Do Minni Dachshuns make good family Dog's?

Question

should I be concerned about the gender of the breed? What type of qualities should I be looking for? Are they a low maintenance breed? Will they be ok alone outside for a period of 7 to 9 hours a day? Any advise or info would help ty

Answer 1

Research the breed. If you plan to leave the dog outside so many hours why bother to get a dog!!!

Answer 2

Dachshunds are great little dogs and can make wonderful family pets as long as you are willing to put in the time and effort to research them and train them. The gender isn't usually a bit deal when you're chosing a pet. I am assuming you don't have any dogs right now; if getting a second dog, it's usually wise for the new dog to be the opposite sex of the current dog, as they generally get along a little better and there is less competition. If there are no other dogs in question, chose your dog based on its personality and temperment rather than its sex.

If you are looking for a family dog, go to a very good breeder who has a lot of experience with the breed. Don't go to a pet store as their dogs are over priced, usually come from puppy mills and are often sick and difficult to housetrain. Don't pick the bold little pup who is off exploring by himself away from his littermates: he is likely a very dominant little guy and while he will probably make someone a wonderful pet, he will also probably require more disciplen and training, and may be a bit of a rascal for a first time dog owner. Similarily, don't pick the poor little fellow quavering in the corner: he is probably too timid to be a family dog and his fear may potentially turn into aggression. You want the middle pup: the one who is more than willing to let you pick him up and cuddle him, but is not off by himself trying to escape the wheping box and get into trouble!

Dashchunds are a fairly low maintinance dog, compared with some larger and more energetic dogs. They are quite clean and don't smell overly 'doggy'. They require a modest amount of exercise (however the Dachshun Club of America considers 'modest' to be two walks of half a mile each, so it depends what you consider modest). They can be a little difficult to housebreak, but of course with patience and training, it will happen!

The absolutely cannot be left outside alone at all, never mind for 7-9. I would suggest that there are very few dogs who should ever be left outside alone for that long, and the ones who can are generally farm dogs who have grown up in the country, are trained to look after the farm, and have huge furry coats to protect them fromt he weather, AND access to the barn when it gets really nasty. For 'normal' city/suburbian families, dogs should never be left outside alone. Dachshunds are very low to the ground and are not particularily fond of cold weather. Leaving one alone would be a good way freeze him to death. otherwise, he may find a way to escape the yard (after all, he has 9 hours to think about it) and end up getting stolen, run over, or worst.

Answer 3

Dachshunds are wonderful, lovable, loyal pets. They can be destructive if left alone in the house - out of boredom or insecurity - but left outside in a pen, as loong as it is not too cold, they should be OK.
They can be hyper! And bossy - but don't require extensive grooming. They like sleeping under covers (they get cold easily) and curl up against you. I breed them and wouldn't choose any other breed over them for family dogs.
Look for good conformation and friendly personality. Gender doesn't matter unless you plan to breed. Spaying and neutering will make a better family pet.

Answer 4

No, they are not! My grandmother has one. She lives in my families house. When i lived there the dog was very nice to the people in the family and the other family dogs. Buy any outsider that dropped by would get it! That dog would bark it's head off, and if the stranger was close enough, it would bite! But it is the sweetest dog in the world to the family. I wouldnt chance it around kids. I cant speak for all weiner dog though. I have met a few nice ones.

Answer 5

i have 1!!!! they r the best dogs on earth!
1st of all u shouldnt be concerned about gender but i think females r best. u should b sure u dont get a dapple or dapple mix. they r more prone 2 seizures. my dachshund had a seizure 1 time cuz shes a dapple mix. they are basically low matnience but sum dachshunds get a really bad smell out of their ears and u should clean their ears out w/ babyoil & a Q- tip at least every month. Mine is fine outside 4 at least 9 hours so dont worry. but i would concider getting a small doggy house 4 her/him to sleep in when it rains or snows. Just give it plenty of love and clean their ears and give em baths every month and u are pretty good 2 go!!!
http://www.hamdachs.com/Dachshund%20Pages/Dachsund%20Info.htm
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dachshund
http://gotpetsonline.com/dachshund/dachshund-dog/dachshund-dogs.html
http://dogs.about.com/cs/breedprofiles/p/dachshund.htm
I like the last 1 best
ps:if u need help deciding on a name if u get 1 i suggest asking on YAHOO!

Answer 6

Hi, this website gives reviews by owners of their dachshunds & seems to imply that they make great family dogs - the owners give the good & the bad in their reviews:
http://www.hoflin.com/BR/Dachshunds

I'm not sure about keeping them outside ... especially in winter. And outside alone ... hmm, not even another little furry body to cuddle up to for warmth. Though I don't really know what you mean, you may be talking super duper centrally heated kennel with attached run & lots of toys ....

Answer 7

Mini Dachsunds make great family dogs.
It's always a good idea to go to petfinder.com and you can use their breed selector. They ask you a series of questions about your preferences and lifestyle and it comes back with a ranking of dogs that best meet your needs and tastes.
Dachsunds are great, though.

Answer 8

Small dogs like them can be nippy towards young kids. Anything larger than them is going to be frightening and of course, dogs can't speak our language- they communicate in their own canine body language; when a dog growls or nips, it's their way of saying "please leave me alone".

Also, PLEASE do not leave ANY dog alone outside for ANY amount of time. There are WAY TOO MANY dangers outside: they can get stolen, beaten, killed, poisoned, run away, get hit by a car, hang themselves, etc. etc. etc. Dogs belong living inside for their whole lives :o)

Answer 9

they are lap dogs,they need to be inside dogs,they are smart and do require alot of attention, they tend to be high maintenance breeds.

Answer 10

you should look at all breeds to fit your needs in my experience dachshunds are not good for what your looking