About Dachshunds - All You Need to Know About Dachshunds

December 5th, 2011

Are Dachshunds Smart?

Dachshunds are one of the most clever, curious dog breeds available. As a Dachshund owner, everyday your precious Dachshund will amaze you with the funny things your Dachshund figures out.

With a seemingly endless curiosity and a clever mind to boot, you may ask yourself, are Dachshunds genuinely smart?

Any Dachshund owner will tell you that yes; Dachshunds are the smartest breed on Earth. But how does the Dachshund’s intelligence stack up in comparison to other dog breeds?

In 1994 a professor named Stanley Coren wrote a book called The Intelligence of Dogs. In this book Mr. Coren studies the intelligence of difference dog breeds and ranks them based on working and obedience intelligence.

To compile this data Mr. Coren sent evaluation requests to American Kennel Club and Canadian Kennel Club obedience trial judges. These judges were asked to rank dog breeds by performance.

This data resulted in a list that is widely used as a benchmark for ranking dog breed intelligence.

So where does the beloved Dachshund rank on this extensive list?

Out of the 132 dog breeds represented, the Dachshund comes in at number 49. This places the Dachshund at average working/obedience intelligence, right before the Alaskan Malamute and directly following the Boxer and Great Dane.

So what does this mean?

Mr. Coren defined working/obedience intelligence to be a breed’s ability to learn from humans. So it appears the Dachshund has an average ability to take commands from its owner.

On the surface this may not sound very thrilling. But keep in mind, as any Dachshund owner will tell you, Dachshunds can be very stubborn.

Dachshunds tend to march to the beat of their own drum at times. They are very proud, confident little dogs. But even though they can be stubborn, Dachshunds are fiercely loyal to their owners. They will do anything to please and satisfy their leader.

Once a bond is formed between a Dachshund and their owner, you will find that a Dachshund becomes much more receptive to commands and obedience training.

It is important to establish yourself as the leader of the pack, and set the ground rules for your home. You will find that your Dachshund will fall quickly into your daily routine.

With enough patience and trust, your Dachshund will become your loyal follower and biggest fan. By taking the time to build a bond in the beginning, you will find that your Dachshund will become much more receptive to obedience training and commands.

Even though Dachshunds do a fine job of obeying their owner’s commands, it’s important to note that Dachshunds have a strong curiosity. Dachshunds frequently allow their powerful noses to lead them. After all, the Dachshund was bred to hunt badgers and other small animals.

This natural instinct can cause your Dachshund to get on a trail and ignore everything else going on in the world, even the sound of your commands. This may be the Dachshund’s biggest downfall, or perhaps it’s most beloved quality.

Watching a Dachshund follow its curious nose and hunting instincts can be very entertaining. Whether its chasing a squirrel up a tree or feverishly hunting lizards (a favorite pastime), your Dachshund will provide endless amusement.

Any Dachshund owner knows that a Dachshund will always be a Dachshund. But with the right amount of loyalty and training, the Dachshund can be one of the brightest and most obedient breeds available.

December 5th, 2011

Adopting a Rescue Dachshund

The decision to bring a new Dachshund into your home is a very important one to make. When it comes to locating a new Dachshund, there are a number of avenues to consider.

More and more commonly, new owners are choosing to adopt their new Dachshund from one of the many Dachshund rescue centers that are out there.

All around the United States there are many shelters set up to house needy Dachshunds who live without a permanent home.

Dachshunds wind up in these rescue centers for a variety of reasons:

An owner finds that they can no longer afford to keep their Dachshund when unexpected vet bills arise.

Owners find that they no longer have the time to care for their Dachshund the way that it deserves.

A Dachshund’s owner may pass away, leaving it without someone to take care of it.

An owner moves into an apartment where pets are not allowed.

Unfortunately, some Dachshunds also end up in rescue centers because they came from an abusive owner. It angers me and breaks my heart that anyone would abuse an animal, especially a sweet and loyal Dachshund. These Dachshunds are in desperate need of someone to love them the way they want to love their owners.

A few things to consider when choosing to adopt a Dachshund from a rescue center:

Many of these Dachshunds are older and have already been trained or housebroken. This can be very important for someone who does not have the time or patience to train a new Dachshund puppy.

Dachshunds that have been abused or mistreated will often form a strong bond with a loving owner. Dachshunds are pack animals and will eagerly join a new pack that will love them and take care of them.

Adopting a Dachshund can teach good values to children. Showing a child that everyone deserves a second chance in life can instill an important lesson. Your children will learn compassion and caring for others.

Adopting a Dachshund from a rescue center is an extremely rewarding experience that I believe everyone should consider. There a lot of needy Dachshunds out there who are looking for permanent homes and owners who will love them.

I encourage everyone to put a lot of thought into where they decide to acquire their new Dachshund.

For further information on adopting a Dachshund from a rescue center, I suggest the resources below:

Dachshund Rescue of North America

All American Dachshund Rescue

Almost Home Dachshund Rescue Society

December 5th, 2011

How Do You Know If a Dachshund Breeder is Reputable?

So you’ve decided that a Dachshund would be the perfect addition to your family. Where’s the best place to acquire one?

Searching for your new Dachshund can be an extremely exciting time in your life. The process can take days, weeks, or months depending on how quickly you find the perfect Dachshund that melts your heart. One thing is for sure, you’ll know the second you’ve found your new Dachshund companion.

When you begin your search you need to ask yourself a few questions about what’s important to you in a new Dachshund:

How important is it for your new Dachshund to be purebred?

Do you want a Dachshund puppy or one that is older and housebroken?

Would you like to adopt a Dachshund that has been rescued from a tough situation?

There is no right or wrong answer to any of these questions. No matter what you choose I know that you’ll fall in love with your new Dachshund friend.

The route that I’ve typically taken in the past is to go through a breeder. The term “breeder” can be a very loose term and must not be confused with some of the questionable operations that are being run out there. Breeders typically are selling Dachshund puppies, although some may have some older Dachshunds available.

Buying a new Dachshund puppy from a reputable breeder is something that is very important to me personally.

Here’s a list of questions to consider when qualifying a new breeder:

Will they provide complete health records, as well as a pedigree for your new Dachshund puppy?

This is not a negotiable topic in my opinion. Full health records provide a complete snapshot of your Dachshund puppy’s health history and how responsibly the breeder kept up with the required veterinarian visits. All Dachshunds purchased should also come with a pedigree. This will give you a complete view of your new Dachshund’s lineage. It’s very important to know where your Dachshund came from, whether it’s purebred or not.

Did they enthusiastically welcome you to their home or kennel to meet the Dachshunds?

It is very important for me meet my new Dachshund puppy’s parents and view their living conditions. By viewing the parents you have a good idea of what your new Dachshund puppy will grow up to look like. This also gives you a chance to view the environment your puppy was raised in.

Was your Dachshund raised by a loving family in a home or in a larger, kennel type atmosphere?

In the past I’ve always purchased my Dachshund puppies from homes where they were raised by a loving family. I personally believe it has a huge impact on the way your Dachshund will turn out when grown.

Did the breeder take the time to get to know you better?

Any reputable breeder has a genuine concern for what kind of homes their Dachshund puppies go to. They should never give a puppy away to the first person who comes along with a check. The demeanor and attitude or the breeder will tell you a lot about how your Dachshund puppy was raised. Most reputable breeders will tell you that, if for any reason you cannot take care of your Dachshund in the future, please bring them back to the breeder. This is a sign that the breeder cares.

A great resource for anyone looking to purchase a Dachshund through a breeder is Dachshund Club of America. They have a list of reputable breeders as well as additional tips on picking one.

December 5th, 2011

Smooth, Longhaired, or Wirehaired? Choosing Which Dachshund Coat Variety is Best for You

Dachshunds are a very interesting breed. They come in all different sizes, colors, and coat varieties. Because of this, there is most likely a variety of Dachshund for almost anyone’s tastes.

Dachshunds can be found in three distinct coat varieties:

Smooth

The smooth Dachshund is by far the most popular variety seen in the United States, as well as what most people picture in their heads when they think about Dachshunds. Smooth hair Dachshunds have a short, velvety coat that is very easy to take care of. The coat is shiny and accentuates the long, lean, muscular body of the Dachshund. Smooth Dachshunds come in more varieties of colors than any other Dachshund type. Although extremely low maintenance, light shedding does occur with the smooth Dachshund.

Longhaired

The longhaired Dachshund is a very beautiful variety of Dachshund that has seen increased popularity in recent years. Longhaired Dachshunds have silky and wavy hair that is pronounced on the ears, underside, tail, and back of the legs. The elegant look of longhaired Dachshunds can often be seen in the dog shows you may see on TV. Longhaired Dachshunds require additional grooming compared to smooth Dachshunds. Daily brushing and the occasional trip to the groomer will keep your longhaired Dachshund looking fabulous.

Wirehaired

The wirehaired Dachshund is the most seldom seen coat variety in the United States, but the most popular variety seen in the Dachshund’s home country of Germany. Wirehaired Dachshunds have a thick, rough outer coat that covers a soft, thin undercoat. The most striking and unique feature of wirehaired Dachshunds is a beard and long eyebrows, giving off the appearance of a “little old man.” The thick hair of the wirehaired Dachshund is generally low maintenance, although occasional brushing of the beard and other longer areas may be required.

Before choosing a coat variety in your new Dachshund, be sure to ask yourself how much time you’re willing to devote to grooming. Longhaired and wirehaired Dachshunds require a bit more grooming than a smooth Dachshund would.

As you can see, there is a Dachshund coat variety for just about anyone!

December 5th, 2011

Welcoming Your New Dachshund Puppy Home

The big day has finally arrived! Today is the day you will be welcoming your new Dachshund puppy into your home for the first time.

I know very well the excitement of getting your new Dachshund puppy home to meet its new family and learn its new surroundings.

Before bringing your new Dachshund home, there a few things you’ll need to do to prepare:

Be sure to bring a small box and a soft blanket when picking up your new Dachshund puppy.

These will be used when transporting your new puppy home in the car. It’s very important to ensure that your Dachshund puppy is safe and secure on its way home. A cardboard diaper box and baby blanket work great for this purpose.

You can choose to secure the box with a seat belt or have a friend or family member hold the box on their lap. Either way, be sure to have your Dachshund puppy secured in the back seat of the car. Never transport your new puppy in the front seat as this presents a big safety risk.

The move will be very stressful for your new puppy, so be sure to make it as comfortable and painless as possible. Your new Dachshund will appreciate it.

Have your new Dachshund puppy’s bed and play area set up ahead of time.

When arriving at home with your new Dachshund puppy, chances are it will be chaotic and fun to watch your puppy run around and investigate its new surroundings.

I’ve found that having your Dachshund puppy’s bed and play area set up beforehand makes for an easier transition into its new home. The first area that your new puppy should be introduced to will be its play area. This can be an area that can be fenced or blocked off from the rest of the house when needed.

By doing this, your Dachshund will indentify this as its new territory and will hopefully feel comfortable and content when left here.

Whether you have chosen to crate train your new Dachshund puppy or simply have a bed set up in its play area, be sure to have this available to your puppy when it first arrives. Chances are your puppy will sniff around its new bed and begin to become acquainted.

Decide beforehand where your new Dachshund puppy will stay when you’re not at home.

As touched on before, you’ll need to make a decision about where your puppy will stay when you aren’t around to watch it.

Crate training is a very popular and recommended means of housebreaking a new Dachshund puppy. By keeping your Dachshund in a crate when left alone or sleeping at night, you can rest assured that your new puppy isn’t getting into trouble or having accidents around the house.

Some people may have their objections to crate training, but I’ve found it very effective when house training a new Dachshund puppy. Dachshunds appreciate small, cozy places. Don’t be surprised if your new puppy develops a quick attachment to their crate.

Your other option is to set up a bed in a secured, designated area for your new Dachshund puppy. When doing this, be sure that this area is able to be fenced or blocked off, is free of anything you wouldn’t want your puppy chewing on, and has flooring that is able to be cleaned easily.

Remember, your new Dachshund is just a puppy and accidents are inevitable.

With the right amount of planning and preparation, you’re new Dachshund puppy will have a smooth transition into its new home.

Prepare well, be safe, and fun with your new Dachshund puppy!