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.