About

Virginia Dachshunds is a small, family-owned kennel located in the Blue Ridge Mountains of Southwest Virginia where we exclusively breed and raise American Kennel Club (AKC) registered Dachshunds. We are preservation breeders aiming to help preserve the health, longevity and genetic diversity of the Dachshund while upholding the longstanding traditions and high standards set by the AKC.

Our Dachshunds are raised in our home as part of our family where they receive the love and affection of the whole family, including our children, Madeline (4 years old) & Galen (2 years old). Our puppies come with a solid foundation for socialization with people (including children) and dogs for you to build upon. We also implement the Early Neurological Stimulation as part of our program as it has been backed by research and science.

We believe in being available for 24/7/365 support for the entire life of all of our puppies. If at any point, you are unable to keep or care for a puppy that you purchased from us, they are always welcome to come back home. We never want any of our puppies (or any of their decendents) to be a burden on a shelter or rescue.

Health Screening

Our dogs are given an annual exam and health clearance by a licensed veterinarian. They receive routine vaccinations as recommended by our veterinarian, in addition to, receiving a monthly heartworm preventative.

The Dachshund Club of America (DCA) recommends health testing breeding stock at 12 months of age (or later) for eye, heart and knee problems in an attempt to reduce or eliminate diseases that may be inherited. The DCA encourages breeders to participate in the Canine Health Information Center (CHIC) Program, which is sponsored by the Orthopedic Foundation for Animals (OFA).

Breeders are also encouraged to consider Lafora Disease, Intervertebral Disk Disease (IVDD) and Progressive Retinal Atrophy (PRA) when making breeding decisions. These conditions will potentially be addressed by the DCA as reliable, meaningful tests become available.

Genetic Testing

Our dogs are DNA tested through Embark Veterinary, which screens for 230+ genetic variants that are associated with disease, as well as, 35+ physical traits (including coat color, length, adult size, and shedding). Embark is the only DNA testing company on the market that provides a genetic coefficient for inbreeding and allows you to estimate the inbreeding coefficient of the potential offspring of a pairing.