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Important things to know

How ready are you for your new puppy?

How to look after your puppy

What our vet says

Quick Facts:

Breed Origins: Germany ( 1500's)

Breed usage: Hunting Small Game - Badgers, rabbits etc

Dog Weight: 12 - 32 Pounds (Standard) Less than 12 pounds (miniature)

Dog Height: 8 inches (miniature) to 11 inches (standard) to the shoulder

Average life span: 12 - 14  years

Characteristics:  One of the most widely recognized of breeds the Dachshund is a delightful companion. Apart from his size everything about him is big, from his deep devotion to his family to his bravery and tenaciousness. He himself has every confidence that he is a big dog and will fearlessly defend his property and people from perceived threat and will never hesitate to take up a challenge thrown down by dogs much larger than himself. He is an excellent watchdog and guardian of his territory. Always alert to whatever is going on the presence of strangers is announced with a loud and ferocious barking out of all proportion to his size. With friends and family and with dogs that he knows he is a playful and mischievous character. This extroverted personality, combined with intelligence and an independent streak makes necessary an owner who will firmly but kindly set the boundaries of acceptable behaviour. Once trust and respect are established he will give his love and loyalty without reserve. In return all he asks is to be included as one of the family. He thrives on attention and companionship and is unsuited to being left alone in a yard for long periods of time. In such a situation he will become miserable and bored and may seek outlets for his frustration in destructiveness, barking, or attempts to escape. This breed is not recommended for families with young children as teasing is not well tolerated and inappropriate handling and rough play can easily cause spinal damage.

Temperament:  Dachshunds are playful, fun dogs, known for their propensity to chase small animals, birds and tennis balls with great determination and ferocity. Many dachshunds are strong-headed or stubborn, making them a challenge to train. Dachshunds may dig holes in the garden. They have a particularly loud bark, making

dachshunds good watchdogs. Dachshunds are known for their devotion and loyalty to their owners, though they can be standoffish towards strangers. If left alone many dachshunds will whine until they have companionship. Some dachshunds are prone to separation anxiety and may chew objects in the house to relieve stress.

According to the American Kennel Club’s breed standards, "the dachshund is clever, lively and courageous to the point of rashness, persevering in above and below ground work, with all the senses well-developed. The dachshund's current AKC ranking is 6. Any display of shyness is a serious fault. Their temperament and body language give the impression that they do not know or care about their relatively small size. Like many small hunting dogs, they will challenge a larger dog. Indulged dachshunds may become snappy.

The dachshund's temperament may vary greatly from dog to dog. Long Hair dachshund's have a calmer but also intelligent character inherited from the Spaniel dogs' genes. Wired hair doxies have much of the terrier's spunky personality.

Seemingly most dachshunds do not like unfamiliar people, and many will growl or bark in response. Although the dachshund is generally an energetic dog, some are laid back. Due to this dog's behavior, it is not the dog for everyone. A bored dachshund will become destructive. If raised improperly, dachshunds can become aggressive or fearful. They require a caring owner that understands their need to have entertainment and exercise. Some may not be good with children, and they may bite an unfamiliar child. Others are tolerant and loyal to children within their family, but these children should be mindful of the breed's back and not carry them around roughly.

Grooming & Exercise:  Grooming a longhaired dachshund takes some skill and practice. Perhaps a professional might be a good option as they have lots of experience. This is good advice even if you plan on grooming your longhaired yourself. The professional can answer questions and will be able to give good advice. Starting off with a clean and well trimmed dachshund helps you get over the initial hurdles. With a little practice you'll be a pro in no time.

With the longer haired dachshunds it is important to blow-dry them after you bathe them instead of allowing them to air-dry.

Keeping the coat brushed and cleaned regularly goes a long way in keeping her longhaired coat manageable. Before brushing, use a comb to go through the coat, gently to help untangle small knots and remove hair that has separated from the skin. Then use the brush.

Daily brushing with a soft bristle brush will keep tangles minimized. Carefully brush twice a week with a wire-pinned brush to remove any tangles that may have formed. Start at the head and work backwards. Once you have groomed the coat thoroughly, use the soft bristled brush to remove any loose hairs. Always brush in the direction the hair grows, not against the growth pattern.

If her coat is long enough to pick up dirt and debris from outdoors, you can trim the underside very carefully with straight scissors and another person to hold her steady so she doesn't move and accidentally get nipped with the scissors.

In some instances if you've neglected grooming your longhaired, she may have some serious tangle issues that may need to be cut out. It is probably better to cut the coat than putting her through the painful ordeal of trying to untangle the matt.

Try to set up a regular schedule and stick to it as best you can. Grooming longhaired's is an important part of their well being. Plan on taking your longhaired to a professional groomer twice a year even if you regularly bathe and brush her. You'll have a lovely dachshund year round with this loving care and with a clean and tidy longhaired, you'll be more likely to want to hold her.

The Dachshund loves to get out and about and he requires what may be regarded as a surprising amount of exercise but the breed was developed for the endurance and tenacity to hunt for a full day. Dachshunds can put weight on very easily and obesity is one of the major causes of back problems in the breed so daily walks are a necessity to keep him trim and to keep his mind active. He will take delight in the opportunity to run and explore off-lead in a secure area, but it is unwise to allow him to roam at large as he will find it next to impossible to ignore tempting burrows and enticing scents. It is extremely important that he is not permitted to jump or to frequently negotiate stairs and steps as such activities can cause spinal injury.

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