Have you ever been stuck on how to choose a dachshund puppy? Choosing the right breed of Dachshund puppy before taking one into your home is important. Many people want to keep Dachshunds as pets, but they are confused about which type to take. There are 2 types of Dachshunds available to buy: standard and miniature. If you want to know which is perfect for you, read this blog completely. In this blog, I will explain standard and miniature dachshunds and the colour options available on the market, and you can choose the best for yourself.
Types of dachshunds based on their coat types
There are three types of dachshund puppies available in the market based on their coat types. Smooth-haired, long-haired and wire-haired. Below are some quality and grooming requirements for them.
Smooth-haired dachshund
They are dachshunds with sleek, short, shiny, and tight-fitting coats throughout the body. Smooth-haired dachshunds have minimal grooming requirements compared to long-haired and wire, this is because of their smooth-textured hair. They can be okay with occasional grooming also.
Smooth haired dachshund are available in various color option below are some best color option you can choose for yourself from that.
Solid color
- Red
- Cream
Two-color combination
- Black and Tan
- Chocolate and Tan
- Blue and Tan
- Isabella (Fawn) and Tan
- Black and Cream
- Chocolate and Cream
Patterns
Dapple
Brindle
Piebald
Double Dapple
Long-haired dachshund
They have soft, silky, and slightly wavy coat and longer hair on the ears on the ears, chest, belly, legs, and tail called feathering they require regular grooming to prevent tangles and mats which can cause skin irritation and infection. Long-haired dachshund also comes with the same color options as smooth-haired.
Wire-haired dachshund
Wire haired dachshund have thick, rough, and coarse coat which feel bristly when touched. Has a beard, bushy eyebrow and longer facial hair giving them a rugged, terrier-like appearance. They also need regular grooming to prevent tangles and mats. Their tail covered in coarse hair, held level with the back. The wire-haired dachshund also comes with the same color options as the smooth-haired.
What to see before bringing home a dachshund puppy
Breeder Reputation
A good breeder is crucial for ensuring your puppy is healthy and well-adjusted. Ensure they are registered with national kennel clubs (like AKC, UKC, etc., reputable breeders, not just for their appearance and looks, but also for their health. When your breeder has a good reputation, there is a higher chance they sell good-quality pets.
Health Checks
Dachshunds are prone to certain health issues such as IVDD (Intervertebral Disc Disease), Progressive Retinal Atrophy (PRA), and Obesity-related issues. When you bring your puppy without knowing their health status, it can be problematic in the future. A puppy should also be bred from healthy parents.
Parent Temperament
Before choosing a dachshund puppy, it’s important to notice their parent’ behaviour. If their parent show aggressive behaviour towards humans and other people, there is are higher chance of being aggressive of your puppy. You can check parents’ temperament by analysing their behaviour with puppies and other people how they interact with them.
Living Conditions
Puppies’ living conditions affect their behaviour in further; they should not be kept in cages forcefully, which leads to aggressive behaviour in the future. Area should be clean, warm, and stimulating, not overcrowded or filthy. Keeping dachshund puppies in an overcrowded place can develop social anxiety in a dog. Look for access to toys, bedding, and human interaction.
Dachshund puppies are prone to many health issues, Their living area must have specific health and veterinary care to check up on puppy health conditions, and ensure your breeders also have this
Puppy Behavior
Puppies’ childhood behaviour projects their future behaviour, If puppies are aggressive from their childhood, they are likely to be a little aggressive throughout life than dogs that are calm in childhood. That’s why you need to choose your puppy after analysing their behaviour unhurriedly, that’s made easy for your dog training in the future.
Physical Appearance
You need to check their eyes, ears, nose, coat, skin, legs, teeth gums. Ensure all of these are in healthy condition. Eyes should be bright, clear, with no gunk or discharge, ears should be clean inside, not red or smelly, nose should be slightly wet and cool, and skin should have no rashes or flaky patches. The body shouldn’t look bloated or too thin, legs should walk and run normally, no limping, and gums should be teeth coming in straight, gums pink not pale.
Socialization
The first 8–10 weeks of a puppy’s life are critical. Puppies should be socialised well from that age, a well-socialised dog is easy to train and has a lower chance of developing separation anxiety and other behavioural issues. Which is important for their well-being.
Documentation
Before taking the puppy home, you should ask for their health document, like vaccinations, deworming, and any vet treatments, Pedigree papers or registration documents (if a purebred), and return policy, health guarantee, spay/neuter agreement (if applicable), etc. This document helps to make certain your dog is healthy, vaccinated and purebred.
Conclusion
You need to consider that before buying the best dachshund puppy, it’s not just about looks and appearance. It is also about their health condition, early childhood training, parents’ behaviour and traits, genetic diseases, proper vaccination, and documentation. Ensure all the things I share above are well to choose a well-behaved and healthy dachshund puppy. By doing this, you can choose the best dachshund puppy for yourself.
