Top 7 Pros and Cons of owning a Dachshund

The Dachshund is one of the most popular dog breeds in the world. Also known as the sausage dog or badger dog or the Wiener dog, this breed has a long body with short legs. Earlier in Germany, they were mainly used to hunt, track, and retrieve burrow dwelling animals (mainly the badger). They are loyal, affectionate, and intelligent dog breeds. According to AKC, the Dachshunds were ranked as 12th most popular dog breed in the United States.

One of the best-kept secrets in the world of dog ownership is that owning a Dachshund can be both fun and rewarding. But if you don’t know what you’re getting yourself into, it can also be a huge pain. The good news is that owning a Dachshund is not as difficult as you might think. The dachshund is a perfect choice when you are looking for a family dog. 

The Dachshund is often referred to as a “lazy dog” or “couch potato dog,” and that’s simply because it spends most of its time sleeping. So, if you’re looking for a dog that will keep you company and take up very little space in your home, then the Dachshund might be perfect for you. However, if you’re looking for a dog that is active and energetic, then the Dachshund might not be your best choice. Our today’s article is all about the pros and cons of owning a Dachshund. Here in this article, we will provide you with tips as to why should you choose a Dachshund over other dog breeds or why should you not.

dachshund- Petsforcare

Pros and Cons of owning a Dachshund

Pros of owning a Dachshund

1. Loyal and Loving Dog 

Dachshunds are an affectionate and loyal dog breed. It is super loving and affectionate towards its owner and does everything to keep everyone pleased and happy. Dachshunds naturally relate to little people and small kids but not all kids. This breed loves people and if well socialised, will revel in the attention of the whole family. That said, Dachshunds are epitome of one person dogs: it may be interested in strangers and other dogs but it always knows to whom to return and whose orders to follow. They like to stick to one person and providing constant companionship, protection and plenty of unsolicited advice.

Dachshunds have become an iconic symbol of a loving, family dog. Their affectionate and loyal ways of showing love and loyalty have made them the perfect choice for any household. From the moment they are born, if they are given the best of care and affection, they are a great choice for any home.

2. Brave and Protective Watchdogs

If you are looking for a dog that is brave, loyal, and protective, then this is the right dog for you. Don’t get mistaken by their small size as they make great watchdogs for their families. They are keen observers and listeners and will attentively sound an alarm when something isn’t right. With a dachshund, you will always have a companion that will be loyal to you and your family. They will be fearless and ready to take on any situation.

Dachshunds are one of the most intelligent and brave dogs. They don’t take lightly the entry of strangers in their domain. As an alert watchdog he watches and listens and barks! They don’t just bark at random people or things; they bark at what they perceive as a threat. They don’t just bark once; they can bark over and over again, until the threat is chased away or been told that the person is okay to come into his domain.

3. Great for City Living 

Dachshunds are great for a city lifestyle because they are small enough to fit in most apartments and homes. They are also very affectionate and friendly dogs. Dachshunds also get along with most other animals. So, if you want a dog that is good for city life, you should consider getting a dachshund.

They are highly adaptable and happy to live in any environment or climate. Whether you live in the city or country the Dachshund doesn’t require a large home. Even if you live in a small studio apartment you can enjoy a happy life with a Dachshund.

Having said that, they do need regular exercise and walks and leaving them alone for long can lead to destructive behaviour.

4. Do not require often grooming

Dachshunds are small sized dog breeds with short, shiny coats. They are moderate to low shedders however don’t expect to leave masses of hair on your sofa or floor. Dachshunds generally come in three different varieties: smooth, longhaired and wirehaired. While the longhaired have a dense coat and shed the most. The smooth haired shed throughout the year but the wirehaired shed the least among all. Their low shedding makes it a great advantage for their owners as weekly brushing is suffice to keep their fur healthy and clean.

A lot of people assume that grooming dogs requires a great deal of time, but it is actually quite easy. We recommend that you start with a thorough brushing, then trim their nails, check their teeth, and give them a bath if needed. You can also take the them to the groomer for a more thorough cleaning.

5. Higher Life Expectancy

A Dachshund’s lifespan is about 12 to 16 years, which is longer than most dogs. Dachshunds are very energetic dogs that require lots of exercise and mental stimulation. Many Dachshunds have set the record of long living. As per Guinness world record, Chanel a Dachshund was recognised as world’s oldest living dog. There are also few others who have lived 20+ years like Otto, Funny, Lady and Rocky.

The fact is that smaller dogs tend to live longer lives in general (compared to large dog breeds). While the exact cause of this is unknown, it is thought to have something to do with their show growth rate which possibly delays the onset of age-related diseases.

Proper attention along with love and affection can prolong their life. It is equally important to exercise them well which will help to keep fit and healthy for a long period of time.

6. Quick and Agile

Despite being referred to as lazy dogs or couch potato these dogs are extremely quick and agile. Chasing and running after him is a no-win situation for you. They love playing with toys, balls and paper-towel tubes and will amuse himself for hours if he doesn’t get a companion to play with.

Their history of chasing and hunting the larger ones like badger and smaller ones like rabbit continues to be in their blood line. And this makes extremely agile and quick by nature. They are quite adventurous and love to run around and explore new things. Being a hound dog, they love to smell and follow their smell in hope of hunting or catching a prey.

Dachshunds are quick and agile -- Petsforcare

7. Different Varieties 

The best part about Dachshunds is that they come in different colors, mixes, coat patterns, coat types and different sizes. There are mainly three different types of sizes of Doxies available which are Standard, Twinee and Miniature. Based on their coat they can classified into Smooth-haired, Long-Haired and Wire-Haired. Similarly based on standard coat color and patterns they can be categorised into Single, Bicolor, Brindle, Dapple, Sable Piebald and other non-standard coat patterns. While not all of these are recognised by AKC but you still have a lot of options to choose from.

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Cons of owning a Dachshund

1. Dachshunds live to eat

One of the cons of having a Dachshund is they love to eat. Expect your Dachshund to pester you for food. He is a beggar and steal your food if needed. Many of them have no sense of how much food they can reasonably consume. As long as there is food, they will eat it. Therefore, it is always wise to keep your food out of their reach. Ban them from entering your kitchen premises and dining room until you have trained them to stay away from table and counters. Also, we know, that Dachshunds are clever and intelligent and if there is a way to get to food, they will find it.

Dachshund live to eat -- Petsforcare

 2. Loud Breed

If you’re thinking about buying a puppy, you should know that Dachshunds are loud dogs and they have a distinctive loud bark. This is also a common characteristic seen with hound dogs. Barking is part of their modus operandi. In the past, they were bred to hunt badgers or other small game underground and they would normally howl or bark to alert their owner. If you live in an apartment or close quarters it is important to take a note of this. Although you can train them not to bark excessively but they do bark quite frequently.   

We recommend you take them to a quiet place to socialize with them before you bring them home. Once they get used to their new surroundings, you can introduce them to people around your neighbourhood. If you want a dog that will fit into your family but doesn’t like the idea of having one that barks all day, then perhaps a Dachshund isn’t the right choice for you. These dogs can be very friendly, but also can become very territorial.

3. Have a tendency to dig

The Dachshund follows its prey by scent. The Dachshund’s nose with the help of his long ears picks up the scent and he is off to his mission to track its prey, dig to the quarry and bark to alert the above-ground based hunter. This characteristic is still prevalent in today’s Dachshunds. They were made for the purpose of digging. A tiny puppy can easily disappear from sight within minutes if he sets its mind.

They enjoy digging for many reasons: to bury yummy bones for later, to dig up newly planted bulbs, to make a nice cool place to lie down or just for fun. This can be a con for owners. Hence, you should never let your Dachshund out of your sight for long time.

Dachshunds love to dig -- Petsforcare

4. Not very suitable for young children

Dachshunds may not be suitable with small children or kids. Kids love Dachshunds, and the feeling is mutual. But kids can get boisterous and rough with small dog. In general, they love to play but sometimes they need some lone time. However, if they are bothered during their lone time, they may become aggressive. It is also advised to mix your children and Doxie from a small age. Introduce them slowly and teach your children to handle them with care.   

They are particularly sensitive so; you need to make sure that you keep it away from children under the age of two. Dachshunds can be playful, and that’s okay, but they also need to be taken care of.

5. Stubborn and Lazy Dog

A Dachshund is a loyal and affectionate dog breed. It’s important to know how to communicate with your dog because he will not always listen to you. Dachshunds aren’t people and they must be taught to live with people. They can be very stubborn than some breeds so training can be frustrating for a beginner. They are notoriously stubborn and may have heard words like defiant, headstrong, obstinate to describe them.

They are independent thinkers and like to follow their own commands. Not to forget that they are lazy and love to sleep all day long. He can be stubborn, however, if you don’t keep up with his training, this can be a bit annoying. Its important to start his training at early age to overcome such issues.

6. Prone to various health issues 

Doxies can experience several health issues due to their shape and size. As we saw earlier that they love to eat and excessive eating can make them prone to obesity. As a result, they can develop some serious spine or back issues. This in turn also puts pressure on their short legs and this may cause some serious issues like Hip Dysplasia.  About 25% of Dachshunds experience back issues as a result of Intervertebral Disk Diseases as well. This is a genetic disease that can lead to immobility and may require surgery if not treated well.

Also, because these dogs are so low to ground, they are also prone to picking up injuries along the stomach and chest.

Thus, as an owner you must be very careful about his movement and what he eats. You should also be ready to cover up for such expenses.

7. Most Harnesses and Jackets You Find in the Pet Store Will Not Fit Your Dachshund 

Most pet stores carry a few different types of dog harnesses and jackets, but many of them are poorly designed for Dachshunds. In fact, we are not even sure if all of them are safe for a Dachshund. Dachshunds can be difficult to fit with a harness. The size of their chest and their short neck make it challenging to fit them with a harness correctly. In addition to the problem of fit, some harnesses can put undue pressure on the windpipe.

The best way to find a size or style that works for your Dachshund is to measure him. The best place to do this is at the shoulder, where it’s most natural. The ideal jacket length for your Dachshund should be just below the elbow, and it’s best to avoid jackets that are too long. The width is more important than the length.

Conclusion

Dachshunds are considered an all-around dog, which makes sense because they are capable of being both a lap dogs and a running machine. They are very smart, friendly, and eager to learn, so if you’re looking for a dog that will be your constant companion and love you unconditionally, this is the dog for you.

Dachshunds are wonderful dogs, but they have some quirks that you should know about before you get one. Some people think that they are the perfect dog because they are small, fast, and agile, but the truth is that Dachshunds are more likely to be destructive than they are to be affectionate. They also have a tendency to get into trouble. Because of their size, they need a lot of exercises.

FAQ:

Q. Can Dachshunds swim?

Dachshunds are no swimmers. You can always teach them how to swim, but they will never be good at it. The reason is, the breed has very small legs to paddle in the water. 

Q. Which Dachshund is also a social media sensation on the internet?

The Dachshund named Crusoe is a popular internet sensation and a public figure.  It has its own Facebook page and has received over two million likes! The Dachshund also has a Youtube Channel that has over 84 million views. In 2015, the dog even went to the launch of his own book ‘Crusoe: Adventures of the Wiener Dog Extraordinaire!‘ that turned into a New York Times best-seller.

Q. What was the first official Olympic mascot?

The first official Olympic mascot was a Dachshund. Waldi, the Dachshund was created by the 1972 Munich games’ Organisation Committee Christmas Party. It was a colourful Dachshund and was perfect for the role of a mascot. In that year, the Olympic officials also decided to lay the track of the marathon in the shape of a dachshund.

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