Dachshund - PDSA

Dachshunds are affectionate and playful little dogs who have a lot of energy considering their smaller size. Once they’ve tired themselves out getting into mischief, they’re happy to curl up somewhere warm with their owner.

Dachshunds can have either short or long fur. There are six varieties available; smooth, long or wire haired which can be either standard or miniature sized. They’re clever dogs who can be wilful at times so suit experienced owners with the time and patience to train them.

 

Common health problems in Dachshunds

Dachshunds are active dogs who enjoy being involved in everything around the home. Sadly, due to the way they have been bred, they are prone to certain conditions.

If you are thinking of buying a Dachshund puppy, make sure the parents of your puppy have had the relevant health screening to reduce the chances of your puppy being affected by certain conditions. We’d recommend looking for a Kennel Club Assured Breeder as they meet extra requirements which will benefit your puppy’s health.

Some of the conditions Dachshunds may develop include:

• Intervertebral disc disease – abnormality of the discs that provide cushioning between the vertebrae (back bones). Both standard and miniature varieties are affected by back problems.
• Heart disease (miniature varieties).
• Progressive Retinal Atrophy – gradual loss of sight over several months or years. DNA testing of all miniature varieties prior to mating is recommended.
• Dry eye.

If you want to minimise the risk of your dog getting problems, you can read our advice on choosing a pedigree dog.

 

Caring for your Dachshund

Dachshunds are loyal and loving dogs but definitely have an independent side to them when it comes to training! They do well with experienced owners who are used to (and prepared for!) their little quirks.

They are very entertaining dogs due to their playful nature, so there’s certainly never a dull moment with a Dachshund around! They don’t do well on their own and prefer to have someone around all day who they can play with.

Dachshunds and barking

Your Dachshund is likely to make noise in some form or another and this will be down to their training and personality. Because they are so clever, it is possible to train a Dachshund not to bark a lot for no reason but this needs to start at an early age. They have a surprisingly deep bark and will definitely use it to let you know if they’re unhappy about something. If you’re having problems with excessive noise, we recommend seeking the advice of an accredited behaviourist.

Training and socialisation

Dachshunds need positive, reward-based training from an early age as they can be wilful when it comes to training. You’ll need to set clear boundaries and be consistent with your Dachshund and prepare to be very, very patient with them. As they have a strong prey drive Dachshunds have been known to lose interest in their training sessions if they smell something more interesting. For this reason, they suit experienced owners who are aware of their needs. If you need a bit of extra guidance with training, we’d recommend taking them to accredited training classes.

Dachshunds love attention so by socialising your Dachshund from a young age with lots of people, dogs and experiences they will grow into happy and fun-loving adults.

Dachshunds love human company so can develop separation anxiety if left alone. They do best in homes where someone is around all day to keep them company and play with them.

Exercise