Miniature dachshund

[kerryxx]

I have always wanted a miniature dachshund and finally hope to get one the end of this year
A smooth, male, Black and Tan.
However we are moving into our house that has a bit of land and we are in the country so would want to walk.

Can they walk far?
I've read on the net they are fine walking but I'm keen to hear off owners.
Any advise on the breed really. Any things I must know!!

I have researched and read lots of books but its different putting it in practice

[kerryxx]

Not to say I don't like reading all the difficulties as it is good to be prepared.
The breeder I am planning to use has 5 dachshunds so I might message her too and see what hers are like, raising the points you have all mentioned.

[kerryxx]

Redfairy, did you have her from when she was a pup?

Is there any way of making a dog less territorial or is that just the breed?

I am hoping for more people to come forward with positives of the breed....!

[higgle]

Are the standard ones better for house training? We had a standard long haired many years ago, a rescue dog who had lived outside with some chickens (in the same pen, he was literally hen pecked!) and was not housetrained at 2 years. he learned very quickly and was trained in less than a fortnight - the key was that he was really shy about anyone watching him, and he had to go off into long grass even for a wee to begin with.

I'd agree they are difficult to train to do what you want, you have to reach an accommodation with them, which as they are so lovely and charming is usually do-able.

Our dog eventually had to be pts after disc problems that surgery did not resolve, that is why we have not had another ( we are Staffie people now!)

[redfairy]

Our short haired black and tan mini dach is now one year old and is only just getting the hang of peeing and pooping outside (if the weather is agreeable) Despite puppy training classes we have not managed to get any sort of recall instilled so she is always on leash. We do have a large garden for exercising though which helps. She is very nervous around other strange dogs.

We crate trained her in the beginning and now she is only in the crate at night time or holidays which she loves as it is her den. We don't let her go up and down the stairs and I do cringe when she jumps on and off the furniture; especially when she takes a tumble as she really does fall awkwardly. She is the softest dog ever to her family and is more like a cat curling up into the smallest spaces next to us. However she is fiercely territorial and guards the bay window against intruders (postmen and delivery boys) with the most alarmingly deep bark.

We love her to bits and would never change her for the world but I can't say I would pick the same breed again.

[WeimaranerLover77]

I think you should get a Weimaraner

[kerryxx]

Oh yes I realise you can't leave a puppy whilst training. I have booked time off work at the end of the year encase I get one so I can concentrate on him for at least 3 weeks. I know it takes longer than that but I mean 100% attention so I can take him out and socialise him too.

Does anyone actually regret getting one at all?
Are they better if they have another dog with them in the family?

[portraitoftheartist]

You should be able to leave an adult dog for 3 or 4 hours but not a puppy. Pups need somebody at home to houetrain them and stop them developing bad habits. Before a pup got used to being left alone it would have got used to barking, pooing everywhere and chewing everything.

[Lovecat]

The yard I used to ride at had 5 dogs in residence - 2 Rotties, 2 Dogues de Bordeaux (humungous big orange things) and 1 small black & tan dachshund.

The dachshund was the most terrifying dog - you would think 'oh, how sweet' as it ran over to you and then realise that the little git was relentlessly biting your ankles over and over again until it spied a more likely victim (riding boots not much protection!). The big guys, however, were as soft as butter :). To be fair it never went for children, just adults...

Love the idea of Jins' exploding dachshund...:o

[LegoAcupuncture]

Mine was lovely. He used to rule over our massive German Shepard despite being under a foot tall

[Justfornowitwilldo]

If you wanted something smallish but more sturdy and suited to walking in the countryside how about a Lakeland terrier?

[AtYourCervix]

Or the disk problem just happens

[Jins]

They are hard work OP. Ours is harder work than all the other pets put together and we have quite a few.

[Jayne266]

Dachshund dogs are very prone to getting disc problems, please don't over do it.

[Justfornowitwilldo]

'Although people say it isn't right... I think if it's like that from the start, they would get used to it.
Which they do!'

Some do. Some get given away or put down because of the behavioural problems that develop. Constant barking/howling that brings complaints from the neighbours, destruction of property and I don't mean just shoes I mean carpet and walls. Others get 'crated' for hours.

[AtYourCervix]

Small would like to sleep in bed but he's not really alliwed except for afternoon naps but he sleeps downstairs. Ususlly sharing his bed with the cat (who he thinks is his own personal cat)

He's not normally left for more than 3 or 4 hours at a stretch as we both work shifts.

[kerryxx]

sounds like each one has their own personality of course but they are very stubborn. I've got my work cut out for me then!!

Are they ok sleeping downstairs and not in your room? Again, this is probably down to training I take it

[digerd]

It was a long time ago, but suddenly remembered that we did take her everywhere, after the first time she stubbornly refused to get in the car, not because she was afraid < she was fearless>. So, too long, I locked her in the shed for just 20 minutes while we went to shops.
Next time, I told her to get in the car SHE DID, with no problem.

[TSSDNCOP]

I am so would love one of my own.

Had two growing up. Never had a seconds trouble with house training or stairs. Put a rich tea finger in front of a dachshund and you'll find they never stop.

[digerd]

ps
She was a long-haired one.

[digerd]

MY standard Dachsie was female and had no trouble with house training. When she was 1 year-old she did wet herself through sheer excitement at greeting a family member,but happened only once.

Her temperament
Loved chasing her ball
Loved to dig
Stubborn
Aggressive to other dogs and our own cats
very comical to look at.
Loved winding me up deliberately
Hated loud noises and reacted with aggression towards noisy vehicles
Loved lying on her back and having tummy stroked,
Was very demanding when she wanted something.

[Jins]

I work from home and I daren't leave my horror for more than the time it takes to pop to the post to be honest. He sleeps for most of the day but as soon as he's left alone he gets up to mischief. I have chew marks in all the kitchen cupboards because he's seen calories in there once. I've also found evidence that he's been on the kitchen table before now (distinctive paw prints)

They are incredibly bright dogs. What he lacks in leg length he makes up for ingenuity and sheer naughtiness.

They are also the greediest animals I've ever come across - have you seen Obie the obese dax? He's a standard but my mini would be the same given half a chance.

[kerryxx]

It would be 3-4 hours.
Anyway I will probably look into dropping him off at my aunts on the way to work or something to play with their dog if my parents aren't around on those odd days.

I know people who have dogs who leave them home all day, like from when they go work in the morning to when they get back in the evening

Although people say it isn't right... I think if it's like that from the start, they would get used to it.
Which they do!

[Justfornowitwilldo]

Are you sure you want a dog if you're going to be leaving it alone 'for hours?'

[Justfornowitwilldo]

No. Never. One member of the household was at home full time and the dog went everywhere with them if they left the house. Maybe that's why house training wasn't an issue .