Dachshund
The Dachshund or Sausage dog, or the Weiner dog or the Badger Dog is a unique short legged and a long body hound dog breed.
Breed Profile
Height
7 – 9
Inches
Weight
16 – 30
Pounds
Life Span
12 – 16
Years
Health
health
Intervertebral Disk Disease
What is it?:
There is a gelatinous substance that is surrounded by a thick outer layer between the bones and spine in dogs. This substance serves as a shock absorber for the spine. When the intervertebral disc ruptures, it can result in concussion or compression of the spinal cord, causing lasting damage. Due to their extremely long spinal column and a short rib cage, Dachshunds are very prone to this condition.
Clinical signs
Unwillingness to exercise or walk
Difficulty in defecating or urinating
Trembling or shaking during walking
Holding the neck lower than usual
Limping
Difficulty breathing
Treatment
Stages 1-3 treatment may include anti-inflammatory drugs and pain relievers.
Stages 4 and 5 treatment may include surgery
Eligible vet bill
$5,000
*Hypothetical reimbursement examples illustrate reimbursement of an eligible vet bill at the noted reimbursement rate, assuming the annual deductible had already been satisfied and the annual coverage limit has not yet been met. Annual deductible, co-insurance, benefit and coverage limits, and exclusions may apply. Eligibility may vary. Visit https://spotpet.com/spot-sample-policy.pdf for full terms. For Canada enrollments only, reimbursement rate is based on the pet's age.
health
Luxating Patellas
What is it?:
Patellar luxation is a condition where the kneecap (patella) slips out of the groove in which it normally rides up and down. It could be slipped medially, which is towards the opposite leg, as opposed to laterally, which would be away from the dog.
Clinical signs
Skipping or hoping for a few strides while running and kicking the leg frequently to put the kneecap back in place.
Treatment
If it is a mild condition of luxating patellas, common arthritis medicine may be prescribed. But, if the problem is severe then a re-alignment surgery may be needed
Eligible vet bill
$2,500
*Hypothetical reimbursement examples illustrate reimbursement of an eligible vet bill at the noted reimbursement rate, assuming the annual deductible had already been satisfied and the annual coverage limit has not yet been met. Annual deductible, co-insurance, benefit and coverage limits, and exclusions may apply. Eligibility may vary. Visit https://spotpet.com/spot-sample-policy.pdf for full terms. For Canada enrollments only, reimbursement rate is based on the pet's age.
Personality
Affectionate
You can even call these weiner dogs lovey-dovey as they love to cuddle and play
Intelligent
Owing to its hunting background, Dachshunds are known to be intelligent enough to undergo training
Vocal
Most of the Dachshund puppies are known to be very loud while barking, while there may be some of them who bark the least
Lifetime Care
Coat
A short thick, hard haired topcoat coupled with a soft under-coat is usually seen in these hounds. There are variants with wire-haired and long-haired coats as well.
Colors
You can find these Sausage Dogs in dominantly red, black or tan shades
Hypoallergenic
No
Grooming
Being moderate shedders, the smooth-coated may require nominal brushing while the long haired or the wire-haired ones may require a little more to it including baths, plucking, drying, etc. to have them look and feel fresh
Training
Intelligent but stubborn and independent at times, the dachshund breed can be a little difficult to train. Positive reinforcements work better than yelling or punishing here.
The Dachshund breed is a combination of English, German and French hounds and terriers. Also, called a royal dog, it also had a place in Queen Victoria’s house amongst other royal houses. The Sausage dogs or the Dachshunds were created to hunt small, burrow dwelling animals like rabbit. The popular traits of it having flap down ears and a curved long tail were bred deliberately into them so as to keep the grass seeds and dirt from entering the ears and hauling them in case of being stuck in a burrow respectively.
Dachshund Dog: Introduction to the Breed
These popular royal dogs are a great addition to the family given its affection and playfulness levels. However, it is always better to do know as much as possible about a breed before bringing them home.
Sausage Dogs are generally:
Energetic and playful
Affectionate and cuddly
Intelligent
Independent
Excellent smellers
Dachshunds are best suited for –
Experienced dog owners
Patient and consistent owners
Owners who can spend time training and playing with their dog
Someone looking for a very social and affectionate dog
Families with kids
Health Risks for a Dachshund Puppy
Apart from the above mentioned common health problems, these Weiner dogs are also prone to some other health related issues which can give the owner a hard time to their time, head and even wallet.
Obesity – They are more likely to be over-weight than any other breed. The main reason here is their short legs. And because of that they mat not be able to get enough exercise and physical stimulation which makes it more difficult for them to maintain health. We do not actually want our Dachshund to look like a Sausage.
Dental Diseases – Some chronic dental diseases can be developed in these Sausage type looking breed. They start with the teeth and then grow up to the gums and roots of the teeth. Adequate care is required here or else there is a risk for your dog to loose its teeth.
Learn more about the price of a Dachshund.
Things to watch-out before deciding to own a Dachshund Puppy
There are a few cautions that you need to know before deciding to adopt
They are very much prone to back injuries
Most harnesses and jackets in the pet store won’t fit your Dachshund
They can give you a very tough time during potty training
Dachshunds are not a all-weather breed as rains can be a little troublesome for them given their short stature
Your house is going to be loud, very loud with a Weiner dog in it
Their scent driving urge is very strong and will even ignore all your commands in the chase of a strong smell
They are a hunting breed, so make sure you discipline them enough to not create a problem towards smaller pets
These Sausage dogs love digging. So be careful before you sit on your carpet, as they love to dig beneath them
Conclusion
A small dog with a big bomb inside is a Dachshund for you. With its playful, energetic and affectionate nature, they can be very good family dogs. However, there are a few cautions to look after and if they don’t matter much then be ready to be a part of a Dachshund club which even a lot of royals are
Sources: