Different size/color = different temprament?

[*Dachsie123*]

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Hi all! Just a quick question...I am looking into purchasing a dachsie and am wondering about the different coat colors, sizes, and genders. Does the temprament change at all with these factors? Thanks for your help!
-Shelby

[Freddie and Funny Girl]

Hi Shelby,

I don't think the color/pattern makes a difference (at least I've never heard) in temperment.
But with the COATS it does; Longhaired tend to be more mellow and laid back. Wirehaired tend to be more of a Terrier disposition and fiesty and tempermental. Smoothhaired tend to be BETWEEN the two.

As a rule they say Females are not as affectionate. Sometimes the opposite is true.http://dachsie.org/ubb/smilies/smile.gif

~Susan~

[pkmiddler]

I do referal for our club and if you want a big mush of a lover dog get a Standard Long Male.If you want a smooth get a Standard male with some long in him somewhere and you will have a more calm smooth.The big ones lay around more but will also take on anything if it comes to that.

[Timber]

Kaye (pkmiddler) is right. At a recent Dachshund specialty show, the minis were trying to play with each other and generally having a good time while the standards didn't really care about the other dogs.
I have a mini smooth and he really is a speeding bullet, always running and getting into trouble. That's esactly why Timber's father, a mini long, is no longer alive. He escaped from his kennel and run right in front of a car. Careful, these guys are runners!

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Tiffany
Dog Show Enthusiast
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[*Dachsie123*]

Thanks for your help! A few more questions to help me decide...how large (heavy) do the standards get? and if you have a long haired dachsie, is it okay to shave their hair when it gets hot? I live in a desert climate, so i just want to make sure my dachsie wouldn't die of heat in the summer when it went outside.
-Shelby

[Cindi]

Except for a slight difference in opinion on how to rate the dogs, I agree. Longs are mushier and more laid back. Energy level wise I would put the wires in the middle and for smooths I always say (as breeder referral for our club, too) mini smooths try to cram 36-48 hours in to 24 hours - they are busy, busy, busy with lots of jobs. My wires are not nearly so busy, maybe putting 16 hours in to 24 so they have some couch time in them http://dachsie.org/ubb/smilies/smile.gif The longs......:0, maybe an 8 hour a day dog. Lots of couch time. As to the standards, I've always heard they are 'slower' in energy than the mini's but I've also seen them be a little more aggressive - so a diverse opinion is being offered here. May be the southern variety are a little more 'abrasive' than the Yankee version in standards - ie bloodlines play a big part in temperment, too, along with size.
If children are involved, I always recommend the standard varieties.
Standard size varies across the country. I would say 20-35 pounds and males are usually the larger end. Don't think I've ever seen a 20-23 pound male ever as an adult.
Shaving - longhairs look really funny shaved and sometimes the hair does NOT grow back properly (I'm a pet groomer as an existence.) And truthfully, indoor dogs do not need to be worrying about the heat since they won't be out in it. Wires, it tends to soften the coat but that doesn't matter since you won't be showing.

<FONT COLOR="#00FFFF" SIZE="1" FACE="Verdana, Arial">This message has been edited by Cindi on June 23, 2001 at 03:14 PM</font>

[*Dachsie123*]

thanks 4 the input guys...so far I am considering a smooth mini but i still wouldn't mind any other input you have! (especially reputable breeders of smooth mini's) Thanks!
-Shelby

[2DachsieDad]

Hot! Let's talk about hot. I live less than a hundred miles from Death Valley. We currently have 2 minis. Suzie is a red smooth and Ceasar is a red Piebald. The heat tends to affect Ceasar more than Suzie because of his fur being thicker. Today we are to have a high of 110 degrees. The kids, Mom and I will be leaving on vacation this Saturday the 30th. Hope that this helps in your search.

Randy

[wireweiners]

In general, I agree with Cindi and Kaye. The temperment in standard smooths has improved a lot in the past years. My Wheeler is a lover, not a fighter. He is very laid back, after all he has wires to do his barking for him and a Catahoula do get things off the counter for him.

The 2 wire pups are the trouble makers. Button is going through her 2nd chewing stage. I should get some stock in fruit of the loom or jockey to recover some of the money I've spent to replace undies.<IMG SRC="http://dachsie.org/ubb/cwmsmilies/cwm32.gif" border=0>

[Mandy]

You also have to realize that all of this can be thrown out the door, depending on the individual dog. All dogs are different and have their own personalities. We have two tweenie smooth males...who are as different as night and day. And we wouldn't trade either one in http://dachsie.org/ubb/smilies/smile.gif If you are looking for a sepcific temperament, I say go look for a dog who fits that. Rescue is a great way to do this! Most rescue groups foster the dogs and can tell you about the dog's temperament..so you have an idea of who this little "person" is and what he/she is like.

[Timber]

Cindi you are right! Timber is usually alwayds on the lookout, protecting his territory. I take him for walks 2 times a day and he plays in the yard everyday, yet his still finds enough energy to play with his squeaky toys and chase the cats. So, if you want a mini smooth, you better have a ton of energy! As for whether minis are more aggressive, it just depends on if you are dominent enough. Timber gets a little agressive when he doesn't get his way. I try not to give it to him when he bites or growls. He must calm down first. You are taking a lot in when you get a mini smooth, but atleast they give you a break in grooming!

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Tiffany
Dog Show Enthusiast
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[xyder]

I recommend rescue as well.

Mandy Fostered my Dasher http://dachsie.org/ubb/smilies/smile.gif

but if are going to buy a pup, you can determine how they will be as adults.

Each dog has it's own personality.

when you go visit the pups. crouch down near them, see which ones approach you. They will be more likely to be kind to stangers as adults.

The ultimite test, is the belly rub.
dogs belly up is a submissive trusting postion.
try to rub some bellies, some will resist a little as you are a stranger the stronger the resist the more likely they will be protective of you/fear strangers.

I did this with Pickles, when we picked him out.
I knelt down near the pups, and he immediatly ran to me (the others played continued to play with each other)
I pet him.
as I moved my hand to his belly, he immidately went belly up.
I knew he was the one for me, as I was looking for a dog that would be super friendly to everyone.

Pickles is 6 years old now, and is still the friendliest dog I know.
He is 2 time Pooch Smootch Champion here in Richmond, loves everyone and every dog. he is very good around Puppies and Children too http://dachsie.org/ubb/smilies/smile.gif
Very affectionate, He likes to sit in my lap as I watch TV, and likes to snuggle at night in the Big Bed.
He is a red Mini Smooth http://dachsie.org/ubb/smilies/smile.gif

There are a couple other tests to do, but I don't recall them, I just rember the Belly rub was the BIG test.

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Pet of Pickles and Dasher