TopTeckel Kennels

River H.

Breeder of Dachshunds

  • Federal Way, WA ·
  • Responds within a few days

Upcoming litters

Gambler
Harley

Expected Dachshund litter

Due Aug. 2026

Ready Oct. 28

Meet the breeder

I'm River H., the breeder behind TopTeckel Kennels located in Federal Way, WA. Health, conformation & tempermant come 1st in our program. We pick our breeding to bettering the breed not color. Additional to that we really take our time with socializing & training our puppies. We start potty training, crate training & basic comand training at 5 weeks to set them up for success.

Q. & A. with River

  • Why did you start breeding?

    One day I ended up with a dachshund at my rescue whom i fell in love with. I decided to keep her & named her Lucy. She is 17 now. I didn't know much at the time about the breed so I started to study about their physical & genetic health. I became very passionate about it & decided I wanted to be appart of something I never imagined. I decided to become a breeder and I'm so happy I did.

  • What makes your program special?

    The biggest part of a dogs life starts with the breeder. Aside from conformation& health testing the breeder has a huge role in the puppies life-long physical & mental health. An dogs mental health has a lot to do with socialization, confidence & a healthy GI. Believe it or not GI microbiome have a lot to do with a dogs overall health. Once gut bacteria is established there is no changing it.

  • What are the different breed sizes in your program?

    Our puppies are miniature size. Sizes will vary depending on the parent dogs.

  • What are the different breed coat types in your program?

    Our puppies have longhaired coats. Coat types may vary depending on the parent dogs.

  • What are the different breed coat colors in your program?

    Our puppies include cream, red, chocolate, and dapple. Colors will vary depending on the parent dogs.

  • Where do your breeding dogs live?

    They live in my home and guardian homes.

Matched dogs

These dogs are already reserved or have gone home.

Getting a puppy from River

River has been certified by Good Dog’s screening team for responsible and trusted breeding practices. When you’re ready, reach out to ask about the puppies or anything else on your mind. You’ll get to know each other through messaging, phone, or video and pay securely, all on Good Dog.

River partners with buyers to find the best match as the puppies develop and their personalities take shape. Typically, matches are finalized when the puppies reach about 10 weeks old.

Price

Puppy prices include a $300 non-refundable deposit and $2,800 final payment, before taxes & fees.

“The same amount of health testing, medical, care & time go into every dog in out program. All puppies are vaccinated, dewormed, vet checked, microchipped, come with a starter pack and have started potty trianing and crate trianing. ”

Contract & health guarantee

River may provide a written contract or health guarantee when you purchase a puppy. This helps protect both you and your breeder, ensuring that you both have a clear understanding of the terms of your puppy purchase. If River offers a contract or guarantee, the details will be personalized by them. If you have any questions or want to know more, don't hesitate to reach out to River directly.

All contracts are handled securely through Good Dog.

You’re protected
on Good Dog

When you pay and communicate on Good Dog, you’re covered by Payment Protection.

What's included

    • From Good Dog
      • Lifetime support from Good Dog’s Care Team
      • 10% lifetime discount on Figo pet insurance
      • Puppy Training Program & private community
    • Enrichment & socialization
      • Various sounds
      • Car rides
      • Surface & tactile stimulation
      • Socialized with children
      • Socialized in new places
      • Scent introduction
      • Daily handling
      • Socialized with other dogs
      • Introduced to people of different ages and appearances
      • Socialized with other animals
    • Puppy health practices
      • Vet check
      • First round of shots and deworming
      • Microchip
      • Vet records
    • Extras
      • AKC registration
      • Blanket with mom & littermates’ scent
      • Registration
      • Basic obedience & manners
      • Food & treats
      • Toys
      • Puppy starter kit
      • Initial potty training

Location & pick-up

You can drive or fly to pick up your puppy from River.

Breeder's location

Meet in Federal Way, WA

5102 miles away

·

Other pick-up locations

Meet in Spokane, WA

4960 miles away

·

More about River

  • Club memberships

    River is a member of Greater Portland Dachshund Club.

  • River has been a member of Good Dog for over 3 years

    River was screened for responsible practices and has been a member since 2023.

River is a trusted Good Dog breeder

TopTeckel Kennels meets or exceeds our community standards in these areas:

  • Responsible breeding practices
  • Health of breeding dogs and puppies
  • Puppy environment and enrichment
  • Buyer education and policies

Litter and program updates

Parent dogs

Parent health testing

Breeder-Reported Testing

Great level

TopTeckel Kennels reports to performing the health tests below on their breeding dogs. Ask your breeder about the tests performed on the parents of your litter. Learn more about health testing for Dachshunds.

  • Eye Certification (CAER, registered with OFA)

    Eye testing reduces the chance of passing down a wide range of hereditary eye illnesses including retinal dysplasia, lens luxation, and glaucoma, which can cause impared vision or blindness.

  • Cardiac Evaluation (registered with OFA)

    Heart testing reduces the chance of passing down congenital heart disease, which can cause a range of symptoms ranging from trouble exercising to heart failure.

  • DNA Disease Panel

    Genetic testing reduces the chance of passing down a wide variety of hereditary diseases of differing prevalence and severity such as Progressive Retinal Atrophy (an eye disease) and Von Willebrand's Disease (a blood disease).

Verified owner stories

Hear what other owners say about working with River to bring home their puppies.

  • Kasey J.

    Verified owner · June 2026

    I highly recommend the ethics and integrity behind TopTeckel Kennels. My family had one dachsund and we were looking to get her a friend. River allowed us to bring our current pup over to meet a potential sister and it worked out so well. Our new girl, Purple - now Mavis (like from Hotel Transylvania) came so well mannered and potty trained, I could barely believe my eyes. River loves and cares about these babies so deeply and is really on top of making sure they go to a great home! If my family gets a 3rd somewhere down the line, I know where we are going. Thank you❤️

    Lindsey W.

    Verified owner · Mar. 2026

    River was amazing to work with! I was looking for a well-balanced, affectionate dog I could do sports with, and that’s exactly what I got with my puppy from River! She was able to match me with the perfect puppy. My new puppy Charm came to me potty trained on a grass patch and with crate training started. It made her adjustment to our home go so smoothly. I will be getting all of my future dogs from River because the experience has been so positive. River is incredibly knowledgeable about the breed and puts in the time, dedication, and effort to raise well-adjusted and socialized puppies. We couldn’t be happier with Charm. She is so loving and people-oriented, fearless, and confident.

    Erin S.

    Verified owner · May 2025

    After considering many different breeders, something kept bringing me back to River. She is so knowledgeable about the dachshund breed and it’s obvious that she truly cares about her pups. We’ve had our pup (Frank) for over a week and he is an absolute dream. He was already crate trained, and almost fully potty trained. I can’t even begin to tell you what a game changer that was. No puppy blues here! Frank has a wonderful temperament. He is calm, sweet and cuddly, but also loves to play with our kids. He was confident from day one and has very little anxiety compared to my other experiences with puppies. Every day we see more of his personality coming out. We’re so excited to have him join our family and hope to get another puppy from River when the time is right.

  • CF

    Chad F.

    Verified owner · May 2026

      • +4

    Working with River and TopTeckel Kennels has been great. I say "has been" because she continues to check in on my little guy, which I really appreciate. It is obvious she cares deeply about raising puppies ethically, and making sure that they find their right homes. River has a lot going on raising such amazing dogs, so don't lose hope if it takes her a couple days to get back to you...she is well worth the wait. On top of that, my puppy came potty-trained, which has been such a blessing. So glad I chose to work with River and TopTeckel Kennels!

    Molly W.

    Verified owner · June 2025

    River is an excellent breeder. My Puppy Monte was well prepared to come home with me. I appreciated that Monte was on his way to potty trained. He now has only a rare accident and is using a designated spot in the yard to eliminate. He was Kennel trained and has slept through the night from day one. He knew three commands when he arrived at our house and has learned 3 more. Monte was well adjusted and could calm himself in his kennel when we needed to leave for an errand. River provided extras to take home with Monte to make for a smooth transition. River is very communicative she always answered my questions and gave me training and suggestions. I would highly recommend a puppy from River. Thank you River

    Jenny H.

    Verified owner · Mar. 2025

    After finding out our 11 y/o son has cancer, we decided to fulfill his dream of owning a miniature dachshund. The stars aligned and we found River who has been a total gem to work with - and sweet baby Gravy who changed our world in the best way! River was so kind to my son, let us visit, answered all his questions, and regularly sent him pictures and videos of Gravy. On pick up day, River had a lovely gift bag full of all the things for Gravy as well as a folder containing the info we needed to get started. She checked in on us throughout the first couple of weeks and promptly replied to any questions we had. I can’t say enough good things about River, we’re so grateful we found her on Good Dog. And our pup Gravy is so sweet, entertaining, the best at cuddles, and BEAUTIFUL. He adjusted into our house in less than a week because of how well River raised him with his litter mates. Thank you River!!

Photos

Health testing is one key piece of responsible breeding and is performed on breeding dogs to prevent the presence of heritable conditions in their puppies.

Health testing is one key piece of responsible breeding and is performed on breeding dogs to prevent the presence of heritable conditions in their puppies.

Health testing is one key piece of responsible breeding and is performed on breeding dogs to prevent the presence of heritable conditions in their puppies.

Health testing is one key piece of responsible breeding and is performed on breeding dogs to prevent the presence of heritable conditions in their puppies.

Health testing is one key piece of responsible breeding and is performed on breeding dogs to prevent the presence of heritable conditions in their puppies.

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