What You need to Know about The Long Haired Dachshund
The Long Haired Dachshund is now one of the most popular house dogs in the world. But many years ago these dogs were working animals. Breed to track down burrowing animals such as rabbits and foxes, these canines have a great sense of smell. While very few are used for this purpose today these animals are excellent hunters. Now many of these dogs enjoy a life of luxury and are often pampered by their owners. These are very fun animals to own and if you get one you are more than likely going to want another.
What Kind of Temperament Should I Expect From These Animals?
These intelligent and active dogs have a strong sense of loyalty to their owners. This can sometimes get in the way if they feel their owners are being threatened. So a stranger in the house might alarm the Long Haired Dachshund and sometimes they can bite. But a well socialized dog that has some basic training will not likely act in this manner. These dogs by nature are feisty animals and they are born hunters. So if you have small pets such as hamsters, mice or rabbits, it’s probably a good idea to keep them in their cages when these dogs are around. While they are lively animals these little dogs if properly trained can make a very loving family pet. Just remember they don’t like to be handled rough so make sure everyone that comes into your home understands the situation.
Since They Have Long Hair Do They Need A lot of Care?
These dogs do have longer hair than the standard breed but they are easy to care for. A daily brushing will serve the animal well and keep them free from tangles. If the hair becomes too long you should take them to the groomers for a trim. Shedding can become a problem if you live in an area of the country that has rapid changing weather but this can be controlled with daily brushing. A good bath once a month would also keep these dogs looking their best.
How About Going to The Vet do These Dogs Get Sick Often?
Since these dogs are so small with very short legs they can injure themselves very easily if they jump off the furniture a lot. Some older dogs have suffered serious injuries due to this fact. So make sure you teach your dog not to jump from high places while they are young. This habit will be much harder to break in an older animal. Another issue these dogs face is obesity. These dogs tend to over eat and it can cause all kinds of skeletal problems. So make sure to watch their food intake and give them plenty of exercise. With proper training and a well-balanced diet these dogs can be very healthy companions.
Image via Christian Bobadilla at Flickr.com
