Dachshunds cost about $500 to $2,500. Due to their small size, the monthly maintenance cost is affordable at around $100. However, they are prone to back and knee problems, so be prepared for expensive vet bills, especially as they get older. They also need a lot of attention, so you may need to spend more time with them apart from your money.
Are Dachshunds worth their high price tag? The answer is yes, but you should know a few things before you decide to buy one. Doxies can be expensive because they are personality, healthy, and need a lot of care.
Why Are Dachshunds So Expensive?
Dachshunds cost between $1,500 and $2,500.
A full-blooded Dachshund from a champion bloodline could go for a lot more than this, with some breeders having price tags upwards of $3,500.
Are these little dogs worth that much? Here are a few things that could explain their costly status.
Dachshunds Are Very Popular Novelty Dogs
Dachshunds are the 11th most popular dog breed in the United States because they are a unique breed of dog that many people have grown to love. While their sausage-like appearance may not be everyone’s style, it has grown on many people in the dog-loving community. This resulted in their high price and demand.
Dachshunds Are Pretty Good Companion Pets
Dachshunds are great companions. They just want love and attention from their owners, and in return, they will be very loyal and loving friends for life.
Expensive Breeding
It can be hard to breed dachshunds, especially when you want them to be purebred.
First of all, it can be hard to find a purebred stud in some parts of the world or even in the United States.
Secondly, dachshunds need a lot of help during pregnancy and delivery. That’s why it costs so much to buy a dachshund pup.
You will also have to spend around $1,500 annually on maintenance costs like food, health care, and grooming.
Fortunately, you could save a lot by doing most maintenance yourself instead of outsourcing. We will highlight some of those tips shortly.
What Problems Do Dachshunds Have?
The average lifespan of a Dachshund is 12 to 16 years which is quite a lot of time to spend with your furry best friend.
Even though Dachshunds are generally healthy, they are prone to several health issues because of their dwarf build. Here are some of the most common health issues for Dachshunds and other conditions that may affect your dog.
Intervertebral Disc Disease
Also known as IVDD, this condition is characterized by abnormal cartilage formation between the vertebral discs. The condition worsens with time, especially if the nerves or spinal cord get compressed and could lead to pain, gait changes, and even paralysis.
Skin Irritation
If your Dachshund smells or is scratching and licking itself a lot, it might be because of skin irritation. Many things like allergies or parasites can cause this behavior.
The more the dog scratches and licks, the worse it gets. You can help them by giving them baths, keeping their bedding and lounge spaces clean, and managing any parasites they might have.
Obesity
Dachshunds tend to eat a lot. Though they are active and playful, they rarely exercise enough to keep up with their consumption.
If you do not watch their activity levels and portions, they are very likely to develop obesity and subsequent complications, including diabetes and heart disease.
Heart Disease
Speaking of heart disease, most Dachshunds usually die from heart failure in old age. In youth, they also have a few heart diseases, including congenital anomalies like patent ductus arteriosus, which is more common in Doxies than most other dog breeds.
How To Take Care Of Dachshunds?
Taking care of a Doxie can be pretty easy if you know what you are doing and what to expect. It can also be a nightmare if you are going into it clueless. To help you get started on the right foot, here are some essential care tips when dealing with these doggies.
Schedule Regular Vet Visits
Dachshunds are relatively healthy dogs. However, their health issues tend to spiral fast into an uncomfortable mess for the dog and an expensive one for you. Regular vet visits allow you to quickly pick out and deal with any illnesses.
Monitor Their Exercise Levels
Dachshunds need about 30 minutes to an hour of exercise every day. Keeping them active helps them to maintain a healthy weight and increases their strength.
However, there is such a thing as too much exercise for Doxies.
Climbing steps or hiking trails with high steps are awful for Dachshunds as they can exacerbate joint issues, which they are vulnerable to.
Establish A Healthy Diet
A healthy diet is crucial for Dachshund’s well-being. We recommend Pet Plate for the best quality for your dog. They use human-grade, natural ingredients, and healthy preparation processes to ensure your dog gets the best nutrition.
They also customize meal plans which are ideal given the Dachshund’s specific health needs.
Furthermore, include multivitamin supplements into their healthy diet to cover any critical micronutrients and healthy compounds that may be absent in their primary diet.
Do Dachshunds Like To Be Held? Temperament Of Dachshunds
In terms of health needs, general care, and grooming, it is relatively manageable to deal with regarding Dachshunds.
Dachshunds can be a lot to handle when it comes to their emotional care, and it will put your patience to the test. Here are all the good, bad, and ugly temperament traits of doxies that you need to mentally prepare yourself.
Affectionate And Clingy
Dachshunds are very affectionate and love to cuddle with their human companions. They do not like to be left alone and will follow you wherever possible. This may be endearing to some, but it will be frustrating if you have to leave home regularly for work or errands.
Clever But Stubborn
Dachshunds are very clever, but they are not very easy to train. It may be challenging to keep their attention, and they sometimes get stubbornly unresponsive when the training gets repetitive. Brain Training for Dogs will help make your life infinitely more accessible if you do the training yourself.
Potentially Destructive
Dachshunds need a lot of attention as well as physical and mental engagement. If they don’t get this, they tend to act out and become destructive. If this happens, the best way to discipline the Dachshund is by withdrawing their favorite toys or your attention.
Mistrusting Of Strangers
Dachshunds are also quite mistrusting towards strangers and may get aggressive in a bid to protect you if they feel that you or the home is under threat.
Do Dachshunds Shed A Lot? Grooming Tips For Dachshunds
Dachshunds come in three main varieties based on coat types. These are the long and smooth, short and smooth, and the long and wiry varieties.
All Dachshund’s coat types shed the same rate and volume, although some wiry Doxies may appear to shed less as the dog hairs tend to get trapped within layers of rough coat.
The lengthy-haired varieties are also more likely to develop coat mats and may need more tender loving care.
Here are some tips we would like to share when it comes to grooming a Dachshund!
Establish A Weekly Brushing Routine
This is important no matter what type of coat your Dachshund has.
Brushing your Dachshund every 2 to 3 days helps remove fur that it would have otherwise shed all over your home. Regular brushing helps detangle the Dachshund’s coat for a nice, clean finish.
Wash Them Once A Month
Dachshunds can get stinky, especially if they are very active and outdoorsy. They, therefore, need more frequent baths than most other dog breeds. A schedule of bathing once every 4 to 6 weeks should be sufficient to keep your pup fresh.
Clean And Properly Dry Their Ears
Doxies are known for their long, droopy ears. While they do contribute a great deal to the aesthetics, they also hide dirt, grime, and even germs. Make a point to clean your dog’s ears and wipe them correctly at least once every month.
Clean Their Teeth
Taking care of your dental hygiene is essential for your oral health and comfort when Dachshunds come to give you kisses. Something as simple as a hard chew toy could help by mechanically getting plaque off your teeth.
On the other hand, using dental water additives with herbs like eucalyptus and mint can help keep the dog’s breath nice and fresh.
Related Questions
What Is The Rarest Dachshund Color? All black is the rarest of all Dachshund colors. This is because the trait responsible for this characteristic is rare and recessive, which means that two pure black doxies have to mate to have black puppies. Other rare colors with this dog breed are white and blue.
Is It Better To Have One Or Two Dachshunds? Dachshunds are rather needy dogs and are thus always best in pairs. They thrive on company and attention. If you cannot provide it all the time, getting another Doxie in the mix is always a great compromise. Go for a male and female combination and get the doggies spayed to avoid any territory battles while away.
Are Male Or Female Dachshunds Better? Male Dachshunds are generally more popular because they tend to be more affectionate and eager to please. They also get along great with children. On the flip side, they can get very clingy and destructive if they don’t get enough attention. On the other hand, females are more reserved and tend to be intensely loyal and are thus still just as worthy of consideration.
