Shelties...the best

Matsuki

Forums Enthusiast
So one of my friends literally dumped her 5mo Miniature Dachshund on me a couple days ago with no warning. Her grandfather was on his deathbed and she had to rush off on the next flight to go try and see him. (though apparently, he made it through whatever was ailing him and is recovering)

Anyhow, after a couple days with this extremely cute little turd, I can't say how happy I am I got a Sheltie. While the pup is sweet, affectionate, and cute as can be....I can't help think how cruel it is to have been bred to have such short legs and such a long body. She's got a constant hernia, she panics and screams when startled (which is often) and sometimes when picked up. (maybe the hernia is painful? I try to be gentle and support her when I pick her up but sometimes I get the loudest yip! I've ever heard) I ended up having to reconstruct a cage for her as, while she poops on the sheets as trained, she absolutely refuses to pee....I tried to get her to pee for like an houe....then when I was distracted, she goes waddling off at full speed, leaving a pee trail across the room until I caught her....at which case, she panics and let's it all go. (my friend brought over a waterproof bedspread and blanket...both are are in the washer now)I tried caging her on the sheets after feeding/drinking but she simply won't pee until she get's set free...it's like dealing with a nightmare toddler.

:gaah

I really hate leaving her in a cage so while I'm there, I try to clean her up and let her and Sansa chase each other across the apartment. (which they both seem to enjoy and get along) BUT, 100% of the time, this play gets cut short when she just randomly starts peeing. It's almost like marking but I don't think there is that much thought put into it as there's no preparation, not sniffing, just a pause, and then a small puddle as she waddles off. :ick Her being soooo small and low to the ground, it's near impossible to tell if she's even squatting. It's cute, it's real cute, until it's not.

Then there is the digging...but since we're not outside, it's more like, turning/ripping up the pee sheets. I found her rolling in and eating her own poo this morning...with the sheets all wadded up in the corners of the cage.

Of course I do a little research and....

Though bright and clever, Dachshunds like to do things their own way. In other words, they're stubborn. Cheerful praise and treats should be offered freely, as Dachsies are proud little dogs who resist force. They become irritable when pushed too far, and they may respond defensively (growling or snapping) if jerked around, handled harshly, or teased.

This lil one isn't aggressive to me at all but I did see her snap at Sansa once when she didn't want to be bothered and Sansa was running circles around her, pushing her, and trying to get her to play.

A Dachshund is not for you if you don't want to deal with...

Stubbornness
Scrappiness toward strange dogs, especially larger dogs
Chasing and hunting instincts (chipmunks, birds, etc.)
Notorious housebreaking difficulties
Potential for excessive barking
Potential for digging holes
Excessive suspiciousness toward strangers when not socialized properly or made to behave
Worries about the serious spinal problems that afflict 1 out of every 4 Dachshunds and can result in paralysis

:eek2:

Housebreaking. As a behavioral consultant, I would put the Dachshund on my Top 20 List of "Hard to Housebreak." Consistent crate training is mandatory.

:dead:

Mind of his own. Dachshunds are free thinkers. The toughness that makes them suited to killing vermin can frustrate you when you try to teach them anything. They can be manipulative, and some are downright obstinate. In small doses this can be amusing and harmless, but you do need to show them, through absolute consistency, that you mean what you say. However, you also need to be careful when correcting Dachshunds. If you go beyond what THEY believe is a fair correction, in my experience this breed is more likely than most other breeds to growl or snap.

:hide

Ahhhhh, I didn't sign up for this!! 2 more days of this little stinker...and she stinks, the cute superman position she lays down in...she is like a urine sponge since she has a habit of doing it on the toilet.

I get the cuteness factor and all that but honestly, I've had pet rats that behaved better than this Miniature Dachshund. So glad I got a sheltie...I like hearing that others want to get a sheltie after dog-sitting Sansa. I can't ever imagine anyone wanting a Dachshund after dog-sitting one like this.
 
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There are a couple of things in your description that would concern me if this little doxie was mine. When startled (probably causing her to make a sudden movement) she yelps and also seems to show discomfort/pain when being picked up...both point to a possible spinal issue...as does the uncontrolled urination. Unfortunately Doxie's are notorious for spinal problems due to their build. But they are cute little brats!

Trini
 
not my choice either

we had one growing up...it was my mom's dog...the rest of us didn't like her.

Doxies have an odor to me...everyone I have met has a distinctive doxy odor...ugh...

I find them obnoxious, I can't understand why anyone LIKES this breed, ha..I prefer shelties and find them WAY superior!!!
 
There are a couple of things in your description that would concern me if this little doxie was mine. When startled (probably causing her to make a sudden movement) she yelps and also seems to show discomfort/pain when being picked up...both point to a possible spinal issue...as does the uncontrolled urination. Unfortunately Doxie's are notorious for spinal problems due to their build. But they are cute little brats!

Trini

It's not just being picked up and the more time I spent with her, I don't think it's pain or discomfort. I think she is just easily panicked. (small dog syndrome?) She's fine with Sansa but at the local park, she was screaming and running from other people/dogs in much the same way. While not aggressive, she's never tried to bite,

I swear she's bi-polar though. If I call her, it's either tail wagging, running to me or a nervous waddle in place, followed by panic and pee if I go to grab her. Same with her and Sansa, they'll play and chase each other for awhile and then suddenly she turns off and goes into don't bother me mode. Don't get me wrong, she's super cute...but i'm glad she's not mine.

we had one growing up...it was my mom's dog...the rest of us didn't like her.

Doxies have an odor to me...everyone I have met has a distinctive doxy odor...ugh...

LOL, are sure the odor isn't simply dox pee? This one is longhaired so it's even worse...but half the time she's apparently squirting, there is not even a puddle, I just notice damp paw prints, pick her up....and yep, she smells like pee. Maybe I'm a clean freak put I prefer it not be tracked throughout my place...so I've washed her paws more times than I can count. It's not if she'll do it again, it's when. :ick

I find them obnoxious, I can't understand why anyone LIKES this breed, ha..I prefer shelties and find them WAY superior!!!

Pretty much how I feel....maybe it' more magnified because it's a miniature but I can't help but think she looks like like a head and body without legs. The proportions are soo extreme that you seriously can't tell if she's sitting, laying down, or standing up. Couple that with the likelihood of spinal issues, the peeing everywhere, the smell...not what I want in a companion/pet.
 
I grew up with a Doxie. He was a standard size, stout fellow (not fat). He was a great dog, none of the issues described above. He lived almost 12 years, and never had any health issues until the very end. This was over 40 years ago, and I wonder if the downsizing (they are so tiny now) has anything to do with all these issues. I cannot recall the last time a saw a standard...
 
Many years ago I was around two full-sized Doxies...they were great dogs, even with children. I wonder also about the down sizing.
 
Finally! She's gone!! But not before managing to escape the cage while I took my eyes off it for a moment, take a running leap on my bed, and letting lose her bladder!! :gaah

I can see it being a result of the downsizing...but the my friend also seems to be the type to just let her get away with anything so that doesn't help.
 
I always find it amusing when friends tell me how wonderful Gavin is, how well behaved, etc. I tell them what was involved in raising such an amazing dog (all the exercise and socialization), and they turn around and get a cocker spaniel, terrier, chihuahua, or other type of dog. Then they wonder why their under exercised under trained dog isn't as well behaved as Gavin.

:yuckyuck
 
Yeah, training is huge....and you can call me lazy but I prefer to start off with a pup that's not a stubborn little pee monster with a complex. I remember a childhood friend with 2 dox that weren't too friendly but I never really gave it much thought....after this recent experience, the few run-ins I've had with dox recently seem to make more sense. (local one with a pack of 3 spitz...the spitz are all friendly and such but the dox barks, growls, and hides behind the owner) Next time I'm asked to dog-sit one, I'll be halfway down the street, screaming "never never never!" before they get another word out.
 
BTW, just for the hell of it, i googled "Hate Dachshund"....millions of similar experiences...and I think they are probably the most hated breed ever.:lol:
 
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