Is a dachshund a good first dog for a family?

[YoniMontana]

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.

[alicetrefusis]

Maybe a rescue greyhound (unless you have cats or other small furries) they are gentle loyal dogs who don't need much exercise.

[higgle]

MeerkatMerkin - couldn't agree more, excellent family dogs and although the main reason had our first because we felt so sorry for him on a rescue site web page we are now total converts.

[digerd]

I had a Dachshund long-haired female. Full of character, but stubborn and even gave DH the evil eye when she was on the bed < don't you dare, I'll bite> and he left her there just for that one night. Had to make sure she didn't get into the bedroom ever again!
Hated other dogs and our own cats which were there before her.

Also had a Lhasa Apso, and she was perfect, except the coat care, of course, which I did myself. Oh, and she ignored our recalls, but we could trust her where we lived, and loved everybody and everything. No aggression, no fear, no nervousness, so laid back and content. She was like a rag doll and could do anything with her. Except she didn't play with a ball or fetch things. She loved flying like the wind and exploring. Didn't dig either or chew things.

[Itsnotahoover]

Cavalier King Charles Spaniel. They are fab little dogs :) agree about Daschunds being grumpy, although my friend has 9 and 2 small kids and has had no problems.

[MeerkatMerkin]

No to dasch (even though I want one badly - it wouldn't bode well with my toddler!).

Get a staffy! Solid, reliable, real family dog. Not too big, short-haired so low-maintenance in terms of grooming and housework. Lovely and tolerant with children. My 5yo bitch is a bit of a nervous soul but my 2yo DS has been the making of her - they are utterly in love and spend all their time together. Staffs are normally a lot more confident and I would have no hesitation in recommending them for a young family. I think it is a lovely thing for children to grow up with a dog. :)

Staffs are robust enough to sustain a bit of rough and tumble with kids - even though my DS shouldn't be sitting on her back sometimes he will (he says he's cuddling her) and she doesn't bat an eyelid.

[HousewifeFromHeaven]

My vote is a pug. Small, sturdy enough for rough play with the kids and very funny.

They don't need a lot of exercise either. Hate cold and rain.

I have had lots of dogs over the years but the pug is by far the easiest I've had.

[ExcuseTypos]

My neighbour has a dachshund, we have a JR. They are very good friends and have very similar personalities

[YoniMontana]

Thanks for all the advice. I have a lot to think about. Looking like a dachshund is not the best breed for a family dog for us. I really like the cockapoos and affenpinschers.
I appreciate everyone's help :)

[HansieMom]

I say no to dachshunds too, and we have had two. Backs are delicate, house training difficult (we are failures at it), teeth are bad in our two. They are cute as can be and very loving. Hansie has been gone six years and we still miss the little guy.

[Lamazeroo]

My mum has a spoodle (this is what cockerpoos are called in Australia -much better name!) and a schnoodle (mini schnauzer x mini poodle). The schnoodle is just the best little dog - friendly, smart, funny, gentle. Would totally recommend. The spoodle is a bit snappy with children, which seems quite out of character for the 'breed' but he is lovely (and very loved) all the same.

[MothershipG]

YoniM Here's my breeder's website, unfortunately she's down in the South but she herself is seriously Scottish (She has one of those names spelt with an M but pronounced with a V!) and very active in the breed so I'm sure she would be able to point you in the direction of a good Scottish breeder if you decide on an Affen in a couple of years.

//www.orlock.co.uk

They really are such fab little dogs I don't know why the breed isn't more popular?

[higgle]

We had a standard long haired dachshund when DS1 was little. He was very loving and good with children, sociable with other dogs and I can't recall him being shy with strangers. He had a huge bark and one night sounded the alarm when there was a house fire in the development behind where we lived. He did have back problems however, and for that reason we have not had another. We are Staffie people now.

[mimosaadorna]

We've got a two year mini daxie. Great with strangers as well socialised, has a big brother ( doberman ) fine with the kids , but not keen on being chased by loads of small kids, and doesn't like being pawed about too much. Quite demanding, but affectionate and loyal, not always easy to housebreak...not the best first dog for a family with very yound children though I think. Daxie ultimately wants to be the child in the family. Slightly older children, like 5 or 6 upwards i'd think fine. Oh, but Patterdales are good small dogs for families though...and Miniature pinchers.:)

[serin]

I am seriously amazed that Lhasa Apso's are not considered ideal family pets? Are you sure about this?

Ours is the gentlest, calmest dog in the world, happy to play, happy to run alongside our bikes and happy to just to gazing adoringly at us all day if we are being lazy.

Every Lhasa I have met has been just the same.

They are just perfect

[happygardening]

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.

[YoniMontana]

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

[HeyYoniYoni]

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

[MothershipG]

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.

[SilverBellsandCockleShells]

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

[insicknessandinhealth]

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!

[poorpaws]

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.

[YoniMontana]

*he was with us until he was 16

[YoniMontana]

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.

[needastrongone]

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

[needastrongone]

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!