Wire haired dachshunds

[longdistanceclaraclara]

We are finally in a place to consider our next dog after losing our beloved cairn last year. Over the years I've had 4 cairns and they have all been brilliant dogs. I'm reluctant to get another though as if it's not another brilliant dog I think I'll find it really difficult, plus the fact there seem to be hardly any around now.

So considering a wire haired dachshund, have read all the breed profiles etc, but does anyone have any first hand experience? are they all yappy? im used to the terrier 'independence' so a bit of fiestiness doesnt bother me!

Am also looking at rescues but they are pretty much all staffs here and theyre too big for us.

For context I work mostly from home, 1 to 2 days a month in the office, my parents would have any dog on those days.

Standard or Mini? Make sure you have a good read of Dachsy health problems, especially with their spines as that can make for some whopping great vets bills down the line, eye watering ones.

Dachsy's are designed to be loud, a small dog with a big dog bark, and can still have the terrier-esque desire to hunt small furry things. But if you're a terrier pro that shouldn't come as a shock. I think the wire haired ones may have more of that instinct than the smooth hair ones as they're less common and therefore might still have the "working dog" brain well and truly wired in.

I’ve had 36 Cairns over the years,used to show & breed them along with my Skyes so can understand your love. They are surprisingly rarer now, I blame the way some of the breeders were going, not following the proper standard.
Does it have to be a wire? They do have more of the terrier look but I know of someone who has smooths & they are lovely, so affectionate.

I genuinely wouldn't touch a Daschund if you paid me. They have so many health issues and tbh I am yet to meet one that wasn't a yappy little turd with aggression towards bigger dogs complete with unapologetic owner saying 'he's so friendly'

I really would echo PP about expensive vets bills. My best friend has one - reputable breeder, fully health tested parents. She jumped through all the right hoops to try and get a healthy dog. But you can't get guarantees with back issues on Daschunds. It was diagnosed with IVDD in 2021. She's paid £14K so far in vets bills/rehabilitation and still rising. I think the surgery alone was £8K? Being (brutally) honest, I think it would have been kinder on the dog to PTS rather than put it through the surgeries it had to have.

Have you thought about a border terrier?

I have one! He’s the best thing ever, not yappy at all. Feel free to pm me.

If you type dachshund into dog bite/aggression surveys, you’ll find the dachshunds are the number one breed responsible for the most unreported bites. Statistically they’re responsible for far more bites and attacks on humans than the xl bully, they just don’t cause anywhere near the same damage as large breeds so it generally goes ignored. If you get a dachshund then statistically there’s a 1 in 5 chance of it turning human aggressive, and a 1 in 12 chance of it attacking another dog. Those statistics are pretty horrendous, and bear in mind that most of those attacks are not against its owners, they tend to go for either children or strangers. They generally are very yappy. And the vets bills for these dog can be out of this world. Due to the shape of their back, slipped and herniated discs are extremely common, and they’re the sort of injuries that can sometimes never be cured. Once its spines fucked then it’s generally going to cause it pain forever. You’re not meant to let them climb stairs/jump on the couch etc as even these are major risks of injury to these dogs

Used to have Border Terriers but now have a standard WHD ( aka a Teckel), and while he has some dachshund characteristics ie can be stubborn and a bit barky when he gets excited, in other ways he appears almost a different breed to the smooth haired. He’s much more robust, quite ‘solid’ and quite strong and does show some terrier type characteristics….a couple of his siblings are working dogs with a gamekeeper in the Scottish Borders. He’s very sociable with other dogs and humans, enjoys long walks but equally happy with a chill out day at home. Health wise he has allergies ( on medication) and is prone to ear problems, but no spinal problems at the age of 7, he climbs stairs and jumps up onto sofa etc. think it can be ‘the luck of the draw’. Affectionate and loyal I wouldn’t be without him!

I'd join the FB group "UK Wire Haired Dachshund" so that you get a feel of what the typical problems might be

I'd also read this guide to Buying and Owning a Dachshund.

And then work out what you think they'll cost to keep and treble it

Oh and if you're still interested register yourself with:

Dachshund Rescue UK or

The Red Foundation

Both rehome dachshunds but you might have to wait a bit

Thank you everyone, lots to think about!