Helen | 2011. Photo by: Johnny Ortez-Tibbels ©
Today we want to talk about another distinctively dachshund characteristic: sitting pretty. This is when a dachshund sits on his hind legs and goes from completely horizontal to vertical. We DO NOT recommend or encourage people to teach their dachshunds this trick, and we also agree that we should in fact discourage it – as a habit or practice. However, many times this is something dachshunds do inherently. We never taught Rufus this trick, yet he naturally does it on his own (as of now Emily and Lily do not). It is super cute when he does it – despite the fact that it’s bad for his back, and he often does it unexpectedly without any encouragement from us. He usually does it when he wants something, and I’m very good about putting him pack in a horizontal position right away.
As a photographer I’ve naturally captured the fleeting moment for posterity; I have a pretty fast shutter finger. Now, I’ve been consistently sharing original photographs with the dachshund loving public for nearly three years, and each time I share a “sitting pretty” photo some folks get upset. I understand their concern, they don’t want us to perpetuate this bad habit in our community. I get it. Be that as it may, it is something that exists in our community – naturally, and to NOT share the photos, in my opinion, is to deny part of our famous hound dogs. I mean it’s a prominent dachshund characteristic. Is it not better to share the photo and have a conversation about the practice vs. pretending it doesn’t exist (because it does)!?!? What do you think dachshund friends?!? To me, this is like one of those things you see on TV that requires a special disclaimer – please don’t try this at home. Let us know what you think. To share or not to share these potentially controversial photos??! We’re very curious to hear what our friends think.
Rufus | 2011. Photo by: Johnny Ortez-Tibbels ©
rufusontheweb 
I can honestly understand this. The same goes for discouraging jumping; no matter how careful we are about not letting our Dachshunds jump up and off things, we can’t control every little matter. I think it’s just a matter of how much we allow.
I have a 3yr old dachshund and he does this quite often on my lap for attention. I set him horizontal and give him attention. Always a heart melting moment that you can not prevent.
I love your photos. And I think its great that you tell people that they shouldn’t let their doxies sit like that. Keep the pics coming!! I really enjoy them!!
I call it “totem pole.” Mine did it more often when she was a pup on her own, but not so much as she has gotten older.
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Our Vet told us this would not hurt their back, but in fact it helps to strengthen their abdominal muscles which in turn strengthens their back muscles. Jumping down off of things is the worse as this causes their spine to flex down which is the way to possibly cause damage.
My Frieda does it on her own all the time & it is pretty darn cute. I was worried about it of course, but my holistic vet said not to worry, there are many worse things that doxies do that can hurt their backs. ( like jumping down ( up not a big deal) from a high place or down stairs due to the disc compression & even twisting the wrong way or chasing their tale can do it).
I completely understand the dangers with this behavior, and I also have ween’s (both of my boys) that have taught this to themselves. One of them has had back surgery, (related? Idk?) and one has not. The other two, both females, never felt the need to impress me with this behavior. Again, one of them had back surgery the other seems fine. (So far, thankfully!)I wonder if this behavior is more likely to occur in one sex or the other. ??
I don’t encourage Izzy to sit up, but he does it anyway all on his own. I do still enjoy the photos 🙂
Please keep publishing the adorable Doxie pics! Sitting pretty is part of who they are and why we love them so! My Gracie will be 9 years in August and has been sitting pretty since she was able.
The only time Jazzy does it is when he wants on my lap, and I pick him up immediately.
Enjoy your photos very much & I agree with you! Better to show the ‘trick’ & explain it’s potential for damage. I didn’t realize myself that it could be bad for them until the first time I saw it on one of your emails! Since then I get them down asap with a treat or the attention they’re asking for.
My little Coco does this too. I never encourage it I did not teach her either. The first time I saw her do it, never having had this a doxie before. completely surprised me.
I had a Doxie named Kasey that does this. She’s the only one that does. She also *talks* about food and what she will and won’t eat. She’s spoiled. Every morning she has to have her breakfast with her daddy and her coffee with cream.
so she does sitting pretty. And also likes being rubbed on her back then each side. Then wants another doggie massage.
As the day I rescued her my dad claimed her. He shouted “Texas Dibs.”