Dachshunds are one of the best types of dogs and one of the best things about them is they come in three different varieties: the long-haired, smooth-haired and wire-haired Dachshund.
But when it comes to different breeds, you’ve probably wondered what the difference is between their respective personalities, if there is a difference at all.
Well, the answer is, there is indeed a difference in personality.
The long-haired Dachshund is probably the sweetest of the group, coming with a friendly nature that you can be sure will help you in the longer run.
They are the calmest of the three. However, the smooth-haired is a bit more aggressive, as they are often used as hunting animals.
The wire-haired one has more of a sense of fun and wants to play.
Contents
- 1 The Dachshund – A Short History
- 2 What Is The Personality Of A Dachshund?
- 3 Long-Haired, Smooth-Haired And Wire-Haired Dachshunds – What Is The Difference?
- 4 The Smooth-Haired Personality Type
- 5 The Long-Haired Personality Type
- 6 The Wire-Haired Personality Type
- 7 How Your Behavior Will Affect A Dachshund
- 8 Genetics Or Rearing – How Do These Affect A Dog’s Personality?
- 9 How Did The Mother Dog Treat Her Puppies?
- 10 What Are Some Of The Best Ways To Train Your Dachshund?
- 11 Our Final Say
The Dachshund – A Short History
Dachshunds were originally bred for hunting rabbits and other small game.
In fact, this was the reason why the breed got its name from “das hund”, which means “the dog” in German.
They were first brought into England by English soldiers during World War I.
It wasn’t until after the war ended that people started breeding these dogs for show purposes.
However, even though the breed became popular among the public, it never really caught on.
And so, the breed went through several changes over the years.
In the 1930s, the American Kennel Club made some changes to the breed.
One of those changes included making the coat short and curly instead of long and straight. This caused the popularity of the breed to increase.
Today, the dachshund is one of the most popular breeds of dogs. There are many reasons why this is the case.
For starters, they have a great temperament.
Plus, they are very easy to train, which makes them great for having around the home for small children.
What Is The Personality Of A Dachshund?
Dachshunds have some general traits that are very attractive to a lot of dog owners.
If you are looking for a list of traits that are compatible with your family, then we would certainly recommend that you get a Dachshund.
Some of the most common traits for this dog are:
They will guard your property – these dogs will certainly bark a lot, so make sure that they aren’t in a neighborhood with a lot of people close by.
They are stubborn animals – sometimes it makes them very difficult to train, so make sure that you have plenty of patience with these animals.
They love to snuggle up next to you – these dogs are extremely affectionate, so make sure that your kids don’t give them any toys or treats.
They are not good with strangers – because of their size, they are not always the best choice for a pet that needs lots of exercise.
They are smart – these dogs are usually very intelligent and learn quickly. So, if you want to teach them something new, then you should do it early on.
They have a lot of courage – they are brave enough to protect themselves and others from danger.
They are good hunting dogs – they are excellent at finding prey.
They are loyal companions – they are also very protective of their families.
However, don’t make the mistake of thinking that all Dachshunds will behave the same.
A lot of these dogs will have personalities of their own, where some of the traits that we’ve listed above will be far more dominant than others.
Having said this, there is a marked difference between these three different breeds in terms of personality and it is worth learning them so that you know what is the best for you, your home and your family.
Long-Haired, Smooth-Haired And Wire-Haired Dachshunds – What Is The Difference?
The physical differences between the three types of Dachshunds can vary quite significantly.
When it comes to the hair, the long-haired type has longer fur that is soft and silky. They tend to be slightly bigger as well.
The smooth-haired type is similar to the long-haired type but they only have a few hairs on their body.
These dogs tend to be smaller than the other two types.
The wire-haired type has shorter hair that is hard and stiff. They tend to be much smaller than the other two breeds.
They are seen to be quite shaggy animals and some people think they look a lot more untidy.
But how do these correspond with the personality types of the different breeds?
Well, let’s go a bit more granular with these animals and see what exactly typifies the differences.
The Smooth-Haired Personality Type
This breed tends to be rather laid back and easy-going. They are known to be friendly and outgoing towards other dogs and humans alike.
This means that they are great for children and even some adults who like having pets around them.
They are also very loyal animals and very territorial. This is why a lot of people use them as guard dogs.
They also like to hunt and dig, which might be an issue if you live in a built-up neighborhood.
They are also very intelligent dogs. If you want to teach them anything, then you need to start training them early on.
You’ll find that they’re quick learners and they enjoy being taught new things.
They also like to befriend lots of members of the same household. We would recommend getting this type if you have a large family with children.
The Long-Haired Personality Type
These dogs are very energetic and active. They love to play and get involved in everything that happens around them.
They are also very social animals and love meeting new friends.
They are also extremely affectionate and loving towards their owners.
They are compared to Spaniels, not only because they look like them but they have the same energetic temperament.
They also have very warm coats, despite the fact that their hair is a lot shorter than some of the other breeds of this animal.
This type of animal makes for a better pet than the two other Dachshunds because of its calm nature.
The other dogs are more energetic and have natural hunting natures.
The Wire-Haired Personality Type
If you want a dog that will never stop moving, then this is the right one for you.
They are also very independent and stubborn. Some think that they don’t really care about anyone or anything except themselves.
They are also considered to be very protective of their territory. They can become aggressive when they feel threatened.
They also tend to bark a lot.
The Wire-haired type is usually found in countries where there is a lot of snow. They also prefer cold weather over hot ones.
They also have thicker coats in order to protect them from the harsh environment that they are hunting in to protect from getting hurt.
The personality of the hunting dog is still evident in the modern-day breed.
You might not want to have this one around children, as they can be quite snappy.
You’ll need to make sure that your children are old enough to treat this animal with respect and to maintain a decent space from it.
How Your Behavior Will Affect A Dachshund
A dachshund’s behavior depends on how you train him/her. It all starts with your own attitude towards the dog.
If you are kind to the animal, he/she will respond positively to you.
You’ll also need to respect your dog’s space.
Remember that a dog will feed off your energy, so if you are calm around your animal, then the chances are that your dog will be calm too.
If you are always angry at your dog, then he/she will pick up on your mood and react accordingly.
He/she may even try to avoid you if you are constantly yelling at him/her.
Male and female Dachshunds will also react differently. Males are naturally more dominant than females.
This means that they will act more assertively than females.
However, males are also much more playful than females. Females are known to be more serious and reserved.
It is important to remember that these types of differences between male and female dogs do exist. However, both sexes should be treated equally.
The fact that dogs are spayed will also affect their personality.
You can notice a significant alteration in your dog’s personality once they have been spayed.
If your dog is a rescue dog, then it will have a unique temperament.
Remember that all of these dogs come with a past, so make sure that you respect that and don’t expect your dog to change immediately.
Dogs are social animals, so they will enjoy being around people.
If you are planning to get a dachshund puppy, then you will need to spend time playing with your new friend.
Your dog needs to know that you love them unconditionally. Make sure that you give your dog lots of attention and affection.
This will help your dog develop into a well-adjusted individual who will appreciate you for everything that you do for him/her.
Genetics Or Rearing – How Do These Affect A Dog’s Personality?
When it comes to breeding, you must understand that some breeds are better suited for certain environments.
For example, German Shepherds are excellent guard dogs.
But, they are also prone to separation anxiety.
When you take them out of their kennel, they will start barking and whining until someone returns home.
If you don’t provide them with proper training, then they could end up biting or attacking other animals.
If your Dachshund received exposure to people from an early age, then the chances are that they will be a lot more amenable to humans and will trust them a lot more.
However, if you didn’t expose your dog to people when he was young or they were abused, then they will be wary of strangers.
Some owners prefer to keep their dogs indoors because they feel like they are safer inside.
But, this doesn’t mean that your dog won’t enjoy going outside.
In fact, many dogs like to go out for walks every day. They just want to see what’s happening outside.
How Did The Mother Dog Treat Her Puppies?
You might think that you know how your dog behaves, but there are times when you will find yourself surprised by his/her actions.
For instance, did you know that puppies will play fight with each other? It’s true!
How you raise your Dachshund pups will be very important for their wellbeing and will be the thing that affects their personality more than genetics.
There are different ways to determine your dog’s personality type. One way is to observe your dog’s behavior.
You can then adjust the training according to what you’ve observed.
Another way is to ask your friends and family members about your dog.
You can also ask the breeder and get plenty of information from them about your dog before you take them home.
The last option is to read books on dog psychology. This will allow you to learn more about your dog’s personality.
What Are Some Of The Best Ways To Train Your Dachshund?
It would be best if you trained your dog using positive reinforcement methods.
Positive reinforcement means rewarding your dog whenever he does something right.
It helps to teach your dog to behave in certain situations without having to use punishment.
Our Final Say
We hope that our guide to the three types of Dachshund has helped you to determine which will be the best for your needs and which one you can safely introduce to your families.