How to Choose the Right Dachshund Puppy
When you find yourself gazing upon an entire litter of cute little Dachshund pups at the breeder’s with the intention of taking one home, you might think it will be impossible to choose the right puppy out of so many possibilities. Fortunately, there are ways that you can examine the litter and each individual Dachshund puppy to find the best puppy for your family. However, it will require spending some time with the litter and each individual puppy for you to be able to make the best decision for your family. It might also be a good idea to leave younger children at home when heading out to make this choice, to limit confusion and give you time to make a good pick.
Birth Order Counts
The firstborn Dachshund puppy in the litter will often be the biggest and most confident pup of the bunch. He might also be the most willful and hardest to train, so use caution when considering the big brother of the bunch! On the flip side, the youngest pup in the litter, sometimes called the runt, is generally the smallest in size and the dog voted most likely to be unhealthy. She might also be more shy and withdrawn than her more gregarious littermates. This might also be a choice to consider very carefully. While there are many exceptions to these birth order rules, it can be a good starting point in beginning the selection process for your Dachshund puppy.
Watch that Litter
When you first arrive at the breeder’s, take a little time to simply observe the Dachshund puppies in action. You can learn plenty by watching the dogs play with each other, as far as who is aggressive, outgoing, bossy or submissive. When you sit down to visit with the pups, look at who comes to inspect you first. The boldest of the bunch (possibly that firstborn pup) may seem like fun for an hour at the breeder’s, but may become an ornery handful in the comforts of your home. On the other hand, the pup that shies away from you may never come out of his shell sufficiently, and may become a scared snapper as he gets older.
The best Dachshund puppies to consider are those that will come over to check you out with a curiosity and playfulness that you would expect from an energetic pup. One might tug on your shoelaces and another might climb in your lap to chew on your thumb. This is the personality that will work best with the average dog owner and family, generally speaking.
Talk to the Breeder
Remember that the Breeder of the litter has cared for these Dachshund puppies since birth, and will have a pretty good feel for the personality and temperament of each individual ball of fur. You can offer some information to your breeder about your family and lifestyle (a good breeder will probably ask you anyway), and see if he has any ideas about which of his Dachshund puppies will be the best fit for you. Once you have narrowed your choices somewhat based on the personalities that you have observed, you will also need to decide if you prefer a male or female Dachshund puppy.
