Quote:
Originally Posted by katyseagull
That dog looks like it would be impossible to housebreak! I always wanted a dachshund. Wonder what their personalities are like? Someone told me they can be aggressive, but they sure don't look aggressive.
One of my pups is a dachshund. I had another one growing up as well. I wouldn't call them aggressive, but territorial. She definitely has a voice and let us know if someone is say, walking up the driveway. I don't think she would ever bite someone or something unless she was in complete flight or fight mode, which I don't really see happening ever. She is very docile when she doesn't have an "area," if that makes sense.
For instance, we went to a large dog park meetup (probably 100+ dogs). When she was on the leash walking around, she wasn't really comfortable, but she simply avoided all the other dogs. When we sat down, put down a blanket and established an "area," she would actively defend that territory barking and snapping. It's definitely something we have tried to curtail, but her instincts are strong.
Dachshund in German means Badger Dog. They were bred to be put into the one end of a badger hole, bark and act vicious enough that the badger would leave out the other end, where the hunter would kill the badger. From what I understand, badgers are pretty vicious themselves, so to scare one like that means the dog has to be able to act pretty tough.
But they are damn cute and the sweetest dog to us!