Are Dachshunds good family dogs?

If you’re thinking of introducing a Dachshund to your home but you aren’t sure whether it’s a suitable breed for your family, then you’ve come to the right place. You may have young children or be expecting a newborn baby sometime soon, so making the right choice about which breed to introduce is a crucial decision.

Dachshunds are a small, long-bodied breed that’s very loyal and super affectionate towards their owners, they love to spend time and be around other humans, as well as being in the comfort of their own home. This is why we think a Dachshund is an ideal dog breed for families and young children, as they are very small, loyal companions that can also be good watchdogs.

Are Dachshunds good family dogs? Yes, Dachshunds make the perfect family dog and they are very well behaved around young children that treat them well. Dachshunds are very loyal, intelligent, small, protective and very fun. They don’t require much exercise given their size and are very playful around adults and children, assuming the children treat the Dachshund well.

If you love sausage dogs and you’re intrigued to know whether they would be a suitable fit for you and your family, then continue reading on to find out more.

Are Dachshunds well behaved around babies?

Yes, Dachshunds are great around newborn babies and become very protective over time, in some cases, they will attempt to treat the baby like it’s their own, so they will always try and get involved. However, given their protective nature, they will always want to be around your baby to know that it’s safe, as well becoming concerned if the baby were to suddenly cry out loud.

Dachshunds are very well behaved around babies but they can become very jealous in the event that you are focusing on the baby more than you are on them. It’s important to have a good balance but if your Dachshund does start to play up, then it’s worth putting them into their create until they calm down.

It’s not uncommon for a Dachshund to get very jealous, especially if they have always been the main focus of attention, but over time, they will come to realise that they aren’t as authoritative as they used to be in their pack and calm down.

If you are expecting a newborn baby and you have a Dachshund currently, it’s worthwhile taking steps to help prepare your sausage that a baby will soon be entering your life. They are likely to know this already, as they may be able to sense that the mother is pregnant, but it’s worth considering the following:

• Playing baby sounds throughout the day, whether that’s a video of a baby or a voice clip
• Spend time with other children as much as you can
• Take them on walks and introduce them to young children as they pass
• Take them to busy environments
• Make sure they are trained well and respond to “No”

Raising children isn’t easy and will change the dynamic of the home, so you’ll need to make sure your dog is well prepared when the baby arrives.

Do Dachshunds get along with young children?

Yes, Dachshunds are generally very well behaved around young children between the ages of 1-10, however, it’s important to teach your children to treat your Dachshund with respect and to handle them gently. They are a small dog breed and may be intimidated by children that try and touch them and handle them incorrectly.

Dachshunds can very quickly change their tone with children, especially if they deem them as a threat. So, setting the right principles and rules early will help both the child and dog get along. It’s also important to let the dog know that you are in charge and that it isn’t in charge of the children either, so discipline will be required, however, over time, it’s natural for dogs to understand that the children come first. 

As a suggestion, we would recommend being very strict with how your children handle the dog and quickly setting some principles and rules in place of how they should treat them. This could include not trying to pick up the Dachshund, avoiding tormenting them to provoke a reaction and ensuring steady movements when they are around them.

This is especially important in the first few months of welcoming a dog into your home, as they will be getting used to their environment. It’s natural for some dogs to be worried about the presence of children. You should introduce your children to the dog slowly to not overwhelm them, and let the dog take its time getting to know them.

Why is my Dachshund scared of my children?

It’s not uncommon for Dachshunds to be scared of children and to be worried about their presence, given their size. There are a few reasons why your dog may develop a fear of children, this could include:

• Lack of socialisation when they were a puppy
• Not being exposed to environments where there were children at a young age
• They have had a bad experience with children before
• Your children are treating your dog unfairly

If some of the points above apply to your dog, you will need to carefully introduce your children to them, taking it a step at a time, and you shouldn’t force your dog into spending time with your children. It should be a very natural process! Your Dachshund should want to spend time with your children and they shouldn’t ever be forced to do anything else otherwise.

If you suspect that your children are treating your dog unfairly, this is something that you will need to address with them, as they could be making your dog feel very unwelcome and anxious. This isn’t good for anyone, especially your dog.