I literally inherited a 7 month old black and tan short hair male when a family member died. Unfortunately I was working 12-hr shifts and did not have the time I needed to spend with him. When he was about two, I placed him in a home with children and a human mother who did not work outside the home. He is much happier now than he would have been if I tried to keep him. The children love him and he loves the children. I also have two Chihuahuas who don’t mind being alone but for the Doxie, it was just too much for him. It has been about two years now and I miss him terribly. I have often thought about getting another one and I thought if I got one before my two went to the Rainbow Bridge, they could show him the ropes and help him learn to go to the bathroom where and when they did.

Although they are fairly well house trained, they will go on the floor if no one’s around. I confine them to a 2’ x 6’ pen when I’m not home. You can configure the pen any way you want to; most people make them round. It’s comparable to crating but they way I set mine up allows them a separate section to sleep and use the bathroom.

You haven't enjoyed life to the fullest unless you've been entertained by these cuties. They are hilarious. Very loving, affectionate to owner...can be protective. perfect pet for age 7-15 years old since they're so energetic. smart but hard-headed.

I have owned three dachshunds or perhaps I should say they have owned me. Dachshunds are wonderful companion dogs and are usually very affectionate. More than any breed of dog I've been around they have a way of working their way into your heart. Of course they have their specific issues (like any breed) that a potential owner should be aware of.

Here are a few of the important ones:

1) They can be very stubborn. The breed needed to be smart and able to think independently to do the job they were bred for - helping hunt badgers. That independent intelligence can be good or bad depending upon how it's put to use. :)

2) They can be hard to house train. Like I mentioned above they can be stubborn and
sometimes they don't want to go outside if it's cold, wet, or just seems too far to travel to. I've talked with many owners who have said their dog is "85-95% trained. That's where I would place the two I have now.

3) They require a lot of attention. They really want to be around you the master. My two love to be outside in the sun but if I'm not outside they won't spend more than a few minutes in the yard usually. They want to be where the action is and consider the action to be where ever the human is. Important - if you don't want a dog that seeks your attention - even pesters you for it - then a dachshund is not for you.

4) They think they are big dogs. Most small dog breeds think they are big because they were bred down in size so it's not surprising really. It's important to know though that a 10 lb miniature dachshund may have no fear at running towards and barking at a 100 lb dog that shows up in the same territory.

5) They tend to bark a lot when people come near "their area". I wish it wasn't so but a
dachshund wants everyone to know it's his/her territory.

6) They need to have their food controlled for them. They will eat themselves into obesity which is very bad for their health and most specifically their backs. Unfortunately more than half of the dachshunds I see are overweight because people let them eat too much.

7) There are three main coat types and each have their own personality. The most common is the smooth/short coat - the original. Smooth coats tend to choose one person who is "theirs". They will likely enjoy attention from whoever lives in the home but they will want to be with their primary person whenever possible. The long coat is less focused on one person and has a more playful, even comical, personality. My 1/2 long hair loves anyone who will pet him and is quite adept at getting that attention. The wire coat is the most mellow of the three and is also not as married to just one person as the smooth/short coat is.

There is a lot more you should learn about dachshunds before you choose to get one. Like any breed the more you know about them the better owner you can be.

"If you've never owned dachshunds, no explanation is possible;
if you have owned dachshunds, no explanation is necessary."
~Benny Archuleta

Own 3 dachshunds, have been around the breed for over 40 years and wouldn't own anything else! While they have their pitfalls, they still in my opinion are a fantastic breed. Not all people can own a dachshund, as they have their own "attitude", and if you're not up to dealing with that kind of an attitude, then it would be wise to look elsewhere. All three coat varieties have different temperaments, and thorough research on the breed is highly recommended before purchasing one. Males are the hardest to housebreak, but even the females can be a challenge. A dachshund needs to have vigilant obedience, otherwise they are extremely smart and know how to "rule" you!

Ugly dog. Annoying. Obnoxious. Will never own one.

This is not a breed for everyone, but they are great if you have the patience. My boyfriend has a smooth coat Dachshund that is 4 and she is one funny dog!! They do tend to bark when they want to and will chase squirrels at the drop of a hat. But the love, humor, and dedication to their loved ones makes this breed a great one. She will bark at big dogs and sounds mean, but is not at all. She knows she's small and she's just trying to protect herself. These dogs have such silly personalities and love to sleep under the covers with you, esp. the smooth coat ones. I never thought I would fall in love with her the way I have, but once you understand them, you will always want one in your life!

I work at a vet's office and see more evil Dashounds than I care to talk about. I have been around a few that were sweet but most are nerve bags and willing to flip out and bite at the drop of a hat. They are also VERY overbred and are now mostly being bred for fancy color. TONS of health problems too. A recent study on dog aggression listed these guys as number one and I believe it.

I am on my second dachsund and I love them both dearly.  I can't say enough good things about them.  As a breed they are a little more emotional as a rule, which can result in an overly vocal and/or nerotic dog.  However, if you have the patience and resources to train them properly you will end up with the most loyal, loving companion you could ever ask for(that is not to say other breeds may or may not be more suited for you).   They are great apartment dogs as long as they get regular walks.

My husband & I have a long haired bager dog Haley the best dog we have ever met loves us both and our cat. She does have a barking issue, we are working on. She is almost a year old. If you have time for this energetic bindle of joy theye are the most loving dogs highly recomend one or two!

I'm on my third Dachshund now and never get tired of them. To me they are one of the most loving dogs as well as entertaining. They love to be at the center of all the action and long to be wherever their master is. They are small and quite clean and easy to take care of. You have to be careful if you have small children though, they can easily hurt the dog if they get too rough. Dachshunds make great watch dogs too...seriously. Nothing gets past them without their knowing. And, like a previous writer stated, they do bark...a lot. Still, they are absolutely the cutest thing on four legs I've ever seen!

I don't dislike them.  They're just not my kind of dog.

Very goofy, looking dogs, very intelligent, but very stubborn and independent and they love to bark and bark like true hunting hounds, they are great indoors though, nice and quiet and affectionet, many are also quite aggressive I find, at the vets, one just wouldn't stop growling and barking at my big lab mix, and my dog just wanted to play. you just have to smile though when you see one or two walking or running, it's so cute and funny!! I love scratching my neighbor's dachund's belly because it's so funnily adorable when her tiny little legs jiggle heavy in pleasure, you can't help hugging their long weenie dog bodies.

I love these dogs!!!!!! They are so cute. I have a short haired Dachshund. My dog doesn't bark but will whine when he is left alone. He loves to get attention. He is great with other people and kids, but he doesn't like other dogs. Over all, I love this breed!!!

My mom has a longhaired mini named Morgan that has delusions of being an attack dog. She always get a chuckle out of me. She also really likes cheese.

I own a miniature smooth Dachshund and i have to say that my Dachshund is indeed the best dog i have ever owned.
Firstly she is just unbeleivably cute! she has big brown puppy eyes, a tiny little black nose and big floppy ears. Every where i go, everybody just finds her iresistable and they all stop to stroke her.
Secondly my doxie is hilarious! she has an over shot jaw so her tongue sticks out when she sleeps. And she thinks she is a rottweiler, she'll go strutting up to big labs and alsations barking. She has lots of attitude.
Thirdly my dog is soo affectionate, she follows me every where and loves sleeping on my lap and cuddling up to me.
Fourthly she is friendly and good with children. she loves attention.
Fithley she is incredably smart, she can figure out how to get her toys and how to get the dog treats out the cupboard.
I just love her to peices and she makes every one smile.

I feel sorry for the males when they go up or down steps!

These dogs are great! They, from my experence have been excellent with my two 6 year old twins. They are easy to care for and are wonderful family pets!

so cute and affectionate, but are prone to skin infections and back disorders

These things can be annoying. But they can also be cute. Bred to fight badgers underground.

Dachshunds are really cute dogs they are friendly and loyal they can be geedy but theres nothin wrong with dat they are really cute when dere pups arrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrr i love doxys (not more dan my friend ilovedachshunds she loves dem more dan any 1) !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! hope u c this al bi

Dachshunds are the greatest dog around, they adore children and people but they alert you when somebodies at the door, They are super intelligent dogs that have a great sense of humor and they are affectionate and fun loving. They like walking but also love to snuggle up to you on the sofa! They are the most adorable things on earth! I own a smooth-haired mini and I love her millions! I just wanted to say Dachshunds Rule!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! !!!!

Kraut dogs have a lot of heart and are great!

These little biters are very lovable with there owner, and there family.They are not frendly to others. They are little biters and they bark to much.

Another of God's beautiful creatures. I have two of them. Both are females born in May 1995. They're still strong today at the dog age of 70. One good thing about these dogs is that they don't leave hairballs around the place and they love you unconditionally if you're nice to them.

They are definitely ankle-biters and normally only will relate to one person in the household... but are funny little companions that will keep you laughing. Not that great with children, in my experience.

I think these dogs are cute, but my next door neighbour has a smooth haired miniture that barks and barks and barks all day almost very annoying!!! but I think they neglect it,because it is chubby and must want to go for a walk.When it was a puppy they did everything for it ,but now it's neglected,very cruel!!!

Cute, affectionate- like a mobile sausage with legs and eyes (trust me, I have one!). The only faults they have- they can develop back problems when they're older by jumping down stairs and Vietnamese dog-eaters may really take to Dachshunds. Other than that, they're a really good dog.

these dogs are also very comical... they come in close with the pug on my list.. i love them.

Goofy-looking things, but very cute and affectionate. They have a lot of trouble with stairs, and develop back problems later in life, for more or less obvious reasons.

Ugly mean lil dogs. They have attacked my grand daughters.

looks good to eat so i added another star

We wanted a small house dog that wouldn't be a sissy. We now have two, and they think they are giants. Great watchdogs, they fear nothing.

Gorgeous lovable dogs, and they are very loving. I get offended when someone calls them "weenie" dogs. That's an insult. They are very loyal, but they tend to bark at anything that moves, and will dig up your yard if you let them. Of course, that was what they were bred for, so don't blame them for it.

i'll give'em credit for their unique physique, but most of them are hateful little cusses that wanna attack and bite me.

My favorite!! They are great as pets and friends. Small also!! You can scoop them up in your arms when necessary!! LOL.

i'm not a fan of small dogs, but there's just something about Dachshunds that makes them totally irrisistable to me. I think they're so adorable and sweet!

I would choose a Dachshund if I was looking for a small, cuddly dog because they are just that, small and cuddly. They are also loyal, friendly and ABSOLUTELY ADORABLE, had to get that in... I know two hilarious Dachshunds and they are two of the smartest dogs I've ever met. They understand lots of English and body language. Therefore, in my opinion, Dachshunds are one of the best dogs to have.

You just gotta love weiner dogs --- they're cute and the two I know well are excellent companions. The only drawback is they don't seem to like being alone too much, at least the two I know don't. I really don't know if this is true of the breed or not. In contrast, a chihuahua raised with these two daschunds didn't seem to mind being alone at all.

These dogs are cute I have to admit, they are very nice dogs and they have a great personality!

I've never had a dachshund but have had the opportunity to meet two. Both of these dogs were very sweet and outgoing. Their owners absolutely adored them and they return(ed) the adoration. They are very good natured dogs and a very good choice for small houses and apartments.

These are fine if you have the time to pay alot of attention to them.They do not like to get their stomachs wet.

The miniature female dachshund we have is a great dog. She is funny, with a real personality that keeps us entertained. She is territorial, often trying to defend our turf like she is a Great Dane. She is very loving once she gets to know you, which only takes a friendly visit or two.

I can't take these little dogs seriously. It makes me uncomfortable to look at them. And I just kind of feel sorry for anything stuck in that shape.