Dachshunds: the most honest dog breed review you'll ever find about Dachshund temperament, personality, and behavior.

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Dachshund Temperament
What's Good About 'Em,
What's Bad About 'Em

By Michele Welton. Copyright © 2000-2010

Curious, lively, charming, and brave, the Dachshund is similar to a terrier in his demands to be in on everything.

He becomes very attached to his owner and firmly believes that sleeping under the bedcovers is in the Dachshund Bill of Rights.

Though adaptable to virtually any lifestyle, he does need his walks and plenty of companionship, either by humans or other pets, with whom he is quite sociable. He especially enjoys the company of other "wiener dogs."

This comical clown loves to play games and has a great sense of humor. He is bright and clever and likes to do things his own way.

Cheerful, food-based training methods are recommended, as Dachsies are proud little dogs who will resist force. They may respond defensively if jerked around, handled harshly, or teased.

Most are extremely alert watchdogs. They tend to bark sharply, and their hunting and tunneling instincts may result in holes in your garden.

In general, Miniature Dachshunds are more active than Standard Dachshunds. Among the coat varieties, Wirehaired Dachshunds are often the most active, the most mischievous, and the most obstinate. Longhaired Dachshunds tend to be the quietest and most placid. Smooth Dachshunds are most apt to attach themselves to one person and are often more aloof with strangers.

If you want a dog who...

• Comes in a variety of sizes (all smallish)
• Comes in a variety of coat types and colors
• Is comical and entertaining
• Doesn't need a lot of outdoor exercise
• Makes a keen watchdog
• Is sociable with other family pets, especially other Dachshunds
• Usually lives a long life

A Dachshund may be right for you.

If you don't want to deal with...

• Suspiciousness or sharpness toward strangers when not socialized enough
• Potential scrappiness toward strange dogs
• Stubbornness
• Notorious housebreaking difficulties
• Digging holes
• Barking
• A mild doggy odor
• Worries about serious spinal problems that afflict 1 out of every 4 Dachshunds

A Dachshund may not be right for you.

If I were considering buying or adopting a Dachshund

My major concerns would be:

1. Suspiciousness or sharpness. Standoffish by nature, Dachshunds need extensive exposure to people and to unusual sights and sounds. Otherwise their natural caution can become suspiciousness, which could lead to biting.

2. Scrappiness toward strange dogs. Dachshunds are usually very good with their own family's pets, but they can be scrappy toward strange dogs, especially strange LARGER dogs.

   Dachshunds cannot be trusted off-leash. They will take off -- oblivious to your frantic shouts -- after anything that runs.

3. Mind of his own. Dachshunds are not Golden Retrievers. They have an independent mind of their own and must be taught at an early age that they are not the rulers of the world. The toughness that makes them suited to killing vermin can frustrate you when you try to teach them anything. They can be manipulative, and some are willful and obstinate. You must show them, through absolute consistency, that you mean what you say.

   To teach your Dachshund to listen to you, "Respect Training" is mandatory. My Dachshund Training Page discusses the program you need.

4. Defensive reactions. BUT...you need to be careful with your corrections. If you need to physically chastise a Dachshund, and you go beyond what THEY believe is a fair correction, in my experience this breed is more likely than many other breeds to growl or snap. It may be because they were bred to become more fierce when their prey fought back, i.e. Dachshunds are apt to "return pain" if they "receive pain." As an obedience instructor, I'm always extra careful when putting my hands on a Dachshund for a correction.

   If you have small children, I do not recommend a Dachshund. First, children cannot help being clumsy, and that a child meant well is little solace to a Dachshund puppy who has been accidentally stepped on, sat on, rolled on, squeezed, or dropped onto the patio. The Dachshund's long back is especially fragile and prone to damage when he is picked up incorrectly or dropped. Second, even Dachshund adults may feel overwhelmed by the loud voices and quick movements that children can't help making -- and stress and shyness may be the result. Finally, some Dachshunds simply do not tolerate any nonsense from children and will bite if pushed too far.

5. Housebreaking. As a behavioral consultant, I would put the Dachshund on my Top 20 List of "Hard to Housebreak." Consistent crate training is mandatory. Sometimes a doggy door is necessary. And some owners never do get their Dachshunds fully housebroken.

6. Barking. Dachshunds are often too quick to sound the alarm at every new sight and sound. You have to be equally quick to stop them. Dachshunds should NEVER be left outside in your yard, unsupervised.

7. Grooming. Longhaired Dachshunds need brushing and combing to prevent mats and tangles. Wirehaired Dachshunds need regular clipping.

8. Shedding and odor. Dachshunds shed and do have a doggy odor.

9. Serious back/spinal problems. An alarming number of Dachshunds become crippled or paralyzed in middle age when they develop disk diseases in their long back.

   To keep this breed healthy, I strongly recommend following all of the advice on my Dachshund Health Page.

To learn more about training Dachshunds to be calm and well-behaved, consider my dog training book,
Teach Your Dog 100 English Words.

It's a unique Vocabulary and Respect Training Program that will make your Dachshund the smartest, most well-behaved companion you've ever had.

Teaches your dog to listen to you, to pay attention to you, and to do whatever you ask him to do.



My dog buying guide, How To Buy a Good Dog, will teach you everything you need to know about finding a healthy Dachshund puppy. Health problems have become so widespread in dogs today that this book is required reading for ANYONE who is thinking of getting a purebred, crossbred, or mixed breed dog.

If you'd like to consult with me personally about whether the Dachshund might be a good dog breed for your family, I offer a Dog Breed Consulting Service.

Once you have your Dachshund home, you need to KEEP him healthy -- or if he's having any current health problems, you need to get him back on the road to good health.

My dog health care book, 11 Things You Must Do Right To Keep Your Dog Healthy and Happy is the book you need.

Raise your dog the right way and you will be helping him live a longer, healthier life while avoiding health problems and unnecessary veterinary expenses.

Please consider adopting an ADULT Dachshund...

When you're acquiring a Dachshund PUPPY, you're acquiring potential -- what he one day will be. So "typical breed characteristics" are very important.

But when you acquire an adult dog, you're acquiring what he already IS and you can decide whether he is the right dog for you based on that reality. There are plenty of adult Dachshunds who have already proven themselves NOT to have negative characteristics that are "typical" for their breed. If you find such an adult dog, don't let "typical breed negatives" worry you. Just be happy that you found an atypical individual -- and enjoy!

Save a life. Adopt a dog.

Adopting a Dog From a Dog Breed Rescue Group

Adopting a Dog From the Animal Shelter