Dachshund Questions
Many people question if they can pick out, see, or play with the puppies before they are ready to go at eight weeks old. The answer to the question is NO. There are several reasons why we do not let anyone around the new puppies between birth and eight weeks – all to protect our dogs and your puppy.
It is extremely stressful for the mom to have strangers visit as she cares for her new litter. This, in turn, will put stress on the newborn pups. Remember, you are one of many people who are getting a puppy, not including everyone else who "just want to peek at the new babies." If we allow everyone to see, touch, or spend time with the new pups, the mom's routine would be disrupted: her eating and caring for pups and even her ability to produce enough healthy milk for them could be at risk.
Like a new baby, the opportunity for young pups to pick up infectious diseases is increased with all new contacts. Their immune systems are building, so at this time, the moms and pups live in whelping nests which have controlled temperatures and are separate from all outside traffic. Most illnesses and diseases are innocently carried on people's shoes and clothing. Entire litters of puppies can be wiped out within 48 hours by the puppy killer parvovirus. This disease could be picked up unknowingly by people in a schoolyard, a park, or a sidewalk, and this is only one disease. We cannot risk exposing our dogs and our puppy to diseases that could destroy them.
Your puppy is not the only puppy. By protecting all of our puppies from stress and disease that could be brought on by high traffic, we are protecting your puppy. Just think about how you would feel if someone who just wanted to see their pup happened to bring in stress or illness that would cause us to lose a litter and you to lose your future puppy. We have heard from many people that pet stores, other breeders, or other kennels let clients visit puppies; the reality is that their number one concern is selling a puppy.
Also, will those people be there to support you, replace the puppy, or guide you in the days, weeks, or years after you get your puppy home? Are they willing and capable of helping you with training, breeding, behavioral, or health questions? Just because someone allows you to see the puppy, it does not indicate the quality of the dog or service you will receive throughout the puppy's lifetime.
An ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure. We take great care and much time caring for all of our dogs and their puppies. It is time and energy-consuming. This is what we do best, so please let us do it. We understand your excitement, and we are happy that you are enthusiastic about getting your pup. But until you take your puppy home, we are responsible, and the puppy's health and safety are our priority. I guarantee you that in 8 weeks after the birth, it will be well worth your wait.
No we do not ship puppies by them self on a plane or in a transport without meeting the buyer face to face.
Affective 9/2013: The USDA does not allow sight-unseen sales. What does this mean? All pet puppies must be picked up from the breeder in person, I need to physically hand you the puppy in person.
There are 2 options for pick up:
- Come right to our home to pick up your new puppy. (This is our preferred method)
- Meeting you at the airport, if flying is the only way to pick up the puppy. I will meet you at the airport, this way we meet in person and are not doing a site unseen sale. You will need to fly home with the puppy as a carry on after you pick the puppy up from meeting me in person.
On September 10, 2013, the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) published a final rule revising the definition of “retail pet store” under the Animal Welfare Act (AWA) to restore an important check and balance that helps ensure the health and humane treatment of pet animals sold sight unseen. The previous definition of “retail pet store” was developed more than 40 years ago, before the Internet provided an alternate method of selling pets to the public. Some breeders were selling pet animals sight unseen, without providing an opportunity for the buyer to observe the animal prior to purchase, as was intended by the regulation.
The findings of the 2010 program audit by USDA’s Office of the Inspector General (OIG) found that many breeders were not licensed under the AWA because they sold pets over the Internet and claimed ‘retail pet store’ status. As a result, OIG found that these breeders were not being monitored or inspected to ensure their animal’s overall health and humane treatment, which led to some consumers purchasing unhealthy pets, particularly dogs. USDA is revising the definition in its regulations to bring animals involved in these transactions under the jurisdiction of the AWA so that they can be monitored by us for health and humane treatment.
The change in regulations also increases from three to four the number of breeding female dogs, cats, and/or small exotic or wild mammals that a person may maintain on his or her premises and be exempt from the licensing and inspection requirements. Breeders who maintain four or fewer breeding females—and who sell only the offspring of those animals raised on their premises for pets or exhibition—are considered hobby breeders who already provide sufficient care to their animals without USDA oversight. Accordingly, most home-based pet breeders are not affected by this rulemaking.
These dogs are very adaptable. They are excellent pets for children. The dachshund has an affectionate, delightful, playful, clownish temperament, alert, eager to please, and adaptable. However, it is not a good idea to let puppies and children play unattended as with any dog. Children and puppies tend to be unaware of their size and strength and could accidentally injure each other. The best thing to do is teach your child and new puppy how to behave around one another, and you shouldn't have any problems.
These dogs are very adaptable. They are excellent with other dogs and cats but yet retain a hunting instinct, so they should be raised with cats and other pets from puppyhood.
The dachshund is bold, curious, and always up for the adventure. It likes to hunt and dig, tracking by scent and going to the ground after the game. It is independent but will join in its family's activities whenever given a chance. It is good with children in its own family, but some may snap at strange children. Most are reserved with strangers. Some bark. The long-haired variety may be quieter and less eerier-like; the wires may be more outgoing and clown-like.
It depends on the puppy -- some are easier than others. It takes a lot of patience and dedication to house train any puppy dachshund's small size and stubborn nature can make it even more of a challenge. Also, See House Training
Not so far, all our dachshunds are very active and happy!
A mini or miniature dachshund weighs less than 11 lbs. A standard size dachshund is 16-35 lbs.
Tweenie is a term used to describe dachshunds that weigh from 12-15 lbs. They are considered in between miniature and standard size.
Most Dachshunds stand from 5 to 9 inches in height at the withers (shoulders).
With proper care, dachshunds can enjoy a long life span of 10 to 14 years.
Although Dachshunds are active, their exercise requirements can be met with moderate walks on leash and games in the yard. The dachshund is amenable to city life or apartment living, but it is still a hunter at heart and enjoys forays into the wilds. Although it can live outdoors in warm weather, and it does best when sleeping inside.
The smooth coat requires minimal grooming. The long coat requires brushing or combing once or twice weekly and occasional trimming of stray hairs. The wire coat requires brushing or combing about once a week, with occasional trimming of stray hairs and stripping to remove dead hair twice a year.
If your puppy is fixed at around 5 - 7 months of age, your puppy doesn't know if it's a male or female because it has not yet started producing, nor will it ever produce sex hormones. So behaviors classed/caused by sex are somewhat non-existent. Although in some ways, choosing between male and female dogs is a matter of personal preference.
Dogs do have some characteristics which are common in females and other characteristics which are common in males. It is important to evaluate these characteristics and determine which sex would fit in best with your home situation when you choose a puppy. Additionally, choosing between males and females is important if you already have another female or male and choose an additional dog.
The following characteristics often apply to females:
Independent – Females tend to want to be in control of the entire situation. They may come to their owner when they seek affection but often move away when they have had enough.
Stubborn – In many packs, a female is typically the Alpha dog. Females crave more control of situations and are quick to respond to perceived challenges with fierceness.
Territorial – Females mark in the same way males do. A spayed female may continue to mark for her entire lifetime regardless of when she is spayed, while most males will cease marking behaviors shortly after they are neutered, the testosterone levels subside.
Reserved – Females are generally less affectionate and friendly than males. This characteristic is noticeable in puppies and becomes more pronounced with age.
Changes in Mood or Behavior – It is also important to note that she will come into heat approximately 6 to 8 months of age and approximately every six months after that if you do not spay your female. During this time, there will be some bleeding as well as a change in mood or behavior. Keep this in mind when you adopt a puppy and decide whether or not to spay her.
The following characteristics often apply to male dogs:
Affectionate – Males are typically more affectionate than females. They tend to crave attention from their owners more than females and, as a result, display more affectionate behaviors.
Exuberant- A male is also more likely to be fun-loving and outgoing throughout his lifetime than a female. While a female tends to become more reserved as she ages, and a male dog maintains a more puppy-like exuberance throughout his lifetime
Food-Motivated – Males are often very motivated by food. This food motivation can make training extremely easy as treats can be used to lure and reward to display desired behaviors.
Attentive – While females tend to be more independent, males tend to be more focused on their human companions. They want to always be close to the human and are very eager to please.
Aggressive Behaviors - It is also important to note that intact males may display aggressive behaviors toward other males or exhibit marking behaviors. Additionally, intact males should be kept away from females in heat unless a breeding is planned.
When adding a 2nd or 3rd dog to your home
Owners who are adding a dog to their home should carefully consider the ramifications of adding a dog of either sex. Even though dachshunds are pack animals and love to be in groups of 2 or more, this is important because the makeup of the existing pack may be more accepting to either a male or a female. The following are general tips for selecting the gender of a second dog:
If you already have a male or a female, a dog of the opposite sex is generally the best choice. Dogs of the same sex are more likely to fight than dogs of the opposite sex.
If you already have a male, he is likely to accept a female, and you are likely to have fewer dominance issues if you add a female to the pack. However, if you opt to add another male to the pack, they can peacefully co-exist and may even become friends. It is important to closely monitor their interactions early on to ensure aggressive behaviors do not become common.
If you already have a female, she is likely to be more accepting of a male. Most males tend to be submissive. If he does not challenge your resident female, she is not likely to have a reason to fight with him. Adding a female to the pack, however, may result in complications. The worst combination is two females because they are more likely to fight than a male/female combo or two males.
However, many dog owners have two or more females that live together without problems. As long as there is an established Alpha dog and the other females know their place in the pack, there will not be dominance struggles often, although they may still occur.
Selecting a male or female is largely a matter of personal preference. The above characteristics are generalizations, and it is certainly possible to purchase or adopt a female puppy who displays male characteristics or a male puppy who displays the typical female characteristics. Additionally, females that are spayed often do not have the gender-specific problems associated with their sex, such as coming into heat or marking.
So, if you're asking yourself, "What dog should I get?" make sure to consider the dogs you already have and the gender that goes best with your lifestyle. When you find a dog, monitor his or her behavior carefully and consider how it will match your male or female at home. Good luck choosing a dog!
Primarily affects Dilute colors like blue, chocolate, Dilute reds, and fawn (Isabella) color dogs. Alopecia is a term that refers to hair loss regardless of the cause. Color Dilution Alopecia is a condition in which dogs develop a gradual thinning of hair on their bodies, often progressing to widespread permanent hair loss. This condition develops in some but not all dogs that have been bred for unusual coat color, especially "fawn" (a dilution of a normal red or brown coat) or "blue" (a dilution of the normal black and tan coat). Doberman Pinschers and Dachshunds are most affected by this condition, but it is seen in other breeds bred for unusual coat colors, including Chows, Great Danes, Chihuahuas, and others.
Color dilution alopecia (CDA) is a color condition in which the coat will appear normal at birth. Most affected dogs will show signs between 6 months and as late as 2 or 3 years of age. The first signs are hair loss and dry skin, and possibly a recurring bacterial infection, generally on the back where small bumps reveal infected hair follicles. While the primary condition has no specific therapy because the dog itself is diluted in color.
How do I know if my dog has alopecia?
Have your veterinarian perform a microscopic examination of the hair follicles, called a Trichogramma. A skin biopsy will also show characteristic changes in the epidermal cells. Keep in mind 90% of Blues, 75% of fawn (Isabella), 25% of chocolates, and Dilute Reds have or carry alopecia. It's a color thing.
How to color dilution occurs.
Color dilution is a normal occurrence in many dog breeds. The color blue comes from diluting black, and the fawn (Isabella) comes from diluting red. The colors blue and fawn (Isabella) are considered color-diluted. Color dilution occurs during the breeding process and is determined by the type of color genes that the parents pass to their offspring. Color dilution alopecia is a skin condition that affects many color-diluted dogs and is considered a hereditary condition. However, this condition is due to the diluted color of your dog, meaning if mom is a black/tan and produces a Blue/Tan, the pup will probably have some form of CDA while the mom has no form of CDA.
The genes that determine the dog's hair coat color consist of a (B) gene for black and a (b) gene for red. Genes represented by a capital letter are dominant genes, and those represented by a lower-case letter are recessive genes; therefore, a dog with (BB) will be black, (Bb) will be black, and (bb) will be red. Every dog has two color genes and passes one to its offspring. Dogs also carry a pair of genes that determine the intensity of the coat color; these are the color dilution genes. One of these genes from each parent is also passed to the dog's offspring. Color dilution genes are (d) dilute, or (D) non-dilute. During breeding, a dog with (dd) can pass only a (d) gene to the offspring, a (DD) dog can pass only a (D) gene, and a (Dd) can pass either. If both parents pass a dilute (d) gene, the pup's color will be diluted. For example, if a (BB) dog has (dd) dilution genes, he will be blue. A (Bb) dog with (dd) dilution genes will also be a blue color, and a (bb) dog with (dd) will produce a fawn color. If only one color dilution gene is dilute, then the dog's color will be normal (BB) and (Dd); however, dogs can pass the dilute gene to their offspring.
What to do if your dog has Alopecia (Treatment)
Dogs with alopecia will lead a normal healthy life. I recommend routine bathing in a benzoyl peroxide shampoo such as OxyDex, SulfOxyDex or Pyoben, along with a moisturizing rinse such as Avoderm or Perfect Coat. Feeding a good food with high dosage essential fatty acids, omega 3 & 6, raw eggs, and vitamin supplements (we recommend NuVet Plus) can be very helpful. Affected dogs showing CDA should not be used for breeding (not all dilute dogs have alopecia, and not every diluted generation will have alopecia).
Yes, we do. We use a supplement called NuVet Plus, one tab a day. A small company in California produces NuVet Plus. It's available only by mail order. We highly recommend it to all dog owners! NuVet Plus has been proven to help increase your pet's longevity and quality of life, along with providing an antioxidant that gives a boost to the immune system and creates a natural defense against over fifty major diseases. NuVet is the best on the market!
The number for NuVet Plus is 1-800-474-7044 (order code 83113)
