Fish or feline? How to choose the right-sized pet for your home

The dachshund is becoming more popular – partly because they are a good fit for our increasingly cramped dwellings. But how much space do animal companions actually need?

They were once bred for flushing out badgers, now the sausage dog is becoming popular because it’s an ideal fit for small flats. According to the Kennel Club, there were 9,000 new registrations last year, up 40% from 2015 (raising concerns about the spinal problems the breed can suffer from, and unscrupulous breeders). It has partly been driven by fashion – dachshunds have been regularly used in advertising, and popularised by celebrity ownership – but also because homes are getting smaller. While the first question of pet ownership should always be: “Am I the right person for this pet?” – rather than the other way around – it may be worth rethinking how much space, or not, pets need.

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from The Guardian https://ift.tt/2H6NSZo