Frequently Asked Questions

Q: I have a dachshund I can no longer keep. Can I turn him in to you?

A: Since all our dogs are in foster homes and we are focused on providing a no-kill rescue for shelter dogs, space is at a premium.  We can occasionally take in owner-surrendered dogs on a space-available basis.  The more adoptable your dog is, the more likely we can make room, so we would need picture(s), information on age and health, and proof of current veterinary status.  We cannot adopt out a dog without current vaccinations, negative heartworm status and on preventative, and either a clean bill of health or an accurate diagnosis of any medical needs.  To help us offset our costs, we require a surrender fee of at least $150 to take a dog into our program.  Remember, your dachshund will live with us as a family pet for his or her entire life if need be, and will only go to a home if it is a screened, qualified adopter.

Q: What's with the adotion fee? Do you make money from the dogs? Why is it more expensive than some shelters?

A:

We are a non-profit organization and every dollar coming in goes right back into the fund to rescue more dogs- we absolutely do not make money from this, we save dogs!

Our adoption fees help us fund the veterinary expenses involved in rescuing our dachshunds and preparing them for a healthy, happy life before they go out to adoption.  We have to have our dogs examined, do bloodwork, check for digestive parasites and medicate for them if present, use flea and tick preventative, take care of heartworm treatment as needed, spay/neuter, vaccinate against rabies, 6 in 1, and kennel cough, as well as do dental work if required (and on dachshunds it's often needed). 

If you were to get a "cheaper" or "free" dog elsewhere then take care of these same services on your own, you would pay hundreds of dollars more than the adoption fee.   The reason we can offer the dogs at such a low fee is due to the kindness and generosity of our rescue vet, who donates much of her time, skill, medical care, and love for our rescued dachshunds.   We could not even begin to provide the medical care these dogs need if it weren't for her and her staff.  Many dogs that are "sold" rather than adopted have had no vetting done at all, or have had only minimal care.  We feel that when it comes to your loved ones (pets included), minimal care is not good enough.

Q: I don't know which dachshund I want. What are your hours, and where can I come see some of them?

A:

Our dogs are at foster homes throughout the Dallas metroplex.  Because we are all volunteers with full time jobs other than dachshund rescue, we don't have hours.  Instead, once we go through the application process and work with you to try to determine which dogs would work with your needs, we can arrange convenient times and locations to meet the dogs.  Usually this does require a visit to your home with the dog, so we can see how the dog interacts in your environment.

Q: How long do most Dachshunds live, and do they have specific health problems?

A:

Dachshunds, like people, have no set lifespan.  However, they usually live much longer than many larger breeds.  Given good health, proper care, and good luck, it is not unusual for a Dachshund to live as long as fifteen years, sometimes even longer.  We personally have a Dachshund who is over seventeen, and although he can't see very well and isn't exactly the fastest runner around, he still goes on about his daily business with no problems. 

So, a Dachshund at six or eight or even ten years old is really not an "old" dog-  a healthy Dachshund at that age is just starting to appreciate middle age and should have many years left to offer his or her love to you!

Again as with people, we have no guarantees that there won't be an unexpected illness such as a cancer that can strike in one's prime of life and tragically alter the quality or length of life.  Dachshunds are no more prone to these problems than anyone else.  The biggest health problem associated with the breed is back related.  Because Dachshunds are long and low but have the same number of vertebrae as other dogs, they can be prone to inflamed disc problems that can cause pinched nerves, and in severe cases, the need for surgery and even paralysis. 

This tendency is somewhat influenced by genetics (which we really can't predict), but the one factor the owner can most influence is weight.  DO NOT OVER-FEED YOUR DACHSHUND!  It's very easy to let them eat a lot, they like it, and they're cute when they get chunky, but an overweight dachshund is just asking for back problems.  The next most easily influenced factor is jumping-  It may be cute to see your little doxie jumping on and off the couch or bed, but it's hard on his or her back and should be discouraged.  Many owners buy steps or ramps and teach their dogs to use them instead of jumping.  DO NOT LET YOUR DACHSHUND JUMP if you can possibly avoid it.  Those two steps can prevent a large number of back problems.

 

Q: Dachshunds are so cute, I want one for my children. Are they good with youngsters?

A:

There is no 100% "yes or no" answer to that question, but as a rule, Dachshunds are not good with young children.  When we have a Dachsund with a proven track record of doing well with young people, we will say so. 

Normally, Dachshunds think THEY are the children, and they don't appreciate having to share their "parents" with anyone.  Dachshunds are also not a breed normally known for forgiveness, and if a young child annoys them they are quick to make that well-known, which could frighten a young child, or could even lead to "snapping" at the child if the child doesn't back down. 

There are exceptions, though.  Sometimes the children are very good with Dachshunds and do well with them; other times, the Dachshunds just enjoy young children.  Again, when that is the case we will say so.  Otherwise, it's a good idea to proceed with caution and a lot of supervision, and to try not to intoduce a new Dachshund to a family with children too young to understand the need for a slow transition period.

Q: I've always been told males "mark" and that I should get a female.

A:

In a household with multiple male dogs who have not been neutered, it is not uncommon for them to "lift" and allow a small amount of urine to leave their scent.  This is not to be confused with housetraining- it isn't because of a need to relieve the bladder, it's to mark territory.

All our dogs are neutered, which almost completely eliminates this habit in males.  Usually the earlier the neuter, the less likely the dog will be a lifter.  In a home with no other dogs, no other male dogs, or even no other un-neutered male dogs, the incoming male has no need to lift because there is no existing scent to overcome. 

At worst, if a dog does lift, it is a temporary thing that can easily be cleaned up, and no longer worried about, because unless there is more than one "lifter", the incoming dog will not continue to do so. 

The bottom line:  If you find an ideal pet and the only problem is that he's a male, you probably have nothing to worry about unless you're house is already being marked by other males, in which case you'd never notice one more dribble anyway :)