To say that Dachshunds are unique is quite the understatement. Everything about them from their little, sausage bodies to their firecracker personalities makes them very interesting dogs to be around. It honestly takes a very special kind of person to keep up with all the needs of these doggies. And if it is the path you have chosen, you have a lot to look forward to.
Dachshunds cost about $500 to $2,500. Due to their small size, monthly maintenance cost is affordable at around $100. However, they are prone to back and knee problems, so be prepared for expensive vet bills especially as they get older. They also need a lot of attention, so you may need to spend more time with them apart from just your money.
With such a high price tag, you are probably concerned about whether or not they are worth it. The short answer is yes. The long answer involves understanding exactly what to expect in terms of their personality, health, and care needs. But first, let’s take a look at what it is that makes Doxies so expensive.
Why Are Dachshunds So Expensive?
Dachshunds cost between $1,500 and $2,500.
A full-blooded Dachshunds from a champion bloodline could go for a lot more than this with some breeders having price tags upwards of $3,500. Are these little dogs really worth that much? Here are a few things that could explain their costly status.
Dachshunds Are Very Popular Novelty Dogs
Dachshunds are the 11th most popular dog breed according to the American Kennel Club’s 2019 report. This has a lot to do with their unique, sausage dog appearance. While it may not be everyone’s style, it is a look that has grown on many in the dog lovers’ community. This increases their demand and price in circles where unique doggy aesthetics are appreciated.
Dachshunds Are Pretty Good Companion Pets
These dogs have a lot more to offer than their weird, little bodies. Dachshunds are actually very good companions. All they really want from you is your love and attention. If you deliver you will have a very loyal and loving best friend for life.
Expensive Breeding
Dachshunds are sometimes very hard to breed especially in their pure state.
First off, purebred studs can be hard to come by in some parts of the world and in the United States.
Secondly, Dachshunds need a lot of support during pregnancy and delivery. With all the effort and resources that go into producing litters, it is no wonder that some breeders are so pricey with their Doxie pups.
In addition to the initial purchase, you will have to set aside about $1,500 every year in maintenance cost to cover everything from food and health services to grooming.
Fortunately, you could save a lot by doing most of the maintenance yourself instead of outsourcing. We will highlight some of those tips shortly.
What Problems Do Dachshunds Have?
The average lifespan of a Dachshund is 12 to 16 years which is quite a lot of time to spend with your furry best friend.
While most Dachshunds are generally very healthy, their dwarf build exposes them to several health issues later on in life. Here are some of these build-related health issues as well as other general conditions that may affect your doggy.
Intervertebral Disc Disease
Also known as IVDD, this condition is characterized by abnormal formation of the cartilage between the vertebral discs. The condition gets worse with time especially if the nerves or spinal cord get compressed and could lead to pain, gait changes, and even paralysis.
Skin Irritation
If you notice that your Dachshund smells or is scratching and licking themselves a lot, it could be due to skin irritation. This is caused by a number of issues including allergic dermatitis and parasite infestation.
The excessive scratching just makes things worse for the dog by introducing pathogens that complicate the issue further.
Regular baths, keeping their bedding and lounge spaces clean, as well as parasite management are just a few of the main strategies that could help you put your pooch out of their misery.
Obesity
Dachshunds tend to eat a lot. Though they are active and playful, they rarely exercise enough to keep up with their consumption.
If you do not watch both their activity levels and their portions, they are very likely to develop obesity and subsequent complications including diabetes and heart disease.
Heart Disease
Speaking of heart disease, most Dachshunds usually die from heart failure in old age. They also have a few heart diseases in youth including congenital anomalies like patent ductus arteriosus which is more common in Doxies than most other dog breeds.
How To Take Care Of Dachshunds?
Taking care of a Doxie can be quite easy if you know what you are doing and what to expect. It can also be a nightmare if you are going into it clueless. To help you get started off on the right foot, here are some of the most important care tips when dealing with these doggies.
Schedule Regular Vet Visits
Dachshunds are relatively healthy dogs. However, their health issues tend to spiral fast into an uncomfortable mess for the dog and an expensive one for you. Regular vet visits allow you to pick out and deal with any illnesses quickly.
Monitor Their Exercise Levels
Dachshunds need about 30 minutes to an hour of exercise every day. Keeping them active helps maintain a healthy weight and increases their strength.
However, there is such a thing as too much exercise for Doxies.
This is the case especially with Dachshunds that have joint issues in which case stairs and other rough outdoor surfaces are bad for them.
Establish A Healthy Diet
A healthy diet is crucial for the Dachshund’s well-being. We recommend Pet Plate for the best in terms of quality for your dog. They use human-grade, natural ingredients and healthy preparation processes to ensure your dog is getting the very best nutrition.
They also customize meal plans which is ideal given the Dachshund’s specific health needs.
Furthermore, include multivitamin supplements into their health diet as a way to cover any important micronutrients and healthy compounds that may be absent in their main diet.
Do Dachshunds Like To Be Held? Temperament Of Dachshunds
When it comes to health needs, general care, and grooming, Dachshunds are relatively easy to live with. It is emotional care where your patience will be put to the test. Don’t get us wrong, Doxies are wonderful dogs with great, loving personalities.
However, they can be a lot to handle if you go in blind. To help you avoid this, here are all the good, bad, and ugly temperament traits of doxies that you need to prepare yourself mentally for.
Affectionate And Clingy
Dachshunds are very affectionate and love to cuddle with their human companions. They do not like to be left alone and will actually follow you wherever they can. This may be endearing to some but it will definitely be frustrating if you have to regularly leave home for work or errands.
Clever But Stubborn
Dachshunds are very clever but they are not very easy to train. It may be difficult to keep their attention and they sometimes get stubbornly unresponsive when the training gets repetitive. If you are doing the training yourself, Brain Training for Dogs will definitely help make your life infinitely easier.
Potentially Destructive
Dachshunds need a lot of attention as well as physical and mental engagement. If they don’t get this, they tend to act out and become destructive. If this happens, the best way to discipline the Dachshund is by withdrawing their favorite toys or your attention.
Mistrusting Of Strangers
Dachshunds are also quite mistrusting of strangers and may get aggressive in a bid to protect you if they feel that you or the home is under threat.
Do Dachshunds Shed A Lot? Grooming Tips For Dachshunds
Dachshunds come in 3 main varieties based on the coat types. These are the long and smooth, short and smooth, and the long and wiry varieties.
All of Dachshund’s coat types shed pretty much the same rate and volume, although some wiry Doxies may appear to shed less as the dog hairs tend to get trapped within layers of rough coat.
The long haired varieties are also more likely to develop coat matts and may need a bit more tender loving care.
To help you out with this aspect of their care, here are a few grooming tips that will make your life easier.
Establish A Weekly Brushing Routine
This is important no matter what type of coat your Dachshund has.
By brushing every 2 to 3 days, you get rid of loose fur that would otherwise have been shed all over your home. This also helps with detangling of the longer coats for a nice, clean finish.
Wash Them Once A Month
Dachshunds can get stinky especially if they are very active and outdoorsy. They therefore need more frequent baths than most other dog breeds. A 4 to 6 week schedule should be more than enough to keep your pooch fresh.
Clean And Properly Dry Their Ears
Doxies are known for their long, droopy ears. While they do contribute a great deal to the aesthetics, they also hide a lot of dirt, grime, and even germs. Make a point to clean your dog’s ears and wipe them properly at least once every month.
Clean Their Teeth
Dental hygiene with Dachshunds is important not only for their oral health but also for your comfort when they come over to give you kisses. Something as simple as a hard chew toy could help a lot by mechanically ridding teeth of plaque.
Dental water additives with herbs like eucalyptus and mint on the other hand help keep the dog’s breath nice and fresh.
Related Questions
What Is The Rarest Dachshund Color? All black is the rarest of all Dachshund colors. This is because the trait responsible for this characteristic is not only very rare but also recessive which means that two pure black doxies have to mate to have black puppies. Other rare colors with this dog breed are white and blue.
Is It Better To Have One Or Two Dachshunds? Dachshunds are rather needy dogs and are therefore always best in pairs. They thrive on company and attention. If you cannot provide it all the time, getting another Doxie in the mix is always a great compromise. Just go for a male and female combination and/or get the doggies spayed to avoid any territory battles while you are away.
Are Male Or Female Dachshunds Better? Male Dachshunds are generally more popular. This is because they tend to be more affectionate and eager to please. They also get along great with children. On the flip side, they can get very clingy and destructive if they don’t get enough attention. Females on the other hand are more reserved and tend to be deeply loyal and are thus still just as worthy of consideration.
