Dachshund Temperament and Personality: 6 Things You Need To Know

Every single dog has its own personality, as I am sure that you have figured out if you have owned, or at least spent some time with, several different canines. Even the same breeds and dogs coming from the same litter can have different temperaments and personalities, which only goes to show that you cannot expect every puppy to behave the same way and be raised using all the same methods. As explained, every single puppy comes with its own personality traits and that’s something that you should understand rather sooner than later.

Yet, even though every animal has its own personality traits, the truth is that there are some common characteristics among the same breeds. In other words, there are some common things that you can learn and expect from the Dachshund’s temperament and personality, or from the temperament and personality of a different breed. While every puppy Dachshund might be different, we cannot deny the fact that they all do have some things in common and that you should learn about those things before you get this canine as a pet.

If you have been thinking about getting a Dachshund as a pet, then you have most likely fallen in love with its unusual appearance featuring short legs and a long body. There is also no doubt in my mind that you have heard about their popular nickname, i.e. “wiener dog”, which has probably made this breed even more interesting and appealing to you. The floppy ears add to the overall adorability, which is probably one of the main reasons why you have even started thinking about getting this animal as your new pet.

You have to understand, however, that you should never get a dog just because you think it is cute and adorable. There are some far more important things that you should know and consider before getting your new pet. As for the Dachshund, there are definitely quite a lot of factors that you should take into account regarding their temperament and personality, so that you can decide if it is the right pet for you or not.

If you don’t quite know a lot about Dachshunds and if their appearance is the only thing that has you drawn towards them, here is what I suggest. Continue reading with the aim of learning a bit more about the overall temperament and personality of this particular breed. This way, you will be able to make an informed decision on whether the Dachshund is right for you or not. So, let us begin learning.

They Are Great Hunters

When you take a look at this dog, you will certainly be able to imagine them goofing around, rolling on the floor or doing a lot of interesting things, but there is one thing that probably won’t cross your mind. I’m talking about the idea of a Dachshund going hunting. If this is something you cannot imagine, then I do advise you to learn a bit more about the origin of these animals. In short, they are bred to be great hunters, meaning that they are actually driven by their nose and their bellies. If hunting trips are not a part of your routine, you could invent a game and have them hunt for treats.

They Are Smart & Extremely Curious

Given their hunting instincts, it goes without saying that Dachshunds are extremely smart and also rather curious and inquisitive by nature. Once again, you can satisfy their curiosity by inventing hunting and preying games. In addition to that, you can change the routes of your walking sessions every now and then, so as to ensure that their inquisitiveness is fulfilled and their intelligence sparked.

Training Them Might Be Tricky

Even though, or precisely because, Dachshunds are extremely intelligent, training them might be an ordeal. The truth is that these dogs are rather stubborn. The key to succeeding in training them actually lies in finding proper motivation, i.e. a treat that they are crazy about, or perhaps a toy that they love, and then using those as a reward during training sessions. Of course, you should also arm yourself with patience and be very consistent in order to be able to properly train these dogs.

They Have Loud Barks

One of the things that might annoy your neighbors is the fact that these canines tend to bark rather often. In addition to that, they have loud barks, which often make it seem that you have a much larger dog. This can be both funny and annoying at times, but with the right training, you can teach them not to bark that often.

They Don’t Like Rain & Snow

One of the adorable things about Dachshunds, including those found on this page, is the fact that they don’t like rain or snow. This is because their physiognomy leads to them getting their bellies wet, which is not a great sensation. That is precisely why people often dress them when going for walks during bad weather.

Digging Is Their Go-To Activity

Dachshunds need a lot of exercises and their go-to activity is usually digging. Sure, they also love running, jumping, and generally playing with people and other animals. Yet, digging has always been and will always be their favorite pastime, which is why you should find a place where they can do it freely.