You really want a Dachshund puppy! Here's a healthy dose of reality.

You really want a Dachshund puppy! 

You’ve seen cute photos of Dachshunds on TV, on Instagram, Facebook, in celebrity magazines, or being walked locally. They look so sweet and cute and you can’t wait to get your own, perhaps even dress it up for photographs. 

Before you do, here’s a healthy dose of reality to think about so you go into it with your eyes wider open: 

1. BUYING:

Recently, the online selling sites have been flooded with pups being sold at crazy, crazy prices, often under false pretences. 

Naive buyers are snapping them up and discovering too late that the gorgeous little pup isn’t actually what they paid so much for, or has massive health problems that will cost a fortune in vet fees and cause the dog a lot of pain in later life. 

Two examples: 

a: did you know maybe as many as 1 in 4 dachshunds can suffer from IVDD (back disc problems)? This happens typically in middle age and may require weeks and weeks of crate rest, 24/7 attention and/or an operation costing £5k plus. Which dogs are affected is massively influenced by inheritance and lifestyle factors, yet many of the new breeders don’t understand how to reduce the risk of their pups being affected later in life. 

b: did you know that those ‘blue’, ‘lilac’ or ‘isabella’ colours are dilutes of the standard colours and many dilutes may end up with colour dilution alopecia which causes bald patches and excruciatingly itchy skin conditions? Just two example of later health problems - plenty more that can be reduced by decent breeding. 

2. THE NEW PUPPY:

It may be riddled with worms, cry every night, throughout the night for weeks; pee and poo on carpets, chew sofas, shoes, your dirty knickers; sharp puppy teeth may bite you or your children, the constant barking may cause friction with neighbours or your partner. The pup may refuse to walk - or refuse to come back when off lead. It may hate being left alone and it’s going to be a nightmare once you go back to work. 

All these are solvable, more or less, but it takes way, way more time, patience and energy to deal with it than many people think. 

3. THE MATURING DOG:

As well as possible ongoing issues with house-training, barking, walking, destructive behaviour, being left on their own, you have a few more treats in store.  

Females come into in heat roughly every 6-9 months, so furniture has to be covered over to protect from blood spots, they may have a false pregnancy and they MUST be kept away from male dogs at all times to avoid accidental pregnancy (where there’s a willy there’s a way and sometimes “it only takes a minute, girl”). For male ‘teenage’ dogs, humping everything in sight, all the time, can be a favourite pastime.  In either case, it’s recommended not to neuter until at least 12 months because the risk of IVDD is much higher in dogs neutered early. 

4. ADULTHOOD:

If the work hasn’t been put in as a pup by the breeder AND the new owner, then adults may end up with separation anxiety, howling the place down when left. They may still pee and poo in the house. They may misbehave out on walks (at least 2x per day in all weathers) or be aggressive to other dogs or humans. They may suffer the dreaded IVDD or other health issues which end up costing a fortune in vets fees, apart from all the worry and extra care required (don’t forget to factor the cost of good insurance into your budget - anything from £30-£130 per month). Oh and if you have plans to breed from your dog or bitch - as well as all the research you should be doing to produce nice pups, the process itself is fraught with problems, from the grossness of possibly needing your physical intervention in the mating to possibly losing your beloved girl to complications. Not a decision to be taken on a whim or ‘because it would be nice for my girl to have a litter’ ... or worst of all, to make money. 

Sorry, long post but it’s meant kindly. Bottom line is: do the research first and understand what’s involved. Are you really the perfect Dachshund buyer and is NOW, the right time?

For more information, here’s a good place to start: Advice for Buyers

Written by DBC Pet Advisor, Gill Key.