Welcome to Dachshund Tales
Practical guidance for life with a Dachshund.
Dachshund Tales helps owners make clearer, kinder decisions about caring for one of the most distinctive dog breeds around. We bring breed-aware guidance together in one calm, useful place.
Why a whole site for one breed
A Dachshund is built differently from almost every other dog: a long spine carried on very short legs. That single fact changes the answer to questions most dog sites treat as generic.
- A bed is not just a bed — it is something the dog should not have to jump down from.
- A collar pulls on a neck attached to the same spine a harness leaves alone.
- Two extra pounds are not a vanity problem; they are load on a back already prone to intervertebral disc disease (IVDD), the condition this breed is most known for.
- Stairs, sofas and car seats are all height decisions before they are comfort decisions.
Generalist dog sites answer “what is the best dog bed?” We answer “what is right for a dog that should not be jumping off it?” Every recommendation here is filtered through that body plan.
Meet the editor: Bobbie Terry
Bobbie Terry lives in a small rural town in Southern Oklahoma with her two youngest children, three miniature long-haired Dachshunds and a large blue Great Dane.
Dachshunds have been part of her household for more than 40 years. As a child of five or six she helped her mother with a litter every couple of years, and for the twenty years after she left home she always had at least one Doxie, often three or four.
About fifteen years ago she began breeding miniature Dachshunds, starting with three smooth-coated dogs: a black and tan female, a chocolate and tan female and a black and tan dapple male. She has helped her dogs whelp, and once bottle-fed a litter of seven from three weeks old until weaning after their mother was hit by a car and could not nurse. Later came her first AKC-registered long-haired miniature, a black and tan dapple with an easy-going temperament who trained as her service animal and as a therapy dog.
Bobbie holds an undergraduate degree in psychology, with a minor in sociology, from Ashford University. She is not a veterinarian. What she brings to Dachshund Tales is decades of living with the breed; health and medical statements on the site are checked against the named veterinary and research sources listed at the end of each article.
What we cover
Our content is organised around the questions owners actually ask, from the first decision about getting a Dachshund through daily care, training, health and the senior years.
Health & IVDD
Back and spine health, IVDD signs and recovery, plus the everyday conditions this breed is prone to — written to help you notice changes early and ask a veterinarian better questions.
Gear & product reviews
Ramps, harnesses, beds, crates, carriers and mobility aids, judged on fit for a long back and short legs — not on star ratings.
Getting a Dachshund
Choosing between breeder and rescue, spotting a responsible breeder, questions to ask, realistic costs, and what to expect before you commit.
Training & behaviour
House-training, crate work, barking, digging, separation anxiety and the stubborn streak this breed is famous for.
Feeding & nutrition
How much to feed at each stage, weight management as spinal protection, treats, and reading a label without marketing noise.
Everyday care & grooming
Coat care across smooth, long and wire varieties, nails, ears, teeth, plus seasonal and travel safety.
Puppies & life stages
Week-by-week puppy guidance, growth expectations, and the adjustments an ageing or post-IVDD Dachshund needs.
Breed knowledge & varieties
Standard, miniature and rabbit sizes; smooth, long and wire coats; dapple, piebald and brindle patterns; temperament, history and mixes.
How we work
We start with real owner questions, research reliable and identifiable sources, and explain recommendations in plain language. We distinguish general education from lived experience and professional advice, disclose affiliate relationships when they exist, and correct confirmed errors.
For health topics we work from veterinary teaching hospitals, peer-reviewed research, government agencies and recognised breed organisations. We do not treat forums, social posts or unsourced claims as evidence, and every figure we publish carries its publisher and date so you can check it yourself.
Health, medication, nutrition, behaviour emergencies, and safety topics require appropriate caution. Our articles can help readers prepare questions and understand options, but they do not diagnose conditions or replace advice from a licensed veterinarian.
Unless an article names a qualified reviewer, it has not been individually reviewed by a veterinarian or certified trainer. We would rather say so plainly than imply a review that did not happen.
A thoughtful starting point, not a diagnosis
Every Dachshund is different. Sudden pain, weakness, breathing difficulty, repeated vomiting, trouble walking, dragging of the back legs, or another urgent change should be discussed promptly with a licensed veterinarian.
Read our Editorial Policy · How We Review Products · Medical Disclaimer · Contact the Dachshund Tales team