When it comes to the character of the dachshund, many people often get the wrong impression. It is commonly described as a very cheerful, curious, and intelligent breed; however, dachshunds can also be stubborn, aggressive, and sometimes quite vocal.
As a future owner, it is important to know all the traits of their personality, since it depends on how you will relate to the pet, what training methods will work, what behavioral problems you should prevent, and how to manage coexistence in case you have other animals in the home.
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What is the temperament of the dachshund dog?
In general, the dachshund is an intelligent, brave, adventurous, and full-of-life dog. Their temperament is heavily influenced by the original purpose of the breed. Since they were bred for the pursuit and hunting of prey, these dogs exhibit an intuitive and reckless nature.
Likewise, they are known for their great ability to concentrate. Once the dachshund is focused on a target, it will be difficult to find something to distract him and steal his attention.
7 key personality traits of dachshund
1. Smart and independent
Dachshunds are highly intelligent creatures, which is why they need almost constant stimulation through play, exercise,e and training sessions. They are usually very clever and curious.
In addition, they behave very independently. Depending on how you look at it, this can be an advantage or a source of problems. The combination of intelligence with independence can sometimes result in a willful, self-determined, difficult-to-train partner.
Firm and assertive training from puppyhood is considered essential in the dachshund breed.
2. Playful
It is active, playful, and lively by nature. Anything can be a reason for play and fun. He loves to chase, sniff, dig and catch objects around him.
3. Loyal
Once your dachshund has accepted that you are the pack leader, he will become an extremely loyal companion. It is common for them to come “to the rescue” of their owner when a stranger approaches and whenever they can, they will follow you everywhere.
His past as a bloodhound has also led him to be very good as a guard dog.
4. Comedian
This quality of the dachshund is endearing to us since one of its great pleasures is to make you laugh. He is capable of repeating the same action over and over again if he finds that it amuses you.
5. Stubborn
Another of the most notable characteristics of his personality is stubbornness. Dachshunds are well known for their stubborn behavior, which can be very frustrating. Since they were bred to hunt and make decisions for themselves, their independent attitude often leads to stubborn and disobedient behavior.
6. Daredevil
The dachshund is brave and daring, something a bit ironic considering its size. Never expect him to back down. In fact, it is common for him to want to face other dogs or animals that are much larger than him.
7. Aggressive
While socialization from puppyhood makes for a friendly type of dog, Dachshunds have also been known to exhibit some suspicious and aggressive behavior. Depending on the context, they can become paranoid and aggressive towards strangers, other dogs, and even their own owners.
A dachshund may show aggression if he feels you are paying attention to another pet, or simply because he is upset with you.
Behavior at home (family, children, other pets)
The dachshund is considered a good family dog. As long as it receives the proper socialization and training, it is a cheerful, affectionate, attentive, and cunning pet.
Now, the fact that he is very loyal and affectionate with his family does not mean that he is also with strangers. In fact, dachshunds do not usually relate well to people and animals outside their environment.
As an owner, you’ll want to socialize your dog from puppyhood, exposing him to different people, settings, and experiences.
His alert personality leads him to be good as a guardian. It will use the typical short, high-pitched bark to alert you when someone is approaching your property. It should be noted that this barking behavior must be controlled; otherwise, it can become excessive and become a problem, especially in apartments and urban areas.
Some dachshunds can become very possessive of their family or a particular member. This can also be problematic, which is why it should never be encouraged or rewarded. It is not a good idea for the dachshund to interact with just one person.
Expert Tips:
Considering their strong prey drive, it is not recommended to turn a dachshund loose unless it is in a fenced yard. He’s likely to snap off if he sees something he’s interested in and doesn’t come back when you ask.
Dachshunds love to dig, which is why they can end up damaging the grass in your garden or backyard. Fortunately, this behavior can be minimized by keeping them entertained and avoiding leaving them outside unattended for too long.
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The dachshund and the children
Generally, dachshunds have a good interaction with children; however, it is necessary that they learn to treat and handle it well. In fact, it is said that the Dachshund is the perfect dog to teach our children the importance of being kind and respectful toward animals.
Due to its unique body structure, this breed can be injured in the event of a child mishandling it, tripping over it, or accidentally hitting it. Consequently, the dog may react with an aggressive attitude. Experts do not recommend keeping it as a pet in homes with very young children.
Interaction with other pets
For starters, the dachshund does best as a solo dog or in the company of another dachshund. This is not a shy little dog; the breed is well known for its belligerent temperament towards other dogs. It will not hesitate to be aggressive or dominant if it feels threatened.
Dachshunds don’t seem to care if their opponent is a much larger dog. They will still be willing to use their teeth.
In addition, they have been known to become jealous when they don’t get all the attention and to be possessive of their toys. The owner should make sure to curb the first signs of jealousy or possessiveness so they don’t turn into bad habits.
Also, consider that some specimens retain a strong prey instinct. This means that small pets can be in serious danger. Never leave animals such as guinea pigs, rabbits, lizards, and birds along with a dachshund.
Exercise
Don’t be fooled by his appearance, as this dog needs a lot of exercises. An adult dachshund requires at least 2 long walks a day. It is even recommended to promote some type of activity to keep him busy the rest of the time. This includes the search for hidden treasures, games, and tricks.
Remember that behavioral problems are often associated with a lack of exercise. Dachshunds are a very active type of hound, which is why they exhibit bad behavior if they are kept indoors for a long time without the opportunity to move and play.
The most important thing is to maintain a safe type of exercise for your back, which not only protects it from injury but also helps to strengthen it.
Note: it is not about over-exercising the pet. Over-exercising a dachshund can have negative consequences.
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Training
The dachshund is smart but stubborn. That means he is a fast learner, but he is not always willing to obey. Training requires a lot of patience, perseverance, and firmness. In fact, for many owners, this is often a challenging process.
The most important part of training a dachshund puppy is getting him to see you as his leader. If you don’t understand who is in charge, your pet may end up developing dominant and aggressive characteristics.
It is very common to feel frustrated trying to teach them something they are not interested in learning. Consider that this breed is stubborn and manipulative by nature, so you must show that you are serious.
As a training method, it is always recommended to reinforce positive behaviors, instead of punishing undesirable ones. Also, it is important to be consistent with the reward and praise system; otherwise, it will be very difficult to educate him.
For example, potty training dachshunds seem to be a particular challenge. One way to do this successfully is to praise him when he relieves himself outside and ignore him when he relieves himself inside; this way you will learn to do the right thing to get your reward.
Consider that, like any other dog, this one also loves treats. The best way to train him quickly and effectively is to reward him with a small meal.
Remember that every dog is different and training doesn’t happen overnight. Learning new habits can take weeks, even months.
Is the dachshund right for me?
Before bringing a dachshund home, make sure you know what its character is like its behavior, what the basic requirements and care of the breed are, and what you can expect during its training. In general, the dachshund may be right for you if:
- You want a pet with an intelligent, active, curious, and playful personality.
- You are looking for a good guard dog, loyal to his family.
- You maintain an active lifestyle or at least you can take him out for a walk every day.
- You can give him enough attention and company.
- You are looking for a breed with a low-medium level of maintenance and shedding.
- You prefer a breed with a variety of sizes, colors, and coat types.
The Dachshund may not be the right dog for those who don’t want to deal with:
- Stubborn temperament, sometimes domineering.
- Excessive mistrust of strangers in the absence of early socialization.
- Aggressive traits towards dogs or other strange animals.
- Instincts of pursuit, hunting, and digging.
- Possibility of excessive barking.
