Top 4 Considerations When Buying Long-Haired Dachshund Puppies

Long-haired Dachshund puppies are adorable, but there are several things to consider before bringing one home. This includes health and temperament, grooming needs, and training requirements.

Ask if the breeder offers a puppy health guarantee or warranty. Reputable breeders will provide assurances that cover genetic health issues for a specified period after purchase.

Health and Temperament

When looking for long haired Dachshund puppies for sale near me, you need to know the health and temperament of this breed primarily. Dachshunds are small dogs with big personalities. They are incredibly active and love digging, playing, chasing, and running around the house. But they also like to curl up and relax with their owners on the sofa after a long day. Keeping your Dachshund mentally and physically stimulated is vital to prevent them from becoming bored, achy, and destructive. This can be done by walking them at least twice a day, playing games, and tossing a tennis ball around. You can also build a backyard obstacle course and sand pit to keep them active without digging up your flower garden or damaging your furniture.

This strong-willed dog can be difficult to train and requires a firm hand. They respond well to positive praise and treats but will not tolerate harsh handling or being yelled at. They are natural watchdogs and will bark to alert you to strangers in their territory, but will often calm down when they realize you are not a threat. However, if they feel threatened by their owner, they will become irritable and snap or bite.

Grooming

Long-haired dachshunds are more high-maintenance than their smooth or wire-haired cousins and require daily grooming to keep their coats looking healthy. They must also be bathed once every six to eight weeks (often if they get muddy).

Grooming tools are a must for owners of long-haired dachshunds. The wire pin brush helps detangle tangled fur while leaving the dog’s skin untouched, and the slicker brush penetrates the double coat to remove dirt and tangles. A comb can also get the last of the tangles down.

When brushing, take special care around the ears and tail. Tangled hair in these areas can trap dirt and bacteria, causing skin irritation and infections. Using hair clips to help you get through the tangles and make it easier to brush these sensitive areas is a good idea. Another important part of grooming a long-haired dachshund is trimming their nails. Nails that are too long can cause joint, orthopedic, and mobility problems for your pup. You can use traditional nail clippers or a Dremel tool to trim your nails. Getting into the habit of trimming their nails at an early age can help them grow up with healthy and strong nails. It is also a great way to teach your dog that having their nails cut is not a scary or painful thing.

Feeding

Dachshunds love to play games and have a playful, mischievous personality. They bond strongly with their families and can be quite clingy (in a cute way). They are also very brave dogs, which means they may bark at or lunge at strangers to protect their families. This can be a problem, so you should socialize them early and expose them to new people and animals.

Like all dogs, long-haired dachshund puppies must be fed the right food. They should be on a diet for small breeds and formulated by a canine nutritionist. Good quality dog food will have recipes that meet AAFCO guidelines and will be based on feeding trials. The food will also be low in calories because dachshunds can become overweight, leading to herniated discs.

As with all dogs, dachshunds need daily exercise (ideally on a leash) and companionship. Loneliness can cause Dachshunds to become bored and may take up destructive behaviors, such as chewing shoes, books, or furniture. They usually get along well with other pets in the home, but you should teach them to play nicely together and stop jealousy or possessive behavior before it becomes a problem. 

Training

Dachshunds need strong, consistent training. They naturally tend to be stubborn and willful, so they must be taught who is in charge. There may be better choices for a first-time dog owner, but someone who researches and finds a trainer who works well with dogs can succeed with this willful, independent breed. When introducing your new Dachshund to other people, pets, and places, keep the introductions short and positive – reward with a small treat for each interaction. A negative experience can scar a puppy for life, so it is important to be very careful when socializing your doxie.

If you plan to take your Dachshund on trips in the car, get them used to it early. This will help prevent any anxiety that may develop later on and make it easier for you to bring them to the vet if needed.

Getting your new Dachshund comfortable with their crate will help you when traveling or leaving them home alone for longer periods. You should do this gradually by putting them in the crate with just their food and water for half an hour and then giving them some treats.