Are Dachshunds Better In Pairs?

Dachshunds have captured the hearts of many dog lovers because they are cute and adorable. Their short legs and long bodies add to their appeal. Their big floppy ears are just to die for. You’ll often see Dachshund owners having more than one Dachs in their family. That is because many believe that two Dachs are better than one.

Are Dachshunds better in pairs? Yes. Because they are a social breed, they go better together in pairs or packs. They can entertain and engage each other with less reliance on humans. Also, having a bonded pair allows the dogs to transition into a new home easier.

Getting a dog is already a big step for many because it involves certain responsibilities. Getting a Dachshund is no different. These responsibilities double up if you get a pair. Let’s talk further about the other good reasons for having two Dachs in the next section of this article.

Reasons Why Two Is Better Than One

They are a social breed of dog

This dog breed is a very social dog. They love to play, mingle and meet other dogs. You’ll find them enjoying dog parks and outdoor activities a lot. They work well in pairs.

They adjust better and transition easier

As they are social dogs, getting a pair of this breed will help both you and the dog transition into the life of being a dog owner. In addition to that, the Dachs will adjust better into a new home if you get a pair.

Two Dachs accompany each other while your working

You are probably out at work during the day. A pair of Dachs will entertain themselves, keeping each other company until the time you arrive home.

Having playtime and bonding time with your Dachs is essential to ensure that your dog’s social behavior towards humans is developing correctly.

You can witness a bonded pair love affair

Yes, that is right.

Two Dachs can form this kind of bond with each other, and when this happens, you now have a bonded pair.

You can describe them as best friends or lovers, but this bond they create is something magical. It will be impossible for you to separate the two, and this bond is also one of the reasons why getting two Dachs is better.

It’s double the love

Since Dachs are a popular dog breed to adopt, many have learned that getting a bonded pair is the way to go.

Those who have a bonded pair of this dog breed in their family says that they wouldn’t have it any other way. They describe the feeling as getting double the amount of love from the Dachs pair.

The Darkside Of Getting Two

With the good comes the bad side of getting two of this adorable dog breed.

Yes, I agree that they are small-sized dogs, and getting two of them should not be a problem. However, my research has led me to the conclusion that I might be mistaken.

Two Dachs equals twice the work

Being a small breed dog, you would think that getting two Dachs should not be too much work. But the truth is two dogs are two dogs. You get twice the work no matter what angle you look at it.

And there’s something else to consider. Dachs are born to chase small animals. So if you are walking two Dachs at the same and you encounter a small animal along the way… you get the picture.

They are a challenge to train

Part of the breeds personality is that they are stubborn and strong-headed. These traits can cause some setbacks when you train them.

And there’s another breed trait that makes training a challenge: their lively attitude. This causes problems because they get distracted easily.

Dachs are very protective. They can often be seen growling and barking to unfamiliar people. If not appropriately trained, a Dachshund can become aggressive towards other dogs and be fearful of humans.

Loud barking from two can be annoying

Dachs may be small in size, but they pack a mean bark.

This is an excellent trait for watchdogs. However, if you are living in an apartment complex, that loud barking might cause some problems with your neighbors. Also, you might find that their loud barking can be really annoying at times. Now imagine that loud bark only this time you have two Dachs!

This breed is prone to separation anxiety

Socializing should be part of a Dachs daily activities otherwise, your Dachs will have a hard time dealing with you leaving them at home. If you think that getting a pair would alleviate this issue, you might want to rethink that again. Getting a pair would only mean that you will deal with double the separation anxiety issue.

Let’s Get To Know The Dachshund

We already know a few Dachshund traits like them being a social dog breed, and that they have the instinct to chase after small animals. But how about we talk a little about their history.

“Dachs” and “hund” are German words meaning badger hound in German. This breed is a symbol of Germany and therefore originated from there. Some people suggest these dogs may have originated from Ancient Egypt.

Dachs are famous for their ability to hunt and kill badgers. The breed was also used to hunt fox and rabbit. A pack of Dachs has been said to have hunted larger game like a wild boar.

The Two Sizes Of Dachshund

Dachshunds can be categorized into two sizes:

Miniature. Miniatures weigh around 11 lbs
Standard. Standard size weighs about 16-28 lbs.

Breed Temperament

Dachs are incredibly loyal and extremely devoted pets to their owners.

They tend to whine when left alone. They will continue to whine until you shower your Weiner with attention or give it some company to be with.

Although a small breed, their size never stops them from challenging larger dogs for dominance. “Small dog with a big personality” rings true with the Dachshund.

They are clever and smart and are just courageous to a fault.

They are often described to be energetic, but some are laid back.

Exercise should be a priority for this breed. Walking is the best. Limit jumping e.g. jumping onto a couch (get a ladder for your Dachs), jumping up boulders. Not all dog breeds go well swimming on their own in lakes, beaches or swimming pools. Dachshunds are one of those breeds.

They are affectionate but might not be ideal for children.

Basically, the temperament of this breed can vary from one dog to another. For this reason, this breed is for someone willing enough to invest time and effort in raising and training a Dachs.

Health Issues To Watchout For

Since this breed has elongated spines and short rib cage, they are known to develop some health issues in that area. If proper diet and exercise are neglected by the owner, the risk of injury elevates further.

It is strongly recommended that Dachs owners should keep a close watch on their dog’s weight. Studies show a direct relationship between spine injuries and other injuries to unhealthy weight gain in the breed.

Even though this breed is bred to be a hunting dog, their spines are not equipped for rough handling and playing.

Other diseases to watch out for are:
Allergies
Different eye conditions
Cushing disease
Granulomatous Meningoencephalitis
Hereditary epilepsy; and
Thyroid problems.

Introducing A Second Dachshund

Does your current Dachs have the right temperament to handle the new addition?

What are your options? You can introduce a puppy to an adult or introduce two puppies in a neutral setting.

Keep your cool when you see some territorial behavior sprout from either dog, especially if you are introducing another adult dog in the mix. This kind of behavior is normal. Dogs need to determine social hierarchy: who is dominant or submissive in the pack.

During the introduction, keep both dogs on a leash.

You need to make the introduction.

Make sure that your dog is held by a family member and you slowly approach your Dachs together with the new dog. Always keep in mind that you need to have a calm assertive state of mind when doing this.

Remember that Dachshunds are very protective. If you feel that you need another layer of protection then you can use a muzzle on either or both of the dogs. This can help prevent biting and other aggressive behaviors from escalating further.

Once the initial introduction is out of the way, your next task is to slowly integrate the two dogs.

Even if the initial introduction goes well, you still need to keep an eye on both of your dogs. Usually, some dominant behavior will ensue in the coming days between your new and old dog. It is your duty to stop this dominant behavior from escalating into a full fight.

But before you do all these, you have to make sure that your Dachs needs a companion dog. If you see that your dog is happy with just her being the only pet in the family then maybe introducing another furkid is not needed.