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Not to hijack the thread, but I had to respond to this comment. HUMANE de-barking does not involve the removal of any "voice box," but is a light [medical] shaving of the vocal cords to lower the register of the barking to a raspy sound. The dog can still bark, but the sound is much less noisy. Also, if the dog is not kept from barking for the first few weeks after the procedure, there can be scar tissue that builds and the "bark" may come back.
I have had this procedure done to two dogs. My vet will only perform it for four breeds KNOWN for excessive barking, and dachshunds are one of those breeds. Nowadays, neighborhood houses are much closer, and certain breeds just bark and bark - it's in their breeding. Well, someone poisoned one of my doxies (luckily we saved him) and the vet suggested de-barking him. I was horrified until she explained the procedure. It was far less cruel than risking either of them being poisoned (again). Because my second doxie was de-barked at the same time he was neutered, he was very young (4 months old) and HIS bark returned because his vocal cords were still growing. He had the procedure repeated later. He still barks, but it's not the shrill yappy dachshund bark, but a husky sound.
Anyway, back to the original topic. Sorry for the interruption!
