10/05/2025
Everyone says they want a miniature dachshund until they actually get one.
Dachshunds aren’t easy dogs. They’re adorable, but they’re also demanding, stubborn, and high-maintenance. The puppy stage alone will push you to your limit. They cry like newborns, keep you up all night, and have major separation anxiety. Crate training is brutal, and it takes months before you can sleep normally again.
Every dachshund is also prone to IVDD, a serious spinal condition that can cause paralysis or require expensive surgery and therapy. You can’t let them jump off furniture or go up and down stairs, ever. One wrong jump can change their life forever.
They’re called Velcro dogs for a reason. They need to be with you 24/7. If you work long hours away from home, this is not the breed for you. Dachshunds can become extremely depressed or anxious when left alone. You either need to work remotely or take them everywhere with you, because they attach themselves to their person completely.
They also bark. Constantly. At people, dogs, leaves, shadows, you name it. They were bred to alert, and that instinct never turns off. If you want peace and quiet, you won’t find it here.
Dachshunds also require constant mental and physical stimulation. They may be small, but they’re working dogs. Without enrichment, walks, and attention, they’ll get destructive or anxious fast.
Dachshunds are hilarious, loyal, and full of love—but they’re not for everyone. If you want a low-maintenance, independent, quiet dog, this is not the breed for you.
Do your research. Talk to owners. Learn about IVDD, their exercise needs, and their emotional dependency before you decide. They’re not just pets, they’re a full-time commitment.
