stamp 202507201515
When getting a Dachshund, you need to consider their breed characteristics. Many (myself included) keep them as hobby dogs nowadays, but Dachshunds are a functional hunting breed.
Dachshunds were bred to go into badger and fox dens alone and navigate there (hence independent minded, smart, “I got this, don’t need your instructions”), and then, face foes multiple their size (hence brave, loud, feisty, ego much bigger than body).
You need to prepare yourself to outstubborn your dog in training, which isn’t easy with these independent den hunters who hate micromanagement.
Related
- Different animals need different training mindset. Bird training is pure mutual manipulation.
- I train my dogs with Cesar Millan’s pack leader mindset.
- How to care for the back of a doxie
- Try your best to prevent jumping (it will happen anyways, ungovernable bastards :D). Keep them lean and fit, so no unnecessary weight on the spine, and plenty of muscle supporting the joints. When you pick up and hold, support the bum, so there’s no vertical strain on the spine.
- While growing, a puppy will shapeshift of course, sometimes very slim, sometimes chunky, just like a human baby. But as a teen and adult, aim for the healthy shape. https://www.dachshundhealth.org.uk/body-condition-and-weight
- I found that I need to feed way less than the package recommendations to keep this shape. So I aim for the shape, and scale the kibble portions to that. It’s funny how just a consistent 5 gramms difference can show up on my doxie’s waist.
- I weigh them a couple times a week before dinner and keep a weight log.
- Dachshund stories:
- Valerie the 1 year old, pink accessories, cute family dog got scared an ran away during a camping trip in the Kangaroo Islands. The initial search was unsuccessful, the family left her behind grieving. Locals spotted Valerie again after a year, alive and well, with little intention to get caught. With the tireless work of volunteers, after more than 500 days in the wilderness, Valerie got back to her family, perfectly healthy and in shape. This young, tiny pink lady was perfectly equipped to brave the wilderness.
- In 2014, in Pancevo Serbia, a roller skating girl was attacked by a Bullmastiff. A neighbour rushed to the scene, accompanied by her 2 years old Dachshund Leo. Leo attacked the Bullmastiff to save the girl, Nikolina. She got away, but Leo suffered grave injuries. Despite the best effort of local and Belgradian vets, after multiple surgeries and two days of fighting, Leo passed away. The town raised a statue in his honour a year later. https://www.atlasobscura.com/places/leo-dog-monument A stunning example of Dachshunds being den hunters, willing to engage foes multiple their size.