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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

Miniature Dachshund puppy

47 replies

Parques · 14/12/2021 16:10

Just paid the deposit for a miniature red dachshund puppy yet to be born! Please tell me nice things! First time dog owning family! Excited but terrified! It's going to be like having another baby in the family!

OP posts:
Crabwoman · 14/12/2021 16:55

We have one, and there are three more within the family. Absolutely adorable dogs.

They are loyal, bright courageous and love burrowing under you on the sofa. (Mine is currently asleep between my legs) They are best getting a bed they can burrow into and be covered up. They don't generally like being cold.

They are also very stubborn dogs and can be hard to train and house train, so expect a few puddles. They are not always good with strangers as they try to keep you and the house safe (ours has a full on bark, not a yap 😂). If not well trained they can be mouthy.

They have a huge prey drive (they were bred to hunt badgers), so be careful with any waste baskets etc.

Also, a word of caution, you have to be very mindful of their backs as they are very long and subseptable to injury. They are not really supposed to jump up onto things such as sofas or use the stairs as it can cause injury. If you have kids they will need to be reminded of this and you will need appropriate insurance.

Whitney168 · 14/12/2021 17:02

I am very surprised that any breeder would accept a deposit on any puppy that wasn't a good few weeks in and healthy, let alone one that wasn't even born yet!

I hope it ends well for you and you get a healthy puppy.

AwkwardPaws27 · 14/12/2021 17:14

You need extremely good insurance due to a high chance of IVDD. I'd be looking for policies covering £15k a year, you could burn through lower coverage very quickly if they need an MRI and specialist care. It might be worth contacting your vets and seeing which insurance companies they do direct claims with - otherwise you may have to find the cash upfront and wait to be reimbursed.

Dachshunds are stubborn, can be difficult to house train and can be very vocal, so have a training plan in place and be consistent Smile

When we got our puppy (spaniel) this group Dog Training Advice and Support was invaluable: www.facebook.com/groups/374160792599484/?ref=share

Whitney168 · 14/12/2021 17:26

Gah OP, I am not trying to put the frighteners on you and genuinely hope this does work out well - but did the breeder offer confirmation in writing for what happens in the event of no puppies (bitches can re-absorb later in pregnancy), no surviving puppies, no thriving puppies, no birth defects or later illnesses, insufficient puppies or incorrect dog/bitch/colour mix for the deposits taken?

I very much hope that if there isn't an appropriate pup for you the deposit will be returned and the breeder won't carry it over endlessly to possible future litters.

icedcoffees · 14/12/2021 17:27

They are cute but not the easiest dogs to train unfortunately. They are stubborn and despite their size, they were originally bred as hunters and can run for miles. They need a good amount of (safe) exercise as well as mental stimulation.

All the dachshunds I know took months to be even semi-reliable in the house and unfortunately many do have regular accidents as adults. I would also focus on controlling their barking and do LOTS of socialisation with people coming to the house. They are prone to guarding and don't tend to like strangers.

Make sure you have the highest insurance policy possible and make sure it's lifetime cover - they're seriously prone to back injuries. They shouldn't be jumping on/off furniture (ever) or climbing stairs as puppies. You'll need to carry them or use ramps.

I know that sounds quite negative but it's best to go in with your eyes wide open IMO. They're not a very easy breed and lots of people overlook that because they're small and cute.

Totalwasteofpaper · 14/12/2021 17:32

It wouldn't be the breed for me but....

Get AMAZING comprehensive insurance

Read up on potty training. A lot.

Read up on preventing excessive vocalisation. A lot.

Do not encourage running and/or jumping.

Get some of those little furniture ramps so they can get onto/off of the sofa safely

Buy at least 2-3 good dog beds that are comfy. We have 4 in various rooms. The test for dog beds is I always ask myself "would I curl up in that?"

Enjoy!!!

reasysteady · 14/12/2021 17:35

@Totalwasteofpaper

It wouldn't be the breed for me but....

Get AMAZING comprehensive insurance

Read up on potty training. A lot.

Read up on preventing excessive vocalisation. A lot.

Do not encourage running and/or jumping.

Get some of those little furniture ramps so they can get onto/off of the sofa safely

Buy at least 2-3 good dog beds that are comfy. We have 4 in various rooms. The test for dog beds is I always ask myself "would I curl up in that?"

Enjoy!!!

Yes all this, they are an unhealthy and hard to train breed - quite bitey so try to socialise them carefully
Crabwoman · 14/12/2021 18:12

Yes deffo get a furniture ramp and possibly a staircase.

I didn't want to be too negative in my first post, but absolutely have the best insurance possible. We have had to use it unfortunately and dog is now totally blind.

I would reiterate that they are a very stubborn breed so you need be very on top of training. They are super cute, but hard work so please go in with your eyes wide open.

Crabwoman · 14/12/2021 18:13

That should say stair gate!

PhoboPhobia · 14/12/2021 18:30

If you plan to do puppy classes, book soon. Ours is 22 weeks now and we started looking for classes before we got him and couldn’t get in anywhere.

If you’ve got smallish kids, they need to know he will be nippy and you should read up on how to manage this.

Enjoy. It’s hard work for a while but also so much fun and ours (standard Dachsund) is very loving.

Roselilly36 · 14/12/2021 18:36

Congrats OP, enjoy your puppy Flowers

bunnygeek · 15/12/2021 09:22

Exciting for puppy, but it is unusual for a breeder to ask for a deposit before pups are even born. Is it refundable? Is this a assured KC breeder? Dachshunds usually have quite small litters, and others say, there can be problems with litters as well, including no surviving puppies at all.

Hoppinggreen · 15/12/2021 09:27

I’m really surprised you have been asked to pay a deposit at this stage.
Yes they do look cute but not ideal for first time dog owners, especially if you have young DC.
I hope all goes well but do lots of reading and research around the breed and what health issues to look out for and how to train it.
And yes, very very good insurance

Original poster
Parques · 15/12/2021 09:27

Thanks for all the excellent, well-meaning advice regarding insurance, ramps, temperament, toilet training. No concerns at all about the breeder - very reputable (and bloody expensive!) It's going to be a blast! I'm sure I'll be back once he's been conceived, born and 'home' for further advice. Thanks again Xxx Flowers

OP posts:
Twoweekcruise · 15/12/2021 09:27

I am a dog Walker and have walked many. Gorgeous little dogs but quite hard to train as they are quite head strong. Also as others have said please get good insurance, daxies have lots of health issues especially with their backs, legs and hips. And please, please make sure the breeder is reputable. Personally I have a huge issue with the rise of ‘fashionable’ dog breeds, many have such awful health issues.

Whitney168 · 15/12/2021 13:34

I'm sure I'll be back once he's been CONCEIVED, born and 'home' for further advice.

Lordy, OP, you have more faith than me to pay a deposit for a pup that is not yet a twinkle in its sire's eye, and I feel your definition of 'reputable' may differ from mine, but best of luck and hope it works out well.

Jenjenn · 15/12/2021 13:57

Ours is a gorgeous little doggie. Everybody adores him and we get stopped all the time when out and about. Potty training was actually OK but it was summer and he had access to outside all the time. I put him out for a wee every hour for about a month. It was like having a newborn but at least I didn't have to breastfeed and he grew up a lot quicker Grin

Hoppinggreen · 15/12/2021 16:14

Not even conceived yet?
No way would I be putting down a deposit

icedcoffees · 15/12/2021 16:28

I'm sure I'll be back once he's been conceived, born and 'home' for further advice

Have you really put down a deposit on a puppy that's not been conceived yet? How do you know it will even exist?

Bonkers!

InTropicalTrumpsLand · 15/12/2021 16:36

Given that OP hasn't been scared off by the talks of insurance, IVDD, etc, I presume she knew this information beforehand and chose the breeder accordingly.
I don't necessarily see it as a red flag paying a deposit to go on a wait list, especially if the breeder has such a good reputation. Asking for a deposit can separate those who are serious about acquiring a puppy, after all, and some breeders won't breed until they have enough interested buyers.
OP, do you know when the mating is expected to happen?

Whitney168 · 15/12/2021 18:02

It's an interesting concept replying to threads like this really - it feels as if it is a personal attack on the OP, and it really isn't meant like that. All threads stay here for others to read, and it's useful for puppy buyers to know that this is very much not the norm.

I don't know of a single decent breeder who would take a deposit until pups at least 4 weeks old and in good health - and many won't take a deposit at any stage, as they would prefer both parties to have the option to pull out if things change - i.e. if the buyer is not as they seem (from the breeder's viewpoint) or the buyer gets cold feet but might have ploughed on if they'd paid a deposit.

Good breeders are never worried about a buyer pulling out, they have no issue finding another good home.

SmolCat · 15/12/2021 18:10

I’ve got one. They’re not an easy breed for first time dog owners. But I wouldn’t swap him for the world.

Get a seriously good trainer and be prepared to stick to training religiously for a year+ at the very least. You might not think they need it but you’ll be so happy when you have a well trained, well adjusted adult dog in 2 or 3 years. Your bank balance may not thank you for it but your sanity definitely will.

On a less stressful note: take loads of videos of them as a puppy. The extra tiny stage passes so fast.

Original poster
Parques · 15/12/2021 18:31

Thanks all. We’ve met our breeder and we’re happy she’s completely legitimate. KC registered, puppies vaccinated, chipped etc. It felt almost like an interview as she was checking us out as much as us her! We met some of her female dogs - they completely adore her! That is why we were happy to pay a deposit. She will contact us when she is breeding’ mum and dad - we know who both are! When the litter is born, we meet the pups at 5 weeks if all is well. At 8 weeks he will be coming home, again, if all is well. Great pedigree. Lots of champions - not something we’re interested in perusing! Just want a family pet dog - 10 years later - now we’re both based at home. I’m under no illusion that it won’t be bloody hard work and expensive. It isn’t a decision we’ve taken lightly. Thanks again all. Any further tips and advice welcome! Smile

OP posts:
Kayeloves · 15/12/2021 21:14

@Parques

Thanks for all the excellent, well-meaning advice regarding insurance, ramps, temperament, toilet training. No concerns at all about the breeder - very reputable (and bloody expensive!) It's going to be a blast! I'm sure I'll be back once he's been conceived, born and 'home' for further advice. Thanks again Xxx Flowers
‘Well meaning’ equals I am not interested in health defects or the legitimacy of a breeder taking a deposit at this stage.
Kayeloves · 15/12/2021 21:15

Aaand another thread hidden.

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