By: Ariane Komyati

My long-haired, standard sized dachshund, Barnaby, has been the most important member of my family the past 7 years. From the day his chubby little puppy paws stepped into my family, he has greeted me every morning with a wagging tail and a wet kiss. I have learned countless things about Barnaby and dachshunds in general, from their slight aggressiveness to their love of cuddling, but here are 5 of the most important things to know if you plan on adding a weenie to your family.

Dachshunds come in 3 different hair types: long haired, smooth haired, and wired hair. They come in two sizes: mini or standard. Minis weigh 5-15 lbs, while standard weenies weigh 15-33 pounds. My “little” Barnaby weighs 33 pounds-he’s very difficult to carry!

Weenies love being warm..since their fur does not insulate them very well! Even long haired doxies get cold. When the temperature drops and snow falls, make sure to give them extra blankets, and maybe even a doggy sweater!

They can be aggressive-especially male dachshunds. It may be because of their short size, they feel less confident. Barnaby can be very scared around dogs he doesn’t know, and when walking him, I stay away from other dogs. He can also be timid around people he is not familiar with, especially men. Always be alert and know who/what triggers your dachshund.

Because of their long backs, they are prone to back problems. Barnaby had to get a very expensive surgery due to a disk that moved in his back. Around 1/4th of weenies will develop back problems. Reduce your weenies chance of developing back problems by limiting jumping or intense exercise. Also make sure to avoid obesity, which can trigger many health problems.

Despite sometimes being aggressive, dachshunds love attention and cuddles. Barnaby is the most amazing cuddler, on the bed, the floor, or the couch. As a kid, I always dreamed of a dog that would also be my stuffed animal in bed. Barnaby is my stuffed animal I love to cuddle with.