| Dachshunds |
| Golden Gate Dachshund Club |
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If you have lived with Dachshunds before you already know
what a great breed this is. Dachshunds, when properly bred and
raised are outgoing, friendly, confident and intelligent dogs.
Dachshunds are bred in three varieties smooth (short coated),
longhair (with hair not unlike a golden retriever) and wire haired
(have stiff wiry hair like a terrier) and two sizes standard (over 11
pounds) and miniature (11 pounds and under).
Properly socialized Dachshunds with sound temperaments
typically will get along fine with children who are kind and
appropriate with dogs. The key is supervising the interaction to
make sure that both the child and the dog are interacting
appropriately and to ensure that everyone is being safe. Keep in
mind that the miniature Dachshunds are much smaller and can
be fragile around toddlers and small children.
Despite the smaller size of the miniature Dachshunds they are
NOT toy dogs (which are bred for companionship). Both the
miniature and standard Dachshunds are working dogs. They
have a desire to work and use their natural abilities and instincts.
Dachshunds were originally produced to "go to ground" which
means to follow the badgers into the earth. They were also used
to track and do scent work. When you consider the original
purpose of the breed it makes total sense how and why the
Dachshund is the way it is. Think about how they love to burrow
under your covers and push their way into small spaces. It's
because they were earthdogs. Think about how they love to use
their noses and sniff things on the ground. It's because they are
scenthounds. This is all natural to Dachshunds. It is hardwired
into their makeup to have these traits.
A Dachshunds working ability can be tested today through
Dachshund Field Trials and Den or Earthdog Trials.
In field trials, Dachshunds are tested on their ability to track
rabbits (jack or cottontail). The dogs are released in braces of
two dogs (who are drawn randomly) on rabbit scent lines. The
Dachshunds are judged on their ability to follow the scent line,
how committed they are to following it and working it and how
accurate they are on where the rabbit went.
In earthdog or den trials, Dachshunds are released into man
made dens that contain caged rats at the end. The dogs must
get to the rats in a certain amount of time, and "work" the rats
(bark, claw, scrape, scratch) for a certain amount of time. The
dogs are separated from the rats by the cage AND bars and are
not permitted to get to and hurt the rats.
Dachshunds with a correct temperament are clever, lively and
courageous to the point of rashness. Dachshunds are
sometimes labeled "stubborn" and "difficult to train", both labels
that are not really fair if you think about it. Dachshunds are not
stubborn, they are simply bred to do a specific task (go to
ground or do scentwork) and when we attempt to interfere with
their work by asking for something else, it is sometimes difficult
to convince them that we are right. I call this commitment and
dedication. Dachshunds tend to have a pretty strong work ethic
and asking them to stop when they are working can be
challenging. So, I will admit that they can be challenging at
times, but all that means is that we need to be better trainers and
more creative in convincing them that we are worth listening to.
Blaming the animal for our shortcomings as trainers is unfair and
unreasonable.
If we are going to choose a breed to spend our lives with, we
have to learn to embrace all the traits that come along with that
breed. People tend to love the fact that Dachshunds are
courageous and confident and that they have a great sense of
humor, but then call them "difficult" when the dog wants to
chase a squirrel instead of coming when called. Not fair, you
must accept and respect all the things that make a Dachshund a
Dachshund.
When trained with positive training techniques that make sense
to the dog they are not that difficult to train. The key is making it
worth the Dachshunds while. Teach him you are worth listening
to and you will have a good relationship with your dog.
Pros and Cons of living with Dachshunds
The Cons
1. Dachshunds are hunting dogs, if they are to live with small
animals (cats, rabbits, birds), it's best if they are raised with them.
2. Dachshunds are scent hounds and can easily get sidetracked
by interesting smells. They must be taught a reliable recall if they
are to be permitted off leash.
3. Dachshunds tend to enjoy food very much, owners must be
sure to properly ration food to keep dogs at a healthy weight.
4. Dachshunds can be prone to having back problems. Keeping
your dog at a healthy weight and well conditioned can help keep
him healthy.
The Pros
1. The Dachshund is a dog with a great sense of humor. They
are fun to live with and are sure to make you smile every day.
2. Dachshunds tend to be very adaptable. When well cared for
and trained, they are great companions to the whole family.
3. With the two sizes and three coat types, there are many
varieties to choose from.
4. There is a wide variety of activities that you can do with your
Dachshund (conformation, obedience, field trials, earthdog, rally,
agility....)
5. Because they tend to enjoy food, they are easily motivated for
training with food.
what a great breed this is. Dachshunds, when properly bred and
raised are outgoing, friendly, confident and intelligent dogs.
Dachshunds are bred in three varieties smooth (short coated),
longhair (with hair not unlike a golden retriever) and wire haired
(have stiff wiry hair like a terrier) and two sizes standard (over 11
pounds) and miniature (11 pounds and under).
Properly socialized Dachshunds with sound temperaments
typically will get along fine with children who are kind and
appropriate with dogs. The key is supervising the interaction to
make sure that both the child and the dog are interacting
appropriately and to ensure that everyone is being safe. Keep in
mind that the miniature Dachshunds are much smaller and can
be fragile around toddlers and small children.
Despite the smaller size of the miniature Dachshunds they are
NOT toy dogs (which are bred for companionship). Both the
miniature and standard Dachshunds are working dogs. They
have a desire to work and use their natural abilities and instincts.
Dachshunds were originally produced to "go to ground" which
means to follow the badgers into the earth. They were also used
to track and do scent work. When you consider the original
purpose of the breed it makes total sense how and why the
Dachshund is the way it is. Think about how they love to burrow
under your covers and push their way into small spaces. It's
because they were earthdogs. Think about how they love to use
their noses and sniff things on the ground. It's because they are
scenthounds. This is all natural to Dachshunds. It is hardwired
into their makeup to have these traits.
A Dachshunds working ability can be tested today through
Dachshund Field Trials and Den or Earthdog Trials.
In field trials, Dachshunds are tested on their ability to track
rabbits (jack or cottontail). The dogs are released in braces of
two dogs (who are drawn randomly) on rabbit scent lines. The
Dachshunds are judged on their ability to follow the scent line,
how committed they are to following it and working it and how
accurate they are on where the rabbit went.
In earthdog or den trials, Dachshunds are released into man
made dens that contain caged rats at the end. The dogs must
get to the rats in a certain amount of time, and "work" the rats
(bark, claw, scrape, scratch) for a certain amount of time. The
dogs are separated from the rats by the cage AND bars and are
not permitted to get to and hurt the rats.
Dachshunds with a correct temperament are clever, lively and
courageous to the point of rashness. Dachshunds are
sometimes labeled "stubborn" and "difficult to train", both labels
that are not really fair if you think about it. Dachshunds are not
stubborn, they are simply bred to do a specific task (go to
ground or do scentwork) and when we attempt to interfere with
their work by asking for something else, it is sometimes difficult
to convince them that we are right. I call this commitment and
dedication. Dachshunds tend to have a pretty strong work ethic
and asking them to stop when they are working can be
challenging. So, I will admit that they can be challenging at
times, but all that means is that we need to be better trainers and
more creative in convincing them that we are worth listening to.
Blaming the animal for our shortcomings as trainers is unfair and
unreasonable.
If we are going to choose a breed to spend our lives with, we
have to learn to embrace all the traits that come along with that
breed. People tend to love the fact that Dachshunds are
courageous and confident and that they have a great sense of
humor, but then call them "difficult" when the dog wants to
chase a squirrel instead of coming when called. Not fair, you
must accept and respect all the things that make a Dachshund a
Dachshund.
When trained with positive training techniques that make sense
to the dog they are not that difficult to train. The key is making it
worth the Dachshunds while. Teach him you are worth listening
to and you will have a good relationship with your dog.
Pros and Cons of living with Dachshunds
The Cons
1. Dachshunds are hunting dogs, if they are to live with small
animals (cats, rabbits, birds), it's best if they are raised with them.
2. Dachshunds are scent hounds and can easily get sidetracked
by interesting smells. They must be taught a reliable recall if they
are to be permitted off leash.
3. Dachshunds tend to enjoy food very much, owners must be
sure to properly ration food to keep dogs at a healthy weight.
4. Dachshunds can be prone to having back problems. Keeping
your dog at a healthy weight and well conditioned can help keep
him healthy.
The Pros
1. The Dachshund is a dog with a great sense of humor. They
are fun to live with and are sure to make you smile every day.
2. Dachshunds tend to be very adaptable. When well cared for
and trained, they are great companions to the whole family.
3. With the two sizes and three coat types, there are many
varieties to choose from.
4. There is a wide variety of activities that you can do with your
Dachshund (conformation, obedience, field trials, earthdog, rally,
agility....)
5. Because they tend to enjoy food, they are easily motivated for
training with food.