Should I Get Two Dachshunds?

Are you thinking about getting two dachshunds? Or maybe you already have a dachshund and are thinking of getting another one? We’re going to answer all your questions about living with two dachshunds.

Should you get two dachshunds? Yes, if you can afford two dachshunds and don’t mind the extra effort, acquiring two dachshunds can be a wonderful option. Dachshunds are pack animals that enjoy having a friend, but it may be wiser to introduce a second dog after the first has settled in.

Read on to find out how hard it is to look after two dachshunds, whether they need buddies, what you’ll need to buy, what the good and bad points of having two are, and whether they’ll fight with each other.

Do dachshunds need companions?

Yes, dachshunds need companions. But they’re equally happy with humans or dogs. If you play with him and give him plenty of attention, he’ll be happy as an only dog. If he gets lonely and you aren’t always around, you may want to consider getting a playmate.

In many cases, two is better than one. But, getting two littermates together, can sometimes lead to behavioural issues and aggression in the future. It’s called ‘littermate syndrome’. This can also happen with puppies of the same age and size that come from different litters (especially two females). So it may be better to wait until the first pup is 8-12 months old before bringing a second into your home.

What is littermate syndrome

‘Littermate syndrome’ is when two puppy siblings get so profoundly linked that nothing else matters, including their owners! They’ll be fully emotionally dependent on each other and have acute separation anxiety if they’re ever separated (even for a few minutes).

They’ll stop interacting with people and won’t learn the basic training and obedience skills they need. This lack of socialisation and development leads to extreme fear of other people and dogs. As they reach maturity, littermates (especially two females) may fight or become aggressive towards each other. This can sometimes be so distressing that rehoming is the only option.

Will all dachshund siblings get littermate syndrome?

No, not all siblings that are raised together will get ‘littermate syndrome’. Lots of different things influence behaviour, including training, socialisation, early experiences and whether there are other dogs in the home. Some littermates will be the best of buddies and live happily together. It’s just something to be aware of (especially with two female pups) and get advice from your vet and breeder about.

Can you prevent littermate syndrome in dachshunds?

Although genetics is said to play a part, you can do things to help prevent ‘littermate syndrome’. The main thing is to treat each dachshund as an individual dog. While they’re still pups, work on separating them for part of the day. This means separate crates, one-on-one training, separate training and socialization classes, separate trips to the vet, separate feeding areas, separate sleeping areas, and even walking them on their own occasionally too.

You just want to raise them as independent, well-socialised dachshunds. They need to learn how to cope on their own and that you’re in charge of the pack. If they’re too bonded and distracted by each other, it can lead to unhealthy behaviours and cause serious issues with training, obedience and aggression.

What is the best age to get a second dachshund?

The best age to get a second dachshund is when the first one is at least 8-12 months old. In fact, anything between 8 months and 5 years is ideal because the older dachshund will still be young enough to play, but old enough to (hopefully) help train the new pup! The older dog will also be established in the pack and the young pup won’t try to challenge this.

That’s not to say older or senior dachshunds won’t be OK with a new puppy, but some may struggle or get irritated by all that boundless energy! It just depends on the dog.

But this doesn’t automatically mean you should rush out and get a companion for your dachshund. If you’ve lived with one dachshund in your home for a while, he might like having his own space and may hate having another dog around.

Dachshunds are independent and feisty and this can sometimes be a problem when introducing a second dachshund. So spend time working out if your dachshund would be able to cope with it. If he’s fairly chilled, he should be ok. But if he’s in his senior years, territorial or very attached to you, it might not be a good idea. Whatever you decide, take the time to introduce your dachshund to his new pal slowly and responsibly.

How do I choose the sex of my second dachshund?

In general, two guys do far better than two girls. Raising two females together, particularly those of the same age or from the same litter, can often result in fighting when they reach adulthood. This is less typical with two boys, but you should still spread their ages by at least 8 to 12 months.

Male and female dachshunds (with an age span of at least 8-12 months) also perform well in packs, but you need to think about how that’ll work. For obvious reasons, it’s more challenging having a ‘entire male’ in the same residence as a ‘female in season’. They’d have to be separated for a few weeks or live with family or friends during that period.

Yes, you can neuter or spay in time. However, dachshunds are prone to back issues, and early neutering is thought to enhance the risk. Ask your veterinarian for advice.

What do you need for two dachshunds?

If you have two dachshunds, you should consider the following one-time costs:

2 beds
2 leads
2 harnesses
2 collars
2 ID tags
2 food bowls
2 water bowls
2 crates
2 doggy toothbrushes
Grooming brushes,
scissors and nail clippers
Ramp(s)
The cost of buying the dachshund(s)
2 lots of microchipping (the breeder or rehoming Centre might cover this)
Neutering for 2 dogs (read about the risks of neutering too young)
2 lots of vet bills (jabs and check-ups etc.)

These are the recurring costs of owning two dachshunds.

Pet insurance
Dog food
Poo bags
Annual booster jabs
Doggy toothpaste
Doggy shampoo
Doggy conditioner
Dog Toys
Dog Treats
Flea treatments
Worming medication
Vet bills!

And you’ll also need to think about what you’d do if either of your dachshunds had an accident or got sick. And then there’s the cost or dog sitters for when you go on holiday, doggy day care, walkers or sitters (if you use them), and you can double all these costs when thinking about how much two little sausage dogs will cost.

Each dachshund need his own belongings. Some items, like as bedding, a leash, and a collar, will last a long time, but others may incur ongoing expenditures, so budget accordingly.

What are the disadvantages of owning two dachshunds?

It can be difficult to have two dachshunds. Here’s why:

Double the noise
Less space
Training difficulties
Competitive streak
Jealousy
A shift in dynamic
Bad habits

This is what you need to know:

Double the noise

Dachshunds are noisy. When you put two of them together, everything becomes louder. You can train them to stop barking so much, but there’s not much you can do if they’re constantly setting each other off.

Less space

Although they are little, having second dachshund in the house takes up additional area. Are you sure you have enough place to have two running around? Do you have a yard or outdoor space where they can burn off steam?

Training difficulties

It can be hard to train two pups at once because they’ll get distracted by each other. And each dachshund might be aware of the other one getting a treat or more attention. You’d need a friend or relative to help you out so you can train the puppies separately.

This is another reason why having two dachshunds at least 8-12 months apart is preferable. That way, you may concentrate on training one at a time. The elder one will then (ideally) assist in teaching the smaller dog, making things like toilet training easier the second time around – assuming you nailed it the first time!

Competitive streak

Dachshunds are competitive, which might cause some rivalry. Watch out for them attempting to outdo each other; they may become too feisty and need to be separated. This does not happen to all dachshunds and is more often among two females and littermates, but it is something to be aware of.

Jealousy

Dachshunds become envious if another dog receives more attention than them. Every member of the family should divide the affection as evenly as possible.

A shift in dynamic

If you get another dog, you will most likely no longer be your dachshund’s best pal. Are you OK with that?

Bad habits

Some dogs can influence one other’s behavior in negative ways, and they can learn harmful behaviors. That is why you should not adopt a second dachshund only to alleviate the first dog’s separation anxiety or hostility; you may wind up with two anxious or snappy dogs.

Will the two dachshunds fight?

Two dachshunds should not fight as long as they are at various periods of their life and are given equal care, so they do not get jealous or possessive. The optimal age gap is between 8 months and 5 years, however there is no fixed guideline.

As previously said, finding two dachshunds of similar ages or from the same litter is more difficult. When they reach adulthood, they may fight or become violent toward one another. This is particularly prevalent among two ladies. Most breeders will not let you accept two siblings from the same litter for that reason.

It can be more difficult to introduce a second dachshund once the first has settled in, although this varies every dog. Dachshunds are social tiny dogs who like playing with other dogs, particularly dachshunds. So many sausage dogs would fit wonderfully in a family with two dachshunds.

Is it okay to have two Dachshunds?

It can be beneficial to have two dachshunds. Here’s why.

Your dachshunds will never get bored.
They will settle quickly.
Socialization will become easy.
Older canines could take youngsters under their care.
Double the fun!

Here’s what you should know:

Your dachshunds will never get bored.

Your little sausages will exhaust themselves, making them less likely to be noisy or disruptive due to boredom. Having a playmate keeps children happy, healthy, and cognitively active, allowing them to play in ways that are natural to them.

They will settle quickly.

Two dachshunds will calm down much faster since they may rely on each other for reassurance and comfort. They are also less prone to develop separation anxiety because they will not be as dependent on you for support and attention.

Socialization will become easy.

Dachshunds are known to be territorial and suspicious of strangers. However, if they have a canine companion from a young age, they will most likely be more relaxed among new canines and humans.

Older canines could take youngsters under their care.

If you have an adult dachshund and introduce a new puppy, the older dog can have a positive impact on the younger one (if the elder dog is well-trained). This isn’t always the case, but it’s a lovely little bonus when it does.

Double the fun!

Who doesn’t want two (or more!) of these amusing little clowns running around? Dachshunds are wonderful dogs, full of love, devotion, and fun!

Conclusion

So there you have it. Dachshunds like having other sausage dogs around to play with, but there is one disadvantage. Two dachshunds are more expensive, require more effort, can be noisy, and may cause a shift in the household dynamic. But then again, they’ll never be bored, they’ll keep each other company, and they’ll provide twice the love and have twice the pleasure! So now it is up to you to pick whether you want one or two sausages!

Wiener Puppies Home

Wiener Puppies Home

Should I Get Two Dachshunds?