Dachshunds

Dachshunds are one of the most interesting breeds out there. They also may be one of the oldest. There has been some evidence that the Dachshund goes back to ancient Egypt. However, the dogs have obviously changed a lot since then, but they consistently come in as one of the top 10 breeds in most major cities in the United States. Some of the cities where they are most popular include New York, New Orleans and Portland, Oregon. They have also been owned by at least two U.S. presidents: John F. Kennedy and Grover Cleveland.

Dachshunds are small, long-bodied, and muscular dogs that have stubby paws and are actually quite playful. However, they can be difficult to train and have a tendency to chase small animals like birds due to their breeding as hunting dogs. Although they are not dangerous, they can be unfriendly to strangers. But, they are a great family dog!

Dachshund Food and Health

When it comes to Dachshund nutrition, there are a lot of things to learn. This is especially true if you are not used to owning a Dachshund. Your dog’s diet has a very significant impact on their health, and so making sure that it is healthy and contains all of the proper nutrients is important. One of the first things that you will want to be aware of is that quality dog food is always worth the extra price. There are lots of products on the market where you can go with whatever the cheapest option is or a generic brand but that is not the case when it comes to your dog’s food. However, with all of the advertising messages out there, how do you know which one is quality?

The best way that you can tell whether or not a dog food brand is a premium one is by looking to see what sorts of ingredients it contains. Premium dog food like gold super premium always has real meat is the number one ingredient. In addition, premium dog food doesn’t contain any fillers or artificial flavorings or colors. No matter what kind of dog you have, you want to give them a diet that is as close to what their bodies have gotten used to over thousands of years as they have evolved, and that means a diet full of meat, fat and some fruits and vegetables with the right vitamins and minerals. The best way to figure out whether a food is appropriate for your Dachshund is to simply read the label.

Of course, there are still some things to keep in mind when it comes to the Dachshund is in particular. One thing to understand is that although most of the dog foods out there are okay for Dachshunds, you want to make sure that they are able to get their mouth around the kibble and that it is not going to cause an obstruction in their throat. This means choosing small kibble that they can easily chew up. Many experts recommend against dry dog food like taste wild protein natural ingredients for smaller breeds like Dachshunds, but as long as you choose a premium brand you may be okay with dry food, particularly because crunchy kibble allows your dog to practice good dental hygiene.

Every breed has health problems to be aware of, but some breeds have more health problems than others. In the case of the Dachshund, spinal problems are pretty common because they have an extremely long spinal column in a short rib cage. You can combat this with crate training and anti-inflammatory medication. There may also be surgery options for your dog. In addition to this, Dachshunds can be prone to a condition called patellar luxation where the kneecap becomes dislodged. Dachshunds may also have brittle bones, especially in later years; and vision problems and hearing loss are also fairly common.

In many parts of the country, people are getting health insurance for their dog. Health insurance is offered in California, New York, Florida, and every other state. You want to look into pet insurance, because it protects your pet in case of an injury that they need surgery or serious veterinary treatment for. It may also help you with the cost of medications.

Leashes and Collars for your Dachshund

The Dachshund has a easily recognizable body shape known as the hot dog shape. While this was done with a purpose so that Dachshunds could flush badgers and other underground game from their holes and burrows, the unfortunate fact is that it also makes the Dachshund susceptible to back problems. It is their most vulnerable point, lending to painful back conditions, spinal injuries and even paralysis. Your veterinarian will recommend that you avoid your Dachshund jumping on furniture, running up and down stairs or doing lots of vertical activities.

With that in mind, you want to make sure that you’re very careful about the dog collar and the lease that you put on your Dachshund. In fact, most experts recommend that you do not go with dog collars for Dachshunds at all. Instead, you should use a harness like all day adventure harness that has several points of contact with the body so that the poll is evenly distributed. Remember, your Dachshunds back is extremely fragile, and pulling at their neck with the collar could cause serious damage. You want to make sure to avoid this damage in the best way to do this is by placing a harness on them when you need to take them out for a walk and giving them plenty of leash to be able to roam around without pulling or jerking.

That’s all you have to worry about when it comes to functionality, but as for style you will have to decide on your own what is most appealing to you. Either will look good, and you are not going to need sort of extra incentive or reinforced leash or collar to keep them safe and make sure they obey you.

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Best Crates, Beds, and Doghouses for Dachshunds

As for what kind of dog crate, bed or dog house you should get really depends upon several factors. The first thing that you need to understand is that dog crates like double door folding metal dog crates can have several different purposes. Deciding what your purpose is beforehand can make sure that you get the right crate for the job. For example, some people rarely use their crate, only putting their dog into it when they are being punished and being given a timeout. This is called crate training. However, some people have dogs that tear up the house while they are away and they have to keep them in a crate while they are at work or running errands. In whichever case, you need to allow for the right size; going bigger if your dog is going to be in there longer.

As for dog houses and dog beds, the one thing you want to keep in mind is that Dachshunds are not really outside dogs. Even though they have thick fur, they are not going to stand up well against the cold or enjoy themselves in the summer heat. Even if you set up a dog house for them so they have both warmth and shade, they are still going to be more comfortable indoors. However, setting up a dog house where they can get some privacy when they are outside to use the bathroom or exercise can be beneficial. As for the dog bed that you choose, just make sure that it is comfortable and fits them perfectly. The best dog beds for Dachshunds are the ones that have sides where they can tuck themselves in a circle. This gives them a sense of security because they are surrounded on all sides by a soft wall.

Dachshund Toys

The thing you have to remember about Dachshunds is that they were bred to be hunting dogs. That means that any toys that you choose should give them an opportunity to hunt the way that they were bred to. One of the best dog toys out there for Dachshunds is to set up a tension loaded tunnel in your house with wireframe that has treats at the end or a ball that you can roll through the tunnel to get them to give chase to. This is a great way to interact with your dog and allow them to act out some of their base instincts, as well as a way to strengthen bones, muscle and other parts of your dog’s body.

Of course, this is only one example of the type of toy that you can choose for your dog. Another one of the best toys that you can get is a chew toy like chipper critters dog chew. Dachshunds love to chew on things, and that means that you are able to promote dental health with the right kind of toy in addition to giving them pleasure. Dachshunds are not that rambunctious or aggressive, so you should be able to give them a standard toy without having to worry about them ripping apart and spreading it all over your house. Rubber balls work really well as do plush toys, dog bones, leathers and lots of other stuff.

The other thing to keep in mind is that Dachshunds are pretty intelligent, so an interactive dog toy that rewards with a treat them may be right up their alley. There are lots of puzzle toys on the market that require that your dog complete specific actions before a treat will be dispensed. Of course, you still have to worry about calories, and that is the problem with giving your dog a toy filled with treats. You may not know how many treats they consumed in a day and that can make it harder for you to control their calories. However, as far as their mental health, you will be making a definite improvement with interactive puzzle toys.

Grooming Insights for Dachshund owners

As for grooming, there isn’t a lot to do with smooth Dachshunds. They don’t need bathed as often and they do not require brushing like a long-haired dog might. Unless your dog gets into the mud or needs a bath for some other reason you shouldn’t have to give a smooth Dachshund a bath more than once every couple of months. Ask for Wired haired Dachshunds, they do require regular brushing in order to prevent matting and debris, and they require more frequent bathing; and a couple times a year they will need their coats stripped. Any groomer can perform the service for you or show you how to do it yourself.

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As for long-haired Dachshunds, they require more regular bathing then they’re smooth or wirehaired counterparts, because their fur collects debris and dirt as well as bacteria much more readily. In addition, your Dachshund’s ears can get infected if you do not make regular ear cleaning part of your grooming process.

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Dachshund Accessories

When it comes to accessories for your Dachshund, there are a lot of them out there to choose from. You can get transportation aids such as dog strollers like all terrain dog stroller or dog bike trailers like instep sync single bicycle trailer which are appropriate for smaller breeds like Dachshunds. However, if you want to take them in your car, then you might need accessories like dog seat covers that protect your vehicle against sharp dog claws and pet odor. Some other accessories that are popular include electronic dog doors that allow your dog to go in and out when they choose, automatic feeders and watering bowls like roysili collapsible dog bowl, dog cameras like petcube play pet camera that are interactive and have the ability to dispense treats and many more.

There are also a number of accessories that you can get for yourself that feature your Dachshund. You can get personalized mugs, handbags, t-shirts and much more, or you can choose from the myriad of items out there that feature images and text for those who love Dachshunds. There are lots of accessories out there for people who love this particular breed and you will be able to easily surround yourself with reminders of your dog including computer accessories like mousepads, mobile accessories like phone and tablet cases and much more.

Overview of the Dachshund Breed