Is a Dachshund a good dog?

3554 Views 46 Replies 24 Participants Last post by hotrodder, Aug 16, 2009

hotrodder

Discussion Starter · Jun 30, 2009

My nephew has offered us one of his new, miniature Dachshund pups.

Has anyone had personal experience with this breed? Characteristics, habits, health issues and so on. I'm grateful for any feedback.

1 - 20 of 47 Posts

rojogan

· #2 · Jun 30, 2009

I love Dachshunds. A former co-worker has 2 mini's. My real concern about them is that they're real barkers, at least the 2 this lady has. They also can have back issues, so you have to watch their weight. I have a Basset hound, so I would vote for a Basset. They're still smallish(read that short legged!), and are very easy going, sleep most of the day.

elementbryon

· #3 · Jun 30, 2009

I'm guessing since you're in Florida that you don't have many stairs in the house? Weiner dogs don't do stairs very well. We have a couple neighbors with Mini dachshunds and they are very sociable with our Min Pin and Chihuahua and our friends Poodles. They don't seem to be barky but they can get pretty excited around other small dogs.
We almost got to adopt a 6 month old mini Dachshund last year but, the owner retracted the offer and gave the poor little guy to some creepy old lady from Texas (possibly a zombie).

Seattle SC

· #4 · Jun 30, 2009

With the right kind of bun, ketchup and mustard, wiener dogs are great.
With maybe some onions too.

EL-MT

· #5 · Jun 30, 2009

I used to hold a grudge against dachshunds and mini-dachshunds until I met someone who had a very sweet older one that was very gentle with children and she just got a second one that is the same way as a puppy only more playful. Keep in mind that I am a cat person so my opinions might not be trusted.

ORANGEE

· #6 · Jun 30, 2009

Check here....................

http://www.thedachshundnetwork.com/doxown.htm

2009 ELE

· #7 · Jun 30, 2009

Here's another good link:

http://www.dogbreedinfo.com/dachshund.htm

hownowcb

· #8 · Jun 30, 2009

2

With the right kind of bun, ketchup and mustard, wiener dogs are great.

I say ketchup on a hot dog is an abomination! ;-)

But we love our dachshund mini, "Kitty"! My family had dachshunds when I was growing up, so I'm familiar with their temperament, health issues and suitability as house pets.

Kitty at three months -- the size of a slipper.

Kitty at eight months -- nearly full-grown now.

Like most miniature breeds, dachshund minis are more active, some might even say high-strung or nervous. They do tend to bark a lot, but can be trained to reduce that behavior somewhat if it's undesirable. They can be very destructive (chewing) if bored, so keep in mind they either need a lot of interaction, watching, or to be kennel-trained for times they're left alone.

While it is not uncommon for them to have back issues, they can also have "normal" dog life expectancies if they are well cared for, and restricted from jumping up or down from high places. It's difficult to curb their enthusiasm though.

Any web site catering to common dog breeds can give provide a wealth of information on dachshunds, and the assumption is likely that minis are now probably more common that standard size.

Don't hesitate to ask more specific questions if you have them, and good luck with your decision.

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PVR

· #9 · Jun 30, 2009

Nice reply (and pics) Colin!

Good to hear from you.

I always relish your posts.

:razz:

hotrodder

Discussion Starter · #10 · Jun 30, 2009

hownowcb said:

That is one, downright cute dog you have there. We web-searched for hours until I came up with the idea to ask our fellow animal lovers. We don't have any stairs, so we are good there. We have only had cats and after losing Shelby in December :-(, we thought we would be content with only our 16 yr veteran, Buck

.

We both decided we have too much left to give, so we have been looking at kittens and other pets---hence the chickens. We need one more pet for the extra lap available.

If we get a wiener dog, should we keep the ketchup out of the house? :lol:

Would the "E" look a little large for such a little dog? :lol:

Keep the feedback coming----we appreciate it and here is a pic of the pups.

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marksbug

· #11 · Jun 30, 2009

hot dog, hot rod,hot rod dog.sounds good to me. but might need to make a little musturd.better keep it in the E so you dont get any musturds. my daughter almost talked me into one.

ZOMBIEinvader

· #12 · Jun 30, 2009

We got a dachshund mini around Thanksgiving. Saddie is a real darling. I have never owned a dog, always cats. I was really nervous about it. She has turned out to have a wonderful temperament and is great with strangers and other dogs. Just don't leave your socks on the floor. She does bark when she hears or sees someone on the periphery of our porperty. She dashes out checks it out and calms down. We not having a hard time with her at all.
I am a total rube on dogs so this worked out well.

jsbagman

· #13 · Jul 1, 2009

Dachshund

I have a real cutie Mini Dachshund named Frankie soon to be 2 years old.
Although she is a chewer and a big time barker. Overlooking all that she brings much love and joy to our family. I have owned many dogs , Cutie Frankie is the best.

wjdunham

· #14 · Jul 1, 2009

we've had 3 weiner dogs

They're very loyal and affectionate dogs, but also very stubborn - makes training them hard. If you get one (I would) take it to obedience classes to start training them right from the beginning. Some do have back problems, ours have had their share. We currently have two sisters that are 16 years old. They started out as our kids dogs and later became ours when the kids went away to college. They really good dogs

.

2009 ELE

· #15 · Jul 1, 2009

Don't worry about the E seeming to be too bid for your dog. We have a Shizsu (however you spell it) and she loves going for a ride and feels comfortable to find her spot and either lay down for a nap or stand on the back seat and look out the window. :smile:

Blue Devil

· #16 · Jul 1, 2009

A piece of advice for any hound (we have a beagle). . .

BARK COLLAR

Best investment we ever made, our beagle doesn't hardly bark at all. The shock it administers is so slight (I know, my wife tried it on me before she would let me put it on the dog) that it just scares them a bit. That and they are smart enough that it will only ever shock them once or twice. we don't even have a battery in ours anymore, but he's learned that the collar means no barking, so it still works. Everybody always says, "a beagle huh, they howl a lot right?'" and my answer is, "not ours."

Basset Box

· #17 · Jul 1, 2009 (Edited)

My grandparents have always had dachshunds and they have always been pretty cool dogs. I haven't met the newest one, but they got a mini for the first time. The others were always the standard size. Theirs always had a blanket they always scooped it between their legs with the back arched, needless to say they buy males.

Mini's can be a different story. Anything bread down from runts will have health problems, keep that in mind. I also read an article last year about the breeds most likely to bite. Dachshund was #1, then Chihuahua, and other small breeds followed. Pit bull was in the 30s or 40s on the list. My Basset was in the bottom 5 on the list. It went by owner reported bitings. As in every case, it is the owners responsibility to correct and limit the behavior. If they are allowed to bark and bite, they will. The ones I grew up with were always great, no biting, and fun to play with. Take it to some obedience classes, socialize it well and enjoy.

My only request is pick a unique and original name! My grandparents always went German themed with theirs. My favorite was Wolfgang (called Wolfie).

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Zorak Jones

· #18 · Jul 1, 2009

The ones i've known have all been pretty territorial, and barky. they also chased any critters in the yard, so if you like having squirrels or other wildlife in the yard - forget it. Of course, every dog is unique.

Blue Devil

· #19 · Jul 1, 2009

Zorak Jones said:
Of course, every dog is unique.

Very true. Beagles supposedly require tons of excercise. Mine won't even get ouf of bed in the morning while I eat breakfast, and when I eventually DO get him up to take him out, he gives a token growl, and then a big sigh.

tkobrian

· #20 · Jul 1, 2009

wjdunham said:
They're very loyal and affectionate dogs, but also very stubborn - makes training them hard. If you get one (I would) take it to obedience classes to start training them right from the beginning.

That was pretty much my experience with an old college girlfriend of mine's 2 dachshunds. Her's were barkers that would go nuts when they heard her car pull up...ate several sets of blinds from being hyped up at something outside the window.

IIRC, They're originally a hunting breed that was bred for going after moles i.e. they're tunnel dogs. Hunting breeds are notorious for being what some consider stubborn, but it's referred to as having game, which means they don't stray from their purpose...which is desirable in a hunting dog, not so much for a pet. Oh yeah, on the tunneling, some are diggers. Her's liked to burrow under any blanket or under a bed, etc.

The chubby one did this cool trick where he would start in a beg, then sit flat on his butt, extend his feet forward, stick his tail out like a kickstand and balance on end like an upright hotdog while begging for table scraps. He could stay that way for 30+ minutes. :lol:

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