To know us is to love us! The dictionary defines “harlequin” as “clown-like” or “comical”, a definition that suits our miniature dachshunds well. Thus, our kennel name, Harlequin Dachshunds.
A typical day will include one of the dogs racing around the room, gleefully squeaking a toy in her mouth, while another one, tail-waggingly (is that a word?), jumps onto my lap to give my face a “bath.” Sometimes I’ll be working on the floor, for example, wrapping a present. Inevitably there will be a dachshund in the midst of the bows, tape and wrapping paper offering to “help” with the project. As a rule, our dachshunds are high-spirited and good-natured. Because they are also food-motivated, they are easily taught obedience behavior and fun tricks too!
Several of our dachshunds have been certified by Therapy Dogs International as therapy dogs. Not only are these dogs well-behaved for petting and handling, but we have successfully presented elementary school and senior day care assemblies, using their skills from agility and obedience to thrill our audiences! Our doxies have also enjoyed participating with children in “Paws to Read” programs offered at local public libraries.
We take great pride in the dogs that we own and show. Not only do our dachshunds successfully compete in AKC conformation shows and performance events, but they are also our beloved house pets. We purposely keep the number of dogs in our kennel to a manageable number, so that each dog is personally trained and becomes a part of our family. When breeding, we strive for miniature longhaired dachshunds that are closest to the AKC standard for the breed, while at the same time focusing on their intelligence and temperament.
We have had dachshunds in our lives for more than 30 years; we have been breeding, training and showing our dachshunds in performance events and AKC conformation competitions for over 16 years.
Our puppies are raised in our bedroom until they are ready to leave their mother (about 11 weeks old.) In this way, we have the opportunity to play with them frequently and they become accustomed to regular interaction with people.
Because knowledge and information about the breed is important, we are active members of a number of AKC all-breed and dachshund specialty clubs. Our memberships include Dachshund Club of America (DCA), an AKC national specialty club, as well as the Dachshund Club of New Jersey (a branch club of DCA); National Miniature Dachshund Club (NMDC), a national club which is exclusive to owners of miniature dachshunds; Burlington County Kennel Club, a local all-breed club, where we sit on the board of directors, and a local AKC performance/training club, Bayshore Companion Dog Club.
Our home-based kennel is located in South Jersey, about 15-20 minutes southeast of Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. Please e-mail us if you are thinking about owning and loving your own miniature longhaired dachshund. We would be happy to chat with you about this delightful breed and to answer any questions.
Meet Karen
AKC judge: Karen judges Dachshunds at AKC shows and judges Hound competitions in the AKC National Owner-Handled Series (NOHS).
Top-ranked dogs: Rock Star was ranked the number-two Dachshund in the country the year he earned his Utility Dog title.
Versatile competitor: Karen competes in conformation, rally, obedience, scent work, agility, tracking and CAT (coursing ability) tests.
Club leadership: she chairs trials and holds leadership roles in several regional clubs.
Small, careful program: Harlequin Dachshunds limits breeding to one or two litters a year.
