Dachshunds are a popular dog breed, but if you are considering buying one you’ll need to know the pros and cons of owning a dachshund. Like all dog breeds, dachshunds have their own quirky traits that you need to understand before committing to caring for one. Let’s take a look at all the dachshund pros and cons, to decide if this is the right dog breed for you!
Do Dachshunds Make Good Pets?
If you are considering owning a dachshund, you will want to make sure that it is going to be the perfect pet for you and your family! A new dog is a long-term commitment and some dachshunds can live as long as 16 years or more. Making the right choice now will ensure that you have many happy, harmonious, and blissful years together.
Dachshunds do make great pets, but it is important to understand their quirks and character traits before bringing one into your home. These are highly intelligent dogs that like to have fun and be entertained. If bored or under-stimulated, this can turn into unwanted behavioral patterns.
These little wiener dogs are also very loyal and will want to be involved in all parts of family life. This loyalty can, in the wrong situation, turn into over-protective behavior. It is important to make sure that your new dachshund puppy is well-socialized with humans and other dogs to make sure they accept anybody entering your home.
Are Dachshunds Lap Dogs?
Dachshunds may be small dogs, but they do certainly not lap dogs or handbag dogs! Many people underestimate the energy levels of sausage dogs – this breed likes to run, play, and be entertained. These are not dogs that will be happy to be carried around all day long!
So, if you are considering bringing a dachshund into your home, be prepared to give it at least 30 minutes of exercise twice a day. This could be a routine walk, playtime in the yard or garden, or time spent at the local dog park or beach.
The joy of owning a dachshund is that if they get sufficient exercise every day, they will then snooze happily next to you on the couch all evening long.
These dogs love to snuggle and cuddle and will frequently burrow under blankets in an attempt to get comfortable. They will sleep for many hours and a dachshund that is happy and relaxed will often be difficult to get up in the morning!
What Are The Pros And Cons Of Owning A Dachshund?
So let’s discover what the pros and cons of owning a dachshund. Firstly, let’s take a look at the advantages.
These little sausage dogs are loyal, attentive, intelligent and fun-loving. They enjoy being part of busy family life and are rarely known to be grumpy or aggressive. Dachshunds can be fun to train and will learn commands and new tricks easily.
The compact size of dachshunds also means they will not take over much room in your home. They often prefer to snuggle next to you on the couch or in a comfortable bed. They are easy to transport to the vets or to the park, either in a dog crate or on a leash.
Many dog owners find that dachshunds provide the perfect balance in terms of their exercise needs. They like to have fun and play, but once this energy has been expended they will happily snuggle down and sleep for many hours. However, they always have one ear listening in case anything exciting happens!
So, are there any downsides to owning a dachshund? Most fans of this dog breed would not call them disadvantages, but more like quirks that you need to know and understand. Once you’ve got these character traits figured out, you and your dachshund will live a long and happy life together.
Firstly, dachshunds are notorious barkers, and they make a very loud noise when they want to alert you to visitors to your home. This can be useful, but also quite irritating when your dog barks at every passerby. Luckily, with some reward-based training techniques, it is easy to break this habit.
Many people also underestimate the care needs of a dachshund. Your dachshund will need regular grooming, especially if it is a wire-haired or long-haired variety. Their ears are particularly prone to problems and will need routine cleaning.
This means you will need to limit the activities your dachshund carries out to prevent wear and tear to the spine and soft tissues of the back. These little dogs should not be permitted to run up and down stairs, so you may need to fit stair gates in your home. It is also a good idea to place steps or ramps to help your dog access areas such as the couch without jumping.
However, many people will agree that the downsides of owning a dachshund are definitely outweighed by the many benefits of this wonderful dog breed!
Summary – Pros And Cons Of Owning A Dachshund
So, as we have learned, there are many pros and cons of owning a dachshund! These little dogs make great pets, but knowing all the dachshund’s good and bad points will help you to decide whether this is the right dog breed for you and your family. Dachshunds are loyal, intelligent, and fun-loving, but they have high energy needs and are prone to several debilitating health problems which you must be prepared to deal with.
We would love to hear your thoughts on the pros and cons of owning a dachshund! Are you convinced that the dachshund is the best dog breed in the world, without any bad points at all? Or perhaps you’ve got some questions about how to choose the right dachshund puppy to join your family home? Leave a comment below and we will get back to you!
