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The doghouse

If you're worried about your pet's health, please speak to a vet or qualified professional.

Original poster

Can anyone talk to me about dachshunds please? Or just getting a puppy in general?

33 replies

ENormaSnob · 30/01/2012 19:36

I am considering getting a puppy this year, probably in the autumn.

Really want a dachshund and have done for ages.

We both grew up in dog owning homes but am a little unsure what having a puppy will entail.

We have 3 dc who will be 12,7 and nearly 3 when we get the dog.

I work part time, soon to be permanent nights (2 a week),dh works full time days.

Any advice?

Could a dachshund be the right breed for us?

I obviously plan to research before we go ahead.

Thanks.

OP posts:
fifteenpercentoff · 30/01/2012 19:38

I love them and I WANT ONE.

But there are many sorts. Are you after a mini one?

largeginandtonic · 30/01/2012 19:39

I am watching with interest. Would love a Dax but pretty sure our GSP would knock him over on a walk, he runs like a nutter.

Original poster
ENormaSnob · 30/01/2012 20:05

I would prefer a short haired one and do like the mini ones but like the normal sized too.

I like them all Blush

My concern re the mini ones is that they wouldn't be able to walk as far as me. Not sure if this is the case but their legs are tiny.

OP posts:
fifteenpercentoff · 30/01/2012 21:34

Heh, that would be an advantage for me. Am lazy. Grin

Dd has a theory that if you let them become very fat, they are, in effect, snakes which have to slither.

AtYourCervix · 30/01/2012 22:44

I can highly recommend a dachshund. MIne is currently draped around my shoulders. He can walk and run further than I can and can keep going all day. We also have a collie. It is very funny when they play Grin

They are prone to back problems so insurance is v improtant. Also can be very stand-offish and one-family-only types. Although ours is fine with people and dogs he knows he is a bit unsure of strangers (so would you be if you were that short!).

We adore him. I want a brown one next.

fifteenpercentoff · 30/01/2012 22:52

Which sort is yours, AtYourCervix? Mini, or standard? Short/long-haired? Wire-haired?

AtYourCervix · 30/01/2012 22:54

mini shorthaired (pic on profile)

fifteenpercentoff · 30/01/2012 23:00

Oh, he's adorable. I like that colour. He is so so lovely.

Are they reliable? I know it depends how they're 'brought up' etc, but do they ever have a tendency to bite? (Please say no!)

largeginandtonic · 31/01/2012 08:36

He runs with a collie! I am excited now.

He looks very cute.

Original poster
ENormaSnob · 31/01/2012 16:30

Omg cervix, he is gorgeous.

Are they good with children?

What kind of things should I be looking at when buying? Kc registered? Not too long a back?

Would one be happy as an only dog or do they prefer company?

OP posts:
fifteenpercentoff · 31/01/2012 21:19

Yes, tis quite significant that he can cope with walks with a collie. Shock

Did you train him to be a scarf? Daxies could be the new MN scarf.

AtYourCervix · 01/02/2012 10:04

He is quite possibly the most delicious dog on the planet.

nerally i think they are happy as only dogs as they think they are human.

good with the DDs (but they are older) (although Dsis has one too and she has babies and hers is fine with them).

He is incredibly stubborn and knows thinks he is in charge. All he wants in life is a lap, preferably under a blanket.

breeder-wise -I did loads of searching and phoning and found someone i liked.

He was a very long time in the planning.

lou33 · 01/02/2012 10:16

I am currently the full time carer for the long haired miniature dachshund of my bf and his ex w, as they both think he has a better quality of life with me (garden, 2 other dogs to play with, lots of wooded areas to go walking, and someone is home all the time etc).

He is 5 and really v v sweet. They are quite prone to back problems, so it is very important they do not get overweight, and it is recommended they dont really go up and down stairs, jump on and off higher beds sofas etc, very often for the same reason. My bf's ex mil just lost her daxie after it jumped down off the sofa and broke it's back so had to be put down :(

Boris is really really affectionate to a select few, the rest he is rather detached from and has even been known to turn his back on people trying to gain his affection! He thinks I am his gf, or he is my furry stalker, he lies on my tummy just looking ta me til he falls asleep, and wants to come everywhere with me.

He is a bit yappy and defensive with dogs he doesnt know, or strangers coming to the house , but it is all bluster and bravado , he barks a lot but is a proper softie really, always rolling on his back to have his tummy scratched.

I weigh his food out to make sure he doesnt over eat, and add milled flax to his food to bulk out his poos, as he has a problem with his anal glands (but i dont know if that is specifically related to his breed or just him iyswim), so it means i dont have to don the rubber gloves and empty them quite so often.

lou33 · 01/02/2012 10:18

Also meant to say he runs about and keeps up with my springer and patterjack quite happily

EmpressOfTheSevenOceans · 01/02/2012 10:32

We dogsit for a dachshund fairly regularly.

Intelligent, with LOADS of character and a massive range of noises. He likes to pretend to be a Big Scary Dog but he'll normally do it from behind someone's legs. Loves playing hide & seek, either with humans or squeaky toys.

Stomach best described as a 'tiny bottomless pit'. He'll inhale dinner and then be begging for a snack five minutes later.

Very good with owner's five-year-old DD, but they do have very clear rules on her not picking him up ever (the back problems) and not going anywhere near his food.

Recall depends completely on whether he has anything more interesting to do, so normally on long lead.

HATES going out in the rain and sometimes has to be physically dragged / carried out to do poos. But he's also been known to pretend he wants a poo in order to get an extra walk.

AtYourCervix · 01/02/2012 10:40

Ah yes. Housetraining. Known to be an 'issue' with dachshunds.

Unless put out very very regularly he will just piddle up the table legs. git. he is perfectly capable of asking to go out but frequently doesn't. Needs watching for signs of needing to go. git.

AtYourCervix · 01/02/2012 10:41

Also- SmallDog isn't greedy at all and has no recall whatsoever. Again, he could if he wanted to but cooses not to. Git.

EmpressOfTheSevenOceans · 01/02/2012 10:56

Also objects strongly to going out in the cold, he'll moan, glare and disappear back under his blanket. He once fought the hoover (and lost) and heaven FORBID you should move if he's lying on top of you.
Oh and he likes shagging the legs of unsuspecting male guests. A water spray is definitely your friend there, he's more or less dropped the habit in favour of shagging his toy badger.
Having said all that, he's great company, very entertaining (there was the time DP came home to find he'd wriggled through her coat sleeve, God knows why, and got stuck so that she was greeted by his worried-looking face sticking out of the cuff. He was very annoyed when she burst out laughing instead of immediately rushing to help) and a fabulous hot water bottle. The only time he's been aggressive was when I was getting a chicken bone out of his mouth.

lou33 · 01/02/2012 11:04

Boris hates going outside to pee or poo if it is cold and/or rainy, he has been known to sneak into the bathroom and do it in there on the wet room floor.

And he has a habit of jumping onto my bed at 3am, walking along the side, over my pillow and hair, then down under the duvet to curl up against my tummy, and will happily sleep undercover for the rest of the night.

He is currently trying to get me off the laptop so he can snooze on my legs.

He looks extremely cute when he sits on his back legs and begs for something, just like a really fluffy meerkat.

EmpressOfTheSevenOceans · 01/02/2012 11:33

The Dachshund Rules:

  1. If I like it, it's MINE!!
  1. If it's in my mouth, it's MINE!!!
  1. If I can take it from you, it's MINE!!
  1. If I had it a little while ago, it's MINE!!
  1. If it's MINE, it must never appear to be yours in any way!!!
  1. If I'm chewing on it, all the pieces are MINE!!
  1. If it looks anything like MINE, it's MINE!!
  1. If I saw it first, it's MINE!!
  1. If you are playing with something and you put it down, it automatically becomes MINE!!
  1. If it's broken, it's YOURS!!
3cutedarlings · 01/02/2012 13:14

Im gonna go against the grain here Grin and say that i actually dont think that dachshunds are very good around young children. As much as i love them (my SIL has had them for years 6 in total) they are OFTEN snappy and wont often tolerate tiny people all that well. Non of the one my SIL daxys have been anyway, fine with older kids tho. They are actually the most likely breed to bite there owner! (which tbh i fine this over the top) so no personally i wouldnt have one with a pre schooler tbh.

NeverKnowinglyUnderstood · 01/02/2012 13:20

My sis has 2 mini wirehaired Dachs they are GORGEOUS
have been totally gorgeous with my children.
They are however her "babies" they are pampered pooches and they are thriving on it.
They have scrambled eggs for breakfast and although they have dog food from time to time mostly they don't - she cooks for them.
I don't know how well they would do in our home, as they would not be number1 or 2.

EnjoyResponsibly · 01/02/2012 13:23

Love them, as a child we had 2; a long haired standard (looked like a red setter with no legs) and a black/ tan standard ( looked like a Doberman with no legs).

They both had lovely natures, in our case the breeder was the best advice on contact with kids. We were 8 and 6 when the first arrived, and the breeder spent ages with us and training us to hold the puppy correctly for their back.

They are great companions and totally rule the roost. Both ours were trained to be alone for quite long periods and loved exercise.

I would have one in a heart beat; a miniature tan smoothy whom I shall call Daphne.

EnjoyResponsibly · 01/02/2012 13:24

Oh, be careful with a long haired in snow. Their furry under carriage collects ice balls.

NeverKnowinglyUnderstood · 01/02/2012 13:29

couldn't resist have added pic of sis's little girl (she has a boy and girl) to my profile.. I miss them, they moved to america this year..

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