Mini-dachshunds (BC)
 

I am looking into getting a dog as we are transferring apartments within the complex to a pet friendly unit.

I had a mini-dachshund when I was married to the ex-wife and I really liked the personality of the breed, and the small size, but not too small, and smart.

I am looking into adopting but contacting a few rescues, they have not been pleasant to deal with and discriminate against people with apartments even though the breed is small, and perfectly suited to an apartment, but whatever.

I was originally going to adopt as I didn't want to contribute to breeders and well there are a lot in needing of adopting who have no homes, but rescues are just too difficult and not worth the time.

I don't want to use a pet store and those are guaranteed to be puppy mill dogs regardless of what the store says.

I haven't really had much luck finding a reputable breeder though, I've used google, and it brings up US breeders, I always have issues with google and finding Canadian content and sites, always defaults to US websites.

Anyone have a dog and where did you get yours? (curiosity question.) I checke the SPCA as well, and they don't seem to have anything not mixed with a pit bull, or another large breed which isn't suitable for apartments.

Re: Mini-dachshunds (BC)
 

We flew ours over from UK but I have a friend who shows dogs who has just gotten a mini dachshund from a breeder so I can ask her where the breeder is if you like? We are in AB but I know she will travel to BC to get her dogs so it might be she got it from there.

Re: Mini-dachshunds (BC)
 

Yes, that would be good. We are willing to travel within BC and even Alberta if we find the right breeder and dog.

Re: Mini-dachshunds (BC)
 

Re: Mini-dachshunds (BC)
 

Just keep contacting the rescues. Animal rights type people can be a pain to deal with (holier than thou attitude), but just make up a story like you're moving to a house next year, and try to be friendly and familiar to them. I can't imagine all the abandoned dogs go to homes, and they will eventually prefer getting the dog to a committed owner rather than destroying it.

Re: Mini-dachshunds (BC)
 

Dont they pee a lot indoors? daschunds? tricky to train? I know one and she's really cute but the peeing would annoy me.

Dachshund Behavior Problems | ThriftyFun

PS, You've mentioned yours and your girlfriends health problems, I wonder if either of you would be eligible for a helper dog?

Re: Mini-dachshunds (BC)
 

They can be, but I learned how to deal with their stubborn personality with my last little guy. He wasn't hard to train, just needed some patience. Other then when he was really young, he never had accidents inside and always let us know if he wanted out and I took him out every 1-2 hours during the day.

Patience in the trick to the breed, a lot of people with them don't have patience required or don't read up on the breed before getting one, and just think all dogs are the same, when each breed as their own qualities.

Similar to my GF's sister who got a border collie yet lives in a town home with no yard, and complains that the dog is too hyper, and I am always thinking well not S**t it's a border collie with no yard to burn energy in.

I looked into service dog as my girlfriend would qualify, but the red tape involved is confusing, and we don't need a service trained dog, we just want a companion.

I am also going to look into other small breeds, but small breeds seem to either get dumped less, or find homes quicker, as the SPCA has only large breeds for the most part. I checked the entire province, as the local unit doesn't have dogs generally. There was dog that caught my interest in Vernon, but he has issues being left alone, so not suitable for an apartment.

One reason I want to rescue as well vs puppy as their personality is more known, and how much they are trained and know, and while puppies are cute they are a lot of work, and I prefer getting a young adult who needs a home.

Re: Mini-dachshunds (BC)
 

I hope you find one, i'm sure you'll be a great dog owner.

Re: Mini-dachshunds (BC)
 

We got our dog from a breeder because we don't have a fenced yard so the SPCA wouldn't consider us for rescue. Good ways to find a reputable breeder are via breed specific forums or dog shows. Some breeders can be pretty choosy too, and it can help if you have previous experience of the breed.

Some breeders may have older dogs so it's worth asking them. Sometimes they get dogs returned if an owners circumstances change, and other times they have dogs they considered showing or kept for breeding and are looking to retire.

Re: Mini-dachshunds (BC)
 

I have emailed a few breeders, not many in BC from what I can find, but I also emailed a couple in Washington since it's close by and not hard to bring a dog across from the US although ideally, I'd prefer a dog from BC.

I am wary of buying from a far off breeder in another province as I would really like to meet the dog first, I've never gotten a dog simply off photos or however breeders sell, it's a confusing process since the last time I had a dog..

And to think when I was a kid, all my parents had to do to get a dog was go to a parking lot like Target and someone would be selling dogs, although I am glad we don't have the high amount of backyard breeders anymore, so I can;t complain about that, rather have it harder to get a dog, then to have so many homeless pets.

If cats didn't insist on using a cat box indoors, I'd consider a cat, but I hate cat boxes with a passion since there is never a far off hidden place for one, so its always in the open, or in the bathroom in the way.

Re: Mini-dachshunds (BC)
 

If you go be a volunteer dog walker for the local SPCA they'll get to know you and you may be able to get a hand with aquiring a rescue from another shelter. Since they have this bias against adopting to apartment dwellers you may be able to do something about it by meeting them halfway. Get on their good side and they may even put out the word for their colleagues to watch for a weiner dog. Breeders for the show market concentrate on physical conformation so much that for personality and standard traits of many breeds you may well be better off with a rescue dog anyway (imo).

Re: Mini-dachshunds (BC)
 

Can you PM me and I will send you the info? thanks :)

Re: Mini-dachshunds (BC)
 

Have you tried the city animal control shelters? Surrey and Vancouver animal shelters seem to get a lot of dogs through their doors, including smaller breeds (and often older, calmer dogs) and I dare say there'll be an uptick in about a month, sadly.

Do keep an eye on the SPCA shelters too. When we got our current pup there were quite a few smaller dogs looking for homes - West Van and Victoria in particular iirc.

We're on our second rescue dog and have been very happy with our decisions.

Re: Mini-dachshunds (BC)
 

BC SPCA did not have a problem with us not having a fenced yard when we got our dog last year. Maybe it depends on the type and your plans for the dog? Ours is a border collie cross with possibly husky and who knows what else thrown in. She doesn't go outside without one of us, and is generally only off-leash when training in an appropriately enclosed area, so not having our own fenced yard seemed to be a moot point.

Re: Mini-dachshunds (BC)
 

We brought our daschund with us, a great breed, great personalitys and stubborn to boot.

We are not sure of the adoptions rules but would recommend contacting Thank Dog I Am Out (Thank Dog I Am Out | Dog Rescue - Dog Adoption, Dog Rescue, Animal Shelter) - you can fill out an adoption application online. They also do cross border rescues and will have one in February where they pick up dogs from California and fly them up here/Seattle.

The other one is Dachshund Rescue Team in Abbotsford (Dachshund Rescue Team - Home).
If willing to cross the border there is also a daschund rescue in Spokane, WA. (Dachshund Rescue NW & Dachshund Club of Spokane)

They are all on Facebook too and post photos of the dogs up for adoption.

Re: Mini-dachshunds (BC)
 

Thanks for the links. I haven't come across any of those in my searches, google is failing me. I don't know what I am doing wrong when searching, but I have had one heck of a time finding info on google.

I've noticed on some of the rescue sites they want a vet reference, not having a pet in a long time, I haven't needed a vet, and have no relationship with one.

They really make it hard to adopt, it probably ends up hurting them in the end with people going elsewhere.

Re: Mini-dachshunds (BC)
 

These rescues are smaller ones, not sure if spca asks for a vet reference. My girlfriend has communicated with the owners of two of the rescues and knows of people who have adopted from these rescues and all the feedback is positive.

Re: Mini-dachshunds (BC)
 

Sorry, I should have spaced my post better. I saw the vet reference on petfinder for a couple of other rescues, not the ones in the links provided. Sorry if I made it seem otherwise.

I am going to contact a couple of the rescues, and go from there. Not sure what the SPCA requires, the local branch only has cats but they just have you fill out a form, pay the fee and send you off with the cat, not sure how they do dogs. I did search other branches province wide, but so far mostly large breeds and not suitable for an apartment.

We are not in a hurry and will wait for the right match with the right rescue.

Re: Mini-dachshunds (BC)
 

We got our 2nd dog from an ad on Kijiji as the prior owner could no longer keep her. We ummed and ahhed for about 5 years about getting a second and I looked on kijiji every now and then just in case there was one (chow) that we liked the sound of, over the years there had been some but something held us back, then Daisy Pig arrived:thumbsup:

Re: Mini-dachshunds (BC)
 

Thank you everyone for your help and all the links. Much appreciated. It's been a long day, drove nearly 1,000km round trip into Southern Washington to a rescue there who contacted me early this morning as they had several dachshunds who had come in pregnant back in November and the pups were ready and invited us to come down.

We were not sure this morning after the call as it was a long trip, but we decided to go and meet the pups and mom.

The mom was the most well behaved dog, very friendly and happy, as were the pups, we spent a few hours there, talked to the rescue people, and went to lunch and went back to see the pups again.

In the end we did choose one, a female, red hair dachshund.

Re: Mini-dachshunds (BC)
 

Brilliant! Well done. Was it fairly straight forward to bring the hound back in to Canada?

Of course, you know, we all now are expecting to see some pictures.

Woof!

Re: Mini-dachshunds (BC)
 

Congrats and as shard said we now expect photos :)

Re: Mini-dachshunds (BC)
 

Oooh Congratulations on your puppy:thumbup:

Re: Mini-dachshunds (BC)
 

Very easy to bring her back. The CBSA officer just asked where we had found out about her, where we got her, how much we paid (there was an adoption fee) and she sent us on our way.

I had checked the CBSA website before going across, and printed out the info just in case there were issue at the border, but it wasn't anymore difficult then a normal border crossing.

Photos will be coming soon.

Re: Mini-dachshunds (BC)
 

Charlee is the name we decided on. I'll try and get a better photo, she wasn't too interesting in being photographed tonight and wanted to play.

Re: Mini-dachshunds (BC)
 

Ugly little brute isn't she? Just kidding - awwwwwww. :p

Re: Mini-dachshunds (BC)
 

What a sweetie!

This may be a good time for "here's my hound" type BE thread, where those of you lucky enough to own one or two post their pictures. Hoping to get a dog again one day, myself.

Re: Mini-dachshunds (BC)
 

Here you go

Re: Mini-dachshunds (BC)
 

Wow, what big eyes you have! (Amazing actually). :thumbup:

Re: Mini-dachshunds (BC)
 

We have had puppy (Charlee) for a month now, and she has turned into a mostly good puppy, 95% good, 5% little terror, but she is teething so I am sure she isn't having fun there, but she doesn't do anything bad, just annoying at times.

She did eat through my GF's apple power cord, I had warned her more then once to keep the cord out of reach....lol... Now she had a useless computer with no power....

Picked up house breaking pretty quick, first week was iffy, now she lets us know 90% of the time when she needs to go, although we try to take her out once per hour. Most accidents are middle of the night, but she now sleeps through until 6 or 7am, and improving by the day.

She has showed no bad traits towards other people or animals, she loves everyone she see's, and just wants to play when she see's another dog or cat, she really wants to play with cats but they always run away.

Still working on separation anxiety she has, but it's getting better, we practice everyday increasing the time we are gone by a few minutes, she screams for the first 2-3 minutes, then seems to settle down, but still flips out during the time we are gone off an on, so she isn't quite there feeling comfortable alone yet, but she does better when music video's are on TV, so may need to get a DVD of music videos, especially likes rap and videos with lots of movement, but they keep her attention well.

She goes to puppy school once a week for the next 6 weeks so should also help.

She has doubled in weight since we got her, just shy of 6 pounds now, she was just shy of 3 when we brought her home.

We had to buy and experiment with a few brands of dog food before we found one she would eat and not let it sit there all day.

She seems to have settled on Merrick dry food, mixed with 1/2 tea spoon of salmon wet food.

Vet gave her a clean bill of health, she gets 3rd and last round of puppy shots next week, and then all that is left is her spay and rabies at the 5 to 6 month mark. Vet says it's best to let her get to nearly adult size before spaying but before the first heat.

We have no desire to breed her.

I'll post a recent photo soon.

Re: Mini-dachshunds (BC)
 

It sounds like you're both excellent parents and she seems like a very nice little girl but just wait until the teenage years, it'll be all be discos, Lambrini and lads.

Re: Mini-dachshunds (BC)
 

Aww she's a cutie. Would she react well to a crate / soft house type thing? My two used to just curl up in their crates and sleep when we went out .

Re: Mini-dachshunds (BC)
 

One of my old Smelly hounds -

Re: Mini-dachshunds (BC)
 

We have a crate and she hates it with a passion. I left my computer on with an app so we would watch from the phone, and she screamed like someone was trying to kill her.

However we got a baby gate to close off the bedroom so she can stay in there with some space and she seems so far to be fine with it, we leave the TV on to make sound, she seems to like to stare at the TV when its on and seems to enjoy the movement and sound.

So I think that will be our solution for now. She is just too young and well not always perfect when it comes to chewing, and in the bedroom she can't do any damage to anything like power cords. She already destroyed the cord to my GF's Apple laptop, oddly she shows no interest in my computer cord, but she couldn't stay away from the Apple's cord...lol

Re: Mini-dachshunds (BC)
 

How old is he/she? Looks tired.

Re: Mini-dachshunds (BC)
 

He is 11 and rather smelly - but we love him - mix of dobie / ridge!

We went to Spanish Banks one time and there was a Doxie meet up - he was totally fascinated , especially with the ones the same colour!

Re: Mini-dachshunds (BC)
 

We have taken Felix to several of the Doxie meet ups at trout park, it's funny to see 20-30 of them all different colours and fur types and yet all the same stubborn attitude :)

Re: Mini-dachshunds (BC)
 

Yes - some of them were swimming at SB - Scooby was quite distraught and one Retriever went in and pulled a few back in ! lol

Re: Mini-dachshunds (BC)
 

Felix hates water so we have no worries with him going for a dip lol

Re: Mini-dachshunds (BC)
 

Our little gal hasn't gotten to experience water really, but she dislikes the rain and getting her to do her business when its pouring rain has been lets say not the most fun.

But we did take her to the river last week for a walk, and she was very interested in the moving water, but its too cold to let her try and she is too small, so maybe this summer we can see if she likes to swim or not.

She is a very picky eater though, my last dachshund would eat anything and everything this one not so much, the pet store gave her a treat and she spits it out every time.

We found one food she hasn't rejected, but we have to mix in a bit of salmon or rabbit canned food for her to eat it, otherwise it sits there untouched.