Before You Purchase A Daschund
Examine Your Conscience
Unfortunately, feeling love for a dog is not a sufficient guaranteed that you will also give your puppy the appropriate living conditions. Keeping a dog is very time consuming and it entails numerous choirs and financial obligation.
Before you purchase a puppy consider the following:
a. A daschund may live to be 10 to 15 years of age. Are you willing to devote two to three hours a day. This includes a one fairly long walk each day. (This released pent up energy and prohibits unwanted behavior)
b. Ideally your dog should not be left alone for more than four hours. Can you or your family make arrangements to check in on your pet?
c. Are you aware that a puppy is like a small child. Constant supervision must be given.
d. Do you have another care taker in time of illness or long periods when you need to be away?
e. Year after year there is an accumulated amount of expenses for equipment and accessories, food, veterinary costs, license and possibly liability insurance. Can you handle these expenses?
f. Will your landlord let you keep this pet? If so, obtain permission in writing. There may be fees associated with keeping your pet.
g. If anyone in your family is allergic seek advise from your physician prior to obtaining a new puppy. Our son had allergies for years until we brought a cat and then we started acquiring puppies and we have had no adverse reactions for the past eight years.
What a purebred can offer
When buying a purebred dog, you associate certain things with that label. Beyond the animals external appearance you also know what special abilities and traits which are expected from the particular breed of dog.
The daschund was bred for centuries as a hunting dog and today it still possess the trait of being a hunter. It is very self-confident, courageous and strong willed. As a hunter your dog will naturally pursue every scent that it picks up.
Many of our clients are just interested in having a friendly household companion more than a pedigree animal. Mixed breeds are said to be smarter, better natured than some selectively bred pedigree dogs. In this case find out all you need to find out all you can about the parents in order to rule out any unpleasant surprises.
Male or Female
The widespread opinion is Otha females are more affectionate and loyal, while males are easier to keep. In my opinion I cannot confirm either, my Happy Hotdogs are equally affectionate and loyal. I own five and not one is easier to keep than the other. They are all spoiled rotten and ultimately even on a bad hair day they all seek "Momma" for puppy love...
Females
Every six months a female goes into heat and during this time she is able to conceive young. If you want to prevent a dog from becoming pregnant I highly suggest spaying as the best solution. Removal of her ovaries and uterus will not impair her health, it is a way to guard against diseases of the uterus due to age. The dog will also lead a less stressful life. Be sure to feed her slightly less because after treatment she will tend to gain weight.
Hormone treatment: I do not advise. Administration is given by a veterinarians to suppress heat, it is possible but inflammation of the uterus is a frequent side effect.
Sterilization: In other worlds - tubal ligation, which does not prevent fertilization nor does it eliminate all the side effects of a false pregnancy. I do not recommend this procedure.
Consult your veterinarian for further information.
Males
They are always ready for romance as soon as the female dog in heat appears.
Neutering
This procedure is the removal of the testicles. If you dog has a well balance nature without unwarranted male behavior then neutering is not necessary.
The following can be used as a guideline you should consider for neutering your dog:
1. increase aggression to into scraps with other male dogs
2. tendency to stray or run away
3. if the male drive of unfulfillment causes your pet to stop eating or lose weight
How to Tell a Healthy Puppy
To help you judge the state of your new addition to your family, consider these attributes:
a. thick, glossy coat, free from parasites
b. clear eyes, no signs of inflammation
c, body neither too this or too fat - it is alright for a puppy to have a plump little tummy
We all know "love at first sight" can occur but don't let this feeling alone guide you when you decide on a daschund puppy. Observe the baby daschund visit when they are old enough to play, a great deal about their disposition is revealed during this time.
During the first weeks is crucial to a dog's character. We do not release any puppy until we are satisfied that the puppy is ready to be acclimated into a new environment. If you want a family pet that has children or visitors often raising a puppy in a cage or having little contact with humans is a poor way to develop their character. Include your puppy as part of the family so it will become accustomed to the noise level in common everyday activities.
Once a puppy is picked out you are free to call and are welcome to visit as often as you would like, so you can see how the baby is developing.
