I am new here, just looking for anyone with experience with dachshunds. I have booked a puppy from a reputable breeder and I have researched the breed thoroughly, looked into as much as i can. The internet is a great tool for learning. I know about the problems with backs and how best to avoid that from happening. Is there anything else anyone thinks I should know? Always open to advice.

KAT

Hiya Kat.
It sounds like you've done you're homework. Are you getting a mini or standard? And what coat are you getting?
You'll be smitten by him or her as they're an addictive breed.
The only thing i would say is about their personalities. They're very stubborn, so you need to let them know who is boss straight away, otherwise they'll have your life. They can be very manipulative. They're an intelligent breed who always know what they want. It makes for an interesting life though. :D
Anything else you want to know, just ask.
How long is your wait before you pick him/her up?

Edited to say:- I know you've mentioned you know about back problems,  it can be a very costly health problem, so a good piece of advice would be to take out insurance on your pup. One of mine recently had two discs go within 3 months. The cost amounted to roughly £2100. With your insurance you need to check also that they don't place exclusions as disc problems can reoccur and even though it can be a different disc, some companies after the first year would exclude disc problems. And it is something which could happen more than once (although i think that it is quite rare, don't want to scare you).

Thanks for the reply snoopy, I am getting a black & tan mini smooth, a little boy. He is only a week old so I should get him around the middle to the end of May. I cant wait, really excited. I like the personality of the dachshund, it appeals to me. I have read lots about them and the one thing i noticed is that there is a lot of contradicting information about them. Some say they are difficult to house train etc. and others say they are easy. I wonder what you think? Personally i think any breed can be house trained, surelly its about the time and effort you put into it yourself? Then again a dachshunds a first for me so maybe with them being stubborn they can be more determined to do their own thing. But im prepared for that. Thanks for the advice about insurance. I am definately going to do that, can you recommend any companies? Also, I am hoping to show this wee boy. I have never done that before but I did discuss it with the breeder before the pup was born and she is going to help me, any tips?

Well best of luck with you new pup once you get it...You will be counting down the days I'm sure.
I think snoopy gave you all the advice you really need, and helps also you have done some research yourself.

Hiya Kat.
I bet he will be absolutely gorgeous. I've got a mini smooth, black and tan girlie. She's probably the leader of my three.
Yes it is true that dachsies can be notoriously difficult to house train, but no, it's not impossible. You just need a lot of perserverance and determination.
Have you thought of names for him? I'm getting quite excited for you. :D
I can't give you any help on showing i'm afraid, as it's not something i've ever done (never really been interested in it), however the breeder who i got my mini smotth off, used to show her. I was soooo proud to find she'd won a rosette, for third in a show, until i found out that there were only three dogs in it, lol.
Never mind, she's a winner to me.
A good book to read is, 'Dachshunds for dummies'. It's American, but i found that it is quite factual. The only thing to be wary of is, that books tend to describe standards and mini's personalities as being the same. My experience though, makes me think they're not. I've never owned standards myself, but i know quite a few people who do.
You'll have years of love from your little fella. They're great dogs to live with and totally addictive.
Keep us updated and if there's anything i can help you with just let me know.

Should've said too, about the insurance.
If you can afford it, go for something like pet plan. Pinnacle also have a good reputation.
I'm with Pet Pals (Domestic and General), who have been very good at paying out with my mini wire, with his back.
None of these exclude.

Congratulations on your new baby!
I have three mini longhairs, and I agree they are the most addictive dogs around.
My oldest boy turns 13 today! (Happy Birthday, Cooper)
I have had back problems with my two older ones, both recovered without surgery, thank goodness.
One thing I can suggest, is to give him a supplement of Ester C (or Vitamin C) I find this to be a great help in their mobility after ruptured discs, and now I give all three a daily dose. The 13 yo and the 7 yo get 1000mg per day, and my little one, 18 months old, gets 500mg per day.  I am convinced of the benefits of Ester C, and it may help prevent further problems.
As for the housetraining, I think they are all different.  My older boy was a bit of a nightmare to train, but the other two got the hang of it very quickly.  Patience and perseverance!
I am looking forward to hearing more stories about your little one!  Any names yet?
Pauline

Pauline, where do you buy your ester c from, if you don't mind me asking?
My youngest boy had surgery, successfully, in October of last year. In January another disc ruptured. Unfortunately he has an extremely long back, so i think he could be prone to further occurences.
I was thinking i might try what you said.
He's 4. What dosage would you suggest?
I'd greatly appreciate your advice.

Happy Birthday Cooper :)

Thanks for the Birthday Wish, Snoopy
I am in Australia, and I can get Ester C from Health Food Shops or some chemists (usually ones that have a lot of vitamins).
With the dosage, I would suggest starting at about 250mg a day, and gradually build up to 1000mg, but watch for any change in bowel habits. If he gets the runs a bit, just lower the dose.  My two can tolerate 1000mg with absolutely no problems. There is a lot of info about Ester C on the net, and it is supposed to have many benefits.
I hope you can manage to get it, but if you can't Vitamin C would work too.  The Ester C is a synthetic, that is supposedly much gentler to the stomach.
If you would like any more info, feel free to email me.
I would love to know if your little one shows any improvement!
Pauline

Thanks Pauline.
I'll have a look on the net, and i'll let you know.

About the showing thing the best advice I can give you is: go and vist some of the local shows around you, Watch what the other's do in the ring with their dogs, ask questions to Dachshund people there.
If there is any clubs that do show training around you attend them.
But best of all ask... People are usaully more then willing to help.
Best of luck.

I presently have 2 mini long dachshunds, Have now been involved with the Dachshunds breed for 20 years. 
I live in New Zealand have a website which I have just started and is still in the process (This is my first attempt at this) come and check it out at http://homepages.ihug.co.nz/~wildfern/
Cheers!!

Thanks for all the advice everyone. Its much appreciated. One thing that ive noticed is that nobody has just one dachshund! Well, when we decided on the dachshund, we booked 2 from our breeder. Unfortunately the little girl didnt make it. She died the day after she was born. It was absolutely devastating for everyone involved, especially mum. What happened was the breeder had 2 mums having litters. The first litter, 2 pups were stillborn and the 3rd, the little girl seemed fine. But sadly died the following day. The 2nd litter was a planned c/section because of known problems, 5 pups were born and are all well and thriving. One of these is my little boy. The mum of this litter wouldnt take to the pups, probably due to the section, so the breeder is hand rearing them and all is well. I spoke to the breeder a couple of days ago, and I'll be going to see them when their eyes have opened, probably in a fortnight or so. Im really looking forward to it. As for names, I foolishly said to my husband before the puppies were born that I would name the girl and he could name the boy. Well I like cutsie names and he likes crazy, silly names. So this will be interesting!!! What are your dachshunds called? I am going to take him to puppy classess when he is fully vaccinated. My local vet runs these, it will be good for him to mix with other puppies and people. Then from there I can attend training classess and hopefully go on to show him but thats not that important, however I would like to try. But we'll have fun thats the most important thing.

Aw Kat, thats quite sad. Thats why i could never breed, it would break my heart.
It sounds like you've got everything well planned.
You're right as well with what you said about most dachsie owners having more than one, cos once they get into your heart as a breed, you can't get enough of them. ::D
My three are called Biddy (she was the only one that survived her litter and then, they didn't think she'd make it - Iddy Biddy), Shaun (god i get some stick over this, lol, his brother was Grommit) and lastly Dillon (who was originally called Ben, but i changed it).
So Dillon was the only one that i actually named, the other two came to me with theirs.
You're probably better off just starting with the one, and getting on top of the training before another one joins your household, cos believe me when they get together, they get up to allsorts, lol. Entertaining, but sometimes, ARRRRGGGH. :D
Dachsies can be quite yappy, but i tend to find that the mini longs are the worst for this. When my smooth and wwire came to me they weren't but that soon changed, (tutored well by my mini long). They are real imps, loveable rogues.