Dachshund

Dachshunds come in smooth, short-haired, wire-haired, and long-haired varieties. They are very popular dogs around the world. They are elegant and proud little dogs, usually lovingly called sausage ‘Weiner’ dogs!

Originally bred to fight badgers and tunnel for animals, these dogs are intelligent, brave, stubborn, and independent. They are also very playful and loving and keep you entertained for hours.

Exercise

They can cope well if you are living in a flat or apartment. They will be happy if they get their daily walk and plenty of playtime. They do love to bark, so make sure you consider this. They tend to cope better than other breeds with being left for a short period. You may still get those puppy dog eyes when you leave.

Loving

They love being with their family but typically bond slightly with one person. This can lead to jealousy, so it needs to be watched. They are good with kids. However, they have their limits, and it is probably best to avoid young children with this breed. Older kids, though, will spend hours running around the back garden with them.

Strangers

They are excellent watchdogs; you will always know about incoming dangers and anything outside. This means they are very un-trusting of strangers and will be wary. You must make sure you socialise with them when they are young to combat this behaviour.

Other Animals

They should be OK with other dogs but may be better as the only dog in the household. Cats and small animals may be OK if used to them. They will generally chase neighbourhood cats with delight!

Training

They are intelligent and relatively easy to train, but they are stubborn and independent, so you might want to discover their motivation reward early on to make the best progress. They prefer fun and playful training rather than harsh or forceful training. They can be difficult to house-train.

• Independent Streak: Dachshunds are intelligent but also independent and can be stubborn, making consistent, positive reinforcement training essential.
• Potty Training: They can be challenging to house-train because they are small and may not like going out in bad weather. Patience and a consistent schedule are key.
• Barking: Dachshunds can be vocal, often acting as little watchdogs. Early training to manage barking is a good idea.

Grooming

Each breed variety requires different care. They shed all year round, more so in autumn and spring. Short hair is low maintenance with weekly brushing. Wire hair is also low maintenance with weekly brushing. Long hair is higher maintenance and will require daily brushing to avoid matting.