About Dachshunds
The Dachshund is a short-legged, long-bodied dog breed that belongs to the Hound family. Miniature Dachshunds were originally bred to hunt small prey, eg Rabbits. Whereas the Standard Dachshund was developed to scent, chase and flush out Badgers.
The name Dachshund is of German Origin and means 'Badger Dog'. The German pronunciation is 'DaksHund'. Although they are commonly nicknamed 'Sausage Dog' or 'Weiner Dog'.
Appearance
A typical Dachshund is long-bodied with muscular, short, stubby legs. Their front paws are large and are paddle shaped for extreme digging. The Dachshund has loose skin, a deep chest and a long snout.
There are three coat types in Miniature Dachshunds, however we only breed Miniature Long Haired and Miniature Smooth Dachshunds.
Smooth Coat
Short, Glossy coat
Minimal Shedding
Low maintenance
Long Coat
Silky Coat
Feathering on ears, legs and tail
Medium Shedding
Require Weekly grooming to prevent tangles
Monthly trimming of foot fur, and back leg fur is required
Wire Coat
Wire coats come in both Rough and Silky
Low to Medium shedding depending on the coat
Regular Grooming required
Dachshunds also come in a wide variety of colours and patterns. The most common is Solid Red and Black/Tan. They can also appear in a merle (known as Dapple in Dachshunds) coat pattern and this can occur on all colours.
Here at ONATAH Dachshunds we breed a variety of colours and coat patterns, including shaded red, shaded cream, black & tan/cream, chocolate & tan/cream in solid, piebald and dapple.
Temperament
Dachshunds are playful but as hunting dogs can be very stubborn and difficult to train. They are known for their devotion and loyalty to their owners, though they can be stand offish towards strangers and sometimes struggle with Children. Dachshunds are very protective dogs, If left alone for long periods at a time they can develop separation anxiety and often do become destructive to help relieve the stress. Dachshunds can be extreme chewers as puppies.
Health
This breed is prone to spinal problems such as Intervertebral Disc Disease (IVDD),. They are also prone to several other problems including Epilepsy, Angular Limb Deformities, Dental Issues, Ear Infections, Various Allergies, and Cherry Eye.
*Our breeding dogs have been tested for all hereditary diseases however all breeds have their risks and it is important to be aware of the ailments Dachshunds are prone to prior to purchasing*
Things to consider before bringing home a Dachshund
1.They Bark
They can't help it, it's in their genetic make up. They were originally bred for hunting, and when they are hunting they use different types of barks to communicate with their owners. They will bark to alert you to any changes in their environment, right down to a bird landing in their yard. They will bark to communicate with you and with other dogs. You can contain their barking with training but you will never eliminate it. So, if you live somewhere where a barking dog may cause problems, you might want to reconsider a Dachshund.
2. They Dig
If they can see daylight on the other side of a fence, most Dachshunds will dig to try to get to it. You will need solid fencing that reaches right down into the ground. Expect holes in your yard. There are exceptions, some dogs are more prone to digging than others, but if you are proud of your yard and do not want holes, you may need to reconsider a Dachshund.
3. They are agile.
Dachshunds are way more agile than they appear. Do not for one minute be fooled because they are short and cute. They CAN and will jump on furniture, your lap, to get up on your bed, to find a way to escape their enclosures and so on. There are of course exceptions to the rule, some bloodlines produce shorter, stockier dogs that find it difficult to jump where others produce leaner, more athletic builds that find jumping extremely easy. If you don't want dogs on your furniture, you may need to reconsider a Dachshund.
4. They put on weight!
Most Dachshunds love food and will put on weight very quickly if you don't watch their diet. Excessive weight is worse for Dachshunds than most other breeds because it puts stress on their long spines. So you will need to be strict with their diets and don't go overboard with treats.
5. They like to be indoors.
Dachshunds love to be around people, they like to be indoors, not all the time, but most of the time. They like to be where ever you are. They crave being the centre of attention, and love to spend time with their humans. If you want a dog to simply live in the back yard happily, you may need to reconsider a Dachshund.
6. They are notoriously stubborn!
They are not easy to house train. They will get it, with careful training and persistence, however they do get worse before they get better. If it's raining or cold outside, you will most likely find that your little 'prince' or 'princess' won't step a foot outside to go. They will eventually get the hang of house training, usually a Dachshund is not house trained until 9-12 months of age. So, if you don't like the idea of accidents inside, or if you have carpeted areas, you may need to reconsider a Dachshund.
7. They chew!!!
If a Dachshund can see something, then it belongs to them. They have incredibly strong jaws and teeth and love to use them. You will need to be vigilant about what they can reach, especially as a puppy. Dachshunds are prone to destructive behaviours when left alone, so if you don't like the idea of loosing a few pairs of shoes, or having teeth marks in your furniture, you may need to reconsider a Dachshund.
8. They have delusions of grandeur.
Dachshunds have no idea of their size in comparison to other dogs. They will happily approach big dogs in the park with a decent level of sass. They were bred to hunt and because of this they have a courage that far outweighs their size. They are incredibly loyal, so they will protect their property (without considering what they're protecting it against). So, if you think you cannot handle a certain level of sass, you may need to reconsider a Dachshund.
9. They want to be with you. Always.
They will get under your feet, they will sleep on your lap/body, they will get in your bed, they will be under your feet when you open the fridge door, you will have no bathroom privacy. So if you like the idea of your own space, you may need to reconsider a Dachshund.
If you have read through all of this and are still considering a Dachshund, then this is why; They are the most unique breed with every single Dachshund having a different personality to the next. They are loyal, protective, affectionate and loving. They will make you laugh endlessly. They will test your patience and they will be the best friend you could have ever asked for.
