleeping through the night. Although he does still need letting out occasionally at around 4-5am.

If you're worried about toilet training already I really wouldn't advise getting a puppy. We got ours in summer so it was bearable but I wouldn't want to be regularly standing in the garden in the middle of winter encouraging a tiny puppy to toilet!

[AvocadosBeforeMortgages]

For breed specific stuff the London Lowriders Facebook group is a great group of owners who are completely besotted with their sausages. I've got a half sausage but he takes after the other side of the family!

Which rescue are you looking at? I've heard good things about the Red Foundation; you may need to be flexible about travelling for the right dog, however.

[SecondTimeCharm]

dachshund owner here! i had mine from a puppy and my experience was wholly positive but me and DH did our reasearch thoroughly PLUS we waited years to get him until - the kicker - DH was working from home and therefore on hand to keep pup company and to take him out for many many toilet breaks while training.

our boy is pedigree but didn’t come from a breeder he was a litter from a family who owned a b/g pair and who also wanted the pups to be in families. we paid £650 for him.

i cant remember too clearly but puppy training is fairly tough, lots of night waking etc and as we were in a flat and couldn’t just let him into the garden, i remember thinking years later that DD was easier

the puppy period is over so quickly though, and he is the light of our lives. i would defs recommend a ton of research and you need to have dedication. as for temperament - ours is a long hair and they tend to be more relaxed. when he was younger he barked at a few toddlers (and was severely reprimanded) but now he’s extremely laid back and an utter delight with our DD. she adores him!

DO NOT get a dachshund if you want a dog who will have perfect recall off the lead or even willingly play fetch with you - they know their own minds and they really are as stubborn as everyone says. however for loyalty and cuddles they cannot be beaten!

[Ilmb]

Yes red foundation is one of the ones I’m on, dachshund rehoming uk and dachshund needing homes. I’m happy to travel as I drive, although wouldn’t want to go further than 3 hours as I have kids who would have to travel too and I don’t want a dogs first experience with us being shut in the car for ages ideally.

All the ones that come up end up saying either has to be living with another dog and experienced owner or something but I can’t become an experienced owner without actually having one? Everyone has to start at the beginning at some point?

[Rarfy]

We got our daxie from a puppy. They are so stubborn. Toilet training was a nightmare. We did everything right but he just didnt want to do it. It was a good 6 months to a year before he really knew to go out for a wee.

He is very anxious (probably our doing as we have completely ruined him and take him everywhere we can) and he marks in the house now if left for two minutes alone therefore he stays in a puppy pen when we are out to limot damatation.

He hated walking at first, hates the wind and the rain so used to just lie on the floor. Once he is out he is a good walker now but still hates rain and wind.

He's not a big eater of his own food. Can easily sit all day before he touches it but seems to think human food is his domain.

With chewing he wasnt too bad tbh but he does love to pinch socks even now. He did have a couple of pairs of shoes in the beginning and liked to chew the skirting board. I dont remember that lasting too long though.

He barks. A lot. Nothing stops him.

I would beware aswel that they attract loads of unwanted attention and i mean LOADS. My dp loves it but im more introvert and hate randoms stopping you every two minutes.

[jujuq]

I have 5 dogs and my dachshund is probably by far the most needy of them all and being the smallest is the best guard dog of them all, he barks at EVERYTHING! When he was a puppy the toilet training killed me, he just didn’t want to know, even now he keeps peeing everywhere inside, which i think is down to territory. He hates going on walks unless off the lead, which I can do as I walk them on our farm land so it’s safe but he won’t come to me if I call him, only way for him to come to me is if I start running away from him.

He is very anxious and when nervous he will sit there shake. But he is by far the most baby like dog that I have, he asks me to pick him up and loves being cuddled like a baby.
My one only chews teddy’s and barbies and will demolish a squeaky toy, get the squeaky part, hide it in shoes and then chew up the laces to get them, went to put on my gym trainers yesterday and my laces were all broken!

My dachshund sleeps in my bed as the relentless crying in his crate was too much when he was a puppy. He’s a lovely little character and I don’t regret getting him but you must have a lot of patience for their awkward little personality’s.

[Windmillsinsummer]

Our gorgeous boy is 2 he was easy to toilet train it took a while to encourage him to pee in the rain though he used to hold on for hours instead of getting his feet wet. It took me to stand outside with him one night for 2 hours for it to click if he pees he gets back inside he now goes out then in at speed. He is happy to sleep downstairs too no night timw crying i slept on the sofa beside him in his bed for 2 weeks then gradually left him. The one thing I'd change is the barking when the doorbell goes, when someone pulls up outside the house or he fancies hearing himself.

[Ilmb]

Thanks for sharing. Is there much difference between male and female? (Apart from the obvious) in terms of temperament etc? Iv only known male ones no females?

[cobwebsinthebelfry]

I've had them for many years and with the correct training they are exceptional dogs if you like character, loyalty and sheer bonkerness. Always be firm but kind and they will reward you in bucketloads. Mine don't chew stuff they souldn't or bark very much which has a lot to do with keeping them company and giving them something to do during the day. They may or may not like other dogs, you just have to wait and see.

This will give you a good idea on dachshund temperament:
www.dachshundrescueaustralia.com.au/resources/why-not-a-dachshund/

[Ilmb]

If I managed to rescue one and it clearly needed further training, what are they like with training when older? I see many online people saying ‘change of circumstances’ or ‘I can’t give it the attention it needs’ I read into that and read i can’t you let train it or it wrecks stuff etc. I know people can be genuine obviously but if I ended up with one with troubles can you still train them or are they too stuck in their ways?

[Rarfy]

Dps dad has a female. She always wees and poos in the house and is welp house trained. Its just a territory thing.

I remember when toilet training ours being stood outside with him for two hours waiting for him to wee. He wouldn't. Brought him back im he walked over to the carpet and weed. I cried. We actually had to replace the carpet 2 years into having him it smelt so bad from all his marking even though we cleaned it every time. We're moving soon and i am dreading what to do about flooring because i know we're stuck with the marking.

We both love him to bits though. He is fiercely loyal. Very funny and a right mammys boy. He loves cuddles and sitting on your knee. He is a bit wary of kids. Doesnt like all the noise. We joke he is petrified of our 2 year old niece but she came round at the wkend and fell asleep on the sofa and he laid on top of her protecting her.

We love him!

[willowpillow]

Experienced daxie owner here. My girl is a mini Black and Tan smoothie. She is now 11 and a half and the boss of the house!

Rescues are great and I can really recommend The Red Foundation. Just remember that they may come with their own set of problems do you need to think about how much you are willing to take on. If you are looking at a dog that needs an experienced owner perhaps look at joining daxie walking group in your area. What part of the country are you in? I may be able to recommend a group.

If you are going to get a pup, please research this thoroughly. Daxies are now a really popular breed and there are many unscrupulous greeders breeders. Please stay away from any pups advertised as rare or blue/lilac. These have been badly bred and can have very serious health conditions.

Have you thought about what type you would like, standard/mini and what type of coat?

I can thoroughly recommend them as a breed! But as others have said, can be stubborn and very difficult to toilet train. When we got our girl we were living in a flat in London so did rely on puppy pads. Nearly 12 years on, she will go outside for a wee but if it's slightly wet or overcast or dark she will ask the to use the puppy pad but she has us wrapped around her little paw.

She sleeps upstairs with us so not had a problem with crying at night. As far as exercise is concerned, yes they are cute little dogs but they are also hunting dogs so don't be fooled by their size, they can go for miles. Mine is happy with as little or as much as she gets. She has been up Ben Nevis with us and done a few 10 mile walks in her younger days.

She is the softest soppiest dog at home with us, but does demand cuddles by growling at me.

Be prepared for lots and lots of attention when you are out though, sometimes I feel like I can't walk a few feet without someone stopping for a stroke and a chat,

Sorry for the epic post, but I absolutely love the breed! Feel free to ask any other questions.

[SecondTimeCharm]

oh yes i would definitely add about people constantly staring and stopping you, i actually found it quite hard to deal with!

[Haireverywhere]

Hi OP

This brings back such fond memories of my Dachshund! He was a willful little guy. Very much into everything. I toilet trained him again as he'd obviously forgotten! Great off lead but had to work hard on recall as PP said. Followed me everywhere. Sweet soul. I love this breed!

I had him from the Kennel Club Dachshund rescue centre in Chippenham or Cirencester sorry I can't remember which town. One of those though!

I had him when he was 12 after his owner went into a care home. He lived until he was 18 and we had a wonderful time together!

[juneau]

Oh no - this is really putting me off! My friend has a lovely female miniature dachshund, which she is currently trying to breed from. We are considering having one of the puppies and my kids are absolutely DESPERATE for us to get one, but we'd be getting it in January, if so, middle of winter. I'm a PT student and SAHM, so on the face of it that's good, however I will be busy with my course through the winter, plus I hate having my sleep disturbed . I'm starting to think that maybe having a puppy (and a Dachshund, at that), is a bad idea.

[willowpillow]

Just to add - mine absolutely loves people and demands cuddles and attention from people who stop to chat. Although we don't have children, she really loves children and loves when they visit us, recently had friends to stay and she deserted my bed to sleep with the little ones!

[juneau]

Oh - and we travel - a lot. That's what's stopped us having a dog so far.

[Rarfy]

They're very hard work in the beginning. I dont have children but have been around them enough to make the comparisson - it is like diving straight into the toddler years but worse. You cant take dogs everywhere. People will say they will help with them / look after them but in reality that doesnt materialise and they cost a fortune firstly to buy then insurance food treats wormers flea treatment boosters new harnesses leads coats and dachshunds are particular about their things.

Theyre lovely dogs but such hard work to begin with. I found every three months things got a little bit easier. He's 3 now. I cant see him changing much now.

[Ilmb]

I’m on the south east

I’m home quite a lot and don’t really go anywhere regularly for taking it places to be a problem. Other than the cinema of food shops obviously. On holidays we only go to centre parcs and you can’t take dogs with you..

What’s whelp training?

I love them all but would like a standard smooth hair as the standards supposedly have less health problems? Would have a long hair..

[willowpillow]

Depending where you are in the SE, look for Sausage Dog Friends on Facebook. They do a lot of walks and meet ups in the Kent area, really lovely group of people who would welcome you on walks and chat to you. London Lowriders is the other group.

[Ilmb]

Thanks willow will have a look.

What is anyone’s opinion of a rescue? Can you train an older dog or is it too late? Iv seen some online for sale but I don’t know how genuine the people are and I worry about taking a gamble Incase there’s a problem.//

[PointyMcSnootface]

All the different varieties are very prone to spinal issues, about 25% of dachshunds will need some level of treatment for IVDD which ranges from medical management to full on spinal surgery. This site is an excellent source of information on IVDD in dachshunds, including lifestyle advice for minimising risks. It's also got a page about the prevalence of IVDD across the diffierent varieties and standard smooths actually appear to be the most prone to it.

There are other health issues which can affect the breed, some of which are specific to certain varieties. The breed council has a health website which is well worth a thorough read through.

[Ilmb]

Strange, when Iv been on the FB pages I’ve read the minis are more susceptible?