Doxies are independent. Doxies are loving. Dachshunds are playful. Doxies can be aggressive.

How can this be true of one breed of dog? Well, it is. Dachshunds are among the most interesting and complex breeds because they encompass all these attributes and many more besides.

Bred in Germany in the late 1600s to chase vermin, fearless and bold characteristics were selected first and foremost. At the same time, they had to be strong-willed, persistent and resourceful. It does little good to have feet and legs that are excellent for digging if the dog does not have the spirit of pursuit.

Those attributes have continued down through the centuries. While most Dachshunds today are pets, not hunters, once attributes are bred in their nature does not change much. What can be considered aggression in one circumstance can be simple courage in another. What can be considered valuable persistence in one situation can be seen as willfulness in another.

Above all, they are intelligent dogs. Being as they have an individualist charcter, they are more difficult to take an interest in training. Their smarts allow them to excel in whatever they do if handled properly.

Keeping in mind that independence does not necessarily mean they are uninterested in others. Doxies want to take part in any adventure going on around them and are filled with curiosity. Some breeds are happy to sit by quietly and observe. A Doxie wants to be in the middle of things, participating along with everyone else.

There are variations within these broad outlines noted.

The Smooth-Coat exhibits all the classic behaviors – barking at the least invasion to its territory, leading the pack whenever possible and more. They will be reluctant more often to take a bath and struggle during nail clipping time.

The Wire-Hair type looks and acts like a combination of Doxie and terrier. Terriers are high strung also. But they love to play and their behavior is not aggressive so much as just forthright.

The Long-Hair is more like the Irish Setter in miniature, though not to that extreme. Although they enjoy a good romp, they are a little more inclined to watch and wait their turn. They are among the easier varieties to train though they take a bit more grooming care.

All Doxie variations are natural diggers. Bred to chase small game, such as badgers, into a den, Doxies like getting into things. Doxies powerful front legs and muscular chest make it pretty easy for them to do just that. Thanks to the streamlined body and smooth, narrow head, getting out isn’t too much more difficult. If you want to keep the lawn or garden intact, don’t allow the Dachshund to roam freely without supervision.

Dachshunds do need at least moderate exercise in activities where they can work off some of their natural energy. A good idea for these “gophers” is tunnels in an obstacle course.

Doxies are also loving and loyal. The bond between a Dachshund and the person or family it adopts is unusually strong. Dachshunds want to be near people and enjoy interaction. As any owner will be happy to tell you……..

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Tags: Dachshund, dog, dogs, Doxie, intelligent, pets, temperament

This entry was posted on Wednesday, May 13th, 2009 at 9:07 PM and is filed under Dog Training. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. Both comments and pings are currently closed.