About Dachshunds

Dachshunds are an incredible breed. They have the biggest personalities and no two are the same. However, there are a lot of things to consider before bringing home a dachshund to be a member of your family. Below are a few things to know about dachshunds that we have learned over the 30+ years of loving and caring for them.

Dachshunds Are Hunters

Dachshunds are the smallest of the hunting breeds and are classified as hounds. They were bred to hunt badgers, which is where their name sake comes from. Dachshund is a literal translation from German that means “Badger Dog”. They were bred to hunt with their noses. They are scent hounds. This means their nose guides them all of the time… to your food, little lizards, or rodents. Anything that may smell appealing.

That means all rodents, like your beloved guinea pig, rabbit or hamster. While some dachshunds do well with when raised with such pets, but honestly I’d never leave them alone with them. It’s all too tempting. This can hold true for birds as well. Our guys love to chase the birds out of the yard which may be too stressful if you have prize winning hens.

Because they were bred to hunt badgers, that burrow under ground, that brings us to our next point.

Dachshunds Will Dig

They were bred too. Digging is instinctual for them and often this instinct is released in your beautiful garden bed. We’ve lost many a tomato, lettuce, pumpkin, and flower bush to our ferocious diggers.

We have found that instead of suppressing this instinct, it’s better to help them have a safe place to dig. A kiddie pool full of sand with their toys and treats buried in it provides hours of play and saves your yard.

Dachshunds have strong and sturdy front paws that are perfectly designed for digging. Their short legs and long bodies allow them to scurry through the burrows on the hunt.

Dachshunds Are Genetically Prone To Back Injury

Many people attribute dachshunds back problems to their long spines, but the truth is that their short legs are actually causing the issue. The same gene that carries for short leggedness also carries for Intervertebral Disc Disease (IVDD). So when dachshunds were first bred to have short legs, the breeders were inadvertently isolating for IVDD as well.

It’s important to have a health plan in case your dog goes down with IVDD. The surgery, in Australia, can cost upwards of ten thousand dollars. Some pet insurances will cover the procedure, but some will not, so it is crucial to read the fine print when taking out an insurance plan for your puppy.

While we strive to avoid IVDD in our puppies by routinely examining our breeding dogs, there is still a 1 in 4 risk that any dachshund can get IVDD. There is currently no accurate genetic screening for IVDD and the only viable test x-ray screening.

Although IVDD may be genetic, there are still some things we recommend to prevent pressure on dachshunds backs. It’s best to keep them fit and trim. Dachshunds that are obese have an array of health issues, not just back problems. Minimise jumping where possible. Have a ramp for the couch and beds. Keep them strong and active. Take them on hikes and walks and let them have fun! Be sure to always support their backs when picking them up.

Dachshunds Love Food

As mentioned above, it is important to prevent your dachshund from becoming obese. But this can be HARD! Dachshunds love food. All food. Anything edible. And it seems that most are never ever full.

They act like they are starving. They will snag a sausage off of your plate with the speed and agility that would impress a kookaburra. Please keep food portions into consideration. Dachshunds are small and therefore do not need large portions. It is also crucial that your dachshund is getting enough exercise.In a healthy dachshund, you should be able to see a waistline and a tuck behind their rib cage.

Dachshunds also love to chew. We’ve found that most of ours grow out of this around eighteen months of age, but as a rule there are always chew toys or antlers lying around for them to chew if the urge arises.

Dachshunds Need Exercise

Remember, dachshunds are a hunting breed. They have a strong prey drive that needs to be released. A restless dachshund can become a nightmare. They will bark, dig your sofa, shred their toys, and become very anxious. The best way to avoid this is plenty of exercise and exercise through play.

It doesn’t have to be high intensity runs. A slow walk with lots of sniffing can be more stimulating to a dachshund than a long fast-paced run. Many dogs love a squeaky ball or a puzzle game (we love Kongs stuffed with treats). Playing with your dachshund also helps create a strong bond and will aid you in many areas of obedience training.

Dachshunds Bark… And Bark… And BARK!

They are, after all, a hound dog. Some have louder barks than others. Some bark more frequently than others, but rest assured your dachshund will make an excellent alert dog.

They bark to communicate with their families and packs. They bark when they play. They also bark when they’re lonely or bored. While it is possible to train them to not bark as much, it’s just not feasible to train them to not bark at all.

Dachshunds Are Stubborn

Dachshunds were bred to hunt badgers… see how this keeps coming up? That means they had to be able to think quickly, without command, in a burrow when faced with a badger. This also means that they were bred to not back down in the face of danger. Unlike a retriever, who follows commands and aims to please, dachshunds will do whatever they want regardless of what you may be trying to tell them.

This means they are SUPER SMART. They figure things out and find ways in (and out) of areas. For this reason, it is very important to dachshund-proof your yard! They will escape when they find a weak link in the fencing.

Dachshunds are super strong willed, however they are definitely still trainable. We have found that establishing a strong bond (through love and play) and rewarding positive behaviours is key to obedience training with your dachshund. Also, find out what motivated them - food, cuddles, favourite toy - and use that as a reward in training sessions.

Dachshunds Prefer Sunny Days

Be prepared to meet some resistance on rainy and cold days. Dachshunds are low to the ground and wet grass is often far too close for comfort.

Dachshunds are creatures of comfort and are absolutely an indoor dog. They like to be around their families for cuddles and attention. They like to spend time basking in the sunshine, comfy and cozy on your rug or sofa.

That being said, we’ve found that the long haired dachshunds are less fussed with colder weather. They also don’t mind running through a creek or splashing in the ocean. But our short haired dachshunds wouldn’t dream of going for a swim or weeing in the rain.

Dachshunds Can Be Hard to Housebreak

While our puppies have a strong foundation and start out with Puppy Culture where we do our best to have them housebroken before they go to their forever homes, potty training is a lifetime job with dachshunds.

It’s important to stay consistent and continually reward positive behaviour (ie praise when they potty in a desired area). We also recommend having a pet-safe urine remover on hand.

Dachshunds Are A Pack Breed

Dachshunds are very social, especially with other dachshunds. They love having a friend around and do best with companionship. They can become very bored and unhappy when left alone.

If two (or more) dachshunds don’t fit in your lifestyle, be sure to check out local dachshund groups for meetups and play dates. It may also be beneficial to consider a doggy daycare to pass the time for your little dog.

But keep in mind, “dachshunds are like chips, you can’t have just one!”

Dachshunds Come In A Variety

Dachshunds come in two sizes: Standard and Miniature. Standards are classified as over 7.5 kgs, while miniatures are classified as less than 5 kgs. The dachshunds that fall between 5-7.5 kgs are often called “tweenies” though this is not an actual dachshund variety. In Europe there is a third variety called “kaninchen” or “rabbit dachshund” that weighs just 3 to 3.5 kgs. At Ohana Dachshunds, we breed miniature dachshunds. Though we cannot completely guarantee the weight of a fully grown puppy, all of our adult dogs are 5.5 kgs or less.

Dachshunds also come in three coat varieties: Smooth, Long, and Wire. Smooth haired dachshunds have short, sleek hair with minimal shedding. Long haired dachshunds have feathering on their ears, tails and bellies. They require regular grooming to prevent tangles and monthly trimming of the fur in the pads of their feet and back leg fur. Wire haired dachshunds have rough fur, similar to terriers with minimal shedding. They require regular grooming,

Dachshunds come in a variety of colours. While red and black and tan are the most common in Australia, dachshunds also come in chocolate and tan, solid black, solid chocolate, cream, shaded red, shaded cream, black and cream, chocolate and cream and dilute colours such as blue or isabella. Dachshunds also have several coat patterns, such as brindle, dapple (called merle in other breeds) and piebald.

At Ohana dachshunds we breed predominately shaded cream, but can have cream, chocolate and tan, chocolate and cream, black and tan, black and cream, blue, isabella and reds. We could have solid colours or piebalds. At this time we are not breeding dapples.

Dachshunds Are Fiercely Loyal

Like a heartbeat at your feet, they are always by your side. Dachshunds will follow you everywhere you go. Yes, even to the bathroom. They love to be with their families and they’re very protective of their families.

Socialisation is very important with dachshunds so that they don’t become overly protective.

Dachshunds are loving and cuddly. They always want to be on you lap, and if you have more than one, they will ALL want to be on your lap.

They truly are an incredible breed. They’re goofy and smart, cheeky and so much fun!