Looking for your new best friend can be overwhelming! So many choices, so much responsibility.
As both a breeder and a buyer in the past myself, here are a few tips to help you decide which puppy or dog will best fit your lifestyle.
GO HOME AGE
First let me touch on fear periods, all puppies just like human children go thru a number of fear periods in their early development. Typically the fear periods only last a couple days to a week but it is vital that they are handled positively during that time frame.
The first (Heightened Sensory) is around 2 weeks when a whole new world of senses open up to them, if your future puppy is being raised by a dedicated breeder that has already been working on touch and smell (EMS) this fear period will be lessened.
The second stage (Hazard Avoidance) is usually somewhere between 8-11 weeks when typically they are having a lot of big changes going on in their life and mobile enough to play with more advanced toys and environments. At Spottadachs we try to avoid new potentially scary environments and activities during these periods working instead on reassessing skills we have already introduced. Not every puppy hits the stage at the same time so often a single pup or two just spend more cuddle time with us refreshing toe touching and back time.
The next fear stage (Adolescent) tends to be around 14-16 weeks most pups are in their new home by this age so their new family needs to be able to recognize and help them through this period as well. Some puppies will have a short relapse on house training it is very important you do not harshly punish them during this fear period instead go back to regular escorted potty outings.
Many breeds have their final puppy fear stage (Flight Instinct) around 6-8 months often correlating with the beginning of the "teenager" syndrome period. You know that one where they look you right in the eye and just keep on doing whatever it is you are asking them not to. This is a very important time to reinforce previous recall lessons.
Puppies should NOT go to new homes before 8 weeks minimum even if already weaned from mom there are vital social skills they need to learn from their siblings and best case scenario aunts or older cousins as well.
So now back to the basics of what you can expect from puppies during different adoptable age periods
8-11 week puppies should be able to eat free choice hard kibble well and able to sleep at least half the way thru the night in a crate. They will require either an attached potty area or potty breaks every time they wake up, eat, or bathe. Puppies in this age bracket require de-worming every 2 weeks and vaccinations every 3 to 4. Children should be instructed to only hold the puppies while sitting down to avoid drop injuries. Puppies should only be outside in private yards where dogs of unknown vaccination status have not been, and with supervision to avoid predators such as owls, foxes, or stray dogs.
12-16 week puppies can usually sleep thru the night and have often mastered potty training. Final puppy vaccinations are due during this period. Once the final puppy vaccination is given at 14 to 16 weeks pups can start going on walks to public areas. Puppies of this age range handle busy homes and smaller children better than the younger bracket.
17-24 weeks
SIZE
The AKC standard for Dachshund sizes is Miniature: 11 lbs and under, and Standard: 16 lbs and up this leaves a gap in the middle breeders often lovingly referred to as Tweeny.
The following are my observations on how size affects temperament and compatibility based on 25 years of breeding Dachshunds and 50 years in the dog world from showing and training for service animals to the medical side with a variety of breeds from Great Danes down to teacup Chihuahua.
9 lbs and Under: These pocket pets are best suited for calm homes without a lot of foot traffic. They are perfect for a retired couple with supervised visit from the grandkids. They also generally require less exercise but do still need enrichment and mental stimulation to help them be less anxiety-prone. Toy and smaller Mini sized dogs tend to enjoy going for car or stroller rides more than going for walks. There are always exceptions to the rule! This size range is not advised for a household with younger children that could accidentally injure or scare the puppy/dog. Generally, smaller dogs are more excitable, and fragile both in temperament and as far as health. Breeders producing this size range should pay extra attention to temperament and early socialization.
10-16 lbs: This size range makes wonderful family pets as they are generally more sturdy built and have a more even temperament if bred with health and temperament in mind not by a backyard breeder or puppy mill just worried about making money and quick turnover rather than re-investing in their dogs and the breed. This size range can handle the often clumsy affections of small children better than smaller-sized dogs and tend to enjoy the outdoors more. This size range does as well playing in the yard with the kids, going on hikes, boating, going on road trips, and showing off for visitors as they snuggled up on your lap.
16 and up: These sturdy dogs tend to have much more well-rounded personalities and are game for everything from helping in the garden to snuggling up on the couch. The only real downfall about this size is they are a bit much for older or handicap people to lift so need to be started on leash training as early as possible.
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