One of the famous, not to mention cutest, dog breeds is the dachshund. This long and short legged dog is a breed that came from Germany, and was originally bred to hunt ground dwelling animals like chase, badgers and rabbits.
Dachshunds remain to be one of the ten favorite breeds in the United States. At present, the dachshund is domesticated and highly trained home companions. They are usually winners in dog shows, demonstrating their extreme intelligence and cuteness.
They can be short or long-haired. The wire-haired variety is seen in Germany and not in the US. Dachshunds come in red, brown and black colors. They can weigh as much as 15 kilos and can live up to 13 years on average.
They are clever, courageous, loyal and playful animals which can be fun to have at home. They also have a comical way of moving about, which makes them hilarious pets and truly enjoyable when trained in the proper manner.
What is so great with dachshund behavior?
These dogs are curious, intelligent and highly sociable. Dachshunds are very loyal and possessive dogs. They indicate their preference over one owner over other people in the household. They tend to be very attached to their owners and will not hesitate to show it.
They are very affectionate. They are so affectionate that they love sleeping in the same bed as their owners.
Dachshunds are very territorial that is why they are good as house dogs. They will not hold back at barking at strangers. If not trained properly, their sense of possessiveness will be a problem. It is advised that pet dachshunds should be trained early on about restrain or controlling territorial behavior.
These so-called “sausage” dogs are extremely sociable. They get irritated if they do not socialize, and lack of companionship, usually leads to bad behavior. This is why it’s better to keep dachshunds in pairs because they prefer being with their own kind.
Watch out for Nasty Behavior
Dachshunds are very territorial and possessive. They are expressive about this possessiveness too. They will bark incessantly at people that they consider a threat to their affections to their owners. They tend to bark excessively to strangers, especially when they do not socialize regularly.
As they are trained to hunt ground dwellers, dachshunds love to dig. Make sure that you watch out for this and train them not to do this.
Dachshunds are difficult when it comes to going out in the cold. They do not like cold weather and will insist on defecating inside the house if they could. Apply assertion at all times when training your dog.
In short, dachshunds are notorious for their stubbornness. Housebreaking may be a challenge and it may take longer compared to other dogs. Because of their intelligent and stubborn behavior, they have their own idea of the rules in the house, and may be totally different from the pet owner’s.
They are very witty when it comes to testing their boundaries. Pet owners must always be clear when it comes to house rules, making sure that these rules are followed consistently.
Dachshunds are also predisposed genetically to herniated discs. This is what dog owners should watch out for because the length of their bodies cannot be fully supported by their backs. Discuss these concerns with your vet as soon as the first visit.
Caring for Your Dachshund
There are simple ways of caring for your pet dachshund. It might take you a while to get used to it, but the rewards of a well-cared for dog will give you longer and more enjoyable moments with your pet.
- Carry with care. Take note on how you carry your dachshunds. Unlike other dogs, they need to be carried with support to their backs. Make sure that when they are carried, the lower back portion is supported as well as the middle, and do not carry by their heads or feet.
- Put a gate at the stairs. Dachshunds should not go up and down the stairs. Install a baby gate to prevent him from playing on the stairs. This is because your pets’ short legs and long body do not make them equipped to climb the steps.
- Manage their weight. Dachshunds should always be slim and narrow. If their weight is not managed, and they are overfed, they will be obese and take a toll on their backs. Create an exercise routine for them and keep them active to burn energy.
- Groom regularly. Dachshunds should always be well brushed to keep their coats healthy. Take your pets to Petco to ensure that they are groomed by professional technicians. Ears and teeth care are extremely important, and make sure that these areas are clean at home.
