My Wiener Dogs

When I was growing up, my family adopted a half-dachshund, half-beagle from the local humane society shelter. His name was Pretzel and he lived a good long life with us. For that reason, I guess, I've always loved hounds, especially the little short-legged ones.

Because of that first hound in my life, and later, after loving my wonderful tri-colored beagle Beauregard for so many years, I was always attracted to the black-and-tan dachshunds. Somehow or another, however, I've become the den-mother for two wonderful red mini-doxies (in addition to two cats, a papillion and a terrier-mix).

Every time I saw a dachshund, I would melt. So, when a co-worker told me of a litter of mini-doxies expected to be born in late December of 1996, I eagerly placed my name on the list. The owners were NOT charging for the puppies, but just giving them to good homes. That's how I got the second "Pretzel" in my life. (I first named him "Baron," but that name just didn't stick.)

Pretzel at 9 weeks

He turned into such a handsome fellow, too. It's not the greatest picture, but you can see him here, munching on an edible pretzel.

The vet confirmed my diagnosis of a fairly severe overbite at his first check-up; later, I opted to have him neutered so he didn't pass that defect on to any subsequent generations of dachshunds. He's got the CUTEST little "snile" when he curls his lip up begging for a kiss. He was the baby of the family until I brought Zorro home in September 1998.

Pretzel loves Zorro but he's NOT happy about sharing lap priveleges!

Neither dachshund knows he is a small dog. I think that's typical of doxies, particularly of the minis! A real problem developed with barking; Pretzel barks at EVERYTHING: butterflies, falling leaves, kids passing on the roadway, the mail-man, the dog next door, birds flying by, etc. I had to have him de-barked. Unfortunately, Zorro demonstrates the same trait, too.

"De-barking" is a humane operation. (My vet and dear friend explained it very well!) The vocal cords are carefully shaved to drop the shrill bark to a sort of "cough" sound. It was the only alternative to either giving him up or moving out of my mobile-home community, where I own our home. (I'm the only two-legged person living here, so there's no one to discipline a noisy dog when I'm at work.. and I'm at work A LOT....)