How To Name Your Dachshund

The first dachshund who convinced me to bestow a 3-syllable name was a rescue from the local shelter when my children were small.

Thinking my life at the time was too full already, I probably would never have initiated purchase of a pet. However, my first-born at age 10 was passionate about animals, including salamanders, snakes and rabbits - all of which she brought home on a regular basis. Dogs, too. Occasionally she would bring home a dog and tell me it was "just wandering around looking for a home."

Of course, I would soon have a neighbor at the door asking if we had seen so-and-so their family pet. Sure enough, the little guy playing in the living room with my daughter would turn to see them, then wag its tale in anticipation of going home!

One day I had had enough. I said, "Fine.

"We'll go to the 'pound' and get our own dog."

Among all the eager prospects, one dachshund looked me directly in the eye, refusing the jump and bark, "take me," approach. I guessed that he "owned" his long, short stature, which precluded leaping highest.

I smiled and decided his gaze was his way of saying, "Well, if you are smart you will choose me." All three of my children were absolutely thrilled with him.

All sorts of names were flying around in the car on the way home, while our new, adult dachshund sat calmly in one lap then the other, waiting to see his new home.

"How long? Mama, how long is long for a long name for a long dog?"

I thought for a moment.

"Three syllables. At least three syllables."

It became a family project. A pretty name with at least three syllables.

In later years, after "Winchester" went to his reward at age 18, and when my husband wanted a companion for my cocker spaniel, we answered an ad in the paper. We found our little darling doxie. A divorcing couple was planning to drop her off at the animal shelter if no one claimed her. We asserted ownership immediately when she ran down the hall of their home and into our arms.

They called her Maggie. We didn't want to confuse her any more than necessary. But, I could not shake the conviction that she needed three syllables. We tried "Margaret." Then, one day "MaggieMae" spilled out of someone's mouth.

Some of the girl names we almost named MaggieMae, that you may find best for your lengthy little lap dog are:

Abigail, Adelaide, Adora, Sophia, DaisyDoo, StarPower, Savannah, Destiny.

Boy names for dachshunds my children and I once liked are:

Achilles, Diego, Ricardo, Fernando, Dominic, Aladdin, Admiral, (Butch) Cassidy, Finnegan

Early in the morning, MaggieMae loves to go for a walk. This is my favorite thing to do with her.

Dachshunds are notoriously hard to train. But, we keep trying. She has finally learned to "heel" when absolutely necessary. But, she "forgets" when we see a squirrel. Or, when she encounters someone on a bicycle. Then, she thinks she's a mastiff!

Dachshunds have a much greater percentage of lung capacity for their size than other dogs. And, they make good use of it. When MaggieMae barks she seems to forget that she is only about five inches tall!

My other favorite thing is the way MaggieMae loves, loves loves to cuddle. When I'm reading or watching tv, that's her cue to settle in.

Whether you name your dachshund a three, four or more syllable name, the important thing is to recognize its characteristics and whether they suit your family.

Dachshunds are very affectionate, loyal and full of personality. They are not, however, easily trained for a lead. They have plenty of lung capacity and they love to bark. So, having a dachshund means more than a little tolerance for the unexpected. Don't get me wrong. Training them to "go" outdoors is easy and neither one of my doxies has had any problem whatsoever helping me keep the floor free of unwanted pools and piles.

I probably wouldn't buy a puppy with babies or toddlers in the home because dachshunds are not big enough to overcome a determined child's efforts to pick them up. Or, play.

My youngest child was four when we got our first, Winchester. And, it was a perfect match. In part, perhaps, because he had two older sisters who encouraged him to hold or play with the 12 pound dog appropriately.

Neither one of the dachshunds I've owned has ever snapped or bitten anyone.

They have, however, barked up a storm any time an unexpected noise was heard outdoors. And, while their bark is "louder than their bite," it's also bigger than their measurements!