How to care for a dachshund

It is important to pay attention to the special needs and traits of dachshunds when providing for them. These cute companions are distinguished by their short legs and long bodies, which make them playful and loving dogs. Living a happy and healthy life can be ensured by being aware of their unique care needs.

There are three types of coats available for dachshunds: wirehaired, longhaired, and smooth. For the health of their skin and coat, each type has specific grooming requirements. Frequent brushing maintains the best-looking fur and helps minimize shedding.

For dachshunds, regular exercise and a balanced diet are just as important as proper grooming. They may be more susceptible to spinal problems because of their long backs, so it’s critical to monitor their weight and provide them safe opportunities to be active. Another essential component of raising a happy and well-behaved dachshund is proper socialization and training.

Feeding	Provide high-quality dog food suited for dachshunds. Ensure portion sizes match their age and activity level.
Exercise	Regular walks and playtime are essential. Dachshunds enjoy short bursts of activity due to their unique body structure.
Grooming	Brush their coat weekly to reduce shedding. Bathe them as needed, depending on their lifestyle and coat type.
Health Check-ups	Schedule regular vet visits for vaccinations and check-ups. Monitor for common issues like back problems.
Training	Start training early. Use positive reinforcement techniques to teach commands and good behavior.
Socialization	Expose them to different environments and other pets. This helps them become well-adjusted adults.

Description of the breed

The earliest known reference to dachshunds is found in frescoes from ancient Egypt. This breed’s current canines are the outcome of selective breeding. The dachshund breed has been divided into three groups, all of which share the following characteristics: long ears that hang down, short legs, and an elongated body.

Table 1 presents anthropological data on dachshunds categorized by breed.

Name	Height, cm	Weight, kg
Standard	20 – 27	6 – 9
Dwarf	15 – 20	3.5 – 4
Rabbit	11 – 14	up to 3

Fascinating! Foreign breeders’ dogs are taller than average because of their longer legs.

Dogs typically live for fifteen years.

Dachshunds can have either soft or hard hair, and they can have long or short hair. The hue ranges from pale yellow to deep hues accented by a striking tan.

The animal has well-developed body and limb muscles, making it agile. The dog has extremely powerful jaws.

Characteristics and behavior of a dachshund

Dachshunds are reserved and professional. The dog never stops sniffing and searching for something. The dog has a digging habit and is a burrowing dog. How his pet will fulfill this need is up to the owner to determine. It is impossible to wean a dachshund from digging.

A doggy excavates a hole.

1. The dog requires a lot of attention. If the dog is not given the necessary amount of walks and games, it will spoil the atmosphere at home.
2. Dachshund is a hunter. If you spend little time with your pet, it will go hunting and bring back prey. A caught neighbor"s chicken becomes the pride of the dog, it will not understand that it has done a bad deed.
3. The dog is smart, quick-witted and can be trained. The animal is willful and may not follow the owner"s command if it does not consider it necessary.
4. The dachshund is brave, not afraid of risk. If it senses danger, it can pounce on an animal that is much larger in size.

Puppy behavior

Although the puppy dachshund is awkward, it adores playing. For the puppy, everything is a toy. Both slippers and soft plush objects are easily destroyed by a dog, so these items are not good for games. Using specialized balls or toys made of thick rope is preferable. The puppy will enjoy playing with rustling or squeaking balls that you can purchase.

A puppy cannot be allowed to play with shoes.

A puppy is industrious; it doesn’t recognize tiredness and drifts off to sleep at any time or place.

Raising a dachshund puppy

When a dog is three months old, its mother takes it away. A dog must be taught how to coexist with people after learning its basic life skills in a pack with its mother and other puppies. A dog needs to understand that its owner is the new pack leader.

1. Training to a nickname.
2. Training to the toilet.
3. Training to a collar and leash.
4. Training to walks on the street.

A dog’s collar training

Nickname

The owner calls the puppy and holds a treat in his hands to help it get used to the new moniker. He will initially only come when a treat is offered. Calmly calling the nickname, the owner should give the dog credit for showing up. You are only allowed to refer to the puppy by its nickname during training.

If the dog has misbehaved, use the command "No" (or "Ugh") instead of pronouncing the nickname. Keep your voice down and avoid calling out the nickname aloud.

Toilet

Little puppies go to the toilet on a diaper. By the age of three months, the dog can be trained to use the litter box. You can use a cat accessory filled with scraps of paper. During the training, the pet is limited in space, bowls with food and water, and the litter box are made equally accessible. At first, you need to watch the baby. Usually they go to the toilet after sleeping and feeding. If the puppy is worried, he is put in the litter box. At the same time, prepare the puppy for the fact that in the future he will go to the toilet outside. For this, say the command "Walk"!. If the result is achieved, the pet is praised. Later, there will be no problems with training to go to the toilet outside.

Getting used to the litter box

Collar and leash

The collar is put on the puppy for the first time at 2 months. If the dachshund came to the owner at an older age, training will also be successful. The collar is selected according to size, it should be soft, preferably made of textile. At first, the dog will try to remove the accessory, scratch and get nervous. The dog quickly gets used to it and can be trained to a leash. The equipment is selected to be light. The first time it is attached to the collar, while stroking and praising the puppy. The next time, the pet is allowed to walk with a leash. If the puppy calmly accepts the manipulations, try walking it on a leash. The dog is stimulated with a treat and lightly pulled on the leash. You cannot allow the dog to play with the equipment. After getting used to the leash for a dachshund, it is convenient to use a roulette. You can read about how to make a leash yourself in our article.

Unusual collar for a dachshund

Walking on the street

When a dachshund puppy has received all of its vaccinations, it is taken outside for the first time. We pick a peaceful, empty area for our first walk. It also avoids the presence of other animals. The animal needs to be soothed and given a treat because it might be afraid of being alone. Eventually, take the puppy for walks through busy areas and socialize it with other dogs.

Dachshunds strolling

Meeting a dachshund’s specific requirements for exercise, food, and grooming is part of pet care. For these energetic and loving dogs to remain healthy and happy, they need mental stimulation and frequent walks. To help them maintain their weight and avoid health problems, it’s critical to provide a balanced diet. In addition, dachshunds should be handled gently and with appropriate support because of their long backs. To make sure they flourish in a loving environment, regular veterinary examinations and socialization are also essential.

Training a dachshund puppy

Once your dog is acclimated to its name, you can begin training it. You must always keep in mind that the owner is responsible for making sure the command is obeyed. It is best to be persistent if the dog exhibits stubbornness and defies the owner’s instructions. Clear and firm instructions are reiterated. It’s not appropriate to yell at the dog, and hitting is also not acceptable. The animal will become aggressive if it is handled roughly. Such behavior will undoubtedly not enhance the owner’s authority.

Table 2 lists the commands that a dachshund should learn at home.

Command	Description
“Come to me”	On command, the dog should approach the owner. If you cannot get this from the pet, the owner turns away and pretends to leave. Usually the dog runs after the owner. When this happens, you need to repeat the command and praise the dog for following.
“No” or “No”	The team is needed for the safety of the pet and others. Words prohibit the dog from picking up food during a walk, damaging interior items, barking at guests. The command is practiced until it is immediately executed. During the training process, it is permissible to pull the dog away from a dangerous object by the leash, lightly clamp its mouth when barking.
“Place”	In the apartment, the dog should have its own place (house). On command, the dog should lie down exactly there. The puppy is placed on the bedding, saying the command. The procedure is repeated until the baby learns to execute it. On the street, the command means that the pet should take a place next to the owner"s leg.
“Sit”	The execution of the command is achieved using a treat. A piece of food is raised above the dog"s head. To take it, the animal will have to sit down. If this does not happen, lightly press on the base of the tail.
“Lie down”	To teach the command, the hand with food is lowered to the floor. To take the treat, the dachshund will have to lie down. To reinforce the skill, the owner puts his hand on the dog"s back, trying to hold the dog in this position for as long as possible.
"Voice" and "Quiet"	Two commands that are taught sequentially. A dog should be able to bark and stop barking on command.

Practicing the "Lie down" instruction

A balanced puppy grows up with good training. A phase of evaluating the stability of the established framework starts at age two. During this time, the dog ignores commands, barks incoherently, and runs off when out for a walk. The pet’s owner must exercise patience and prevent the animal from resisting the command.

Executing the directive "Sit"

The dachshund’s personality fully develops by the time it is four years old, and the dog settles down. Puppies remain playful up until this point.

1. The owner is too soft, does not achieve the execution of commands and obedience. The grown-up animal becomes uncontrollable.
2. The owner is too strict, often punishes the dog. The dog grows up aggressive, but the situation can be corrected by a specialist using a professional approach.
3. An unscrupulous breeder sells puppies from mentally ill parents. Such a pet will not become a balanced dog.
4. The owner acquired a puppy from parents-hunters, but does not train it and does not plan to hunt with it. The genetically embedded hunting instinct will not allow the dachshund to become an ordinary house dog.

Safety of household members and the dog

A house is set up for the dachshund in order to guarantee the comfort of the animal and family members. There shouldn’t be any small parts in the bedding. Place a diaper or other soft material on top. When it gets dirty, the top fabric is replaced. It’s time for the dachshund to go to retirement.

The Dachshund’s home

Remove all electrical appliances, wires, and dangerous houseplants from the puppy’s area of access.

Children are not the target of the dog’s aggression. However, if the puppy is accidently injured by a child, it might growl or even bite in response. It is explained to kids that they cannot treat dogs like toys.

Crucial! Because of its weak back, dachshunds shouldn’t be pushed down stairs or allowed to sit on children. For the same reason, the dog shouldn’t be allowed to stand on its hind legs, lifted by the withers, or strongly pulled by the leash.

Dachshund Care

A dachshund’s short hair needs just as much attention as a dog with a long coat. The pet is brushed with a brush to get rid of loose hair. Fleas can hide in the fur; to get rid of them, use specific shampoos and drops. A bath is recommended for a healthy dachshund every three months. They attempt to give the puppy no baths at all. After a walk, paws are cleaned.

A dachshund in good health gets bathed once every three months.

Because they eat soft food, dachshunds get tartar on their teeth that needs to be removed. Inadequate care results in tooth loss. Dental care involves the use of special toys and cleaning bones. At least twice a month, your pet’s teeth should be examined and cleaned with a toothbrush.

A dental care bone

Due to its sharp claws, the dachshund can dislocate a limb when it catches on something. The claws should only be clipped once every three months if the dachshund is walked multiple times a day. Every two weeks, the procedure is performed on an animal that does not walk very often. For processing, a specialized claw cutter is employed. To spare the animal from pain, the claws are clipped by a few millimeters.

The dachshund’s eyes are cleaned in the morning using a cotton swab dipped in warm water. The dog needs to be shown to the doctor if it is observed that the eye discharge has increased in volume.

Every month, the dachshund’s ears are cleaned. For this, it is safer to use a cotton pad or special drops rather than a cotton swab. A severely filthy auricle warrants a trip to the vet.

Walks

The dachshund starts to walk regularly at a young age. The street, people, and other animals must be acclimated to by the puppy. If a grown dog was socialized to walks as a puppy, it will be at ease in busy areas.

Walking a dachshund at least three times a day is ideal. Every time you feed the dog, try to spend some time walking the dog. Make sure the pet gets outside before going to bed and in the morning.

Use a 5-meter retractable leash to walk the dog. In this manner, you can give the pet freedom while still maintaining control over it. Dogs are allowed to walk unleashed if their owners are confident they won’t attack people, flee, or panic.

Walking helps to shape a dachshund’s physical and mental well-being as well as their muscles and skeleton.

Ensure the dog doesn’t freeze during the chilly months. You must take the dog home and give it some warmth if its body is trembling and it is cold. The dachshund most frequently freezes when out for a walk in wet weather. When the weather turns chilly and dry, the pet will gladly stroll around wearing its new attire. The wardrobe’s weight and size were considered when choosing it. The chest is shielded from the cold during the winter. If you intend to walk on pathways strewn with reagents, put on your shoes.

Take the puppy for longer walks more often during the warmer months. Balls and a thrown stick are two of Dachshunds’ favorite games. It is not advisable to set up a game where the pet must spin because this can cause spinal damage. When a dog is less than six months old, it is preferable to carry them in your arms to prevent vertebral displacement during stair descent. Stair climbing is beneficial and strengthens your muscles.

Dachshunds adore using sticks to play games.

Feeding the dachshund

A healthy dog has a voracious appetite; a dachshund will consume anything placed in its bowl. Due to their rapid metabolism, dachshunds need more energy than large dogs do per kilogram of body weight. Follow the recommended intake of 85–90 kcal per kg of weight for adult pets. To prevent obesity, it’s crucial to limit the animal’s food intake.

A mature dog needs to eat twice a day. The dachshund consumes 1500 ml of water and 800-1000 ml of semi-liquid food over the course of two meals.

• boiled or raw meat and offal (beef, lamb, horse meat, chicken);
• boiled fish without bones;
• oatmeal, rice and buckwheat (in the form of porridge cooked in broth);
• raw fruits and vegetables (apples, carrots, tomatoes);
• stewed cabbage;
• raw egg;
• dairy products (yogurt, cottage cheese, cheese).

No more than 20 g of meat should be fed to dachshunds for every kg of body weight. Because meat on the bone takes a long time to digest, it should be considered that the dog will require less food at subsequent feedings. Bones fortify the pet’s jaws and help to clean its teeth. Dietary supplements for dachshunds contain salt.

Pork should not be fed to Dachshunds.

Factory feeds are fed with products that have a 20–22% protein content preference. Dry food is gradually introduced to the pet. First, wet food is given to promote better adaptation. Dachshunds should not be given "Economy" category products. The "Premium" category is the minimum standard for food selection; "Super-premium" and "Holistic" are the best options.

Supplying dry food

Feeding a puppy

A puppy is fed five times a day when it is one to three months old. Given the small size of the pet’s stomach, feed them in little portions. Meat, cottage cheese, veggies, and porridge are given to the infant. Furthermore, the diet should include all of the products on the list on a daily basis.

The pet is fed four times a day starting at the age of three months.

The dachshund is switched to an adult diet at ten months old, which consists of two meals a day.

They are fed fresh food and have a varied diet. They serve thinner food in the winter and liquid in the summer. The food needs to be heated through.

• sausages and smoked meats;
• pork;
• chicken bones;
• sweets and pastries;
• hot spices;
• legumes.

Vitamins for dachshunds

Supplemental vitamin administration is not necessary when holistic diets are fed. If there are symptoms of vitamin deficiency, such as slow growth rate, dull coat, or reddened eyes, medication will be required. The right vitamin preparation should be recommended by a veterinarian.

Vitamins for German Shepherds

Understanding a dachshund’s particular needs and personality is essential to proper care. These cute canines are well-known for their amiable disposition and close relationships with their families. They must exercise frequently to stay happy and healthy. Playtime and daily walks are excellent ways to make sure they get the exercise they require and mental stimulation.

Another crucial component of dachshund care is grooming. The type of coat they have—smooth, long-haired, or wire-haired—determines the type of grooming needed. Regular brushing keeps their skin healthy and helps to minimize shedding. Keep an eye on their teeth, nails, and ears—these are important aspects of their general health but are often neglected.

And last, to keep your dachshund in excellent health, feed them a balanced diet appropriate for their size, age, and amount of exercise. Seek advice from your veterinarian regarding appropriate diet and serving sizes. Your dachshund will flourish and make a devoted friend for many years if given the right care.

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