A Guide to Dachshunds aka Hot Dogs

Dachshunds (or hot dogs) are a very curious breed. They love to tunnel through things, go under your furniture, chew all that they can, explore your trash cans and are hard to house train. Dachshunds can be recognized by their long bodies and short legs. They are regularly called "wiener dogs" because of their appearance. Since they were low to the ground they were bred to hunt and chase badgers into holes for sport. On top of all that they do make wonderful canine companions.

They are on the smaller side of dogs weighing anywhere from under 11 pounds to over 18 pounds. When dachshunds are under 11 pounds they are considered to be Miniature. If they are between 11 and 15 pounds they are called Tweenies. The standard weight is 16 to 18 pounds.

Dachshunds are great problem solvers and love the game 'find the toy" If you hide their favorite toy then they will roam around the house with tails wagging searching for it. 9 out of 10 times they will find it too. You cannot tell a dachshund what not to do. You must show them how to do it the correct way or to only do something on command.

These dogs love to bark and often have a high pitched voice. To make them not bark so much train them to bark on command. This means that they will only do it when you say so and you're not telling them No, which they hate.

To house train a dachshund start with the paper pads and house training spray for puppies. This will teach them where to go. When they're old enough you must walk them at least 3 times a day. Eventually they will pick a spot and go to the bathroom there almost every time. Have their bathroom breaks on a schedule so they know when to go and when not to go.

Dachshunds need a lot of entertainment. You must have at least 4 or 5 toys out at all times or they will chew your furniture, shoes and anything else within reach. They will chew the corners of books as well. A good tip is to have a low to the ground, open toy box for them. They will be able to get a toy when they want one and you can keep your floor clutter free.

The number one injury in this breed is damage to their spines. Its important not to let them jump off of furniture or beds. You can buy dog stairs that will make climbing easier for them. In the event they do hurt their backs it could cost over $1000 for corrective surgery. I recommend getting pet health insurance (around $10 to $20 a month) if your dog is prone to accidents or extremely hyper. This could cut of the cost of regular check ups and emergency care. Sometimes pet insurance covers 100% of the charges.