As someone who makes videos on the internet with my miniature dachshund, Stella, I get asked constantly if doxies are “easy” or “the best breed.” I obviously love the breed (that’s why I have one), but I also don’t want anyone to watch my videos, assume Stella is perfect, and then feel totally unprepared for the reality. In this video, I share the honest “do NOT get a dachshund if…” list—because responsible dog ownership means you research the hard parts too. I talk about the big challenges I’ve personally experienced: dachshunds can be super vocal (barking at doors, windows, dogs on walks), they’re often notoriously hard to house train (Stella still had accidents until around a year old), and they can be destructive and determined (hello, digging mission in the backyard). I also explain why you need to understand IVDD before bringing a doxie home—ramps, baby gates, weight management, and limiting jumping are not optional if you want to reduce risk. My biggest takeaway: if you don’t have patience, time, energy, and the willingness to supervise and train consistently, this breed can be a lot—but for me, the love and personality are so worth it.