Like me, I’m sure most people join Dachshund-related Facebook groups to learn, but how do you know the advice you’re getting from other Dachshund owners is correct?
When I saw the same comment over and over in different places I knew it was probably true.
But over the past few years, we’ve learned how easily false information can spread online, and just because a belief has been circulated many times doesn’t mean it’s true.
Also, many of these groups have members from all over the world, but the members forget that — they forget that posters may not be from their country, and posters may forget to share where they’re from, too.
So now, when I come across a topic I’m not familiar with, I go ahead and either get someone who knows more about it to answer, or I research it myself.
Now I learn most from studying complete strangers, not from listening to their ideas.
Why is this so important to me?
I have literally dedicated my entire life to dachshunds since I left the civil service to focus on dachshund research in 2012. Although I continued to do research for many years, it was not my life’s work.
When I see answers in a group that I know are wrong, it bothers me.
People don’t know what they don’t know, and I don’t blame them.
But personally, if I’m unsure about something, I ask myself if I want to share it and risk spreading misinformation, or if I still feel I must share it, I add a comment like “in my experience.”
Of course, I don’t claim to know everything, but there are some topics that I understand in minute detail in a global context.
It frustrates and saddens me when I see outdated information and beliefs being perpetuated in groups that gather to learn how to improve dogs’ lives.
I think understanding the breed of dog you have or want to have (a Dachshund) is important to ensure it lives a long, happy life and isn’t eventually given up.
I understand that when we learn something, it becomes “common sense” to us, and it becomes difficult for us to understand when others don’t know that information either.
Admittedly, maybe some of my frustration comes from there.
Although it infuriates me to see so much misinformation being spread online, I keep it to myself — at least most of the time.
I sometimes share correct information, hoping to capitalize on the belief that “the more it is said, the more true it becomes.” If enough voices share the correct answer, the incorrect answer may be drowned out in the poster’s mind.
Another thing I do when I see misinformation about Dachshunds is redouble my efforts to educate owners.
So I would like to offer my opinions on some of the most common misconceptions I see in Dachshund groups.
1) Difference between standard and miniature
I fully admit that I wasn’t always right in this regard. Initially, I didn’t know that breed standards have different definitions in different countries.
In the US, breeds are classified by their final adult weight, so the size of the parents doesn’t really matter, whereas in the UK, a dog with one miniature and one standard dachshund parent is called a “mongrel”.
But I live in the US, and our blog readers and page followers are mostly from the US, so my articles about mini and standard dachshunds are still correct.
But did you know that in many other countries, including the UK, they are classified as different breeds based on their size and fur type? In the UK, a Dachshund is only considered a miniature dog if both parents are miniature dogs, and if a Dachshund grows larger than the “typical” weight for the miniature dog category, it is considered a “large miniature dog” rather than a standard dog.
In some ways, this thought still surprises and confuses me.
Notably, UK standards still state that the maximum desirable weight for a miniature is 11 pounds (5 kilograms) or less (though the UK calls it “desirable” rather than calling it a strict cut-off line like the US).
In short, if someone asks you if your Dachshund is a miniature or standard, ask where they’re from or check their profile for their location before answering.
The answer depends on the breed standard in the country where they live.
2) X (jumping, playing, hiking, etc.) caused my back injury
Some may say this is a matter of semantics, but IVDD can be frightening for some owners, so I think it’s important to really understand what causes back injuries in Dachshunds and what doesn’t.
In summary, jumping (unless the jump is accompanied by a traumatic fall) does not cause back injuries.
Dachshunds can also injure their backs from acute injuries (car accidents or other trauma, or age-related deterioration of the discs (leprosy type II)), but I don’t see many people asking about this in groups.
What people are asking about is a back injury that occurred unexpectedly and at a younger than expected age (usually between 4 and 7 years of age) and this is Leprosy Type I Intervertebral Disc Disease (IVDD).
If you would like a deeper understanding of the common causes of back injuries in this breed, read my article explaining what causes back pain in Dachshunds.
In summary:
- Leprosy type I (IVDD) causes drying and cracking of the intervertebral discs in the spine (premature aging)
- Damaged discs can rupture, either due to the force generated by jumping or spontaneously without any external cause.
- Correlation is not causation. Just because your dachshund ruptured a disc after jumping doesn’t mean the jump was the cause. The damaged disc was the cause. It was a time bomb waiting to explode.
There is also ample evidence to support the Dachshund’s active lifestyle, including moderate jumping and stair climbing.
3) Dachshunds are untrainable
I don’t want to be harsh… but you know me, I like to present the facts as tactfully as possible.
Just because you have not had success training your Dachshund does not mean that he cannot be trained.
In fact, I became a Dachshund trainer because I strongly believe that with the right motivation and communication, any dog can be trained.
Telling people that they can’t teach their dog things that will make their life easier, that they have to put up with bad behavior, is defeating and misleading.
These beliefs lead to frustration and feelings of helplessness, which are some of the reasons why Dachshunds are surrendered, adopted by new owners, or forced into unsatisfying, restricted lives.
Dachshunds dancing on stage This viral video Dachshunds are not special dogs, and while trainers are experts, any owner can teach their dog not to beg, not to sit, not to bark at the end of the lead, not to pee all over the house, etc.
lastly
There are a lot of misconceptions and outdated ideas out there, but in this article I have tried to present “just the facts.”
I haven’t even touched on some of the things I see that are more subtle and can be strongly influenced by personal risk tolerance, past trauma, etc.
We will add to this list as we find things we missed initially, or as more scientific knowledge develops about issues that are currently in a “gray area.”
