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Our Story

A Family Program,
Not a Kennel

We breed deliberately, in small numbers, with families in mind at every step.

Tosh, one of our dachshund puppies

How It Started

One Dog,
and a Lot of Love

River Dachs started in 2020 the way most great things do — with one dog who completely changed us. We had just settled in the Georgia foothills when we brought home our first miniature dachshund and quickly realized we were in over our heads in the best possible way.

We're Jeff and Joann, and we run every aspect of this program ourselves. No third parties, no outside whelping, no shortcuts. Every puppy is born in our home, handled from day one, and raised alongside our family before going home to yours.

We stay in touch long after placement. Our families are part of our community — we genuinely want to know how your dog is doing three years from now.

— Jeff & Joann

What We Stand For

The Principles Behind
Every Litter

🧬

Health Above All

We test every parent dog for IVDD, DM, PRA, and vWD before any breeding decision is made. Full genetic reports are shared with every adopting family. There are no exceptions to this.

🏡

Home Raised, Always

Our puppies grow up on our couch, in our beds, next to our kids. They know what a vacuum sounds like. They've seen a cat. This early socialization shapes temperament in ways that can't be replicated in a kennel setting.

🎯

Intentional Pairings

We don't breed simply because a dam is in season. Every pairing is chosen for complementary conformation, coat compatibility, and health genetics. Small litters, long waitlists — by design.

🤝

Lifetime Relationship

Adoption is the beginning, not the end. We're available to answer questions, troubleshoot problems, and celebrate milestones with our families. If life circumstances ever make rehoming necessary, we want that dog back with us first.

📋

AKC Registered

All litters are registered with the American Kennel Club. We breed to the miniature dachshund standard — correct size, proportionate conformation, and sound temperament. Papers come standard.

🌿

Honest and Transparent

We tell you the truth about our dogs, our program, and the breed. Dachshunds are stubborn, back-sensitive, prone to their own opinions. We'll make sure you're prepared — and still in love with them.

Health Testing

What We Test For
and Why

Miniature dachshunds carry a set of known genetic risks. We test for every one of them.

Test Full Name Method Requirement Status
IVDD Intervertebral Disc Disease DNA (Embark) Both parents clear or carrier × clear ✓ All tested
DM Degenerative Myelopathy DNA (Embark) Both parents at risk × clear only if risk is low ✓ All tested
PRA Progressive Retinal Atrophy DNA (Embark) At least one parent clear ✓ All tested
vWD von Willebrand Disease DNA (Embark) No affected pairings ✓ All tested
EIC Exercise-Induced Collapse DNA (Embark) Carrier × clear acceptable ✓ All tested
LEGG Legg-Calvé-Perthes Disease OFA orthopedic OFA good or excellent ✓ All certified

Full Embark reports are shared with every adopting family. Ask us any questions — we're happy to walk you through what each result means.

Emma-Jean in the grass

Ready to get started?

Meet Our Parents

Get to know the eight dogs behind our program — their personalities, health records, and the families they've helped build.

View Parent Dogs Get in Touch