The Dachshund is one of the most well-known dog breeds around, and for a good reason, as while these lovable little dogs were originally bred to hunt badgers and sniff out wild boar, they have since become loving family dogs.
Dachshunds typically have an intelligent, friendly, curious and spunky temperament and are usually eager to please. However, their natural prey drive can make them stubborn, and, like most small breeds, they are inclined to bark more than the average dog.
If you’re interested in bringing a Dachshund puppy home, then you might want to know some more Dachshund dog breed information, such as their temperament and personality traits. These will be discussed below, so you will soon know what you are getting into if you decide to bring a badger dog home.
For such a small dog, the Dachshund has a lot of personality that you will come to know and love. Below we will list some of the main personality traits of the Dachshund according to the American Kennel Club (AKC).
Dachshunds were bred to persevere on a hunt, which has given them a fearless attitude and a naturally high prey drive. Unfortunately, this is also what contributes to their stubbornness. This sometimes makes training Dachshunds that much harder, as they can sometimes refuse outright to listen to you.
This is generally not an act of defiance but just a sign of their sometimes cheeky personalities. With enough persistence and patience, Dachshund owners should be able to train their dogs effectively, as the breed is also extremely intelligent.
The sausage dog is highly food motivated and loves to play with toys, so as long as they know that they’ll be rewarded with a toy or a treat, they should obey diligently. Keeping training sessions short should also help with this.
While Dachshunds can be very stubborn at times, they are generally incredibly fond of their families and love nothing more than to cuddle up on the couch with you. This is what has made the Dachshund breed the popular family pet that it is today.
Dachshund owners should, however, be wary that their dogs don’t end up spending all of their time cuddled up on the couch, as these little guys are prone to obesity.
Dachshunds are often extremely intelligent, but some of them use this intelligence to get up to mischief. They may sometimes think the rules of your household don’t apply to them, but this will differ depending on their coat type.
Most Dachshunds’ personalities differ with their coat types, with Wirehaired Dachshunds being the most mischievous, Longhaired Dachshunds being the most relaxed and quiet, and Smooth Dachshunds fitting somewhere in the middle.
Dachshunds are often very attached and loyal and will likely love nearly every member of your family. However, this does depend on if they’ve been will-socialised and have received adequate training.
Dachshunds can be good with other dogs, but it is generally best to introduce Dachshund puppies to your other dogs, as this early socialisation will make them more accepting of the rest of your pack.
Dachshunds should be fine with cats, but other animals like hamsters or rabbits will likely be chased and maimed or killed if they are caught. These small dogs are still hunting dogs at heart, and prospective owners should not forget this.
Dachshunds can be very attentive and affectionate with children if they are introduced to your family as puppies and well-socialised from a young age. However, they can be wary of your children’s friends, so owners should always supervise their interactions.
Dachshunds generally do not have any behavioural issues, but they can be stubborn and mischievous at times. This is often not anything to worry about, as both behaviours will often not need to be addressed unless they are serious issues.
Dachshunds can be quite clingy, so you shouldn’t get one if you spend too much time away from home. Alternatively, you can drop your dog off at a dog daycare centre to keep them happy during the day.
If you can’t stand barking, the Dachshund will not be the dog for you.
Both Miniature Dachshunds and Standard Dachshunds are prone to barking excessively, and while this can be trained out to some extent, it is common for the breed and can never be stopped entirely.
Dachshunds can be rather active dogs, as many of them compete in dog sports. They can, however, also become lazy if you don’t exercise them enough, so a short walk once a day or a couple of games of fetch will do them a world of good.
Dachshunds can make great family pets and can be loyal companions, as they have lovely natures and will generally get on well with any family. If you are interested in getting one of these dogs, then you should contact your local Dachshund club.
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