We want you to feel completely confident and informed before welcoming one of our pups into your home. Below are answers to the questions we hear most often. If something isn’t covered here, we’d love to hear from you — just scroll to the bottom.
We’re a home-based program, not a kennel. Every dog in our program lives with us, sleeps in our house, and is part of our daily life — not a number in a crate. That matters enormously in the early weeks of a puppy’s development. From birth, our puppies are handled daily, exposed to household sounds, and socialized with people of all ages.
We also invest heavily in genetics. We DNA test all of our breeding dogs for the conditions that matter most to miniature dachshunds — so you’re never guessing about what you’re getting. Every pairing is intentional and well-researched.
We’re located in Georgia. We welcome approved families to visit once puppies are at least 4–5 weeks old and comfortable receiving visitors. Visit scheduling is coordinated after an application is reviewed so we can plan around the puppies’ and mama’s needs.
If you’re out of state, we’re happy to arrange video calls at any stage so you can meet your puppy and see where they’re being raised.
Yes. All of our breeding dogs are AKC registered, and all puppies are eligible for AKC registration. Pet puppies are sold with Limited AKC Registration (no breeding rights). Full registration is available for families with an approved breeding program at an additional cost and subject to our approval.
We plan a limited number of litters each year — enough to maintain the quality of care we’re known for, but never so many that our dogs or their puppies don’t receive individual attention. Our mamas are not bred on every cycle and never have back-to-back litters. Their health and well-being comes first, always.
All of our breeding dogs undergo comprehensive DNA health testing through Embark. For miniature dachshunds, our protocol includes:
- PRA-crd4 & PRA5 — Progressive Retinal Atrophy variants
- IVDD predisposition markers — spinal disc disease risk screening
- vWD (von Willebrand’s Disease)
- Full coat genetics panel — color, pattern, and coat type traits
Health records and full Embark reports are available for all breeding dogs on their profile pages.
Absolutely. Each breeding dog’s profile on our website includes links to their full Embark genetic results. We believe you should understand exactly what genetics are going into your puppy — not just be told “we test.” If you have questions about what the results mean, we’re happy to walk you through them.
We offer a 2-year genetic health guarantee against hereditary conditions that were reasonably preventable through responsible breeding and testing. The guarantee requires a vet examination within 5 business days of pickup and that the puppy be kept current on vaccinations and preventative care. Full terms are outlined in the puppy contract — please read it carefully before signing.
IVDD (intervertebral disc disease) is not covered under the genetic guarantee, as it is a structural predisposition common to the breed that cannot be fully eliminated through testing — though our pairing decisions actively work to minimize risk.
IVDD is a genuine consideration for any dachshund owner, and we’d rather address it directly than sidestep it. The long dachshund spine is structurally different from most breeds, and they are predisposed to disc issues — particularly as they age or if they experience repeated jumping from heights.
We test our breeding dogs for genetic markers correlated with IVDD predisposition and factor that data into every pairing decision. What you can do: use ramps rather than letting your dachshund jump on and off furniture, keep your dog at a healthy weight, and learn the early warning signs so you can reach a vet quickly if anything changes.
We work with a rich variety of colors and patterns. Depending on the litter, our puppies can come in:
- Base colors: Black & tan, chocolate & tan, red, cream, blue & tan, isabella & tan
- Patterns: Brindle, dapple (merle), piebald
- Coat types: Smooth (shorthaired) and longhaired
AKC-standard miniature dachshunds weigh 11 pounds or under at 12 months of age. Most of our adults fall comfortably in the 8–11 lb range. You can get a sense of your puppy’s eventual size by looking at the parent profiles — our mamas and sires all have their adult weights listed.
Smooth (shorthaired) coats are sleek and low-maintenance — easy to keep clean with virtually no grooming required beyond the occasional bath.
Longhaired coats are silky and elegant, with beautiful feathering on the ears, chest, legs, and tail. They require gentle brushing a few times per week to stay tangle-free, and many owners feel they carry a slightly softer temperament.
Start by completing our Puppy Application — a brief questionnaire that helps us understand your home, lifestyle, and what you’re looking for. Once we review your application, approved families can submit a deposit to hold their place on the waitlist.
Deposits are non-refundable under standard circumstances — they represent a commitment from both sides. However, deposits are fully transferable to a future litter if the timing doesn’t work out for you. We’re always willing to have a conversation if a genuine life circumstance arises.
Waitlist position determines selection order — earlier deposits choose first from each litter when puppies are old enough to assess (typically 4–6 weeks). You’ll receive photos, videos, and personality notes to help you choose. If you have specific preferences (color, coat, gender), we note those on your file.
Yes, we work with families across the country. We do not use cargo shipping — it’s stressful for the dogs. For families who cannot travel to us, we can arrange nanny transport — a professional pet transporter who carries your puppy as a hand-carry cabin item. Please ask us about options.
Before your puppy comes home, they will have:
- Age-appropriate vaccinations (DHPP) administered by a licensed veterinarian
- Deworming on a schedule starting at 2 weeks of age
- A veterinary wellness exam with a health certificate
- Microchip implanted and registered
You’ll receive a complete health record at pickup summarizing everything done while in our care.
You’ll receive:
- Signed puppy contract and health guarantee
- Complete health and vaccination records
- AKC registration paperwork (or transfer instructions)
- Microchip certificate and registration information
- Puppy care guide covering food, schedule, and what to expect
We send each puppy home with a small supply of their current food, a soft item that smells like their mama and littermates (this helps enormously the first night), and written care instructions. We’re also reachable by text if you run into questions during those first few days.
Our puppies go home at 8 weeks of age — no earlier. The 6–8 week period is critical for learning dog-to-dog social skills that only littermates and mama can teach. We hold to 8 weeks as a firm standard, and we appreciate buyers who understand why.
Before your puppy comes home, we suggest having:
- A crate sized appropriately for a small dog
- A soft bed or pad for inside the crate
- Appropriately sized food and water bowls
- A harness — dachshunds should not use neck collars regularly, as their long spines benefit from harness support
- A vet appointment scheduled within the first week
- Puppy-safe toys and chews
Yes — and we mean it. When you get a puppy from us, you have a resource for life. We genuinely want to know how your dog is doing. Text us with questions, send us photos (please send photos), and reach out whenever something comes up that you’re unsure about. We may not always have the answer, but we’ll help you figure out who does.
Still have questions?
We’re happy to talk through anything on your mind — no question is too small when you’re making a decision this important.
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