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.
This comical clown loves to play games and has a great sense of humor. He is a loyal little dog, very attached to his family, and he firmly believes that sleeping under the bedcovers is in the Dachshund Bill of Rights.
Dachshunds attract devoted followers who would never consider having any other breed. Indeed, Dachshunds are often kept in pairs, which is A-OK with them, since they seem to recognize and prefer being with other "wiener dogs".
They're usually good with other family pets, too, though they can be jealous when they want attention and they can be possessive of their toys. You need to put a firm stop to the first signs of jealousy or possessiveness so that these don't become bad habits.
Though the Dachshund makes a great house dog, he does need his daily walks (on-leash! Dachshunds are chasers who will take off! -- and plenty of companionship. Loneliness will lead to excessive barking.
You'll also hear his sharp, persistent bark when people approach, for most Dachshunds are alert watchdogs who do not take kindly to strangers intruding on their domain. Again, you need to put a stop to overt signs of suspiciousness, lest this progress to nastiness.
Though bright and clever, Dachshunds like to do things their own way. In other words, they're stubborn. Cheerful praise and treats should be offered freely, as Dachsies are proud little dogs who resist force. They become irritable when pushed too far, and they may respond defensively (growling or snapping) if jerked around, handled harshly, or teased.
Other behavioral problems? Well, the Dachshund's hunting and tunneling instincts may lead to holes being dug in your garden. Also, housebreaking may go slowly, as many Dachshunds don't like to go outside in cold or wet weather. A covered potty yard is recommended, if possible.
In general, Miniature Dachshunds are more active than the larger Standard Dachshunds. Comparing the three coat varieties:
- Wirehaired Dachshunds tend to be the most energetic, the most mischievous, and the most obstinate (probably stemming from their strong terrier heritage).
- Longhaired Dachshunds tend to be the quietest and sweetest-natured (probably stemming from their spaniel heritage).
- Smooth Dachshunds are most apt to attach themselves to one person and are often more aloof with strangers.
But remember, these are just generalities!
If you want a dog who...
A Dachshund may be right |
If you don't want to deal with...
- Stubbornness
- Scrappiness toward strange dogs, especially larger dogs
- Chasing and hunting instincts (chipmunks, birds, etc.)
- Notorious housebreaking difficulties
- Potential for excessive barking
- Potential for digging holes
- Excessive suspiciousness toward strangers when not socialized properly or made to behave
- Worries about the serious spinal problems that afflict 1 out of every 4 Dachshunds and can result in paralysis
A Dachshund may not be right for you.
If I were considering buying or adopting a Dachshund
My major concerns would be:
- Suspiciousness or sharpness. Usually standoffish with strangers, Dachshunds need extensive exposure to people and firm handling of any tendencies to be sharp.
- Scrappiness toward strange dogs. Likewise, Dachshunds can be overly bold and feisty toward strange dogs, and because of their size, this can be dangerous and must be stopped early. (Fortunately, Dachshunds are usually very good with other pets in their own family -- especially other Dachshunds!
- 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.
- Defensive reactions. You need to be careful when correcting Dachshunds. If you go beyond what THEY believe is a fair correction, in my experience this breed is more likely than most other breeds to growl or snap.
- Housebreaking. As a behavioral consultant, I would put the Dachshund on my Top 20 List of "Hard to Housebreak." Consistent crate training is mandatory. A doggy door leading out to a covered potty yard can be very helpful in persuading a Dachshund to go outside when it's raining.
- 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.
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. - Grooming. Longhaired Dachshunds need brushing and combing to prevent mats and tangles, and some minor trimming. Wirehaired Dachshunds need regular clipping.
- Shedding and odor. Dachshunds shed -- they are not hypoallergenic dogs at all -- and many individuals do have a noticeable doggy odor.
- Finding a healthy one and keeping him healthy. One in every four Dachshunds will become crippled or paralyzed in middle age from disk disease. The vertebrae in their long back has simply been stretched to the breaking point and is genetically weak. Dachshunds can also suffer from epilepsy, eye diseases, urinary diseases, heart disease, skin problems, and more.
My dog buying guide, How To Buy a Good Dog, will teach you everything you need to know about finding a healthy Dachshund. 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
Copyright © 2000-2010 by Michele Welton. All rights reserved.
No part of this website may be copied, displayed on another website,
or distributed in any way without the express permission of the author.