The Dachshund Behaviour

Originating from Germany around 400 years ago, they were primarily bred as hunting dogs, otherwise know as the badger dog as they would be sent into burrows to pull out anything that was inside. Although they are mostly family pets these days, those traits still exist and owners should be well aware of them.

LOVING AND AFFECTIONATE:

The Dachshund loves to keep everyone pleased and happy. They stay loyal to their family no matter what. Although they may be interested in strangers and other dogs they will always return to the family pack.

Because of their affectionate nature, Dachshunds have become known as a loving, family dog. Due to their larger than life personality and ways of showing love and loyalty, Dachshunds will fill every home with a lot of personality.

BRAVE AND PROTECTIVE:

Don’t be fooled by its size and the tiny legs, the Dachshund is the kind of dog that will protect its owner and family no matter what. Not regonising their size this dog will confront anything, regardless of the size or the situation.

LOUD:

An unmissable trait is the bark! Dachshunds will absolutely keep your attention with their loud and persistent barking. Regardless of whether they notice the postman, a car door shutting or a leaf blowing into your window, you will know someone or something unfamiliar approaching your home. Dachshunds never miss the opportunity to show off their courage and barking skills.

LONG LIVED:

The average life expectancy for a Dachshund is between 12 and 16 years, provided you give them proper care and diet. With physical activity, and proper nutrition, Dachshunds live long and happy lives. They do however require regular exercise and mental stimulation.

POTENTIAL DISADVANTAGES OF OWNING A DACHSHUND

THEY ARE LOUD!

If you happen to live in a block of flats, every single of your neighbours will know about your dog. Dachshunds are loud barkers and they can be very vocal, especially if something grabs their attention (which is usually a case when they notice a pigeon on the window or something like that).

If you want your peace and quiet, as well as happy neighbours then maybe a Dachshund isn’t for you. It should be mentioned, that as with any breed that tends to be vocal, they can be trained to reduce their barking to certain situations only.  Without proper training however, this can be pretty hard to achieve.

THEY MAY RUIN YOUR FLOWERBEDS:

Dachshunds dig! It is part of their breeding, which is also why owners often notice that they like to burrow under blankets and cushions. As previously mentioned, they were bred to dig after animals who hide under the ground. Even though Dachshunds are fully domesticated, they still have this sense of hunting and digging, especially if they feel anxious and frustrated due to separation from the owner.

If you have a well cared for garden, do not let the dog be in it unsupervised. In case you have flowers, be aware that your Dachshund will likely dig out every plant in the garden.

DACHSHUNDS CAN BE EXTREMELY STUBBORN:

Dachshunds absolutely have a mind of their own. Despite certain training, they do tend to be stubborn (dominant), which could create some problems for unprepared owners. If you are someone who easily gives in to their pets, a Dachshund will become the boss of you at some point. The breed is very intelligent, and tenacious and will often do what they want, despite your requests.

NOT GREAT FOR FAMILIES WITH SMALL CHILDREN:

Because of their shape and size, small children are known to be a bit heavy handed with smaller dogs and can be unaware of how the dog may feel and whether they like or don’t like how they’re being treated. Sometimes children can unintentionally hurt the dog, through fun or playtime. Dachshunds can be very tolerant of small children to a point, but if the parent is not aware of the signs a dog is not happy, a Dachshund in particular will use its teeth to get the message across. As a behaviourist, I visit families with small children and Dachshunds where exactly that has happened more frequently than I would like.

SEPARATON ANXIETY:

As with many breeds of dog, with the correct management and leadership each day, dogs can develop behavioural issues due to underlying stress. Separation anxiety is one of the more common problems I work with and is one that I see frequently in this breed.

If you can work around the breeds little quirks, you will have an amazing family pet that is loving, loyal and will be with you a good number of years.

Azz Rainey has worked with a large number of dog behavioural issues over the years, including, separation anxiety, destructive behaviour, aggression, reactivity, high prey drive, extreme fear and resource guarding.
Working in Oxfordshire, Gloucester, Swindon and Evesham as well as the surrounding areas to provide one to one sessions with dog owners in their own home