Is the Dachshund the Right Breed for You?
Is the Dachshund the right breed for you? Before you proceed further in your quest for the Dachshund of your dreams, think carefully about the pros and cons of Dachshund servitude (because, as you'll soon see, Dachsies own you, not the other way around).
The pros of owning a Dachshund
There are some major benefits to owning a Dachshund:
Dachshunds love you unconditionally.
Studies show that having a pet lowers blood pressure and helps to manage stress.
Fulfilling your dog's exercise needs may keep you in shape.
Dachshunds are great companions and listeners.
Dachshunds are good at warning you if someone is outside the house — welcome or not.
If you bring home a rescued Dachshund, you can feel good about saving a life. And your dog will show his gratitude every day.
Dachshunds can help teach children to respect and be kind to animals.
The cons of Dachshund ownership
It's one thing to prepare for a dog; it's another thing to prepare for a Dachshund. Dachshunds have all the basic needs of a dog, but they come with a few unique quirks and considerations. As sweet and lovable as Dachshunds are, if you want a Dachshund, you need to understand the realities of Dachshund ownership:
Dachshunds have fragile backs. Because of their shape (big dog, short legs), Dachshunds are genetically predisposed to have bad backs that can easily be injured and can sometimes have problems for no reason at all.
Certain ordinary things can injury a Dachshund's back:
Dachshunds love to jump. But jumping can injury a Dachshund's back, so you need to keep your Dachsie from jumping off high places like beds, couches, porches, and so on. Some people install ramps in their homes to help their dogs.
Dachshunds need plenty of attention and affection. They want to be with you, not tied to a chain in the backyard.
Dachshunds live to eat. Obesity puts further strain on a Dachshund's back — not to mention his heart and entire body. You must be prepared to keep your Dachshund's eating under control.
Dachshunds bark. Barking is actually bred into this breed. They were bred to hunt small game and bark to alert his human. Although you can train him to not bark as often, but if you can't get used to it, or don't get a Dachshund.
Dachshunds aren't easily housebroken; until they are, your carpet or other household surfaces may suffer.
Dachshunds are manipulative. They're cute, and they know it. They're clever, too. They can get you to do just about anything, unless you have rules and you stick to your guns.
Dachshunds require an extra dose of patience. They can be stubborn and hard to train. If you freak out every time your Dachshund makes a mistake — accidentally or on purpose — you'll give one of you a coronary. Teaching a Dachshund is a lot like teaching a child: Keeping your cool will prove that you're the pack leader and the one with all the power.
Dachshunds are more stubborn than some breeds, so training can be frustrating for the beginner. Don't give up. If all else fails, talk to your vet, hire a trainer, and practice, practice, practice.
How's that for a reality check? Think long and hard about the commitment you're about to make before you bring home a Dachshund.
Dogs Glossary
A-B-C assessment
Checking a dog’s airway, breathing, and circulation.
Dogs Glossary
animal shelter
1. An animal control agency run by local government to protect people from animals, take in strays, and manage animal issues and problems within the community. 2. A privately run shelter managed by individuals who want to protect, advocate for, and find homes for animals.
Dogs Glossary
BARF diet
A method of feeding dogs as closely as possible what they would eat in the wild: raw flesh and bones, along with vegetable matter from the stomachs of their prey. The acronym stands for either Bones and Raw Food or Biologically Appropriate Raw Food.
Dogs Glossary
blow out
A twice-yearly shedding of a dog’s undercoat.
Dogs Glossary
blue slip
An application to register a purebred puppy.
Dogs Glossary
breeder
A person who raises, sells, and often shows dogs of a specific breed. Reputable breeders screen parent dogs in an effort to produce healthy dogs that conform to breed standards.
Dogs Glossary
castrate
The removal of a male dog’s testicles to render him infertile.
Dogs Glossary
clicker
A small hand-held device that makes a sharp cracking sound when pressed. Paired with a food reward, an effective dog-training tool.
Dogs Glossary
cohesive bandage
A stretchy wrap that clings to itself used to cover and secure gauze bandages without tape.
Dogs Glossary
come into season
The advent of a female dog’s term of fertility.
Dogs Glossary
dead ring
The stationary ring on a training collar that pulls on the collar, not the dog’s neck.
Dogs Glossary
double coat
Two layers of fur — a top coat of stiff guard hairs and an undercoat that serves as insulation.
Dogs Glossary
dropped ears
The term for hanging or drooping dog ears.
Dogs Glossary
Elizabethan collar
A wide, cone-shaped plastic or cardboard collar that prevents a dog from being able to scratch her head. Used to prevent further injury or hasten healing.
Dogs Glossary
euthanize; put to sleep
To kill an animal to relieve suffering.
Dogs Glossary
fall
Hair that extends over a dog’s eyes.
Dogs Glossary
feathering
Long hair that runs from armpit to paw on the backs of a dog’s legs.
Dogs Glossary
free-feeding
Keeping a constant supply of dog food available so that the dog can decide when and how much to eat. It works best in single-dog households where there’s no competition for food.
Dogs Glossary
heartworms
Parasites that live in dogs’ hearts and cause heart failure. They’re transferred through mosquito bites.
Dogs Glossary
heat
The period when a female dog is fertile.
Dogs Glossary
heel
A command and position in which a dog walks at your left side staying with you as you change direction or pace.
Dogs Glossary
hip dysplasia
A painful malformation of a dog’s hip socket. Some breeds are genetically predisposed to the condition.
Dogs Glossary
hot spot
A localized area of skin infection. It’s usually round, red, and warm to the touch.
Dogs Glossary
live ring
The floating ring of a training collar. Attach a leash to this ring for training purposes.
Dogs Glossary
neuter
A general term to describe either spaying or castrating a dog to render it infertile. Neutering and castrating are often used interchangeably.
Dogs Glossary
pantaloons
The tufts of hair on the backs of a long-haired dogs legs that make him look like he’s wearing bloomers.
Dogs Glossary
pedigree
A diagram of a dog’s ancestors for three or more generations that lists the registered names of the dogs and the titles they earned.
Dogs Glossary
pinch collar
A training collar with interlocking prongs that pinch a dog’s neck when tugged on. Some veterinarians recommend them above all other collars for training purposes.
Dogs Glossary
praise
A verbal reward for a dog , such as an enthusiastic “good dog!”
Dogs Glossary
prong collar
A training collar with interlocking prongs that pinch a dog’s neck when tugged on. Some veterinarians recommend them above all other collars for training purposes.
Dogs Glossary
pulse
Normal dog pulse is between 70 and 120 beats per minute. The pulse of a puppy ranges from 120 to 160 beats per minute.
Dogs Glossary
puppy mill
A place that supplies puppies to pet stores, usually without screening for possible genetic defects or properly socializing the puppies.
Dogs Glossary
registration certificate
The paper certifying a dog’s registration with an accredited organization.
Dogs Glossary
registration slip
An application to register a purebred puppy.
Dogs Glossary
release word
A word that lets a dog know that she is free to move.
Dogs Glossary
rescue group
A network of animal lovers who rescue and find new homes for their favorite breeds or animals.
Dogs Glossary
reward
To give a dog a treat for a correct response while he’s still in the desired position.
Dogs Glossary
ruff
The long, thick fur around a dog’s chest, shoulders, and neck.
Dogs Glossary
separation anxiety
A condition in which your dog becomes anxious and stressed when you leave him.
Dogs Glossary
shed
A twice-yearly process of casting off the undercoat in a double-coated dog.
Dogs Glossary
single coat
A single layer of hairs that comprises a dog’s fur.
Dogs Glossary
spay
To remove of both the uterus and the ovaries of a dog to render her infertile.
Dogs Glossary
stripping
Plucking the dead hairs from a dog’s coat.
Dogs Glossary
titer tests
Tests that check a dog’s immunity levels to determine exactly which vaccinations are needed.
Dogs Glossary
top coat
The top layer of a double-coated dog composed of stiff guard hairs that tend to be naturally water-repellant. The top coat protects the dog’s skin and undercoat.
Dogs Glossary
training collar
A collar that enables you to guide your dog and to check her as necessary — a brief, sharp tug tightens the collar around the dog’s neck.
Dogs Glossary
treat cup
A plastic container filled with small treats or dog food. Shake it and give treats from it as a reward as you train a dog.
Dogs Glossary
undercoat
Fleecy or downy fur shorter than the top layer of a double-coated dog. The undercoat serves as insulation.
