If you have decided that the dog for you is a Dachshund then you have made a great decision as long as you understand that although they make some of the most loyal and loving pets, they also have a few traits that you need to know about.
All dog breeds have their own unique personalities, Dachshunds are no different and some literally run in the family.
They tend to have a more stubborn attitude that most dogs and tend to have lean towards having back problems.
All of these things you can get through if you know how to take care of him properly.
Don't be surprised or even hurt if your Dachshund tends to take a liking more to one person in the family more than another one.
These little guys are notorious for choosing one "master" they like more than another.
This does not mean they don't love everyone, it's just that they have a favorite and they are going to be far more protective over their "favorite".
So if you are the favorite, don't be surprised one day if they think you are in danger, that they come running ferociously into to try and give you help.
Understand that it is in their blood to be hunters.
This is one of the oldest domestic breeds in the world and they were first bred to be little hunters that went after burrowing animals.
So they are more than likely not going to get along very well with smaller pets in the home like hamsters or pet rats.
If you have a pet like this in your home, make sure they are kept away from each other.
For the sake of the smaller pet.
Your Dachshund will kill them.
Even though Dachshunds are very easy to potty train, there are times if they feel you have been unfair and they are upset with you, they will intentionally go on the carpet just to let you know how they feel and that they think they are the boss.
They will sometimes go as far as to get up on your bed if possible and go where you sleep.
So, it's a good idea that if you go somewhere without them that you keep them in one room only so they don't have the opportunity to let you know how mad they are at you.
When a dachshund grows older they will sometimes not be able to know when to stop eating and will tend to gain weight.
This could then lead them to have problems with their backs so make sure that if notice this that you put them on a diet and keep the trash put somewhere they can't get to it, because they will go for that with a vengeance if they are looking for food.
One of the hardest things to teach your Dachshund is to stay by your side without being on a leash.
They just are too stubborn to care that you want them to stay by your side.
So if you have a yard that is not properly fenced or you are anywhere in public, make sure that he is on a leash.
You should use a harness type collar with the leash and not one that attaches to a collar around the neck.
No matter how hard you try, your Dachshund will never learn to walk on a leash without pulling all the time.
So doing this will avoid choking.