How to Care For Your New Dachshund
Here are some general tips on caring for your new family member. If you need more information or have a specific question, please feel free to e-mail or call.
Nutrition
We feed all of our dogs Diamond Brand Dog Food. We were Purina fans for years..but, we cannot say enough about the amazing improvement of our dogs and puppies using Diamond. It is a very high quality premium dog food without the very high premium price. We buy all of our dog food at Tractor Supply, but I understand that Diamond can be found at your local feed mill. If you have any questions, please feel free to e-mail or call. . Your little puppy has been raised on Diamond Brand Puppy Food. . There will be no need to moisten the food. Dry, crunchy food is vital to a pup and/or dog's good health. If you decide to feed another brand, please mix it equally with the Puppy Food that came with your puppy packet until the pup adjusts. No matter which food you choose, your puppy should absolutely be fed some type of puppy food for the first year of his/her life. This is one of the most important things you can do for your pet nutritionally. As for treats, I really have no preference. Just remember that they are treats, and keep them to a minimum. I do realize that treats are the best training tools in the world!
Grooming
Fortunately, dachshunds are extremely easy to maintain. They shed very little (Yes, even longhairs!). They have practically no doggy odor, and they really don't require professional grooming. Of course, if you would prefer it, a professional groomer can take care of general maintenance, like a bath or nail clipping. Some wirehair owners prefer to have their dog's coat "stripped". This is all up to you as an owner. If you have specific questions, feel free to ask.
Ears
As with any pet, you will need to do some general ear cleaning. There are several products on the market today. Personally, we prefer a solution of 1/2 part distilled (white) vinegar and 1/2 part warm water. Just dip a paper towel in the solution and clean your pet's ears. If you notice excess brown matter, redness, swelling, oozing or persistent head shaking or scratching, it is possible your pet may have ear mites or an ear infection. In either case, you will need to consult your veterinarian as soon as possible. Don't wait. They will more than likely prescribe some ear drops or antibiotics.
Nails
As any pet owner will tell you, nail clipping can become quite a chore. I recommend starting with your puppy at a very young age. Do small clippings on a frequent basis. This lessens the chances of cutting into the quick of the nail. Try to make nail clipping a positive experience. Patience, praise and a treat will be very helpful. Replace your nail clippers often! Dull clippers just make the job more difficult, and they are fairly inexpensive to purchase. As I stated earlier, if you are uncomfortable with nail clipping, your vet or groomer will be more than happy to accomodate you and your pet.
Eyes
Dachshunds really don't require any normal maintenance in this area. In case of an injury or infection, please see your vet. The sooner you take care of an eye injury or issue, the better.
Teeth
Now this is an area your Dachshund will need a little help with. As I said earlier, dry, crunchy dog food is very important in keeping teeth healthy, clean and strong. Rope toys are also very helpful in cleaning your dog's teeth. There are several different products available for brushing your pet's teeth. A Dachshund is usually very tolerant of this kind of thing. You might find that he or she enjoys the personal attention and it will certainly decrease the chances of professional dental work. If you have an olderDachshund and have noticed an oral problem, please see your vet. We all know how horrible a toothache can be. Don't put it off. Your pet can't tell you it is having trouble or is in pain, but there are signs you can watch for. These consist of a bad breath odor, loss of appetite, no interest in chew toys, or the blackening of a tooth. Most of these issues can be fixed at a fairly reasonable price.
The Veterinarian
A strong, trusting relationship with your vet is vital. If you don't already have a vet, start looking. If you live here locally, I have a list of some of our favorites. If you are not local, please ask around in your area. Some of the most important questions to ask are: 1.What are the hours of operation? 2. Can they be reached in an emergency? 3. Do they have after hours care? 4. Are they familiar with the Dachshund breed? Please remember, if you don't feel comfortable with your vet, it's never too late to make a change.
Wormings
Your puppy will have been wormed quite frequently by the time you get him/her. We use Pyrantel Paramoate at two-week intervals from the time of birth to the delivery date of your puppy. I'm sure your vet will start your pup on a once-monthly treatment. Signs that your dog may have worms are bloody or loose stools, white gums, rubbing their butts on the carpet, floor or grass (itching) and weight loss.
Vaccinations
A puppy requires several shots to be properly vaccinated. Generally, this is at 6, 9, 12 and 15 weeks. It depends on the age of the pup when you aquire it as to how many shots it will already have had. We will give you a health record with this information. Just take it with you on your first trip to the vet. Also, depending on your local state laws, you will need to get the pup a rabies vaccine between four and six-months of age.
Fleas and Ticks
What can I say? If you own a dog, you will have fleas and/or ticks at one time or another. If you really want to eliminate them, you'll need to get Frontline, Advantix or something similar. You can purchase these products at your vet's office or a vet supply company. Just be sure to match your dog's weight with the proper dose. These are clearly marked on the product package. This is generally a once-monthly treatment.
Spay and Neuter
As with any pet, spaying or neutering is a very smart decision. The proper age will need to be discussed with your vet, but is usually done around 5 or 6 months of age. Recent studies have shown that spaying or neutering your pet greatly reduces the risks of genital or cervical cancer, not to mention a whole other list of inconveniences. The sooner you neuter your male puppy, the less likely he will be to"hike his leg" on your furniture (urinate) or roam around the neighborhood. A little girl will benefit from spaying as well. You will avoid heat cycle messes and prevent accidental breedings also.
Breeding Your Pet
As a breeder, I feel it is hypocritical of me to tell you not to breed for a litter of puppies. It can be an amazing experience for your family, and if everything goes right, it can be somewhat profitable. However, I do feel it is my responsibility to give you the following warnings. Breeding is not for the faint of heart or the weak of stomach. It's messy, terrifying and it's more work than you can imagine. Breeding can be very expensive and can also result in the loss of your pet. With Dachshunds in particular, there are some genetic mistakes that can cause blind and deaf puppies, or both. C-sections can cost up to $1,000 and are usually done in the middle of the night.Yes, I would definitely say that breeding can break your heart. However, if you still have your mind set on breeding a litter, I'll be there for you to answer any questions you might have. You will also need to be in pretty close contact with your vet. Order pedigrees on your dogs and stay clear of dapple-to-dapple breedings. There are literally dozens of books and websites that can go into more detail on breeding a Dachshund. As they say, knowledge is everything. Good Luck!