I’ve been hiking with Dachshunds for over 20 years and I hear the same 10 comments over and over.
I’m sure people think they are being original, but I hate to tell them they’re not. They’re predicable to me now. It’s almost a game trying to guess which one of these 10 comments are coming.
If you’re new to hiking with a Dachshund, get ready for these.
Original Article Publish Date: April 29, 2016
Top 10 Things You’ll Hear When Hiking With a Dachshund
It’s always good to know what you will hear on the trail so you’re not “stunned” and you can formulate a proper or witty response beforehand.
The comments are listed, generally, in descending order. I don’t hear #10 as often as I hear #1. I also included my thoughts after receiving these and my common response(s)
10) “Cute”
People don’t usually say this to big dogs. It’s typically said in an ” Aww… look at that tough little guy trying so hard” kind of way.
I know people mean well so I just smile, or say thanks if I have the energy or breath, as I huff and puff on by.
9) “I didn’t know Dachshunds could hike.”
Many people think that small dogs are not capable of hiking. Especially ones with short little legs.
This is a common stereotype – or misconception – but the size of the dog does not directly equate to athletic ability. Many small dogs can keep up with their big-dog buddies on the trail.
If we both have the time, I take the opportunity to introduce these people to the Dachshund breed and share a quick story of what they are capable of. I tell them that Dachshunds are tenacious and bred to run and hunt through the woods flushing out ground vermin like rabbits and badgers.
If I only have a few seconds in passing, I just say, “Yep. They were bred for hunting and being active.”
8) “Look at that poor little dog”
This is usually muttered under their breath but not always and it’s sometimes followed by “struggling to keep up”.
Yes, small dogs are working hard on the trail… just like every other dog… and me!
I think most people that say this are worried that I’m blindly “dragging” my small dog on a grueling hike against their will and that it’s not enjoyable for them.
If the statement is muttered, I usually ignore it. The person probably thought I couldn’t hear them and were not looking for engagement.
I also ignore it because I’m not totally sure what to say without sounding overly irritated or snarky… because I feel like being both.
If I do say something, I usually just say, “Oh, he/she’s is not ‘poor’. He/she loves to hike and lives a very fulfilled life because of it!”
7) “Awwww… are they going to make it the whole way?”
As I said, people think that a small dog equals a “smaller” amount of energy. They also see short legs as a “handicap”.
While, as with any dog, building up their fitness and endurance is important. But if a small dog is physically prepared for hiking, they can make it as far or farther than some big dogs.
I usually respond by saying something like, “Oh, yes. I think they would go on forever if I let them.”
6) “Doesn’t he/she get tired?”
I get it. Small dogs have to take what seems like 10 steps for my every one step. Moving more legs does take work.
However, moving 185 lbs of flesh (for example, me) up the trail takes way more energy than moving 12 lbs of flesh (for example, Summit and Otter). Just because our legs are different lengths, I think the weight difference evens things out.
I usually just say something like, “Are you kidding? He/she can out-hike me any day.”
5) “Does they slow you down?”
Do you not see how fast those little legs are moving and how hard he/she is pulling on the leash? I am not sure why people think a small dog must be a slower hiker than their humans.
I mean, some dogs are I suppose, but that’s determined by their drive and energy level, not their size. And Dachshunds have a high drive!
I just usually respond with, “Oh, no” or “They sure don’t. I’m the one that slows them down most of the time.”
4) “That’s a lot of steps for such little legs”
This is one of my favorites.
If I’m giving these people the benefit of the doubt, I think they are simply shocked that little legs are capable of making walking for miles. I can usually tell this is the intent if the comment is delivered in an upbeat tone.
However, sometimes, it’s obvious that the person is being a little judgey. As with the the “look at that poor little dog” comment, they presume that my Dachshunds are being “forced” to follow along with me.
I don’t have a good comeback for this one so I usually just say, “They totally loves hiking.”
3) “She’s going to need help up there.”
Honestly, sometimes small dogs do need a little assistance.
Maybe the stream is too deep for them to cross, the rock is too big for them to safely scramble over, or maybe there is a ledge and it’s too high for them to jump on or off.
Most of the time when people say this though, they’re just underestimating what a Dachshund can do with a little grit and determination.
I usually either quicky say, “Nope, they’re good” or look at the person a bit confused and ask, “Is there something dangerous up there?”
2) “Wow, that little guy made it up here all by himself?
This is sometimes followed by “You’ve got to be kidding me.”
Again, people think that a small dog with short legs doesn’t have the energy or ground clearance to make it up a hill, sometimes over streams and rocks.
I just proudly say, “Yes he did!”
1) “Did you have to carry them up here?”
This is usually the #1 comment that Dachshund owners hear when they hike to the top of a mountain with their dogs.
People are really surprised when they huff and puff their way to the top of a mountain only to find a wiener dog.
I usually respond “Nope. Not even once”, but there are times when the answer this question is actually, “Yes, a little.”
When my Dachshund’s reach senior age, I still want them to get out and enjoy nature. While I often adapt my hikes to their new ability, there are times that I want to do a longer or steeper hike and leaving them at home is not possible.
Because I don’t want people to think that I carried my Dachshund because of the reason they are assuming – that she’s not capable of hiking – I usually say, “She made it on her own but she’s 12 year old so we shuttled her when she got tired. She’s been hiking for years, so she’s earned the ride.”
Why These Comments Used to Make Me Mad
When I started hiking with my first Dachshund, getting these comments used to make me mad.
I admit that, at first, I didn’t assume that the comments were well intentioned or just a trail version of “small talk”. However, people don’t understand how loaded their comments and questions can actually be.
I guess there are two main reasons I got irritated.
1) It hurts my pride a little
I am proud that my Dachshunds are in such great shape and are capable of taking on such physical challenges.
Every time someone makes, what I perceive to be, a negative comment about their ability or trail-worthiness, it hurts a little inside.
2) The stereotype that small dogs don’t need exercise leads to poor health
There are way to many out of shape and overweight Dachshunds out there precisely due to the small dog stereotype.
People think they are fragile because of their propensity for back injury, that they are not “normal dogs” that have the same instincts and desires as big dogs, or that they are lazy “lap dogs.”
Since 2010, my mission has been to bust these stereotypes and help Dachshunds all around the world live happier, healthier, more fulfilled lives. I’ve invested so much time and money into this effort!
Every stereotypical comment I hear, is one more reminder of how many uneducated people there still are to reach. I mean, if I was looking on the bright side, this means that I still haven’t reached all of my audience, but it also sometimes makes me wonder if I am making a difference at all.
Final Thoughts
I’ve thought a lot about these comments over the years and, today, I don’t let them bother me. In fact, if I have the time, I treat every one as an opportunity as a teaching moment, thus educating the “world” about these fun, quirky little dogs.
The stereotypes about Dachshunds still bother me though. Not getting the opportunity for adequate exercise or to fulfill natural instincts like sniffing, foraging, navigating obstacles, exploring, and testing their environment because people don’t think Dachshunds need those things causes a lot of problems.
An under-fulfilled Dachshund often has more behavior issues, can be more anxious, lacks confidence, and can develop more health issues like obesity (and fat dogs often live shorter lives.)
It’s clear that my job is not done yet. I consider the questions and comments I hear while hiking with my Dachshunds proof of that. So, here is to the next 15 years of educating people on and off the trail!