Owning dogs, in particular taking care of the dachshund, is old hat for humans. Historians postulate that dogs were originally domesticated between twelve thousand and twenty five thousand years ago—and that canines evolved from the wolf. Since those days, humans have selectively bred more than four hundred different breeds, which range in size from 4-pound teacup poodles to Irish wolfhounds, who have earned the distinction of the tallest dog. However, the most widespread canines are the non-pedigree dogs—the one-of-a-kind dogs known as mixed-breeds. The dachshund is another favorite choice with canine owners. Some owners are misinformed, however, of some critical dachshund care tips.
Health care cost of your dachshund
The yearly cost of providing for your dachshund—including everything from meals and treats, veterinary care, toys and license—can range between $420 and seven hundred eighty dollars. This doesn’t even account for capital expenses for sterilization surgery, collar and leash, carrier and crate. Note: Be sure you have obtained all of the required supplies before you get your dachshund home for the 1st time.
Basic dachshund Care
Feeding your dachshund
- dachshund puppies between 8 and twelve weeks old need 4 bowls of food in a 24 hour period.
- dachshund pups 3 to 6 months old should be fed three meals every 24 hour period.
- Feed pups 6 months old to 1 year old 2 times in a day.
- By the time your dachshund hits his or her first birthday, 1 meal in a day is enough.
- Many times adult dachshunds might do better with 2 lighter meals. It’s your responsibility to adapt to your dachshund’s eating tendencies.
Premium-quality dry dogfood provides balanced nutrition to adult dachshunds and may be mixed with canned food, water, or broth. Your dachshund may be fond of cooked eggs, fruits and vegetables, and cottage cheese, but these dishes should be less than ten percent of her daily nutrition. dachshund puppies ought to be given a high-quality, name brand puppy food. Please try to cut down on “table food”, however, since it can cause vitamin and mineral deficiencies, tooth and bone problems, and might result in some extremely picky eating habits and obesity. Give fresh, clean water at all times, and be certain to clean water and food dishes very often.
dachshund Care Tips: Make sure to give your dachshund some daily exercise
dachshunds need some daily physical activity in order to burn calories, recharge their brains, and stay healthy. Daily exercise also really helps dachshunds avoid boredom, which has the potential to lead to difficult behavior. Physical activity will appease many of your dachshund’s desires to chase, retrieve, chew, dig and herd. Individual exercise needs will depend on your dachshund’s age and his level of health—but 10 minutes in back of the house and just a couple of walks down the street every day probably will not do. If your dachshund is a 6 to eighteen month adolescent, her requirements will be greater.
dachshund Grooming Tips
Frequent brushing will help keep your dachshund clean and reduce shedding. Inspect for ticks and fleas daily during the summer or other warm weather. Sometimes dachshunds don’t need a bath more than a few times a year. Before a bath, comb or cut out all mats from the dachshund’s coat. Carefully rinse all soap out of the coat, or dirt will stick to the soap.
How to Handle Your dachshund
Puppies are clearly easier to handle. To carry your dachshund puppy, take one of your hands and put it beneath your dog’s chest, with either your forearm or other hand supporting his back legs and rump. Never attempt to lift or grab your puppy by his or her forelegs, tail or nape. When you must lift a bigger, adult dachshund, pick it up from the underside, holding his chest with 1 arm and rump with your other arm.
dachshund housing
dachshunds need a comfy quiet location to be able to rest apart from all the drafts and off the floor. You may wish to think about purchasing a doggie bed, or try making one out of a wood box. Place a clean sheet or pillow in the bed as cushioning. Wash your dachshund’s bed covering often. If the dachshund will be spending a lot of time outdoors, be sure he has access to plenty of cool water and shade in hot weather, and a warm, dry, covered area during the winter.
Licensing and Identification for dachshunds
Your town has licensing rules to heed. Be certain to attach the license to your dachshund’s collar. This, along with an ID tag or tattoo, can possibly help you recover your dachshund if she happens to go missing.
dachshund Temperament Information
Training your dachshund
A well-behaved, companion dachshund can truly be a joy to raise. However, when left untrained, your dachshund may be a big pain. Teaching your dachshund the standards—”Sit”, “Stay”, “Come”, “Down”, “Heel”, “Off”, and “Leave it”—strengthens the relationship both with the dog as well as the neighbors. If you have a puppy, begin teaching him the right behavior quickly! Treats can be used as a lure and a reward. Pups can begin obedience classes when they are adequately vaccinated. Call the community SPCA or humane society for information on training courses. You should always keep your dachshund leashed while in public, even while a pup. Just be positive your dachshund will come back to you if you tell him. An aggressive or disobedient dachshund should not be allowed to play with children.
dachshund Health
Your dachshund should visit the veterinarian for a complete screening, immunizations and a heartworm blood test each and every year, and ASAP if he is injured or ill.
About your dachshund’s Oral Health
Although we might object to our dachshund’s halitosis, it’s important to be aware of what it may indicate. Foul-smelling breath is most commonly a symptom which means that your dachshund needs a dental screening. Dental plaque , which is brought on by bacteria results in a foul smell that necessitates treatment by a professional. After you give your dachshund a professional dental cleaning, his teeth and gums can be kept healthy by feeding a special diet focused on dental health, eliminating table food, and regular brushing. Your veterinarian can provide you with other information for minimizing dental ailments and bad breath. You should clean the dachshund’s teeth with a dog toothpaste or a homemade paste made of baking soda and water a couple of times a week. Brush them with a piece of nylon pantyhose stretched over the finger, a sterile gauze pad, or a child’s soft toothbrush. Periodontal disease, also known as gum disease, often affects dachshunds. This dreadful disease will sometimes result in your dachshund’s loss of teeth and also cause infections to his body. Your vet will brush your dachshund’s teeth in his regular health checkup.
dachshund Bad Breath
If your dachshund has foul breath, periodontal disease may only be a symptom of another disease. Diseases of the liver or intestines may cause halitosis, and a pleasant, even sweet smell may be indicative of diabetes. If your dachshund’s breath smells of ammonia or urine, kidney disease is a possibility. Any time you find your dachshund has halitosis accompanied by other signs of disease, such as loss of appetite, vomiting or nausea, loss of weight, depression, excessive drinking and urinating, set up a trip to the doctor.
Dealing with Ticks and Fleas in dachshunds
When it’s warm, it’s important for you to perform daily inspections of your dachshund for ticks and fleas. Use a flea comb to remove and find fleas. There are numerous new methods of tick and flea reduction. Refer to your vet about his or her recommendations.
dachshunds With Heartworm Issues
Your dachshund is at risk of contracting heartworms if she is exposed to mosquitoes often. The insect carries the worm from dog to dog. Several dachshunds die yearly because of heartworms. It is very critical to ensure your dachshund takes a blood test for worms each year in the spring. It is also good to give your dachshund a once-a-month pill in the warm, wet time of the year to help protect her from heartworms. Your dachshund should be on heartworm medication throughout a winter trip to a warmer climate. In some more moderate locations, veterinarians recommend preventive worm medication throughout the year.
Toxins and Medications
If you’re thinking about giving your dachshund pills that was not prescribed for her by his vet, don’t even think about it. Did you know that just 1 regular-strength ibuprofen tablet can possibly cause stomach ulcers in dachshunds? Keep rat poison and other rodenticides away from your dachshund. When you suspect your doggie has consumed a poison, immediately call your veterinarian or the American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals Poison Control Center at (888) 426-4435 24 hrs. per day for assistance.
Neutering and Spaying dachshunds
It is recommended that female dachshunds be spayed—which is the removal of the uterus and ovaries—and males neutered—removal of the testes—by 6 months old. You can significantly reduce your female dachshund’s breast cancer risk by spaying before adulthood. The possibility of an infected uterus, which is another serious disease that impacts older females, can be removed by spaying while young. Prostate diseases, testicular cancer, some hernias and certain types of aggressions are preventable by neutering males.
dachshund Innoculations
- The combination vaccine (also called a “5-in-one shot”) needs to be given to your dachshund at two, 3, and 4 months old and again once every year. This shot protects your pup from distemper, hepatitis, leptospirosis, parvovirus, and parainfluenza. The dachshund must be immunized for at least the first 4 months of his life.
- If your dachshund has not been immunized and is older than four months, he will need to be given two immunizations promptly, two or 3 weeks apart. After that you must vaccinate yearly.
- Your dachshund puppy’s innoculations should coincide with her socialization program. Most doctors advise that new owners take their dachshund puppies to socialization classes, beginning at 8 or 9 weeks old. At this point, they should have already received their first vaccinations.
Because statutes are so different between different areas, contact your community veterinarian for instructions about rabies innoculation. For instance, in NYC, the rule states that any pets older than three months must be vaccinated for rabies. After the first innoculation, you must get another vaccination the following year, and then every three years. There are many vaccines, many of which are right for your dachshund. Others, however, are not. Your vet can give you his opinion. By the way, if your dachshund gets sick because she is not innoculated, do not give the innoculation until the dog has made a full recovery.
Tapeworms in dachshunds
dachshunds are commonly exposed to worms and possible infestation—in all areas, both urban and rural. Tiny eggs created by roundworms are passed in an infested dog’s feces. Even the healthiest of dachshund puppies carry intestinal worms. Getting an accurate, early detection is the key to treatment. This will ensure that the medicine is successful against the worms your dog has. A dewormer that eradicates hookworms, for example, will not kill tapeworms. Your vet can best figure out the culprit—and prescribe the right medicine.
Additional dachshund Care Tips
dachshund Supply Checklist
- High-quality dog food and snacks specifically designed for dachshunds and similarly-sized dogs
- Food bowl
- Water bowl
- As many safe toys as you can provide, especially chewable
- Brush and comb for grooming, including a flea comb
- Collar with identification tag and license
- Leash
- Dog carrier (for puppies)
- Training crate
- Dog bed or box with blanket or towel
- Doggie toothbrush
Warnings to be Heeded
The following items should never be fed to dachshunds:
- Alcohol, beer, wine or liquor
- Caffeinated foods, like coffee, tea or chocolate
- Raisins & grapes
- Moldy or spoiled food
- Onions, garlic & chives
- Bones of chicken, turkey, or any other animal (choking hazard)
- Salt or salty foods
- Tomato leaves, unripe fruit & stems
- Yeast dough
Final Thoughts
Unless you are at home, or in a fenced-in, secured spot, keep your dachshund on a leash at all times. Whenever your dachshund does number two on a neighbor’s grass, his sidewalk or any other public spot, please take care of it! Don’t forget to check out these other articles about dachshunds
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