Dachshunds have lively personalities. Although they are small in size, they are very active and love spending time outdoors. They become especially excited when they see open grass and may run around with great enthusiasm because they have plenty of stamina. Because of this lively temperament, some people worry that they might casually follow strangers away.
Will a Dachshund Follow Strangers Easily?
Dog lovers can be reassured on this point. Trust their intelligence and loyalty. Although Dachshunds are energetic and playful outside, they are generally quiet at home. They can be lively when needed and calm when appropriate, and they are especially loyal to their families. They have deep feelings for both their owners and their home, so they do not casually follow strangers away, nor do they willingly abandon their family. Some are even anxious about being taken away and not being brought back.
They are also quite intelligent, ranking around 49th in canine intelligence. That is a respectable ranking, especially among hunting dogs. Many of the highest-ranking breeds are herding dogs, while among hunting breeds only a few rank similarly well.
Dachshunds are very smart dogs. Although their body proportions may look unusual, with a long body and short legs, they move with great agility. They use their strong sense of smell and tracking ability to help hunters locate prey and drive it out. They have long been known as excellent badger-hunting dogs, capable of going directly into burrows to flush badgers out, which is why they were considered natural enemies of badgers.
As companion dogs, Dachshunds are also relatively easy to care for. They have short coats, strong resistance, and generally do not get sick easily. They were introduced fairly early in China as well. In earlier decades, some hunters even used Dachshunds professionally to catch badgers. Today the breed is still less common than many cute-looking companion dogs, largely because its appearance is so unusual. Still, even people who do not keep Dachshunds can usually recognize one at a glance, precisely because of that distinctive look.
Although Dachshunds are not widely kept today, they remain memorable and easy to identify. Their unusual body shape may keep them from being everyone's first choice, but it also gives them a very recognizable charm.