My name is Jan, and I’m new to the wonderful world of dachshunds.

I’m writing this section for the "pet people." Those of us who are new to dachshunds or have a doxies as pets. I’ll repeat this message, joining a club like the Dachshund Alliance of Southern Ontario is a fantastic idea, even if you are not a breeder, or never show your doxies. You will get important information and resources, meet nice (sometimes a little obsessed) people, and have fun.

A year ago, I asked my dear friend (who happens to be a dachshund breeder), for help finding a dog to join our family. I know we are not the only people of a certain vintage with no prospects of grandchildren. When the kids say "no" we must accept their choices. Anyway, Hubbie and I have had dogs all our lives, and we were overdue for another furry creature to care for. Never expecting, or planning to get a dachshund, we were over the moon when my friend offered us one of her pups!!

I admit I was a bit anxious, but intrigued when my friend repeatedly asked me "Are you sure? Are you sure?"

My friend told me that:

• Dachshunds are not like other dogs. True, more later.
• They can be stubborn. True.
• Dachshunds are very loyal. True.
• They are hounds! So, they do houndy things, such as "sing the song of their people" aka howl, dig, and follow their snout all the time (on walks, in the yard). True.
• They are smart. True.
• You can never let them off leash (they follow their snout). True, although we have never tried this.

I did some research and watched multiple episodes of Moonpie Starbox. I was sure we wanted a dachshund, kind of......

Our boy Sweetwire’s Oscar the Great v Kochana is a very sweet-tempered, snuggly, smart, fun, and handsome standard black and tan dachshund. He only became more attractive as he got older.

Our dachshund Oscar is an amazing family pet. He is loving and loyal. His great big bark has people think twice about entering our yard. Oscar was exceptionally easy to potty train. Obedience school starts in the fall. At home he’s had success with "wait", back" and "look at me." He is stubborn!!! So "come", "bring it" and "give it" are still works in progress.

We purchased Oscar as a pet, with some discussion with our friend/breeder that we would be open to showing him. I had never set foot in a dog show. The "dog people" spoke in a foreign language, with lots of acronyms and code words. Oscar’s, and my first dog show was in February 2024.

Like Oscar, this is a loooooooooooooong story. If you would like to hear more about having a dachshund as a pet, you will have to revisit this space.

I promised I would repeat this message, so here goes. Joining a club like the Dachshund Alliance of Southern Ontario is a fantastic idea, even if you are not a breeder, or never show your doxies. You will get useful information and resources, meet nice (sometimes a little obsessed) people, and have fun.

Hope you will check back soon!

Jan, Hubbie, and Oscar