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The doghouse

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Original poster

Is a dachshund a good first dog for a family?

39 replies

YoniMontana · 18/04/2013 10:16

Hi I've never posted in the doghouse before so apologies if this has been covered before.
I have had dogs in the past pre kids (Lhasa apso and bichon frise) and had always wanted a Lhasa when my children were at school.
I have since been reading up on different types of dogs and apparently a Lhasa is not an ideal dog for young children.
My friend has a dachshund puppy who is absolutely adorable. She is planning to breed from her in a few years time and said I could have one if the breeding was successful. I know I'm way ahead of myself but I really loved her dog and wanted to know how they are as a breed?
Many thanks.

OP posts:

tabulahrasa · 18/04/2013 10:35

I don't know many - I do know that studies show they're the most likely breed to bite people. They're also prone to back problems, so they're not the most robust dog to have around children. The owners I know tend to describe them as grumpy, lol.

But I'm sure you'll get someone who owns one who might have a different opinion.

I do know quite a few lhasas...I'm not sure why they wouldn't be suitable for children though? They wouldn't put up with being mauled, but then no breed of dog should be getting poked and prodded by children anyway.

HeyYoniYoni · 18/04/2013 10:49

Honestly, no

They are loyal, loving and affectionate, to their own family. They do not like strangers. They are very territorial, therefore quite noisy at times, very very very stubborn, therefore difficult to train, including housetraining. they are small and delicate, particularly their backs, so not great for rough and tumble with kids. they should be discouraged from jumping and going upstairs, easier said than done with a creature who treasures warmth and comfort over all other things. They are greedy, most wouldn't think twice about helping themselves to a snack out of the hand of a child, and this, combined with a tendancy towards laziness means they are prone to being overweight, which in turn is very bad for thir backs. they are, generally, not very playful, so not much 'fun' for children.

we adore ours and she loves us. BUT taking her out is a PIA becasue everyone wants to say hello and stroke her and she HATES it. she is quite 'snappy' and not to be trusted around other children, this despite us being experienced dog owners, and her being extensively socialised and trained, in so far as training is possible with a dachshund.

They are lovely, but no, not an ideal family pet

i won't even go into the crappy breeding thing, there are others who can outline that far more succintly than i

Original poster

YoniMontana · 18/04/2013 16:26

Thanks very much this is exactly the kind of thing I wanted to know. It's a shame as i really liked the puppy. What is the ideal family pet do you think? I've only ever had small dogs and would prefer a small one rather than a lab tbh.

OP posts:

Jaskla · 18/04/2013 16:41

I was going to say the same about the personality of dachshunds - I know someone who breeds them and they are not the most sociable of breeds. Hounds are generally quite reserved with strangers although they love their owners to bits.

If you're after recommendations, we currently have a cockapoo and wouldn't hesitate to recommend them to people with kids. She adores children, lovely nature, really playful, clever and affectionate and doesn't moult (she does need clipping every 8 weeks though). We also get loads of people complimenting her - took her to the seaside a few weeks ago and an old lady couldn't stop staring with a huge smile on her face as we walked past

I know there's a lot of breed snobbery out there in relation to designer dogs but I think they have got it right with the cockapoo. The lady we take ours to for clipping and home boarding says that she has no issues with any of the ones she deals with.

Original poster

YoniMontana · 18/04/2013 16:43

Thanks I will look at those. It that a spaniel and a poodle?

OP posts:

Marne · 18/04/2013 16:47

No, no, no

I have only met a couple but from what i have seen they are not the best breed to have with children.

If you want a smaller dog i would go for JR, i'm not a fan of smaller dogs so i would go for a medium to large dog, we have a staffie and a lab x, the Staffie is fab with the kids (we got her when dd2 was 18 months old), the lab is good too but a bit more bouncy and more likely to grab food out of their hands (as he's a pig).

Jaskla · 18/04/2013 16:48

Yes, it's a cross between a cocker spaniel and a miniature poodle.

There's a website called Cockapoo club of Great Britain which has a lot of info on the breed if you google it.

Original poster

YoniMontana · 18/04/2013 17:15

Ok thanks the cockapoos look lovely! JRs aren't my type of dog, no offence to any JR owners, they are lovely, just not for me.
Thanks for the advice. It seems to be a resounding no for dachshunds then :(

OP posts:

handcream · 18/04/2013 17:22

I dont think a JR is right for a first time dog. Would agree with a Cockapoo (but cant they think of a better name!). Labs are greedy little (or big!) pigs!

Lilcamper · 18/04/2013 17:46

Pedantic I know, cockapoos are a cross not a breed.

Jaskla · 18/04/2013 18:18

Possibly, although isn't cross short for cross-breed anyway, hence the word breed is still in the name? They might not breed true but they are still 'bred' by 'breeders'.

They get called all sorts anyway - hybrid/cross/designer dog...

And handcream, I agree it is a silly name but always a good source of amusement for anyone that asks what ours is!

They must be getting more popular though as a lot more people come up asking if she's a cockapoo than they used to.

Bumbez · 18/04/2013 18:42

YY cockerpoo, mine is on my profile page. Dds are 7 and 9 everyone loves him and he loves every one :)

MrsWolowitz · 18/04/2013 18:44

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

poshfrock · 18/04/2013 19:09

My parents had a dachshund when I was a toddler. She hated me on sight, bit me on the face and I almost lost my right eye. I was two. So I would have to agree with the other posters. A cockerpoo sounds lovely.

needastrongone · 18/04/2013 19:15

Can you tell us a bit more about what type of dog you would prefer?
Other than not a larger breed as you say. Similar breeds to your pre children dogs?

Do you need a dog you can leave a little? How much exercise do you want to give it? Shedding? Happy to groom or not? Etc.

We have a springer who is super. Loving, gentle, trainable, etc. but needs a lot of exercise so not for all!

needastrongone · 18/04/2013 19:16

What about a Cocker or Poodle as a stand alone breed?

Original poster

YoniMontana · 18/04/2013 20:02

Hi thanks for the great questions. Basically I loved my Lhasa Apso. I got him as a child and was with I'd until the age of 16. He used to sleep on my feet and was the best dog ever. I liked that he was quite aloof and wasn't very high energy.
I am a SAHM and wouldn't be getting a dog until the dcs are at school so I have time to properly train the dog and also so he/she gets a break from the kids!
I don't mind grooming and would prefer a dog that doesn't shed loads. But some shedding is fine.
Not too energetic (like a terrier/collie). Will take on daily walks down the beach/up and down to school.

OP posts:

Original poster

YoniMontana · 18/04/2013 20:02

*he was with us until he was 16

OP posts:

poorpaws · 18/04/2013 22:49

What about a little whippet? Hounds are such gentle dogs and don't need nearly the amount of exercise people assume they do.

Or a cavalier, they are gentle too and small although do have some health problems.

On reflection I'd go for whippet, so soft, so gentle, so loving.

insicknessandinhealth · 19/04/2013 06:32

Oh dear, I feel a bit sad reading all these comments about dachshunds being at the beginning of our family life with a miniature dachshund pup! Looks like I made the wrong decision but I'm up for the challenge!!

All I can say so far is she loves cuddles, adores our laps, chases my DS, 5, up and down the garden tirelessly and is very playful and is responding reasonably well to training. However she took ages to settle at night, doesn't like being left in the day and keeping her off the stairs is a real problem especially when you also have a disobedient DS who holds the stairgate open just a little bit too long, grrrr. She is adorable though and luckily seems to like all the attention she gets out on walks. So we're having a bit of an up and down time with her at the moment but my DH grew up with one and she is mainly a companion dog for him as he is at home most of the time following a stroke. We needed a small dog too. I'm hoping it works out okay for us but I do understand they are not the easiest dogs. When we were at our first training class last night and all the other puppies were sitting so calmly and I had a lively bundle of energy to deal with I was a bit jealous!!

Friends have a whippet which as someone else has said don't need nearly as much exercise as you'd imagine and another friend has an adorable cockerpoo which seems to be getting lots of votes here!

SilverBellsandCockleShells · 19/04/2013 07:01

Good to read the positive cockapoo stories as we're getting a pup on Monday!

MothershipG · 19/04/2013 07:05

Affenpinscher? I wouldn't recommend them for toddlers but from school age they'd be fine. Small but solid, affectionate, fairly robust, not over energetic. Don't need much in the way of grooming and only shed a little, black so they don't show the dirt.

I love my 2! And I'm always happy to talk Affenpinscher if you want more info and I would be happy to recommend my breeder, who has 2 small DC herself.

HeyYoniYoni · 19/04/2013 08:15

insicknessandhealth she'll be a wonderful pet, she will be perfect as a companion dog. Every one I've ever known likes nothing more tan being as close as possible to the person they love. And they live very deeply :)

We have two small children and they learned early on to respect her and they all get along swimmingly

You'll be fine, it was just in answer to whether they are a good family fog that I would say no. They're not. Particularly if they're chosen for their cute looks without understanding their ways

Original poster

YoniMontana · 19/04/2013 11:10

I love the look of the affenpinschers! Thanks so much for the breeder offer I am in ne Scotland so not sure how close that is to you? It won't be for another couple of years as dcs are 2 & 4 and the 2 year old is a bit of a handful at the moment and I know that the puppy wouldn't get a minute's peace! Thanks again for all the information x

OP posts:

happygardening · 19/04/2013 11:37

You cant go far wrong with a miniature poodle. We've had lots of dogs all different types and sizes but I'm a complete convert. These are easy going happy go lucky intelligent cheerful trainable loving little dogs who are apparently the longest living breed (18 yrs is common). Contrary to their image they're as tough as old bots he's much tougher than the gun dogs we used to own.His best friend is a gorgeous cocker but they need loads more exercise, seem slightly less trainable pull badly mine poodle never pulls, and chew everything my poodle doesn't chew much either. They are guaranteed non shedding we've never owned a non shedding dog before it bloody marvellous. The only down side 6-8 weekly visits to the groomers. You don't have to have a ridiculous hair cut you can do what ever you like.

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