The Schnauzer Forum

Hi, I'm from El Salvador (Central America), I joined this forum because I saw that it was a very active forum and I wanted to ask for opinions.

I will adopt a dog, and I have doubts about its breed, since the person who will give it to me says that the mother is a dachshund + mongrel (I don't know if I'm saying it in the right way, English is not my native language and I don't know some terms very well) and dad is a Schnauzer, I know you can't know exactly when the puppies are so small but what do you think? Will they be more like a Schnauzer? The person who gives them told me that of the 5 puppies, 4 are more like dad and 1 is like mom.

I really do not care much about the breed, I would not care if they look more like the mother, I will adopt one of those puppies, I just ask for curiosity and to investigate a little more about the care since I have to wait as 1 or 2 months until you have it.

I attach the photos.

The dad:


The mom:


The puppies:

Hi Francisco

Welcome to the forum.

I'm not sure about the wisdom of the person giving you the puppy to let a/their Mini Schnauzer and Dachshund cross to breed, maybe it was a mistake? However at the very least, it sounds like you are giving a puppy a loving home environment to live in.

That is the best thing right? Regardless of how the puppies came about.

Good luck.
Mike

Hi Francisco. I guess the important thing is that they are healthy pups and well cared for and Mum and Dad are healthy parents and they clearly need good homes. You don't know what you are getting when breeds are crossed like this but it is a good start if they are reared well. With this mix I would probably go for one that doesn't seem long in the body as this can be a problem in the dachshund breed but it really is pot luck so I would have regular visits and pick the one that I bond best with. Good luck.

Hi Francisco and welcome to the Forum

If you look at the Board Index you will find plenty of topics about puppy buying and welfare which are useful whatever breed or mixed breed dog you are adopting. The Puppy care section should be a good place to start.

Health, temperament, behaviour etc. however which is specific to the schnauzer breed may not be helpful with a mixed breed puppy which will have characteristics from different genes. Dachshunds are hounds which could mean the dogs will have a strong prey drive and may be great diggers as the breed were originally bred to dig out badgers to be killed

Health concerns specific to dachshunds are listed here (from a UK website Pets4Homes):

"Dachshund Health
One of the most concerning health issues seen in Dachshunds of all varieties is Intervertebral Disc Disease (IVDD) which affects their spines and this is related to the dwarfism gene which causes their short legs. As a result, the breed is known to be at a higher risk of spinal injuries than some other breeds. IVDD X-ray screening is now available for breeding dogs to help reduce the inherited risk. It is also essential that care be taken when sharing a home with a Dachshund puppy. Jumping up on furniture or running up and down stairs can cause damage to a growing Dachshund's spine so must be avoided at all costs. Other health issues that affect the breed include the following:

Intervertebral Disc Disease (IVDD) - test available
Progressive Retinal Atrophy (NPHP4) - test available (note, different form of PRA from that in miniatures)
Patellar luxation
Epilepsy
Thyroid problems
Cushing’s syndrome
Allergies/skin issues
Obesity"

There is plenty of information regarding miniature schnauzer health on the Forum under the headings in the Board Index but the main concerns are that breeding dogs are tested for:

Hereditary Cataracts (HC) Progressive Retinal Atrophy (PRA) and puppies eyes are screened for Congenital Hereditary Cataracts (CHC)
Breeding dogs should also have a DNA Screening for Mycobacterium Avium Complex (MAC).

Although you are looking at a litter of puppies bred by an accidental mating of a miniature schnauzer and a mixed breed dog, it is still important to be aware of health issues that affect the purebred dogs that are in the breeding line as some of these conditions can be very costly in veterinary fees if a dog is affected. Just because a dog has a mixed breed parentage it does not mean it is healthier than a well bred pedigree dog from healthy lines.

A puppy will inherit 50% of its genes from the mother and 50% from the father but, even between siblings in the same litter, it is impossible to predict which genes will be passed to any one puppy. Just looking at puppies really tells very little about which genetic characteristics they will have inherited from each parent. As mentioned above, certain health issues are definitely linked to long body / short legged type dogs such as the dachshund so looking for a more compact puppy in the litter would be best, if you do decide to take one of these.

Anyway, do have a browse of the puppy care section on the Forum for general advice on puppy welfare and, if you have any general puppy care questions that are not covered there, do ask. There are plenty of members who can help with advice on raising a puppy

Sorry for answering so late, I have been busy with exams and homework this week, thanks for your comments, I am very excited because it is the first dog we will have at home, I think we need a dog to brighten our lives in home, we will give you a lot of love at home, you just have to wait to have it.

Good luck Francisco, please post some photos and updates