Finding Your Perfect Dachshund
A Guide to Responsible Breeding
As a registered breeder with years of experience, I understand how exciting it is to welcome a new dachshund into your family. However, I also know how important it is to choose the right breeder for your puppy’s health, temperament, and wellbeing. Over the years, I’ve met too many families who’ve had heartbreaking experiences with irresponsible breeders. I want to help you avoid these pitfalls and find a puppy from a breeder who truly cares about their dogs.
What to Look for in a Responsible Breeder
Visit the Breeding Environment
A reputable breeder will always welcome you to visit their premises. During your visit, you should be able to see:
Where the adult dogs live and exercise
Clean, comfortable conditions for all dogs
Evidence of proper care and socialisation
Be cautious of breeders who refuse visits or suggest meeting in car parks or neutral locations. Even small-scale hobby breeders are now required to hold proper breeding licences, so don’t hesitate to ask to see this documentation.
Meet the Mother
This is absolutely essential. You must meet the mother of your chosen puppy, and there should be clear evidence that she is indeed the biological mother. I always encourage prospective families to see the puppies with their mother during visits, and I’m happy to share videos of the puppies’ early days with mum.
Since Lucy’s Law came into effect in April 2020, third-party selling has become illegal. This means you can only legally purchase puppies directly from licensed breeders or recognised rescue centres. If someone is using a different dog to pose as the mother, this is not only deceptive but potentially illegal.
Health Testing and Documentation
If the father is a stud dog from another breeder (which is common practice), you should receive:
Current health certificates showing all breed-appropriate testing
Pedigree information
At Dachies of London, I maintain comprehensive health records for all my breeding dogs and am always transparent about health testing results.
Red Flags to Avoid
× Breeders who won’t allow visits to their premises
× Multiple litters always available
× Puppies available without waiting lists
× No health testing documentation
× Unwillingness to answer questions about their breeding programme
× Pressure to buy immediately
× Meeting in locations away from the breeding premises
My Commitment to You
As a responsible breeder, I believe in:
Transparency – You’re welcome to visit and meet our dogs
Health – All breeding dogs undergo appropriate health screening
Support – I’m here to help throughout your dachshund’s life
Education – I’ll help you understand dachshund care and needs
Clear Agreement – A comprehensive contract will be put in place to ensure all terms and expectations are clearly understood and agreed upon by both parties
Training Classes
Once your puppy has had all their vaccinations, I’d really encourage you to find a good local puppy training class. Some trainers like to wait until puppies are about 16 weeks old, so have a chat with your vet about who they’d recommend in your area.
Training classes are brilliant for getting your puppy used to other dogs and people, plus it’s a lovely way for you both to bond. Dachshunds are clever little dogs who love learning new things, so they usually take to training really well.
