Cons Of Owning A Dachshund Puppy

I love Dachshunds.

MANY other people feel the same way.

But if you are not familiar with the breed, you should tread lightly before taking a new puppy into your home. These sweeties can be a handful which is why shelters will often have a displaced Doxie or two.

In this post, I will go over a few of the cons of owning a Dachshund puppy.

Housebreaking:

Dachshunds are notoriously hard to housebreak.  It takes some pups up to 7 years to fully embrace the concept. 

The need for consistent crate training goes without saying. And Dachshunds HATE to go outside when it is cold or raining which can be a major problem dependent on your climate.

Barking:
Doxies are extremely alert and function as 24-hour alarms.  Every new sight and sound tends to bring the alarm. If left unchecked, this may eventually drive an owner to seek therapy. 

In other words, Dachshunds bark at EVERYTHING and it is difficult to stop. 

Independent:
Dachshund can best be described as “Free Thinkers”!  They simply have a mind of their own. Which can mean that if they don’t want to do what you desire,  you may be in for some frustration.

Stubborn? Not a strong enough word to describe wiener dogs. You will have to train them to show respect. 

 Problems With Strange Dogs:
Sausage dogs are normally great with pets in their own home, especially other Dachshunds.  But introduce a stranger who happens to be a dog and watch out…

And because these amazing dogs are not quite as large as they imagine, they can get themselves injured or worse picking on the wrong adversary. 

Again, they must respect you and listen when you give them instructions. 

 High Incidence of Health Problems:
The lucky owners have Dachshunds that live a happy, long life, but that is the exception, not the rule. 

25% of Dachshunds suffer disc disease in middle age and become crippled or paralyzed. Dachshunds should NEVER be allowed to jump on or off furniture or sprint up and down stairs. 

Other common health problems include epilepsy, skin conditions, heart disease, urinary problems and much more. 

Problems With Strange Humans:
Many Dachshunds are friendly with everyone they meet but often they are very suspicious of strangers and can even snap or bite.  Socialize your puppy as much as possible when he/she is young and do not allow poor behavior. 

Hair:
Long-haired Dachshunds can be a problem when it comes to grooming.  They need consistent brushing to prevent tangles and mats and an occasional trim.  Wire-hairs need regular haircuts.

Hygiene:
All Dachshunds regardless of the type tend to shed quite a bit.  Wire-hairs shed the least but still quite a good amount. Smooth Doxies can occasionally have a mild odor and bad breath can be a problem.

All of these problems can be fixed with training and love from an ideal owner. 

However, please do not bring a Dachshund into your home if you cannot handle the problems listed above.

Dachshunds are special and they know it.  They should be treated as such!