Dachshunds help

[Gonnagetgoing]

My DM has decided she would like to buy me (I've always wanted one) a wirehaired dachshund. Basically one of her close friends (C) is buying one from a breeder (dog had puppies 3 weeks ago) but friend stayed with her friend and got to know the wirehaired dachshund and adores it and DM says she will get me one - I could afford it but it's a gift to me. We have checked the breeder (friend of friend (C) bought a puppy from there 2 years ago) and they are reputable breeders and not inbred. All KC registered.

So talk me through dachshunds, how much walking etc? I will be back in the office 2 days a week, would it be ok being left alone for those 2 days?

Also - Pet Insurance - I have an adopted cat (it adopted me) but don't pay for insurance as she's never ill. What would you suggest for the dog? And the puppy will get on with the cat yes?

I've had a labrador at 9 and as a teenager.
Getting a puppy as an adult, and a puppy dachshund at that, will be nothing like this. You’re basically a new dog owner, a novice.

Do all the research you can. Go to all the classes. Ask for help. You’ll be grateful you did in the long run.

@SmolCat

I know about 40+ dachshunds. I can only think of 2 or 3 who would suit running. They definitely can’t run twice a day. For one thing it’s not going to be enjoyable for them: they like to stop and sniff. You won’t be able to run with it until it’s securely an adult. You’ll know by then anyway whether it can run with you or not.

Definitely the stop and sniff. You have to remember Dachshunds are hounds. They are all about the nose and having a good sniff.

Show and kennel club reg mean nothing. Previous litters ditto. Coefficient of Inbreeding is important but only part of the picture. You can have two wholly unrelated dogs with really low CoI but where both parents have genetic tendency toward the same fatal or life limiting condition.
I don't know this breed but as a general principle you need to be fully appraised of any breed's genetic health and temperament risks.
On the KC site, there is a health test finder for all KC reg dogs. Do the sire and dam both have the basic minimum recommended health clearances?

I'm biased here because a family member has a wire haired Dachshund and he has absolutely ruled her life for 9 years. Health conditions and behavioural uh quirks agogo.

Do you actually want a dog? Were you considering this before your family member offered to get one? If so then go for it after doing your checks. If not.... Take a long step back.

@Goawayangryman - I'm going to be looking into both the sire and dam's health clearances for the dogs.

I do want a dog actually which is why when the breeder told us about them mating and pregnancy we both put our names down for one. I have been told if I decide not to get the puppy to let them know ASAP.
I have been considering getting a dog (and can afford the monthly insurance etc) for a couple of years now. I do like the dachshund breed.

@SmolCat

I've had a labrador at 9 and as a teenager. Getting a puppy as an adult, and a puppy dachshund at that, will be nothing like this. You’re basically a new dog owner, a novice.

Do all the research you can. Go to all the classes. Ask for help. You’ll be grateful you did in the long run.

@SmolCat - I do recall my mum training the labrador puppy. She took it everywhere, shops, socialised it very well and when we went away in summer holidays for 2 weeks a family friend stayed with the puppy.

No dog training classes were attended but DM trained the puppy herself and also re wee etc in and out of the house too. We were lucky, the puppy only chewed electric wires once and that was it!

I do agree I'm a new dog owner but I do have experience of dogs.

I mean e.g. my DM's first dog, her ex-DH's dog was an Afghan Hound and though she was very fond of him, took him to work etc, I would never get one of those - he cleared 6 foot fences easily to jump and escaped easily too.

Sounds like you've made up your mind :) one thing I would say is, do not meet those puppies until you've done the checks. Once you've met them.....

The only other thing I will say is that I underestimated the difficulty of working from home with a young puppy. And mine was actually pretty easy and slept a lot. Up, down, up, down, clear up poop, clear up fox poop trodden back through house, feed, 4x a day, walk, train... all takes so much time. And they will bark loudly and very persistently when you're on that call with the most senior person in your organisation.

Definitely agree on the afghans. My friend has one and it is absolutely thick as mince, as well as being very agile.

We have two mini wirehaired dachshunds.

Yes, they're little sods but they're not quite as fragile as they're being made out to be on the thread...

I would agree that leaving them alone for a working day is far too much. Ours loved doggy day care for the one day they were in it. They used to come home and strut around, having spent all day running with the big boys. That said, they are small dogs - yes you can take them out on a five mile hike, but they are equally ok with a couple of times around the block and tearing round the garden. They're not huskies, they don't need chaos running out of them.

Neither of mine would be ok for taking running. One is too stubborn and would just sit and glare at me, the other is a sniffer. I think you need a breed with longer legs if you'd like to do that.

Insurance again an absolute must, best cover you can get. They're completely oblivious to their own bendiness, and will happily throw themselves about if you're not watching them like a hawk. One of ours used to climb a bush in the garden - that was fenced off pretty sharpish!

Wouldn't be too concerned about the cat. If the puppy is introduced and the cat is a feature from the word go, I think you'll be fine.

Training is a pain in the arse. They are very intelligent, but also very stubborn. They CAN do it, but will only do it if they want to. Food a huge driver. Accidents will happen, but that's the same with any dog. Getting them out to pee in when it's windy is a pain, That's when we tend to have accidents!

They bark. They're dogs 🤷🏻‍♀️ minis don't actually yap though, they proper bark which is funny from such a small dog. One of ours goes loopy at any animal on TV, the other has issues with the postman. Cross you have to bear.

Overall, wonderful dogs. If you are looking for a pup that will make you laugh, fill up your camera roll, get you out and talking to people and snore on you every night on the sofa - perfect. If you want a sporty, immaculately trained companion, I'd rethink.

If you want a sporty, immaculately trained companion, I'd rethink.
Couldn’t agree with this more. There’s no harm in researching other breeds as well. If you’re looking for something to go with a specific lifestyle (eg twice daily runs) then choose a breed that suits that.

I do agree I'm a new dog owner but I do have experience of dogs.
I’m not saying you don’t. But a child watching their mum training a lab (a highly trainable breed btw) is not the same as you as an adult being responsible for this puppy dachshund. There’s no harm in acting like a novice, it means you’re more likely to find out the right thing to do, to do the training properly, to ask experts, etc. I’m not insulting you by saying you’re a novice - it’s a good thing not to blindly act like you know it all.

If you’re set on this dog then all I’m saying is to continue your research so you’re as prepared as can be.

Definitely the stop and sniff.
You have to remember Dachshunds are hounds. They are all about the nose and having a good sniff.

This. My cocker spaniel is similar - a 30 minute run would be far less effective at tiring him out than 30 minutes sniffing in the undergrowth

Dog training may have moved on since your mum trained your lab. People used to (and some still do) push their dogs backend down to make them sit and use lead corrections for unwanted behaviour, neither of which you want to do to a breed that is prone to back and leg issues.

I would look into training using positive reinforcement only, e.g. Chirag Patel and Zac George on YouTube. If the puppy is going to be at your mum's two days a week, she needs to be onboard with how you want to train it. You both need to be consistent in your training or the puppy could become confused and anxious.

@Goawayangryman

Definitely agree on the afghans. My friend has one and it is absolutely thick as mince, as well as being very agile.

@Goawayangryman - no the Afghan wasn't stupid at all - very clever actually - he just knew he didn't want to be stuck at home all day. He had lived with DM in countryside though.

He used to be with my nana or step-grandma and if they let go of his lead (why?!) he'd run round the corner of the street (pavement) and then by the time they got there would peek round and run off. He used to end up at our local police station as a child and they'd happily be feeding him steaks!

Thanks for all the advice on dogs. I'm 99.9% sure I am getting this puppy but he's still very young.

Am planning on a proper 'visit' I think next weekend or weekend after.

I do know a bit about dachshunds and training as my friend had one (crossbreed) and I know they bark etc.

I'm perfectly willing to put in time with him, do dog obedience classes etc and there's a local 'doggy meet up' in the local park so will attend that.

I don't want a dog I can run with either - I might look into another dog for that - spaniel? But am quite happy to have a cuddly cuddle dog.

@Goawayangryman

Definitely agree on the afghans. My friend has one and it is absolutely thick as mince, as well as being very agile.

@Goawayangryman - yeah the afghan - he was trained but they have minds of their own. I'm not saying he didn't act dumb!

He was one of the first Afghans (from the 60s or 70s) to be bred etc and his breed name was something like Shergar/Shirkan. An American man one came up to my mum in Hyde Park saying 'Is that dog a Shergar/Shirkan?' Mum said yes. Turns out his grandad was a Westminster (American) Kennel Club Champion and had his photos in a book on them! Sadly dear old Kafka (that was his name) wasn't a show dog but he was the type of dog people would admire. Typical 60s/70s dog.

I must admit for pure class and stunning looks Afghans do it for me but no way could I handle one!

You can run with a spaniel but that would be in addition to sniffy walks, not as a replacement for them. They really need to sniff & use their brains otherwise you end up with a super fit loon.

I highly recommend this training advice group, their pre-puppy & puppy clubs were invaluable when we got our puppy (like you, had family dogs as a kid but very different doing it for the first time as an adult) - www.facebook.com/groups/dogtrainingadviceandsupport/?ref=share

Gold standard insurance from day one - don't leave it to organise til later or sods law says puppy will swallow something / break a leg... (former veterinary receptionist, saw it so many times where people hadn't got around to arranging cover yet).