Advice on Dapple Long Hair Dachshund?

I am going to be getting a long haired dapple dachshund, but I don't know much about them. My mom says they have a lot of health problems, which isn't good. Can anyone who has dealt with them, give me lots of advice!

Advice on Dapple Long Hair Dachshund?

Your mom is right. "Dapple" is another word for merle

A merle gene is a dominant gene that can cause major problems in a double combination. In fact, double MM causes zygote lethality (those big words means the babies die). There are some other problems with merleing such as blindness and deafness, but they are not super common. Several breeds of dogs have now been infiltrated with a merle gene. It is a beautiful color, but it does have shortcomings. If you ever decide to let your dog breed, don't breed her to another merle. Breed her to a regular dachshund. About a fourth of the puppies will be dappled or merle. But they will be healthier than if you breed her to another merle. I have a merle chihuahua that I breed with a red mini dachshund.

The back problems and yappiness that the other people mentioned are just part of being a dachshund. It has nothing to do with being a dappled or merle. Try not to let your dog jump off of furniture and beds. You want to protect her back.

Advice on Dapple Long Hair Dachshund?

I have two mini long haired dachshunds... they're awesome dogs, very cute and affectionate. They biggest problem they have is with their backs because of their length. You have to be very careful with them. Don't let them jump off of things and always make sure they're held the correct way, with their hind end supported properly.

Advice on Dapple Long Hair Dachshund?

Dachshunds are prone to disc problems in their back. To help prevent problems with their back, it is important to keep them at a healthy weight. If they are overweight, there is more stress on their back which may cause problems.

Also since it is long haired, it will require more grooming than a smooth dachshund would. Be sure to groom the dog regularly to keep the coat in good condition.

Advice on Dapple Long Hair Dachshund?

Outside of back problems which can sometimes be avoided by not letting the dog jump on an doff furniture and keeping the dog lean Dachshunds are a very longlived breed. Look at the dogs in dach rescues, many are older. I've personally known 4 Dach, one lived to 17yrs old, one to 14 yrs old, one to 12 and the other is 12 and still going strong. Neutering and feeding the best dog food adds years too. All were neutered and 3 fed one of the top quality food and the other one a premium brand. Dachshunds are noisy so you need to get that under control but most are very friendly dogs. Long hairs need frequent grooming and often professional grooming. Dachshunds, like most hound breeds, tend to be stubborn but do well in obed. classes and shows. There are classes for juniors at dogs shows and many locales have excellent obed classes and handling classes. Dog ownership is fun but hard work, you must walk the dog, clean up after him and train him to be a good member of society. But for the compaionship of a dog it is worth it, I currently own 7 dogs, 2 big and 5 toy breed.