Dachshunds, what are they like?

sandi_84

sandi_84

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Only ever met one properly and he was a lovely little dog, seemed quite sturdy for his stature and a friendly sort. Hilarious to watch them run :D

I'd like to learn a bit more about them as I've always had a soft spot for them but I really know nothing about the breed.

Is anyone in the know about these rather lovely little dogs that could tell me a bit more about them please?
 
Apparently more people get bitten by Dachshunds than any other breed, having said that the few I met in the past were delightful.

When we bought our first Lancashire Heelers back in the late 80s their breeder told us they used to breed wire haired Dachshunds but there was so many problems in the breed that they changed to LHs because they were a very healthy unspoilt breed.
 
Dobiegirl said:
Apparently more people get bitten by Dachshunds than any other breed, having said that the few I met in the past were delightful.

When we bought our first Lancashire Heelers back in the late 80s their breeder told us they used to breed wire haired Dachshunds but there was so many problems in the breed that they changed to LHs because they were a very healthy unspoilt breed.
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Wow you wouldn't think it to look at their little faces would you :/

I figure that such a short legged, long backed dog must have some health issues, do you know what the problems with the wire haired ones were?
 
sandi_84 said:
Wow you wouldn't think it to look at their little faces would you :/

I figure that such a short legged, long backed dog must have some health issues, do you know what the problems with the wire haired ones were?
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No I don't know what the problems were but she did say she couldn't seem to breed it out of her lines.
 
My grandma had one when I was little - he was a grumpy little thing and most of our family can be added to the catalogue of people who have been bitten by a dachshund. A friend of mine has just bought a miniature one and he seems a sweet pup - time will tell. It seems to me they're the the next 'fashionable' breed, sadly.
 
My oh daughter has a minature one and it hates everyone except about 5 family members, and it will bite you if you push the issue as I found out on two occasions, unfortunately I am not one of the 5 family members she likes being the wicked stepmum and all that:)
 
I don't know any personally, but there are some that were rescued through the same rescue as my girl on the Rescue's Facebook group. We regularly see updates, photos and videos and they seem like lovely little chaps. They even go walking with a group of Dachhunds.

I wonder if the owner would post if they had bitten someone though?
 
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Oh dear maybe not a breed to consider for myself in the future then :( Shame really I always thought they were friendly wee dogs.

Thanks folks :)
 
A couple of friends of ours have teckels and they are fantastic little dogs. Both work though, perhaps that helps. One is a stalker and the teckel takes him to the fallen beast if it is necessary, he has an amazing nose and drive. Like a short, hairy, long backed beagle.
I can't steal a pic from google but look at images of teckels

Or this might work
http://static.wamiz.fr/images/animaux/chiens/large/teckel.jpg
 
My daughter has a mini one, he'll be four this May. AFAIK he's never bitten a human. He did launch himself on the attack at my other daughter's Mastiff X when he first met her though. He's a charming little chap, treated a bit too much like a baby at home but when he comes here he gets treated like a dog and he really enjoys himself once remembers! When he first gets taken out for walk here he sits down (husband has christened him Woodbine) and refuses as in London he'd get picked up and carried in his Ralph Lauren dog bag. At the end of the walk though he's still as game as you'd want, several miles in the rough and he's raring to go round again.

He has some had behavioural issues due to his upbringing and lack of socialisation but he's very clever and trainable and, for example, getting him over his separation anxiety has worked well. He has had some tummy troubles but now that he is fed a proper diet and not a constant supply of human food he's over that.

Just to add, we had a standard Dachsie when I was a child. She never bit anyone except my aunt who made a huge fuss and went on and on and on about "the biter" which I though was rather rich as her Schnauzer had not only bitten me twice, and bitten my mother but had caused the incident with the Dachsie in which my aunt intervened and the Dachsie caught her by accident when she put her hands in to break it up.
 
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My grandma has had dachshunds for ages, however her last one had to be put down due to severe arthritis in his hips - apparently this is quite common due to their long backs. He was also extremely vicious, partly down to the pain he was in from his hips. Out of her other three she's had, two have been quite snappy and one was lovely so i think it depends on the dog temperament wise - but from my experiences they are not hugely friendly and also not great around children.
 
Can't say much about their temperament as I have only met a few, most have been a bit snappy and grumpy.
With regards to health problems they can be prone to spinal problems unsurprisingly. Have known of a few that have had to have spinal surgery due to ruptured discs.
 
I think going from what everyone has said this wouldn't be the breed for me. They are still lovely looking dogs though :)
 
puppystitch said:
It seems to me they're the the next 'fashionable' breed, sadly.
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I work for a dog-walking company and yes, they have lots on their books although I don't walk any myself yet. There doesn't seem to be quite as many around as there are Cockerpoos though!

I have noticed from past experience that if they are quite yappy and aggressive towards other dogs if there are two or more kept together.
 
A friend of mine owned 3. All girls. The first was yappy but gentle and friendly - but no recall if she got scent of something.
The second was also yappy and very sweet and a lovely way with her. The third was daughter of the second and was a super little thing - but yappy! I also knew someone who had 3 boys all at the same time - very very friendly but - you guessed it - yappy!
 
Regarding "next fashionable breed" it does seem that the world is full of "cutesy" ads showing Dachsies at the moment. Which is a shame because it means that the breed will suffer.

FWIW my daughter, although she didn't bring him up as well as she might, did a huge amout of research into the breed, conformation and temperament before choosing hers and despite his upbringing he's a nice and sensible little chap and great fun to have about.
 
My Great Aunt had a long haired one, I remember him being a very grumpy dog and he had back problems. He lived till 18, had no teeth left but still regularly tried to gum other dogs to death. Once he flew off the back off the sofa to grab our very amenable lab by the throat and refused to let go, he must have been 16 or 17 then! All that said my aunt adored him so he must have had some redeeming qualities, I just can't remember them :)
 
I have rather enjoyed all the daschund I've met. Though I find that the smooth coated ones tend to be somewhat wary of strangers bordering on skittish and the wires to be my favourite. The ones I've met have just been such gorgeous natured things.
 
I've know two; one horribly spoilt and aggressive, the other I met at a specialist veterinary unit for spinal issues which are, allegedly, very common in the breed so neither experience very positive unfortunately.
 
EventingMum said:
My Great Aunt had a long haired one, I remember him being a very grumpy dog and he had back problems. He lived till 18, had no teeth left but still regularly tried to gum other dogs to death. Once he flew off the back off the sofa to grab our very amenable lab by the throat and refused to let go, he must have been 16 or 17 then! All that said my aunt adored him so he must have had some redeeming qualities, I just can't remember them :)
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LOL, that made me chuckle!
 
I've met a fair few and they've all differed a lot! One was the sweetest, happiest little dog. Brought up in a family home with young kids and another dog (basset). Loved to be off lead and play & also loved to sit on your lap. Good with any other dogs and all people.
But then there's the ones that are yappy and just treated like babies and not all that nice to be around.
Then there's the in between ones that were much more calm and chilled out, liked attention but not too much fuss and preferred to just ignore dogs than play or bark at them
 
I had a mini wire haired, best little dog. She was nosy as anything had to say hello to everyone, would size up the biggest dogs with no fear (can never forget the Great Dane looking at her in bemusement), kept up with the spaniels all day long, got on with everyone and everything, made everyone laugh with her cheeky looks and personality, and would happily sit snuggled up to you forever. Breeder had laid down some serious rules, she was not allowed to go up stairs (lived in a bungalow), not to be picked up regularly and when she was in a certain way, no jumping up or down sofas etc. Unfortunately she was hit by a car and killed before her third birthday so never knew if she did/would have any health problems. Do miss her a lot and would certainly get another one.
 
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