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Dachshund Adoption

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What do you need to know before you adopt a Dachshund? We asked the experts!
 

Canadian Dachshund Rescue says:

Dachshunds are fun, curious dogs that make loving and loyal family pets.  Their iconic long bodies can be prone to back issues, so jumping from furniture and the use of stairs should be discouraged.  Sometimes referred to as stubborn, these hunting dogs can be quite strong-willed.  Patience may be required for housetraining.  Due to their size, shape and personality, Dachshunds are often best-suited for homes with children over the age of 12.

Dachshund Rescue NW & Dachshund Club of Spokane says:

These are some of the basics I tell adopters when they come to our dog rescue when thinking about getting a "wiener dog" for the first time:

Hunting dogs like Dachshunds were not well suited for apartments. They were bred to run and hunt badgers and wolverines, so we never adopt them to children under age 7.  Try to limit their prey in the household including birds, ferrets, hamsters, cats or anything that runs.  

Doing your research before adopting is important. Dachshunds are prone to back issues and if they are too fat they could run into those problems much sooner. Not all Dachshunds will develop IVDD (Intervertebral Disc Disease) but we have noticed many folks are surprised about this, since they never did any research before they bought a cute Dachshund puppy.

Please be aware that Dachshunds were bred to hunt in packs or alone.  That "or alone" part means they are way too smart for their owners.  They may be difficult to housetrain, and need a strong human leader to train them. This is a very happy go lucky, playful opinionated breed of dogs.  If folks expect them to obey them 24/7 they might want to find another breed.  We are very lucky the Dachshunds allow us to live in their homes.

Dachshunds are very funny dogs who need people with a toy budget (and, preferably, lots of toys with squeakers).  

Because the Dachshund was bred to hunt things underground they love dirt.  Do not be concerned if they dig holes in your yard because they is exactly what they were bred to do.

Dachshunds that do not have a job will keep themselves entertained, if you get our meaning, so be prepared to adopt a very needy child and keep ahead of them or they can be destructive, willful and noisy.  We keep our dogs working so they are way too tired to be naughty when inside.

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Find a Dachshund available near you!

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More about the Dachshund

Thinking about adopting a Dachshund puppy? Here are three reasons to adopt an adult instead:

1. You have kids.

Like most people, you’ve probably heard time and again that if you have kids, you should adopt a Dachshund puppy (or, gasp! find a Dachshund puppy for sale). The rationale is that an adult shelter dog is an unknown quantity, so buying or adopting a Dachshund puppy is safer. Actually, the opposite is closer to the truth. Puppies are not usually a great choice with kids; they have very limited control over their biting/mouthing impulses, and when you mix that with lots of energy and unbelievably sharp little teeth, it’s a recipe for your small fry to be in tears.  Puppies are tiny chewing machines and can destroy a favorite stuffed animal or security blanket in short order.  Adult dogs, on the other hand, are generally calmer, and their personalities are already fully developed and on display.  When you meet an adult dog, you can see how they are with kids and with other animals.  This takes the guesswork out of wondering how a puppy will turn out as a full-grown dog.

2.  You value your possessions.

Puppies teethe.  They have a biological need to chew, they want to play constantly, and they can’t discriminate between appropriate chew toys and, say, your favorite pair of Manolos.  Puppies eventually can be trained out of this behavior, of course, and there are exceptions to every rule, but generally speaking, an adult Dachshund (or any adult dog) is much less likely to shred your drapes like coleslaw or function as a “helpful” canine document shredder.

3.  You work, or otherwise leave the house.

Pop quiz: how often does a two-month-old puppy need to be taken out to do his business during the day?  A) every six hours; B) every eight hours; or C) every two hours?

If you answered B, or even A, you’re an eternal optimist! The correct answer, though, is C: every two hours. When you’re housetraining a puppy, the general rule of thumb is that they can hold their bladder one hour for each month they’ve been alive (up to a max of about eight to ten hours).  So a three-month-old Dachshund puppy needs to go outside every three hours, a four-month-old needs to go every four hours, and so on.  If you’re retired, or you work from home, or you’re taking the puppy to work with you or to a doggy daycare (make sure your puppy is up-to-date on all vaccines before considering that last option), great! But if you’re planning on leaving your dog alone during your workday, you’ll definitely want to adopt a full-grown dog, ideally from a Dachshund rescue that can help you find the right dog for your lifestyle.

Let’s bust these myths about adopting a Dachshund

Time to get real: when we ask people what reservations they have about Dachshund adoption, we hear the same things over and over again.  If you’re operating under any of these mistaken beliefs, you just might be missing out on meeting the best friend you’ll ever have.   So it’s time for us to set the record straight:

  • You CAN find purebred Dachshunds for adoption in an animal shelter or rescue group.
  • Dachshunds and Dachshund puppies for adoption are NOT in any way inferior to or different from those for sale.
  • The dogs in the shelter are NOT there because they’re bad dogs.
  • If you want a puppy, you DON’T have to buy a Dachshund puppy.  Dachshund puppies ARE available for adoption.
  • If you have children, adopting a dog is likely the SAFEST option.

Here’s the truth: you absolutely can find a Dachshund, even a Dachshund puppy, for adoption in an animal shelter or rescue group.  And they don’t end up there because they’re bad dogs.  In fact, often the only difference between the dog in the shelter and the one on your couch is a bit of bad luck.  Think about it: let’s say you buy a Dachshund puppy for sale by a breeder. Your new dog is great; you immediately enroll the two of you in obedience classes, and soon your best pal is housebroken and well trained. But what would happen to your wonderful Dachshund if, tragically, something happened to you? What if he escaped from your home and ran away? Your best pal would very likely end up in an animal shelter.  The lucky person who adopts your Dachshund would be getting a great dog!  Animal shelters are filled with wonderful, healthy, well-behaved dogs who have been in homes before, but whose owners have fallen on hard times.  Many of them are housebroken and trained.  Dachshund rescue organizations often care for their adoptable dogs in foster homes, which means their foster families will be able to tell you if the Dachshund you want to adopt is good with other animals or kids, and if he or she is housebroken and knows any basic commands. As you can see, adopting from a rescue organization is likely the very safest way for people with children to add a new Dachshund to their family!

Dachshund Rescue Organizations

Below you'll find many Dachshund focused rescue organizations. This is not a complete list! If you are a Dachshund focused rescue and would like to be included, please sign up for an Adopt-a-Pet.com account here, then submit your request using the Contact Us link after you login to your Adopt-a-Pet.com rescue or shelter account. Thank you!

  • Alberta Dachshund Rescue - Delburne AB
  • Dixie Dachshund Rescue Inc. - Owens Cross Roads AL
  • Dachshund Rescue of North America - South - Little Rock AR
  • 7 Bells South Dachshund Weenie Ranch - Searcy AR
  • All American Dachshund Rescue -South Central - Elkins AR
  • AZ Dachshund Rescue - Mesa AZ
  • Arizona Dachshund Rescue and Sanctuary - Queen Creek AZ
  • Dachshund Rescue of Arizona - Phoenix AZ
  • Happy Tails Dachshund Rescue - Queen Creek AZ
  • Dachshund Rescue - Burnaby BC
  • Dachshund Resque San Diego - San Diego CA
  • 2nd Chance Dachshund Rescue - San Diego County CA
  • Foxy Doxy Dachshund Rescue - Atascadero CA
  • All American Dachshund Rescue - Southwest - Sacramento CA
  • Southern California Dachshund Relief, Inc. - North - San Jose CA
  • Desert Dogs Dachshund rescue - North - Niland NA
  • Golden Gate Dachshund Rescue - San Francisco NC
  • Colorado Dachshund Rescue - Fort Collins CO
  • Coast to Coast Dachshund Rescue - Boulder CO
  • Coast to Coast Dachshund Rescue - Loveland CO
  • Dachshund Rescue Colorado (DRCO) - Aurora CO
  • NOLA Dachshund Rescue-Northeast - Columbia CT
  • Coast to Coast Dachshund Rescue - All New England CT
  • Florida Dachshund Rescue - Myakka City FL
  • Coast to Coast Dachshund Rescue - Jackson NJ
  • All American Dachshund Rescue - Melbourne FL
  • Dixie Dachshund Rescue, Inc. - Brooksville FL
  • DASH Rescue FL - Melbourne FL
  • Dachshund Rescue of North America - Southeast - Cumming GA
  • Dachshund Rescue, Education, Awareness & Mentoring - Atlanta GA
  • Little Long Dogs Dachshund Rescue - Athol ID
  • MidWest Dachshund Rescue - Tinley Park IL
  • Almost Home Dachshund Rescue Society - Midwest - Blairstown NJ
  • Dachshund Rescue Of North America ( North Central) - Kewanee IL
  • Short Legs Dachshund Rescue -
  • All American Dachshund Rescue - Northern Midwest - Indianapolis IN
  • Doxie Haven Dachshund Rescue - Evansville IN
  • Bluegrass Working Terrier Assoc. Rescue - Waddy KY
  • Gulf Coast Dachshund Rescue - Lake Charles LA
  • 7Corners Rescue - Leander TX
  • Dachshund Rescue-Maryland/Virginia - MD/VA
  • DASH Rescue - Pocomoke City MD
  • All American Dachshund Rescue: Mid East Region - Baltimore MD
  • Maryland Dachshund Rescue - Thurmont MD
  • Michigan Dachshund Rescue - Hazel Park MI
  • Fundoxie Dachshund Rescue - Marne MI
  • DASH Rescue, MI - Davison MI
  • Coast to Coast Dachshund Rescue - Minneapolis MN
  • Central Missouri Dachshund Rescue - Warrensburg MO
  • The Senior Dog House and Rescue - Columbia Falls MT
  • Husker's Hope Dachshund Rescue - Lincoln NE
  • Coast to Coast Dachshund Rescue - Nebraska - Omaha NE
  • 7Corners Dachshund Rescue - CT/NY/TX
  • Dachshund Rescue of North America - Northeast - Manahawkin NJ
  • Cascade Beagle Rescue, East - Phillipsburg NJ
  • New Mexico Dachshund Rescue - Santa Fe NM
  • LV Hot-Diggity Dachshund Club and Rescue - Las Vegas NV
  • On My Way Home Dachshund Rescue - Henderson NV
  • Las Vegas Doberman Pinscher and Dachshund Rescue - Las Vegas NV
  • Dachshund Rescue of North America, Inc. - NY - Grand Island NV
  • DASH Rescue, NY - Penn Yan NV
  • Embellish Pets Adoption Group - Cuyahoga Falls OH
  • BRENDAS SMALL DOG RESCUE - Centerburg OH
  • Dachshund Rescue of North America - Western Pennsylvania - Western Pennsylvania PA
  • Coast to Coast Dachshund Rescue Pennsylvania, Ohio, New Jersey and Maryland - York PA
  • Furever Dachshund Rescue - North Smithfield RI
  • Carolina Loving Hound Rescue - Greenville SC
  • Coast to Coast Dachshund Rescue - Hixson TN
  • One Dog At A Time Rescue - LaFollette TN
  • SAVE A DACHSHUND - Lake City TN
  • Coast to Coast Dachshund Rescue Northeast Texas - Winnsboro TX
  • Houston Dachshund Rescue - Houston TX
  • Blue Bonnet Dachshund Rescue - Coolidge TX
  • Promised Land Dachshund Sanctuary - Gardendale TX
  • Dixons Dachshund Rescue - San Angelo TX
  • Blue Ridge Veterinary Associates - Purcellville VA
  • DASH Rescue VA - Christiansburg VA
  • Long Dog Dachshund Rescue - Newport News VA
  • Dachshund Rescue of North America Inc. - Manassas VA
  • Pug Snugs Pug Rescue - Vancouver WA
  • CONNECT THE DOX - Lynnwood WA
  • MidWest Dachshund Rescue - Whitewater WI
  • SECOND CHANCE RESCUE - St. Leesburg VA
  • All American Dachshund Rescue - Spring TN
  • All Texas Dachshund Rescue - Pearland TX

 

Breed Photo

Rescues and shelters near you

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Middleburg Humane Foundation
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Nova Rottweiler Rescue
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PetConnect Rescue
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DC Dogos, Inc. - VA
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Mutt Love Rescue
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American Lhasa Apso Club Rescue - Northwest Region
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City of Fairfax Animal Shelter
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Fairfax County Animal Shelter
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MIRRAGL
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The Commonwealth Humane Society
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The Humane Society of Fairfax County
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The Humane Society of Fairfax County 2
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Whitney Foundation
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K-9 Lifesavers
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Montgomery County Humane Society
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GROWL - MD
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Dachshund Rescue of North America Inc.
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Montgomery County SPCA
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Pets Bring Joy
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United Yorkie Rescue - VA- Fairfax
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Friends Of Montgomery County Animals
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BB&G Pomeranian Rescue
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Band for Animal
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One Planet Rescue - MD chapter
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Blue Ridge Doberman Rescue
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Key to Lion's Heart Rescue
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Promises Animal Rescue, Inc
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Empty Shelter Project
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Bull Terrier Rescue of Virginia (BTRVA)
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Friends for Animals
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Mid-Atlantic Great Dane Rescue, Virginia Chapter
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Best DAWG Rescue Inc.
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Lab Rescue LRCP - Rockville MD
Rockville, MD

Maryland Bichon Frise Rescue
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DC Area Weimaraner Rescue
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Doberman Assistance Rescue & Education
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HART (Homeless Animals Rescue Team)
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Homeward Trails Animal Rescue
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Lost Dog and Cat Rescue Foundation
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Allbreed Rescue & Referral Inc
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Mutts Matter Rescue
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Bring Home the Brindle Dog Rescue
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Rhodesian Ridgeback Rescue Inc. District of Columbia, Virginia
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MerryLea Rescue
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Operation Paws for Homes - MD Chapter
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Ambassador Pit Bull Rescue
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American Maltese Assoc. Rescue--Maryland
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Reggie's Friends - Arlington
Arlington, VA

Lab Rescue LRCP - Fairfax VA
Fairfax, VA

USNMC Rescue
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Grand Dogs Rescue 2
Silver Springs, MD

Chow Chow Rescue of Maryland
Silver Spring, MD

Roxie's Fund, Inc*
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Mid-Atlantic GSP Rescue
Arlington, VA

Dog World Rescue, Inc.
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SPCA of Northern Virginia
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Lucky Dog Animal Rescue
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Capitol Canines Animal Rescue
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City Dogs Rescue & City Kitties
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Tails of the Unwanted - Maryland
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Tara's House Animal Rescue, Inc. - Silver Spring Chapter
Silver Spring, MD

Capital Animal Care
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Rescue Angels, Inc. - Virginia Chapter
Arlington, VA

Rescuzilla - Northern VA, D.C.
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Caring Hearts Rescue
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Hope for Donghae Paws(VIRGINIA)
Springfield, VA

Ozark Mutts and Stuff, Inc VA
Springfield, VA

Pups 2 Luv Rescue
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Purrs, Paws, and Claws - Springfield Chapter
Springfield, VA

To The Rescue Inc.
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Blackdogs Rescue - Bluemont Foster Group
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New Beginnings German Shorthaired Pointer Rescue
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Animal Welfare League of Alexandria
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