The Good & The Bad of Dachshunds

Today’s blog post will be covering the pros and cons of owning a dachshund. Dachshunds are a cute and cuddly breed, but they come with some drawbacks as well.

Welcome to the Doxie Spot! My name is Naajamah Jones and I am a junior Communication Studies major at Longwood University. I decided to start this blog because I have a deep love for dachshunds. When I was in elementary school, my parents brought home Max, a red 2-year-old miniature dachshund. A couple years later, we brought home another dachshund named Dash, who was black and tan and only a few weeks old. After owning and caring for two dachshunds for almost half my life, I have become a little obsessed with the dachshund breed and their cute quirks. So, on this blog, a few topics I’ll be discussing are the history of dachshunds, common things they do, and tips and tricks on how to care for a dachshund.

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THE GOOD

Small Size:

Although dachshunds are long, they are small due to their short legs. Miniature dachshunds are typically below 10 lbs, while standards dachshunds can get as big as 30 lbs. Although 30 lbs seems big for a dachshund, in retrospect, both sizes are still relatively small. This makes caring for and transporting dachshunds much easier than a larger dog breed. You can pick them up with ease (without hurting your back) and put them in dog-friendly bags to take them on the go.

Low Maintenance:

Dachshunds don’t require much maintenance on the day-to-day basis. Specifically, with the short-haired breeds, fur maintenance is next to nothing. The wire and long-haired breeds do require brushing but compared to a golden retriever or poodle, it’s really not

that much.

Pure Laziness:

If you’re looking for a dog as chill as you are, dachshunds are the right breed. They don’t need much attention or a large amount of activity throughout the day. Most of the time, you can catch a fellow dachshund sunbathing on the patio or taking a nap while burrowed under the covers. They love to cuddle and enjoy quiet time with their owners.

Guard Dog 24/7:

Despite their size, dachshunds will always protect their owners. Originally, they were used as hunting dogs both in Germany and the United States. Whether there are mice in your attic or an intruder in your house, dachshunds are perfect dogs to catch both.

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THE BAD

Nonstop Digging:

Due to their background of being hunting dogs, they are naturally made to dig. This means most dachshund owners’ backyards are filled with holes, sometimes even a foot or two deep. Before inviting people over, make sure to fill the holes with dirt and chicken wire to prevent any broken ankles.

Bad Backs:

Dachshunds are known for their unique build of having an elongated spine. This may seem cute as dachshunds are commonly referred to as wiener dogs or hot-dogs because of their shape, but they are at high risk for back problems as they age. Owning a dachshund means being prepared financially for back treatment when the time comes.

Stubbornness:

When it comes to training, dachshunds are not the easiest breed to follow instructions. Again, due to their nature of hunting and independence, they tend to do whatever they want. Training dachshunds comes with extra work and if you aren’t willing to put in the time then get a Labrador instead.

Overall, dachshunds are a great breed and although they do have some drawbacks, they just require some patience and time to work through them. Even though this is just a condensed list, the pros definitely outweigh the cons, in my opinion.

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NEXT WEEK

For next week's blog, I'll be covering the top 10 most famous dachshund Instagram accounts. Comment below some of your favorite dachshund Instagram accounts and come back next week to see who I'll be featuring!