Are Dachshunds Good With Kids? – Pros, Cons, Temperament & Training (2024)

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Dachshunds are a popular breed of dog, and for good reason. They’re loyal, affectionate, and make great companions.

Read on to find out.

Dachshund Personality

Dachshunds are known for their unique personalities, which include being:

• Playful
• Affectionate
• Loyal

They’re also intelligent and stubborn. However, they can be difficult to train if they aren’t properly socialized.

If you’re considering getting a dachshund, it’s important to be aware of their temperament and training needs.

Pros of Dachshunds With Kids

With their small size and sturdy build, dachshunds can be a great option for families with kids. Their brave nature minimizes fear-based aggression, and they’ve the potential for individual behavior based on their breeding.

However, it’s important to consult with breeders for a suitable puppy personality for families, and to provide early socialization for diverse behavior.

Cons of Dachshunds With Kids

While dachshunds can be good with kids, there are some potential concerns and challenges to consider:

• Back problems due to their long spine
• Higher reported aggression in small dogs
• Small dog syndrome causing barking and disobedience
• Prey drive leading to nipping during play
• Separation anxiety if left alone too long
• Potentially high vet costs for any back or other health issues
• Grooming needs that range from minimal to moderate depending on coat type
• Small size means more supervision is needed around very young kids
• Strong temperament requiring extensive socialization and training

Carefully considering these areas and properly preparing for a dachshund’s unique needs can lead to a rewarding relationship between the breed and children. But their back health, tendency toward stubbornness, and small stature call for an especially thoughtful approach.

Training Dachshunds to Be Good With Kids

While dachshunds can present some challenges around children, proper training from an early age can ensure safe, positive interactions.

You’ll want to prioritize early socialization to a wide variety of people and experiences.

Seek professional guidance to reinforce good manners and obedience.

Make sure to actively involve any kids in establishing house rules and partaking in reward-based training sessions.

With dedication to socialization, enlisted help as needed, respect for warning signs, and an emphasis on positive interactions from the start, your dachshund can thrive as part of a family.

Finding a Dachshund With a Winning Temperament

When choosing a dachshund, you’ll often find breeders and shelters test adult dogs’ temperaments to match you with the right companion.

• Seek responsible breeders who emphasize early socialization and conduct temperament testing.
• Ask shelters about any temperament testing done on dachshunds available for adoption.
• Inquire if rescue dogs have a proven history around children.
• Prioritize obedience training and bite inhibition.
• Involve children in establishing house rules and reinforce proper interaction.

The ideal dachshund has a winning temperament – eager to please, patient, and respectful. Selecting an adult with an assessed disposition and proper training increases the likelihood of a harmonious match.

How Much Exercise Do Dachshunds Need?

Once you’ve found a dachshund with a winning temperament, you’ll need to know how much exercise these dogs require daily.

Plan on providing your dachshund with 30-45 minutes of exercise per day.

Split this into two sessions – one in the morning and one in the evening.

Adjust duration and intensity based on your dachshund’s age and activity level.

Younger and more active dachshunds may need closer to 45 minutes of brisk walking, playing fetch, or running around a secure, fenced area. Watch for signs of fatigue. Older or less active dachshunds may only require 30 minutes of light walking split into multiple short sessions.

Getting the right amount of daily exercise will keep your dachshund fit and healthy.

Dachshund Dietary Needs

After properly exercising your Dachshund, you need to ensure you’re meeting their unique dietary requirements.

Dachshunds need balanced, nutrient-rich meals served in small frequent servings. Specialized small breed dog foods are suggested to provide the right nutrients. You’ll need to adjust portion sizes based on your dog’s age, metabolism and activity level.

Expect to brush them weekly, though long-haired varieties may need a bit more grooming attention.

Size	Nutrients	Growth Stage	Vet Consultation
Small	Balanced	Puppy	Suggested
Frequent	Nutrient-rich	Adult	To determine ideal diet
Portions	Specialized small breed foods	Senior	For specific advice
			Annual checkups

Training Dachshunds

You’ll need to train your dachshund using positive reinforcement to reinforce good behavior.

Reward-based methods like clicker training work very well for dachshunds. Use treats, praise, play, and affection to motivate your dachshund to listen and obey commands.

Invest time into crate training, housebreaking, and basic obedience.

Socialize your dachshund early and often to many people, places, sounds, and situations.

Sign up for puppy classes to teach good manners and prevent problem behaviors.

Proper training and socialization helps ensure your dachshund behaves appropriately around children.

With dedication and patience, you can mold your dachshund into a polite, well-adjusted family companion.

Grooming Dachshunds

When it comes to grooming your Dachshund, you’ll want to brush him weekly and regularly check his ears and nails.

• Brush your Dachshund once a week to remove loose hair and distribute skin oils.
• Trim his nails every couple of weeks, being careful not to clip the quick.
• Check and gently clean his ears weekly to prevent infections.
• Give him a bath only when dirty to avoid drying out his skin and coat.

Despite moderate shedding, Dachshunds have relatively low grooming needs overall. Stick to weekly brushings, regular nail clippings and ear checks, and the occasional bath when your Dachshund gets extra dirty from playtime adventures with the kids.

Maintaining these simple grooming habits will help keep your Dachshund happy, healthy, and handsome.

Cost of Owning a Dachshund

You need to factor in expenses like food, veterinary care, grooming, supplies, and potential medical issues when considering the financial commitment of owning a Dachshund.

The average annual cost of owning a Dachshund is estimated to be:

Expense	Cost
Food	$200 – $400
Veterinary Care	$500 – $600
Grooming & Supplies	$250 – $350

Actual costs can vary based on the Dachshund’s age, size, activity level, and health. However, you must prepare for potential expenses related to medical issues common in the breed like back problems or allergies.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)