Met a standard dachshund yesterday

[MegaBat]

And he was so adorable! He lives in the local pub and insisted on being picked up and fussed and was just trotting about and so friendly

I've never considered a sausage dog before and he was bigger than I expected! I know they have potential delicate backs but as a breed, would you recommend? He was so funny and sleek

Long spine is a drawback. They need to be brought down steep stairs. Love them though. 🌭

His face and ears were amazing! I literally was holding him like a baby and he just loved being petted and fussed

I always thought they were a bit aloof and snappy

‘Potential delicate backs’ is an understatement.

Oh twooter! Don't! I'm all set to have a dozen

I have a middling sized one (somewhere between standard and mini, more towards the standard end) and he is devoted to me/DH/DM but hates everyone else! Turns into a rabid guard dog when in the house although generally pretty scared of people/other dogs when outside of the house. I suspect that is more to do with his previous owners than the breed, although I've met others who are similarly anti-social.

He was also very over-weight when we got him (no exercise/bad diet) and has had no back problems despite this (he's almost 12). He is thinner now, but still not as thin as he should be. The lack of back problems could be luck!

Ours didn’t have back problems though.

The only ones I know are a real challenge. They are not a dog suited to family life or a first time dog owner. My wolfhound is easier.
And the health issues would worry me.

My friend dog sat a mini for few weeks & had very little sleep, was a rather needy fellow not sure if that's a common trait though. Certainly liked sound of own voice
Some are a bit smelly, which I assume is down to the skin folds as a Bassett was the same

Much as the one's I've met have been adorable, I'd personally not get a dog that's so highly at risk of spinal problems, but then I've seen what's involved in rehabbing them and even with surgery some may never recover use of legs & stay incontinent. Its a lot of time, money & heartache that could be avoided by not breeding dogs with such fragile long backs & stumpy legs (if their conformation is poor it also puts more strain on back).
One lady had 3, 2 that had surgery and another conservatively managed. Definitely needs careful choice of breeder & high insurance cover if do decide on a dachshund.

Sigh. No I won't be getting one but I was just so taken by this little guy. He didn't look like the sort of dog you'd risk throwing a ball for though!

Ahem

This is my sausage. She is the best dog I have ever ever ever had. Not barky, unbelievably loyal, super cuddly and comes running with me. I 😍 her.

Skin folds? On a dachshund??

‘Potential delicate backs’ is an understatement.

This. Plus the standard smooth has the highest rate of IVDD amongst all the dachshund varieties.

A screening scheme has been developed for spinal issues but ultimately any dog with extremely short legs and a long back is going to be more pre-disposed to problems than normal shaped dogs.

She’s lovely

I live in fear of the back....despite a negative screen. Needless to say I have very comprehensive insurance!! Worth it though.

DD2 has a miniature. He's 2yo and lovely but if they leave him alone he wees and poos within minutes of him hearing them all leave the house. He goes all night without soiling when he's in his crate.

chinny I’m I love, I’m a groomer and very rarely have the pleasure of working with this breed. My friend has one and I visit her dog her often

@Chinnychinnychinnychib ADORABLE!

And yes - the sausage I met yesterday was very very smooth. So smooth it was like a second skin. No skin folds

Dog show years ago said treat them as a lapdog at your peril. If pampered they will turn into aggressive barking dictators.

moomin that’s so true!! She would love to be a pampered princess but she’s in the wrong family for that!

DH had a dachshund as a boy, and we're on our second standard smoothhaired. Of these, only the current one has had any back issue - but it resolved after a couple of weeks on Metacam, he's nearly 13 and very active.

Very clean and unsmelly. Don't demand walks in foul weather but can do long distances and mountains (with a bit of help at the top of e.g. Pen-y-Ghent, and stiles!)

They’re a hunting not a lap dog, that’s true. If spoilt are unbearavlble - same like with any other dog though and kids, no?

True! Mine runs a minimum of 25k a week with me. She puts the ‘hound’ in daschund! Not smelly at all, in fact the least smelly dog I’ve had (previously had spaniels, Weimaraner and a shitzhu).

Hates going out for a wee in the rain though, but happy to go for a walk whatever the weather - no idea what that’s about. Have had to build a ‘shit shelter’ outside so she doesn’t get wet 🙄🙄🙄