Page 2 | Dachunds

redyellowbluepink · 2023-01-04T11:46:46+00:00

So we've been looking at getting a dog for a few years now been trying to decide on a good family dog and I cant stop looking at dachunds.. my husband likes them so I'm just wondering if anyone owns a dachhund and could give me some pros and cons I've been doing my research on them but I'd like to hear it from actually people. Thank you

mrsg2019 · 04/01/2023 18:42

We have a mini shorthair and she is the best. She's 18 months old and I'm pretty sure she thinks she's a human. We got her when she was about 12 weeks and our DS was around 7 months old.

In our case, pros:

really easy to maintain, she's never been to the groomers and looks shiny and healthy. We don't even brush her often. She barely sheds so that's great.
she is the most loving lapdog in the world. She insists on being in the same room as us at all times. She will follow you to the kitchen if you're just popping in for a drink.
she is great with DS. Very patient and will happily retreat if DS is being a handful.
she was really easy to train. She now has a doggy flap and just takes herself out when she needs to.
she loves a walk but because she's small, we can do relatively short walks (2-3km per day, sometimes twice if it's nice).
she loves other small dogs and will happily socialise

Cons:

she insists on being in the room AT ALL TIMES. Read into that as you will
she hates big dogs. She gets very defensive and barks at them.
she has anxiety and absolutely hates being left alone. We have a puppy sitter for one day per week so we can go to non-dog friendly places such as shopping etc. If you work away from the home I would really consider if they are the most suitable breed for you.
you have to really watch their weight. Ours is on the slim side and barely gets any human food/treats as their backs are especially fragile and as previous posters have mentioned, they are prone to weight related diseases.

Overall, we absolutely love her and knowing everything we know now, we are looking at getting a second because she loves doggy company. Well done for doing your research prior. Ignore the posters giving you a bit of grief for a typo. My daschund doesn't give a crap about my spelling!

PedantScorner · 04/01/2023 18:54

@mrsg2019 , if that was aimed at me, I only raised it because I thought it might imply a lack of research. Your dog sounds lovely and your advice helpful.

PedantScorner · 04/01/2023 18:59

@mrsg2019 , I'm picturing you saying dash-hund, which actually isn't that far off the truth, and like me being followed by my pet everywhere, if it suits them.

Craghopper1 · 04/01/2023 19:05

@PedantScorner do you actually make an effort to be that patronising? A spelling mistake being indicative of not doing enough research?

mrsg2019 · 04/01/2023 19:07

PedantScorner · 04/01/2023 18:59

@mrsg2019 , I'm picturing you saying dash-hund, which actually isn't that far off the truth, and like me being followed by my pet everywhere, if it suits them.

Oh it's hard on the internet to know how things should be taken without any tone of voice, facial expression etc. I'm sure OP took it as you meant, people have dyslexia etc and can get really embarrassed about that sort of stuff so I try to be positive about spelling etc.

I think another positive is being in the daschund owners club! We have a local group and have monthly meet-ups which is lovely.

I also forgot - the name literally translates to badger hunter. So if you have a lovely, immaculate garden, I'd think again. Ours has 'digging up the garden' as a favourite past time

PedantScorner · 04/01/2023 19:10

@Craghopper1 , it wasn't meant to be patronising. I did mention that I was influenced by a current thread about rehoming a dog.
You might guess from my username that the typo (in the title and OP) made my eyes hurt.

There's some great advice on here.

PedantScorner · 04/01/2023 19:11

@mrsg2019 's Ours has 'digging up the garden' as a favourite past time Blush
being one of them - in spades!

Choccolatte · 04/01/2023 19:19

They are the only dog I've been bitten by. And the barking!!!

Mylittlesandwich · 04/01/2023 19:22

As shows on this thread they do bark. You have to be on it with the training and I don't think it's something you can stop, just lessen.

MXVIT · 04/01/2023 23:09

I have an 8 month old mini (first dog) , this is my experience...

I wouldn't be without him. He is an absolute lovebug who is fabulous with both human and canine strangers - dachshunds arent renowned for this so a lot depends on character - this is why its so important to see mum and dad too. Also SOCIALISATION early is so key. He gives the best kisses and is honestly the light of my life, as a breed they're so loveable and comical

Hes clean and requires little to no grooming due to short hair

Is tiny so doesn't counter surf, very easy to keep things out of his reach

Costs buttons to feed.

However..

He was a PITA to toilet train, still not 100% there after 6 months and tbh some days i wonder if we ever will be.

Will not walk in the rain, which is fine until you tie it in witg the above... Heavy rain day usually means an accident

Hes independent, these dogs were bred to hunt so that independent streak is syill there! If he doesnr want to go a certain way on a walk or listen to me - he wont, were working on that through training

Hes very healthy but i live in constant fear re him hurting his back - ramps are a must in the house as is the highesr level of insurance cover - just in case.

I think daxies get a bad rep.

Guessitswednesday · 04/01/2023 23:19

We have a mimi smooth, id love a wire too. We would think seriously if we ever got a MD again though. The delicacy them in general, her getting trod on or hurting her back and shes a MASSIVE drama queen on top🤣.

No issues with barking or house training because we were on it from day dot. She is very much a velcro dog, VERY sweet and kind, beautiful with the kids.

They can be BIG fuss pots with food and will play you like a fiddle to get something better if they can get away with it.

Because of their general nervousness, i would say 14 weeks old is chancing it as the early socialisation window doesnt last forever.

Seperation anxiety can be a big issue too, we had to work up ages until she was happy being left without too much fuss and didnt chew anything.

I have seen biting from MD owned by others but thats usually an issue when theyve not been treated like a dog and not had boundries set at all and rule the roost.

I would join a few fb pages too.

Tygertiger · 07/01/2023 08:22

I wouldn’t have one. The benefits of the breed (ie reasons people say they love them) can imo be found in lots of other breeds which don’t come with either huge health risks (back problems primarily but other issues too) or potential behaviour issues. Dachshunds are very prone to separation anxiety- they’re known for it as a breed. I also have a breed prone to SA (spaniel) and sure enough my dog suffers from it. It has such a massive impact on my life - we can’t go out for a family meal or pop to the shops without arranging care for the dog - and I would never get another breed known to be at increased risk. SA can happen to any dog, but dachshunds and spaniels are known to suffer at a higher degree. Throw in that they’re harder to toilet train and very barky….no. I’d look at a whippet instead (seriously). I think it’ll give you a lot of the same loving traits with fewer of the risks of the breed.

Mylittlesandwich · 07/01/2023 08:30

Tygertiger · 07/01/2023 08:22

I wouldn’t have one. The benefits of the breed (ie reasons people say they love them) can imo be found in lots of other breeds which don’t come with either huge health risks (back problems primarily but other issues too) or potential behaviour issues. Dachshunds are very prone to separation anxiety- they’re known for it as a breed. I also have a breed prone to SA (spaniel) and sure enough my dog suffers from it. It has such a massive impact on my life - we can’t go out for a family meal or pop to the shops without arranging care for the dog - and I would never get another breed known to be at increased risk. SA can happen to any dog, but dachshunds and spaniels are known to suffer at a higher degree. Throw in that they’re harder to toilet train and very barky….no. I’d look at a whippet instead (seriously). I think it’ll give you a lot of the same loving traits with fewer of the risks of the breed.

This is also true, out of a litter of 4 we are the only ones without separation anxiety.

Alwaystheplusone · 13/01/2023 20:12

I walked my dog past three different ones today and every single one of them reactively barked at her.

Iamblossom · 13/01/2023 20:22

I have a 5.5 year old miniature smooth haired black and tan sausage.

She is my girl, I love her to bits We also have a black lab one year younger and they are great pals, sleep around each other, play. I run up to 10km with her 3 or 4 times a week no problem. She is fit and strong and slim.

Incredibly loving, loyal, funny, affectionate.

She is a barker, not at nothing, but my DH hates it on walks and won't take her. I don't mind it, nor does anyone else I meet on our walks seem to care.

Very snuggly, loves attention and company.

No health issues as yet, but I know they are predisposed to back issues, she jumps up and down off sofas, despite our best efforts, but hopefully she is strong enough to manage.

I adore her.

I'd always have a sausage given my way, DH not so sure... Even though he loves her too...

Iamblossom · 13/01/2023 20:27

I would add she is INCREDIBLY greedy, even more so than our lab.....

But was easy to potty train, and her recall is pretty good. Can't tell if she is sitting or not as she is so close to the ground so we gave up on that 😂

CrazyBiscuits · 13/01/2023 20:46

Neighbours have 2 miniature ones. Constantly yapping when they are left alone. Bloody irritating. I have dogs of my own so not as if I don't like dogs.

liveforsummer · 13/01/2023 20:56

I'd be asking more questions about why a breeder still has an un sold puppy at 13 weeks. A lot of reputable ones have waiting lists before pups are born. Of course it's January and there is a cost of living cruises on top of a saturated market but then they'd have known all these things before putting the dog in pup on that cycle

Calmestofallthechickens · 13/01/2023 21:00

Met some lovely ones - smart, busy, lively dogs - but some snappy neurotic ones also.

Health wise, they have been bred to have an abnormal spine, so there’s a big risk of intervertebral disc disease (which can cause irreversible hindlimb paralysis and require MRI scans and surgery which can cost several thousand pounds with no guarantee of success.

My recommendation if you want a cheery energetic little terrier with less health warnings, Border terrier or Scottie.

Gymmum82 · 13/01/2023 21:02

Get it insured because their spines go at the drop of a hat and half the time they will never walk again. Surgery costs about £6k to attempt to fix it

eatdrinkandbemerry · 13/01/2023 21:03

Bark bark bark.
I have one living next door to me and I swear it's got the loudest bark ever and it's constant from the minute it's left until they return.
My dog is 60 times bigger and it's louder than mine