Pros And Cons Of Owning A Dapple Dachshund

If you’re considering getting a new pet, then a Dapple Dachshund is an excellent choice! These dogs are fun, loveable, and will make great memories with you for many many years.

However, bringing a pet into your home is not all fun and games.

Animals, of any kind, are a lot of responsibility, and you must make sure that the type of animal you bring into your home works well with your lifestyle and your personality.

It’s no good for you and your pet to be incompatible, as it can lead to a lot of upset and issues.

So, if you’re wondering if you and the Dapple Dachshund breed are right for each other, then you’ve come to the right place!

We have compiled a list of pros and cons of owning a Dapple Dachshund, so you can assess them and make the right choice for yourself and this adorable breed of dogs!

What Is A Dapple Dachshund?

The origin of the Dachshund can be traced back to the 15th century, making it a very aged breed.

Although, experts usually agree that the current breed of Dachshund we see today actually comes from the 17th century onwards.

This breed of dog was initially bred in Germany for hunting purposes. They were used to hunt badgers, amongst many other animals.

In fact, that’s where their name comes from – the word ‘dachshund’ means ‘badger dog’ in German. Dachshunds were known for being tenacious dogs, excellent at what they were bred for.

Both sizes of Dachshund dogs were bred for hunting purposes. This marks a change from many other dog breeds, who were bred to be smaller sizes for the purpose of vanity.

While standard-sized Dachshunds were bred for hunting badgers, miniature Dachshunds were experts at rabbit hunting.

In the United States, many people still use Dachshunds even today for hunting purposes. They primarily hunt prairie dogs, rabbits, and some even participate in deer tracking. Today, the Dachshund is more colloquially known as the ‘sausage dog.’

A Dapple Dachshund is a type of Dachshund dog that has a specific spotting pattern on its coat. They have three coat types, long-haired, smooth coated, and wire-haired, all featuring the same unique pattern.

Dapple Dachshunds come in two sizes: miniature or standard. The reason for their unique look all comes down to genetics!

Because Dachshunds were bred specifically for hunting and burrowing for small animals – they developed a gene that causes their distinct body and short legs, also known as Chondrodysplasia.

This has caused a lot of controversy in the breeding community, because both experts and breeders are concerned about the health issues, chronic pain, and spinal issues that are caused by Chondorodysplasia, and believe that purposeful breeding of dogs with this condition is unethical.

Pros Of Owning A Dapple Dachshund

There are many advantages to owning a Dapple Dachshund. Look at our list below and see if one of these adorable sausage dogs is right for you!

Dapple Dachshunds Are Loyal

Dachshunds are one of the most loyal dog breeds out there! Dapple Dachshunds love company, so they get attached to their owners quickly and make for excellent companions.

They have been known to follow their humans around the house and love to cuddle.

So, if you’ve had a particularly difficult day at work, or you’ve received some bad news, your Dapple Dachshund will be there for you to make you feel better in some way.

Dachshunds are the perfect little lap dogs that will keep you smiling, always remaining loyal to their owners.

You will find it hard to move on to another breed once you’ve had a Dapple Dachshund, because of how loyal they are.

Dapple Dachshunds Are Sociable

Dapple Dachshunds have an excellent sense of humor and will have you laughing at their antics all day.

You can be confident that they will be a talking point amongst you, your friends, and your family. This makes Dapple Dachshunds a wonderful choice for a family pet.

Not only that, but Dapple Dachshunds are great at being sociable with other dogs and dog breeds.

Of course, you must allow them to spend time with other dogs from a young age to nurture this personality trait, or you risk them losing it.

If you have trained a sociable Dapple Dachshund, then many people remark they make great pets as a pair as opposed to being the sole dog in the household.

Therefore, if you are someone with more than one pet in your home, you can consider these amazing sausage dogs to be a great choice for your new furry friend.

You shouldn’t worry about them being overpowered in a play fight with your other dogs, either, as Dapple Dachshunds are known for being able to hold their own!

Dapple Dachshunds Can Be Apartment Friendly

If you love animals but live in a small house or apartment, then you know the struggle of having a pet. However, we have some good news!

Dapple Dachshunds are very small, and will therefore be ideal for people with smaller living spaces.

On average, the Dapple Dachshund can stand anywhere between 8 to 9 inches, and the mini Dapple Dachshunds are even smaller!

Therefore, they will not take up much or need too much space and you can live happily together without feeling too cramped.

However, you should be aware that these sausage dogs will need to be trained with proper care to avoid any accidents ruining your brand new carpets!

Dapple Dachshunds Are Pro Watch Dogs

Because Dapple Dachshunds (and Dachshunds in general) were bred for hunting, they make amazing watchdogs, often barking at noises to warn their owners of any danger.

They also have unquestionable courage, further adding to their watchdog status and loyalty as a companion.

Dapple Dachshunds really are a great household dog in terms of function, as well as making people laugh and cuddle after a bad day.

Dapple Dachshunds Are Low Maintenance

Dapple Dachshunds are considered to be a low-maintenance dog breed, meaning they’re perfect for busy or first-time dog owners. These sausage dogs do not have much need for exercise.

In fact, Dapple Dachshunds only require one daily walk and a balanced diet to remain healthy. However, you should ensure they always get walked once a day to ensure they are healthy and happy dogs.

Once they have been walked once a day, Dapple Dachshunds love nothing more than to spend hours upon hours sleeping in the sun or warm under the covers. They truly are a chilled-out dog breed!

Additionally, Dapple Dachshunds are considered to be easy to groom. If you don’t want to spend a lot of time and money grooming your dog, then it will be worth investing in a Dapple Dachshund.

Wire-haired and long-haired Dapple Dachshunds will need to have their fur combed once a day, but short-haired Dapple Dachshunds will not need to be groomed at all.

This is because their hair stays relatively clean so they will only need a standard wash.

Cons Of Owning A Dapple Dachshund

Despite their advantages and general adorableness, Dapple Dachshunds do not come without some disadvantages.

We have listed a few examples below. It is important to consider them when deciding whether or not to adopt a little sausage dog, otherwise, it could result in a lot of consequences and upset.

Dapple Dachshunds Are Stubborn

Yes, they may be cute, but Dapple Dachshunds are a very stubborn dog breed.

They can be trained out of this at an early age, and dog owners should make an effort to do this or risk their little Dapple Dachshund ruling the roost.

The good news is that Dapple Dachshunds are quick learners, and very motivated by food. However, training them requires a lot of patience and persistence.

As well as being notoriously stubborn, Dapple Dachshunds are very difficult to housetrain, and new owners often complain of finding little presents left by their sausage dog in various places you shouldn’t find them.

Experienced Dapple Dachshund owners liken them to little children, and so if you have a short temper, and tend to fly off the handle at the slightest provocation, then these adorable, stubborn sausage dogs may not be the best breed for you.

Dapple Dachshunds Are Loud

Even though they are a small family dog, Dapple Dachshunds are loud! The Dapple Dachshund breed is known for barking a lot.

Their bark is very distinctive, and the reason for this is because of their hunting history, where they would need to alert owners to animal scents that they found.

Therefore, the fact that a Dapple Dachshund would bark a lot should come as no surprise to anyone, but if you think you could not put up with this, it’s best to avoid this dog breed.

As previously mentioned, Dapple Dachshunds make great watch dogs because they bark for a reason. However, their reasons for barking are not always good.

While they may feel like they are protecting you, they are really barking at something insignificant like the postman, a loud noise on the TV, or someone else’s pet passing through your backyard.

The good news though, is that a Dapple Dachshund will never bark to just bark.

Dapple Dachshunds Are Prone To Burrowing

A distinctive trait of the Dapple Dachshund, and Dachshunds in general, is their tendency to burrow. This, of course, is another result of their history of being hunting dogs.

Historically, Dachshunds would work their way into dens and burrows so they could hunt all manner of wildlife.

Back in the modern-day, a Dapple Dachshund burrowing under the covers can be an adorable trait, but it’s not so great when they decide to re-decorate your flower garden and kill off your poor flora without warning.

So, if you pride yourself on having the best vegetable patch, flower garden, or even just general backyard landscape in your neighborhood, maybe a dapple dachshund should not be your first choice of pet.

Dapple Dachshunds Are Prone To Nipping

It is true that Dapple Dachshunds, and Dachshunds in general, make excellent family pets and are sociable with fellow Dachshunds and other dog breeds.

However, families should take note that Dapple Dachshunds are a possible hazard for small children, toddlers, and babies.

If a Dapple Dachshund becomes scared, then they are prone to nipping or even biting, which will naturally hurt and scare your little ones.

Therefore, if you are considering welcoming a Dapple Dachshund into your home, you should never leave your children unsupervised around them.

Dapple Dachshunds Are Prone To Back Problems

Because Dapple Dachshunds have a unique body shape, they are prone to all sorts of back problems.

Unfortunately, it does not take a whole lot for a Dapple Dachshund to develop these issues, either.

For example, if they are not walked enough or fed a balanced diet, then their weight can pose a huge problem to their health because the pressure can cause spinal damage on an already fragile spine.

Additionally, Dapple Dachshunds are prone to injury a lot more than other dog breeds. If they play too roughly, run down and up the staircase carelessly, or jump onto the furniture, this can cause a serious health risk.

Therefore, if you are considering adopting one of these adorable sausage dogs, you should definitely consider investing in pet insurance.

Frequently Asked Questions

Do Wire-Haired Dachshunds Shed?

Even though they shed the least of all of the Dachshund coat types, wire-haired Dachshunds do shed! This is especially true if they are not groomed with proper care.

To maintain your wire-haired Dachshund’s coat, you will need to comb them twice a week. It is best to use a bristle brush because this type of brush will best loosen and remove hairs.

How To Tell If My Dachshund Is Wire-Haired?

An easy way to tell if your Dachshund is wire-haired is to find out if its parents were both wire-haired.

If a Dachshund is going to be wire-haired, then both parents should be carrying the wire-haired gene without carrying the gene of another coat type.

It can also become evident that a Dachshund puppy is wire-haired around three weeks after birth. A wire-haired Dachshund will have a coarse, rough coat and a bushy beard and eyebrows.

Is A Dapple Dachshund Rare?

Many breeders believe that Dapple Dachshunds are a rare breed of dog. Therefore, they will often have a premium tag placed upon them.

Because of the genetic mutation associated with this breed of dog, certain health conditions are more likely to happen.

Therefore, it is vital to find a reputable breeder if you want to become the owner of one of these adorable dogs!

How Can I Help My Dapple Dachshund With Their Health Issues?

There are many things you can do for your Dapple Dachshund to help them with these illnesses. Here are a few examples!

Limit Jumping: Try and stop your Dapple Dachshund from jumping up on furniture and running up and down the staircase. These activities cause stress to their backs.

Weight Monitoring: Make sure your Dapple Dachshund follows a balanced diet and take them for regular walks.

Don’t Handle Them Roughly: When picking up your Dapple Dachshund, make sure you do it with care. It is best to place your hands under their armpits and at their hips when you want to pick them up and carry them.

However, please note that you should speak to a vet if your Dapple Dachshund shows any sign of health issues. This is absolutely vital to ensure the best health for your Dapple Dachshund.

Do Dapple Dachshunds Get Along With Other Animals?

Since Dapple Dachshunds are hunting animals, they would not necessarily be the best choice of pet if you have birds or rodents.

However, if you train them from a young age to be around these types of animals then they should have no problem interacting with them and living in the same space.

The same is true of cats. If your Dapple Dachshund has been socialized around cats from a young age, then they should make great companions.

In general, the dog breeds that a Dachshund gets along best with are:

• Whippet
• Boston Terrier
• Toy Fox Terrier
• Jack Russell Terrier
• Bull Terrier
• French Bulldog
• Pug
• Finnish Spitz
• Husky
• Pyrenean Shepherd
• Miniature American Shepherd
• Clumber Spaniel
• Boykin Spaniel
• Doberman Pinscher
• Briard

Can I Leave My Dapple Dachshund Alone?

Yes! If you need to leave the house for whatever reason, you can leave your Dapple Dachshund alone. However, they should not be left alone for more than 6 hours at a time.

This is because Dapple Dachshunds have small bladders, and will need to relieve themselves every couple of hours.

Additionally, many Dachshunds suffer from separation anxiety if left alone for long periods of time.

This can cause them to act out and they may destroy things around the house and scratch furniture to manage their stress. They may also try to find escape routes.

How Long Can Dapple Dachshunds Live For?

The life expectancy for a Dapple Dachshund is around 12 to 14 years.

Are Dapple And Merle The Same Thing?

Yes! Dapple and Merle do mean the same thing. They both refer to the pattern of spots that adorn the fur of a Dapple Dachshund.

However, while they do mean the same thing, Dapple is a much more common word to refer to these light and dark spots.

Final Thoughts

What was once an excellent hunting dog is now a fun, lovable addition to your home.

Dapple Dachshunds are great pets to have, they make for excellent companions, and love nothing more than a cuddle and to follow their owners around the house.

Dapple Dachshunds are also sociable, and if trained from a young age they get along fantastically with children and other animals – although they should always be supervised when interacting with the former.

Because they are so small, they are suitable for people who live in small apartments or houses, and they won’t take up too much space so you can live together comfortably.

Dapple Dachshunds can be a low-maintenance dog breed, but this is only if they are trained well first.

If not trained well, Dapple Dachshunds are known for having frequent accidents in the home. They are known to be stubborn and like to bark a lot, and are prone to nipping or even biting when scared.

Additionally, Dapple Dachshunds love to burrow! Therefore, they may not be suitable if you have a garden that you love.

Lastly, it is important to note that Dapple Dachshunds can have a lot of health issues.

So, if you’re going to bring one of these adorable dogs into your home, you need to be aware of what they are and how to take care of them.