Temperament

The temperament of a Dachshund is something that a new owner needs to be prepared for. These dogs are very intelligent and sometimes it seems as if they are planning the things they do. They especially like to assist in helping you do things around the house and even more so if they think it will help to expedite going out for play or a walk. They will follow their master everywhere, and get very upset if they can’t.

Dachshunds are loyal, playful fun dogs, known for their propensity to chase small animals and birds. According to the American Kennel Club's breed standards, "the Dachshund is clever, lively and courageous to the point of rashness, persevering in above and below ground work, with all the senses well-developed. Any display of shyness is a serious fault."

Coat type is often considered to be associated with characteristic temperaments; the long-haired variety, for instance, is considered to be less excitable than the other types because it was cross-bred with the Spaniel to obtain its characteristic long coat. Some who own long-haired Dachshunds might disagree with this statement, however. Because of the breed's characteristic barrel-like chest, the dachshund's lungs are unusually large, making for a sonorous bark that belies the dog's true size.

Dachshunds are known to quickly convert new owners to a lifetime of Dachshund addiction. They are loyal, protective, affectionate and love their people very much! They have often been accused of being independent and stubborn, but if we keep in mind that he was bred to 'go to ground' and make decisions regarding the pursuit of his prey, we can understand, and forgive, a bit of an independent attitude. A more humorous carryover of the Dachshund's burrowing... he is often found 'burrowed' under a favorite sweater laid carelessly on a chair, an heirloom quilt or his own blanket. If allowed, he can be found under the bedcovers as well, an excellent hot water bottle substitute for the feet. Determined on a course of action, a Dachshund can become obsessive to see his task to its end. Just try to let an evening go by without handing out the evening treat and you will soon bear witness to this determination as he stares you into submission. Curious, energetic, an impish sense of humor and a strong need to be close to the humans they own, a Dachshund makes an ideal companion and family member.

Each variety of Dachshunds is said to have a temperament associated with its coat, due to cross-breeding origins. The smooth-haired variety has a coat that is shiny, straight, and short, which requires very little grooming, but could benefit from a sweater on a cold day. They tend to be apprehensive with strangers, and often isolate their loyalty to just one family member. The long-haired Dachshund is said to be the most even-tempered and friendly of all varieties, enjoying the attention of anyone willing to play a game. Their coats are long, silky soft, and slightly feathered, and require daily grooming to remove twigs and burrs, and to prevent matting. The double-coated, wire-haired Dachshunds are the extroverts, but tend to be more stubborn. A short, tight, wiry, harsh outer coat protects them from twigs and burrs. This, coupled with a softer, shorter undercoat, can keep this variety warm in cold weather. Their coat requires regular grooming and bi-annual trimming. Common colors include several shades of solid red, black/tan, or chocolate patterns, though all varieties are available in most colors, excluding white.

These are a few descriptions of the temperament of the Dachshund that I have found. It is important to notice that the descriptions describe a behavior. Any behavior is complex. You first observe the behavior, do an analysis of the behavior, and then try to modify the behavior to suit your needs. When selecting a dog should decide what you need the dog for, then find a breed with the temperament that best matches your needs.

The best description that I have found is "The physical and mental characteristics or peculiarities of an individual dog, made evident through its reaction to physical and situational stimuli, that is, any change in its environment." I have received puppies that were remarkably similar in certain behaviors and completely different in others. I had to find out if this is a learned behavior, a breed behavior,a individual behavior, or just plain puppy behavior.

1. Temperament is primarily a function of the dog's neurological makeup, the brain and nervous system.
2. Temperament is 100% genetic; it is inherited, and fixed at the moment of the dog's birth
3. Temperament in the dog cannot be eliminated nor transformed from one type to another. It cannot change during the dog's lifetime.
4. It is the permanent neurological characteristic of the individual dog.
5. Environment, Socialization or Training can modify the expression of an individual dog's temperament, but they cannot transform it nor eliminate it.

Numbers one thru four are important to remember when selecting a dog. You would not want to get a dog with the temperament of a lap dog to guard you gold mine. But it would be fine to watch TV with. Number five is one you can work with after you have picked a dog to fit your needs. Environment, where will your dog live? Inside or outside? Socialization, how does it behave around people? Other animals? Training, is what you get to do to help the other ones to come out right. There are two major categories of temperament. Sound Temperament and Unsound Temperament.

The dog with a sound temperament is confident and self assertive. He is sure of himself and investigates what he is unsure of. He handles his environment with confidence and without fear. His approach to life and his environment is curious, assertive and investigative. If startled or frightened, he recovers quickly from his fright. He trust himself and his owner, is confident around others.

The dog of unsound temperament does not display the above calm, confident, self assertive, non-fearful behaviour. There is a range of behaviours considered to be unsound, but the following list can be taken as a complete or almost complete list of the variations: Sharp, Shy, Sharp-Shy, Submissive, Temperamental, Hyperactive, and Over Aggressive.

Sharp Temperament - A dog with a sharp temperament reacts (immediately) to individual environmental stimuli without thought. The dog does not consider consequences. The sharp dog recovers slowly. If the stimulus is innocent and continuous, the sharp dog does not settle down and accept its innocence. It continues to react without thought. It will not investigate.

Shy Temperament - The shy dog is afraid of unfamiliar people, places and things. He is sensitive to noise and movement, and does not take initiative. The shyer the dog is, the greater will be the amount of fear displayed. Shyness may also be caused by improper environmental socialization or people experiences. This shyness may be reversed to some extent by proper handling and training, but avoiding such an outcome right from the start is preferred.

Sharp-Shy Temperament - The Sharp-Shy dog displays aggression based on fear, he is the classic "fear-biter." Being sharp, he responds without thinking, and being shy, he is fearful. This combination produces a dog that bites at any unfamiliarity without thinking. Fear is a normal reaction in a normal dog to a perceived threat, but when the threat is over, the dog should recover quickly. The sharp-shy dog recovers slowly; its fear may even paralyze it, and it may bite if touched.

Submissive Temperament - The submissive dog readily surrenders authority and control to it leader, he easily accepts human leadership. He tends to be meek and mild and non-threatening. He has no desire to be in charge, and readily does what is asked. This kind of dog makes an excellent pet and companion for most first time dog owners and the average family. The temperamentally submissive dog may be, but is not necessarily, a "wimp." Submissiveness is also a trait that may be produced environmentally, by abuse.

Temperamental - A dog with this temperament suffers from failure of its central nervous system. New environmental stimuli so overwhelm this dog that it may shake uncontrollably or roll over. The temperamental dog will empty its bladder and bowels seemingly unaware, in unfamiliar or stressful situations. This dog is not just afraid - it cannot cope - with the stress. Its nervous system is so overwhelmed that the dog loses control of its body and bodily functions. The temperamental dog is not usually aggressive, but it is important to remember that there is a lot of fear in this dog, and the fearful dog may respond by biting. This trait is one step down from submissive, and cannot be fixed.

Hyperactive Temperament - The hyperactive dog is constantly moving, and generally moving fast. He constantly wants to move by running and jumping. If confined, he will pace incessantly and leap at walls, walk in circles or wag the tail non-stop. This hyperactivity is not normal but is the result of a metabolic malfunction (of the brain) that controls the body's activity. This dog could be thoroughly destructive if kept in a confined apartment or small space. In some cases it may be difficult to separate temperamental hyperactivity from normal high energy in some dogs.

Over Aggressive Temperament - The over aggressive dog reacts with more aggression than the situation suggests. This extreme behavior is often directed toward the handler and is usually in protest for having been asked to do something the dog does not want to do. This dog does not turn off easily; he will come after you and hurt you. It does not accept human leadership. An over aggressive dog should never be placed in a pet or companion situation. In fact if he is not in the hands of a professional handler, he should be put down.

Okay so your dog exhibits all of these things at one time or the other, especially if it is a puppy. No you don' have an unsound dog. These types of behaviors are all the time behaviors. They can be observed right away, over a long period of time. A puppy is being introduced to a new environment, new people, new everything. Puppies are very active, run away from new things, then come back to investigate. When playing they attack everything. Puppies may have picked up some behaviors from the breeders environment.

There two other temperamental traits require our attention. They originate in the self-assertiveness of the dog (Sound Temperament).

Dominance The dominant dog strives to achieve pack leadership. The more dominant he is, the less likely he is to accept human leadership and training. He is confrontational. Such a dog requires a skilled handler who can maintain pack leadership at all times.

Independence This dog does not want guidance or affection from other dogs or humans. He does not encourage companionship; he cares nothing for praise or pleasing his handler. The independent dog keeps his own company, is self directed and self reliant; he is not affectionate. Clearly, the independent dog would not make a good companion, and may function best as an out door "yard" dog.