It’s a question we get asked a fair bit, and for other working breeds too.
Yes, that’s right Dachshunds are historically a working breed. They were originally bred as hunting dogs to dig their way into a badger den and drag them out. Their long, low bodies were specifically designed for this underground work and their tenacious never-give up personalities made them perfect for the task. Their loud hound-like bark enabled them to communicate with their human above ground to let them know their location.
So, are they prone to anxiety?
There isn’t a straightforward answer. Sometimes, as with humans, there can be a hereditary element at play or a medical basis for anxiety. However, we mostly find the issue is in the relationship they have with their family and a misunderstanding of what they need to be happy and successful in our human world.
What happens when a dog with the traits of its ancestor, who was bred to take on such a formidable opponent as a badger with razor sharp teeth and claws, is asked to be a lapdog?
They tend to create jobs for themselves.
That job often takes the form of being overly wary, guarding, and alerting owners to sounds and people arriving by barking, lunging, or growling.
It’s going to be hard for them to be successful in that job because it goes against what humans want from their little companions.
They can become needy for affection and attention and conflicted between their usually friendly nature and the job they have created for themselves.
They may have short little legs, but these guys are born to work, just like a Kelpie or German Shepherd. Their work ethic often leads them to problems if they aren't getting what they need.
What they really need is to know what is expected of them, what is acceptable and what is unacceptable. Dogs don’t understand why we want them to behave in certain ways, especially if it goes against what it is natural for them to do. Those instinctive behaviours are often unacceptable to us.
In our work with clients, it’s our job to identify the disconnect in the relationship, teach owners how to help their dogs to make good choices in our world, take away the sense of responsibility, and provide them with appropriate outlets for their instinctual behaviours.
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