By the time you’ve decided you want to buy a Dachshund puppy, you probably want to bring one home right away.
But, not so fast.
Wanting a puppy really bad can cloud your judgement and lead to less than ideal choices.
“Puppy Fever” as it’s often called can cause you to overlook things like undesirable breed traits because the puppy you found is just so cute!
Also, your desire for a new Dachshund puppy may be so strong that you overlook things that result in you ending up with an unhealthy puppy or worse – being scammed.
By taking a step back now, and following the tips below, you may save yourself heartache and disappointment down the road.
Things to Consider before Getting a Dachshund Puppy
1) Know the Breed Before You Commit
Dachshunds may be super cute but there are several reasons this breed may not for everyone.
Make sure you have done all of your homework and know what you are signing up for before you bring one home.
Choosing a dog breed just because they look cute, without doing thorough research first, is not a good idea.
Not understanding the breed temperament, traits, and common health issues is one of the primary reasons that Dachshund are surrendered to rescues and shelters.
For example, they can be more challenging to potty train, be more clingy, and need more exercise than some other dog breeds.
It’s also important to note that the average lifespan of a Dachshund is 15-16 years so you should expect your new furry family member to be around a long time.
2) Be Sure You’re Prepared to Raise a Puppy
Many people don’t understand, or forget, how hard it is to raise a puppy.
People typically focus on how cute Dacshund puppies are, and envision a life with a well behaved dog, but forget that it can take months or years of dedication and work to get to that point.
It can easily take at least 6 months after bringing your puppy home to teach them house manners and build a solid bond.
Dachshund puppies can be very rambunctious until they are at least 6 months old.
If you are not ready or able to invest significant time and emotion into a puppy, you may want to consider getting an older rescue instead. There are many advantages to adopting an older dog.
3) Have a Plan for Handling Health Issues
Whether it be just random bad luck, or due to one of one of the common Dachshund health issues, expensive medical needs can crop up when you least expect them.
You should be prepared to deal with any medical needs by signing up for per health insurance when your dog is young (before they develop any “pre-existing” health issues) or by putting sufficient money away in savings to cover unseen costs.
One in four Dachshunds will have back problems in their lifetime and if surgery is needed it can cost $5,000-$8,000.
4) Don’t Buy a Dachshund Puppy from a Pet Store
A reputable breeder would never sell their puppies in a pet store.
“Reputable breeder” is another term for responsible breeder. A responsible Dachshund breeder aims to produce puppies as close to the to the standard as possible, has a desire to improve the breed, and takes very good care of their dogs.
Most puppies in a store originated from a puppy mill – a commercial operation that produces puppies without proper medical care or concern for the welfare of the parents.
There is one exception to this and that is if it’s very clear that the store only “sells” pets from a local animal rescue or shelter. If this is the case, the rescue will usually have staff on hand or provide contact information.
Keep in mind that these will almost always be older dogs and mixes though.
5) Beware of Online Scammers
Most scams originate on Facebook or Craigslist. However, some scammers set up websites that look trustworthy to try and trick you to parting with your money.
Scammers know you may be desperate for a puppy, or are looking for one that is cheap, and will take advantage of that.
The easiest way to avoid being scammed is to not buy a puppy from one of these sources.
Buying a Dachshund puppy online, and sending money via electronic transfer, can be very risky.
However, if you can’t resist going forward, here are a few signs that you might be talking to a scammer:
- They insists on shipping your puppy even if you live close
- There are more than two colors/patterns of Dachshund puppies and they are all the same, or very similar in, age.
- The person communicating with you uses bad grammar or there are a lot of spelling mistakes.
- They ask you for a deposit, or a fee to ship the puppy, but then make an excuse for why you need to pay more (although by this point it’s probably too late and you can expect to lose any money you already sent if it’s a scam).
Another important way to spot a scam is to do a Google image search following these instructions to make sure the person didn’t just steal a picture of a Dachshund puppy off the internet.
6) Ask People for Referrals
Ask around to find Dachshund breeders in your area.
Word-of-mouth referral is one of the best ways to find a Dachshund breeder you can trust.
Ideally, these will be people you know and trust.
However, most Dachshund owners love to talk about their dogs and will gladly share where they got theirs so asking a stranger can be ok too.
Do be aware that many people choose to get a Dachshund from a rescue, and are against breeding, so don’t automatically assume they know of a breeder. Trust me, it’s not a conversation you want to accidentally stumble into.
If you want to ask someone you don’t know, simply ask them where they found their Dachshund. If they say from a breeder, then see if they would be willing to provide some additional information or share their opinions.
Local Dachshund clubs are also great places to get in-person referrals for a breeder.
7) Research Reputable Dachshund Breeders
When you do find what you think is a trustworthy breeder, the research and investigation shouldn’t stop there.
One of the first steps in narrowing down your list of potential breeders is contacting them to start a conversation.
Try to open a conversation and build a relationship with the breeder. Good breeders will want to do that with people who may buy one of their Dachshund puppies.
In your discussions, ask them to see their contract (they should have one), for specific photos or videos of your Dachshund puppy so you know they aren’t sending you stolen photos and videos.
In your conversations, look for these signs that a breeder is legitimate.
You can also search the American Kennel Club (AKC) website for the breeder. While the AKC doesn’t physically check the health of the dogs being bred or their puppies, their registration does offer some reassurance.
This is especially true if the breeder is listed in their database as a Breeder of Merit and Bred with H.E.A.R.T. program.
8) Check Out Reviews of the Breeder
If they have a Facebook page, that can be one place to check for reviews. However, keep in mind it’s pretty easy to post fake or misleading reviews on social media.
Breeder reviews are just one piece of information you should use to narrow your list. It can be easy to buy or fake good reviews.
A more objective lace to check is the Better Business Bureau. If the breeder doesn’t appear in their database, that doesn’t mean they are necessarily bad.
If they do appear and there are complaints, definitely ask more questions or just avoid them altogether.
9) Double Check You are Getting a Purebred Dachshund Puppy
This one may not matter so much to you.
Dachshund mixes – like the Chiweenie (Chihuahua and Dachshund) and the Doxiepoo (Dachshund and Poodle) – can very cute and make good pets.
These mixes are also usually cheaper than purebreds (don’t buy if someone tells you they are expensive) and easier to find in shelters, even at a young age.
However, it’s not uncommon for backyard breeders in it for the money, and those whose female accidentally got pregnant, to try and pass off Dachshund-lookalike mixes as the real deal.
Just because a puppy in a photo looks like a purebred Dachshund doesn’t mean that they are.
Don’t just take a breeders word for it or assume based on a picture if you are looking for a purebred Dacshund puppy.
A purebred Dachshund, will most likely have American Kennel Club (AKC) registration papers (or another registration if you are outside of the US).
Ask to see the puppies parents and their registration papers.
10) Ask How They Will Be Raised
Most Dachshund puppies will be ready to come home with you at 8-10 weeks.
Most of the time between when they are born and when they come home with you will be spent weaning them from their Mom, teaching them to east solid food, and them learning boundaries by playing with their siblings.
However, a good breeder will try to give them a good start toward being a well-adjusted dog and family member.
Ask the breeder what kind of training and socialization the puppy will get before coming home with you.
Ideally, simple training will start before your puppy comes home with you.
If you need your Dachshund to get along with kids or babies, it’s very beneficial if your Dachshund is exposed to small children from the beginning.
The same goes for cats or other small animals. If you need your Dachshund to get along with cats, it’s great if the breeder has one in the house.
It’s a bonus if the breeder can give your puppy a head start on nail clipping and potty training.
Final Thoughts
Bringing home a Dachshund puppy can be one of the happiest days of your life.
The experience of finding and buying a puppy can also be fustrating and disappointing if not done right.
Following these tips will help guarantee that you will end up with a happy, healthy puppy and that you won’t feel unprepared to raise one.
If you are considering getting a second Dachshund so that your current Dachshund has a playmate, be sure to consider these things important first.
For more information about bringing a Dachshund puppy home, check out my list of tips for the first week with your Dachshund puppy.
About the Author: Through her 17 years of owning and caring for Dachshunds, and almost 10 years researching and writing about them, JW has become a respected expert in the Dachshund community. Read more about her here.
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