Doxie Facts & Questions

How well a dachshund gets along with children depends on three things, the temperament of the dog, how the dog is raised, and how the children are taught to treat animals. A dachshund with a sound temperament, and properly raised with children, who likewise understand how to treat a dog kindly and how to properly handle a dachshund's special needs, should do fine with children. (Of course, small children should never be left unsupervised with any type of dog, and special care must be taken with a dachshund's long back so it will not be injured). Children should never lift, pick up or carry a dachshund unless they are shown the proper way to lift a dachshund. To properly lift a dachshund, one should place one hand under their chest and the other under their rump and lift them up so that their back is always horizontal, never vertical or upside down. With proper care and attention to their backs, you can reduce the chance of spinal injury.

A dachshund is a working dog with a very strong, willful personality; it takes an owner with an equally determined character to own a dachshund. They are not a mean, aggressive or unpredictable breed, just strong willed and a bit stubborn and independent. An owner of a dachshund must be comfortable letting his or her dog know who is the pack leader, in which case, they are not difficult to train. With consistent and rewarding training, they learn quite easily and quickly. As with all animals, they should never be struck, hit or otherwise physically punished in order to deter them from any bad habits or behaviors.

Are dachshunds difficult to house train?

Dachshunds can be notoriously difficult to house train. Luckilly, rescued dachshunds live in foster homes and their families do a great job of starting this training. Many tools can be useful in house training also. We recommend crate training for this, as well as general usefulness. Dogs pick up on housetraining much faster if crates are utilized. Dogs will not potty where they eat or sleep, so it is natural for them not to go in their crate. If taken outside immediately on being released from their crate they quickly learn to associate "outside" as the place to go. Another useful tool for doxies are pet doors. Whether alloing them access all day while you are gone or only when you are home, a pet door allows them to head outside on their own when the feel the need and avoids the risk of their human missing the signs they might give. Reward traning outside when they go potty is also a training tip. If you offer them lots of praise for going outside they will be more apt to learn. Doing this can also allow you to teach them to associate a specific word with going potty which can be very helpful on road trips, apartment life or anytime you need them to get on with it, such as standing in the rain with them when they refuse to go out!

Dachshunds tend to be a very sociable and outgoing breed, and if properly raised and socialized, will generally get along well with other dogs and animals. It is important to remember that dachshunds are a hunting breed and that if you intend to have cats, rabbits, rodents, pocket pets, etc., you should be sure that the dog is trained from an early age to get along with these types of pets. To an unfamiliar dachshund, your new pet rabbit may be seen as hunting game and he will only be doing what is inherent in his nature to do, and that will be to take it upon himself to help you get rid of it! Keep these things in mind when considering a dachshund as a new addition to your home.

Most all breeds have certain health issues that are inherent in the breed. Dachshunds are prone to two main health concerns and a handfull of other moderately common ones.

The main one is Intervertebral Disc Disease (IVDD). This is problems with degenerative disks along the spine, and are highly prone to paralysis from ruptured disks along the back and neck. Barring any accidents, if a dachshund is kept at it's healthy weight, not allowd to use the stairs or jump down off of furniture or high places, and passes it's seventh year with no back troubles, chances are it will not develop any. Of course every dog is different and sometimes everything can be done right and reuptures still occur. That is because the mutation associated with the degenerative disks are attached to the same one that gives dachshunds their small stature. The smaller the dachshund the higher the risk of IVDD. (Read more about IVDD, prevention, and treatment HERE)

The second condition they are prone to is seizures. Seizures can range from mild to severe and some require medication to help control. It is important to note that seizure medication is the same used on humans and is usually very effective at controlling the condition. Dapple dachshunds tend to be more prone to seizure. Dogs with seizures can live long, active, healthy lives.

Third on the list are skin issues related to allergies, both environmental and food. Allergies can cause itching, hot spots, loss of fur and severe allergies can cause sores which can ecoe infected. Sometimes dachshunds may have reactions to certain vaccines, especially the Lepto vaccine. Always talk to your vet about potential reactions and ask about a vaccination series without the Lepto serum.

Finally, dachshunds with the double dapple mutation frequently experience a higher risk of all the above issues as well as a high frequency of deafness and blindness.