Are You Ready for a Dachshund?

PetSmart Excerpt from

Take the time to find out all you can about Dachshunds before you make a commitment that could last 14 to 16 years or more. Talk to breeders and owners. Ask a veterinarian questions. If possible, go to a dog show, watch Dachshunds in the ring and talk to handlers. Try to do all of this before you actually get a Dachshund puppy.

Presumably, if you’re at the stage where a puppy is crawling in your lap, you’ve done some homework and are seriously looking for an addition to your family. If you aren’t already looking, take a minute to think about what having a puppy means. Do all the members of the family want a dog? If there are children, their vote is probably yes. They may even say they will take care of the dog. They might eventually ignore the unpleasant aspects of dog care and may lose interest after the novelty has worn off. It’s up to the adults in a family to commit to the care of the dog for his lifetime. In the case of a Dachshund, that is usually 14 to 16 years. If the person who will be the primary caregiver doesn’t really want a dog, then a dog is not a good idea. If the adults in the family want a dog and are willing to take care of that dog’s needs, from food and water to housetraining to necessary visits to the veterinarian, not to mention playtime and exercise, then it’s time to choose the right Dachshund for your family.

Purchase “The Dachshund” and discover a whole new world of dogs through other Terra-Nova publications at your local PetSmart.

 
Copyright 2005 by T.F.H. Publications Inc.

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