Petside.com

lj October 29, 2008 7:22 PM

I'm not a small dog owner, but thought I'd like to say something here anyway. Being the owner of 2 Pit x's it's nice to see someone actually stated that the Pit Bull isn't as agressive as some other breeds of dogs. I've always known this and what I think is a dog is only as mean as the owner who happens to have the dog in their care. Owners make mean dogs, and I don't believe any dog is just born vicious. They get that way for good reason and it's bad owners that produce bad animals.

Smile, . . .
lj (jock4hire)

Vicki October 30, 2008 12:34 PM

In some cases I do believe that certin small breeds are a bit more agressive than most large breeds. I had a Cocker Spaniel that was agressive, and at the same time I had three more who weren't. I believe that breeding has a lot to do with any dogs temprament. But you may have one dog out of a litter that is agressive, and none of the others will be. It's a difficult call at times.

Karina October 30, 2008 1:49 PM

I own a chihuahua and I do have to say he has a big dog personality. I think it just comes from being afraid as he is so small. Most of the time he has a sweet personality and only while playful has he snapped at me once or twice. He is able to be outside off leash with no problem unless a bike comes along. He only chases someone if they come from behind and he is caught unawares. So I suppose he is just naturally jumpy and is prone to react defensively on instinct.

Ruth October 30, 2008 2:28 PM

I've owned dachshunds and now I own greyhounds. I love both breeds. I have never encountered an aggressive dachshund yet. They have a sweet disposition and are very comical. They are a little more high energy than greyhounds, but very sweet dogs. They make great family pets even with children, in my opinion. My cousins were brought up with dachshunds from early childhood and thier dachshunds never got aggressive with them. Any breed dog can be aggressive, but the majority of any breed can be great, friendly dogs. For anyone to say that dachshunds are the number one breed for being aggressive, is a very wrong statement to make.

Skylark October 30, 2008 3:10 PM

I've worked at an animal hospital for almost 6 years. I've only been bitten by two dogs in that time; one was a golden retriever and the other was a dachshund.

Don't know what that means, but I guess you can draw your own conclusions.

Skylark

J.A. Morrison October 30, 2008 3:52 PM

Oh dear! Do little dogs have attitude. My brothers to Dacshunds have prooven that to me. They are fearless. Well they were until a tiny rescued siamese cat came to live with them. Now the kitten has them peaking around corners and watching for ariel attacks from sofas and HIGH places. LOL

Margie October 30, 2008 4:22 PM

My mom got 2 dogs from a shelter (a mom and her full grown son). Within a week the female became so protective of my mom (and son) she would bite anyone who came to the house. My mom is in her late 70s and due to her health was not able to control the female. Reluctantly she had to return the two dogs to the shelter - with a recommendation of splitting the dogs up in a future adoption as it may help the female find a home without feeling she had to protect her son. These were pure Dacshunds.

renegade cowgirl October 30, 2008 4:37 PM

I feel that a dog usually reflects it's owners. We have a 15 pound Chug. She is a wonderful *dawg. Very protective but in a smart way. I can't stand those little yappy ankle biters. She is very smart and knows the way around so not to get hurt and to obey our wishes. She does not run out an open gate or up to a vehicle. We must give to our pets what we want them to be. I feel action-reaction. And may it be positive and not radical. LOL! They are what they live!

Donna October 30, 2008 5:20 PM

Having owned only big dogs (Dobermans and a Golden Retriever) the few dogs that have tried to bite me have been small dogs. If I ever get a dog, it will be a DOG...as in it barks, someone listens. No squeaky annoying barks for me...don't like yappy dogs. Oh heck, you know I like cats. But seriously, after I semi retire, I'm thinking of a medium to large size dog, maybe a rescue greyhound...they're large, docile, and so many of them need homes. I saw a pit bull at the vet last Saturday that almost licked me to death. LOL A friend that works in a shelter has even seen Pits that fight turn into loving pets...once they learn to trust and are given some love first. People could learn a lot from animals. No matter how badly they are mistreated, they're always ready to give another human a chance...nevertheless, it'll be a bigger dog for me someday...rescued from a no kill shelter I sponsor. Actually, I am sponsoring a dog there now (you just sent them money each month to help with his upkeep) because they fear he will be unadoptable. He'll live out his years a the shelter. I can go see him, but until he's used to my face, it has to be through the glass. I'll get out there someday.

Nope, don't care for little dogs.

Maria October 30, 2008 7:07 PM

I am a proud owner of 3 Miniature Dachshund and one Chi-Weenie (Dachshund Chihuahua mix), and I have one Dachshund who is very aggressive, where the others are not. My chocolate and tan female Rolo Sweetness is not so sweet. I have run out of sorry my dog bit you cards for her, and just recently she bit my fiancé’s 15yr.old cousin in the face. Ohh yeah she is a biter.

I have worked really hard on socialization with other dogs and kids with her son Pancho a 1yr fully intact male, hopefully my next stud muffin. That way like his father, I can stud him out without the concern he might hurt the other dog or any person. So far he has never bit anyone, he likes kids, but he does get a little aggressive around other dogs I think that has to do with not being neutered. He is a regular at our local Doggy Days Inn a boarding kennel/pet sitter and doggy spa. We like to take him once a week for a few hours especially in the winter for dog interaction and exercise.

I believe the key to a well behaved Dachshund is to be spayed and neutered so hormones will not be a factor, a Dachshund needs training from potty to crate to obedience, exercise is a major factor without an outlet for all that stored up energy and boredom your Doxie will drive you up the wall, and the biggest factor is proper socialization starting from a puppy with other breeds of dogs and children.

Amy October 31, 2008 5:18 AM

Let me start by saying I love all dogs. But,I really believe that smaller dogs are more agressive due to their size. I think they relaize their small stature compared to other dogs and their growling, snarling and biting are a self defense thing. It's a "I am here and I want you to know that right away." We as humans don't give critters enough credit for being smart enough to signal this.

Christy May 12, 2009 4:15 PM

My dachshund is as sweet as can be MOST of the time. But, she is definitely AGGRESSIVE. She has bit me and my child to the point of bleeding, just for taking away a toy...or for getting mad at her for barking at passers-by. After putting her in her kennel , she growls like a wild animal. Can't understand why. I think she is afraid of the slamming door. I really don't trust her with others she does not know. SHe is so cute that little kids want to pet her in public. I always have to explain she is unpredictable. But most of the time she is so sweet. It's like she has a split personality.

Ashley June 11, 2009 7:32 PM

My male dachshund has never shown any aggression towards people familiar to him, but recently ran after a rottweiler being walked by a stranger on our road. He's very sweet, spunky, and although weary of strangers, has never shown aggression towards them. I am a firm believer it is all in how they are raised.

Andrea July 17, 2009 7:06 AM

I have had the pleasure of 4 dachshund over 40 yrs and they have shown no nastiness what so ever. Two intact females and 2 intact males and all honey's. i think the trick is not to teach them to play with their mouths.

Angelica October 21, 2009 9:12 PM

I brought my beagle to my friends house, she has a dachshund, and i brought him back with a bloody ear. He was playing rough and the other dog bit a small hole almost all the way through his ear!!! He is better though : ) But now my beagle shows a little freight around other dogs!

Kidada October 27, 2009 6:23 PM

I have a chi-weenie(chihuahua dachshund mix)puppy,he is the most playful dog i've owned. I have four children all of whom love this dog and play with him all the time. I strongly disagree with many of the opinions about these dogs being violent or agressive. My dog even climbs into my toddlers bed and cuddles up with him.

Cynthia March 16, 2010 11:36 PM

I have a 4 yr.-old female miniature Dachshund (my first one of this breed and definitely NOT my last, either!), and she has never bitten (or even tried to bite) anyone...stranger or not. She is usually a little afraid of strangers at first, but if they let her get used to them & sniff their hands, feet, legs (whatever) in her own time, she is usually trying to lick them to death with her exuberant kisses. Other dogs, though, take careful watching with her, as she is nervous (especially if they are bigger than she is...which is most other dogs), but as long as both owners stay with their pups while the two investigate each other, she is also fine. She does have an unfortunate habit, though, of being really aggerssive towards passing trucks (she is NEVER off-leash, mostly for this reason), but while she may initially bark or even growl a little bit at first, she always calms down fairly quickly & is only interested in playing or cuddling. I have seen aggressive little dogs, but I don't agree that the Dachshunds are the most aggressive. I've seen other small breed representatives that are by far more aggressive than Dachshunds. But, for those that insist they have earned the title, think about this: This dog was originally bred to hunt & follow into their dens...BADGERS...animals that are extremely dangerous & vicious when cornered. A small dog would need to be fearless & be able to show a little of their own "stuff" to an animal like that, wouldn't you think? I do agree, however, that a lot of a dog's aggression has to do with how the animal is raised & how they live. Mistreatment or careless, rough handling will usually be rewarded with growls, barks, and even teeth. You reap what you sow! I just don't think that these dogs deserve the current negative publicity. Scottish Terriers also had an undeserved reputation as being "nasty little dogs". I've owned 3 Scotties, and every single one was the sweetest, gentlest, most even-tempered little angel that never showed aggression to human OR animal. I love ALL dogs (and most other animals, too)...they are the best thing that humans ever added to their lives, and I know most dog owners, regardless of the breed, would feel that their lives would be unbelievably empty without our canine friends to share them with. DOGS RULE!!!!!