The Complete Dachshund Guide: What Every Owner Needs to Know

This week on The Dr. Molly Says Podcast, we're diving deep into everything you need to know about Dachsunds!We get into where Dachshunds came from, what they were originally bred to do (spoiler: they were literally bred to hunt badgers underground 😳), why they've become one of the most popular dog breeds in the country, and what makes them such a unique mix of hilarious, stubborn, loyal, opinionated little dogs.But of course, we're not just talking about their personalities. We're also talking about the medical stuff every current or future Dachshund owner should know.We get into:The different types of Dachshunds (smooth, long-haired & wire-haired)Standard vs. miniature DachshundsWhy these dogs have SUCH big personalitiesPrey drive, barking, training challenges & "selective hearing" 😅The truth about IVDD (intervertebral disc disease) and why Dachshunds are so prone to itSigns of back pain and when it's a veterinary emergencyWhether stairs, jumping and exercise actually increase IVDD riskWhy maintaining a lean body weight is one of the most important things you can do for your DachshundPet insurance and why I'm a huge advocate for it in this breedDental disease, anesthesia myths & why small dogs need dental care earlier than most owners realizeHeart disease, patellar luxation and other common health concernsWhat to look for in a responsible Dachshund breederThe major red flags everyone should know about before buying a puppyWhether you already have a Dachshund, you're thinking about getting one, or you just love learning about dogs, this episode is your complete veterinarian's guide to one of the most iconic breeds out there.LOVE YOU GUYS 💛Timestamps00:00 Welcome back + life updates00:00:52 Building The Local Vet & rabbit medicine updates 🏥🐰00:02:06 Meet the Dachshund: history, origins & why they're so popular00:03:32 Standard vs. Miniature Dachshunds00:04:22 Smooth, Long-Haired & Wire-Haired Dachshunds00:06:08 Common Dachshund colors & the dangers of Double Dapple breeding00:08:05 Dachshund personality: stubborn, loyal & VERY opinionated00:10:22 Why Dachshunds love to bark, chase & ignore your commands 😅00:12:03 The #1 health issue in Dachshunds: IVDD explained00:14:42 Signs of IVDD & when it's an emergency00:16:25 Preventing back problems: exercise, weight & muscle mass00:18:15 Why every Dachshund owner should consider pet insurance00:18:55 Dental disease: the health problem nobody talks about00:20:18 Why brushing your Dachshund's teeth matters so much00:22:00 Heart disease & mitral valve disease in Dachshunds00:23:15 Patellar luxation, arthritis & mobility concerns00:24:42 Allergies, cancer risks & mammary tumors00:26:08 Finding an ethical Dachshund breeder: what to look for00:27:08 Red flags, coat colors & breeding practices to avoid 🚩00:28:05 Are Dachshunds right for your family? Final thoughts00:28:55 LOVE YOU GUYS 💛---------------------------------------------------------------Listen to the pod on YouTube/Spotify/Apple:https://www.youtube.com/@drmollysayspod https://open.spotify.com/show/7xmKqrXGPJXpsbDbtCMgfe?si=17148ddc74604cb1 https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-dr-molly-says-podcast/id1800302028---------------------------------------------------------------Follow Dr. Molly:Instagram | https://www.instagram.com/drmollysaysTikTok | https://www.tiktok.com/@drmollysaysFollow the podcast:Instagram | https://www.instagram.com/drmollysayspod/TikTok | https://www.tiktok.com/@drmollysayspod---------------------------------------------------------------