Why Dachshunds?

The answer to that question goes all the way back to my childhood, to a time when I was turning eight years old and received my very first dachshund, Penny. Penny was a red shorthaired miniature dachshund, and she was everything. From the very first moment I met her, I knew we were meant to be best friends. There was something magical about her tiny legs, big, bright eyes, and that ever-present, happy little tail that wagged like she just couldn’t contain her joy. She was my partner in crime, my confidante, and she always knew how to make me laugh.

One of my favorite things about Penny was her quirky love for fetching rocks. Yep, rocks. Not sticks, not balls—just rocks. It might sound strange, but Penny had her own sense of what was fun, and to her, the perfect game was chasing a rock. She’d pick a specific one out of the yard, and that rock became her little obsession. She’d roll it around with her nose, often getting it stuck under bushes or between the flower garden bricks. She would "hide" her rocks by pulling up grass to bury the things, and then run around pretending to look for it waiting for me to yell back, "where is it?" But the funniest part? Once she had chosen a rock, you could not trick her into taking another one. She knew the smell and could sniff it out—even underwater. On more occasions than I can count she would nudge her rocks right off the end of the dock at our pond and dive in to fetch it, paddling around with her tiny legs up in the air and bubbles circling the water above her. And she always came out dripping and covered in mud with that same rock in her mouth. There was no stopping her; Penny was on a mission to play fetch 24/7, even if it wasn’t traditional.

Penny was my companion for years. She was there through thick and thin, always by my side with her skinned nose and tiny nub teeth (from those dang rocks) and always ready for the next adventure, whether it was a game of fetch or just curling up next to me after a long day. She introduced me to the world of dachshunds—a world I never left. Her little mischievous spirit and loyalty created a love for the breed that has only deepened over the years.

As a teenager, my parents began breeding dachshunds, and that’s when my love for the breed turned into a full-blown obsession with genetics and husbandry. I loved everything about breeding—from understanding the genetics that made each dog unique to learning the best practices to ensure healthy, happy puppies, to the surprises that came out with each litter. It was the perfect way to combine my love for dachshunds with a passion for learning, and it became a huge part of my life.

But like all things in life, there are highs and lows. As a young adult, I lost one of my dearest dachshunds, and the grief that followed was devastating. He wasn’t just a dog—he was family. I remember thinking that I would never own another dachshund. It felt like an impossible hole in my heart that no other ween could fill. My husband, who was a police officer and helped with the K9 program at the time, had an obsession with German Shepherds that I honed in on instead. We developed a small breeding program with German Shepherds, but it only lasted a brief few years. They were magnificent dogs, but I just couldn’t shake my love for the little badger hounds. They weren’t just pets to me—they were a part of who I was.

Eventually, I realized that I couldn’t live without a dachshund in my life. I needed one. So, I set out to find a new puppy, but boy, was it a different world from the last time I had looked. The market had changed so much, and it was both intimidating and disheartening. I ran into so many issues with unethical breeding practices, overpriced puppies, and even genetic problems that made my heart break for the poor pups involved. It was frustrating and upsetting, and I was left with this sense of duty—to do better.

That’s when the idea of starting my own breeding program formed. I wanted to do things right, to ensure that dachshund lovers like myself had access to healthy, well-bred puppies at an affordable price. I wanted to provide puppy parents with little dogs that weren’t just cute, but well-adjusted, healthy, and happy. So in 2018, I set off on my journey to create a dachshund breeding program based on ethical practices, transparent breeding, and above all, love for the breed.

It wasn’t easy. It took time, research, and a whole lot of learning along the way. But looking back, I can honestly say it was one of the best decisions I’ve ever made. Through my program, I’ve been able to share the joy of dachshunds with so many other families, and I’ve helped ensure that these incredible dogs are bred with care and consideration.

And so, the story continues. My love for dachshunds never faded, it only grew stronger over time. From Penny’s hilarious rock-chasing days to the way I now work to provide families with their own dachshund stories, I’ve never strayed far from that first bond I shared with my first dachshund. The love and devotion these little dogs give is like no other, and they’ve been a part of my life in so many ways. The journey that began with Penny has led me to where I am today, and I’m beyond thankful for every ween that’s crossed my path.

So, why dachshunds? Because they’re more than just dogs—they’re family. They bring joy, laughter, and unconditional love. And for me, there’s just no other breed that compares.