You may wonder how your dog will get along with other dogs. Many of us think pit bulls are the most aggressive dogs, but that dubious distinction actually goes to our cute little dachshunds. However, this does not mean that dachshunds are dangerous; they are not really dangerous. Aggressive dog breeds like Rottweilers and pit bulls are considered more dangerous because their bite is that of a big dog, which can result in severe injury to human beings or other dogs. Dachshunds are considered aggressive, but their bites are not nearly as scary as that of a bigger dog.
Your dachshund’s aggression can be a problem when it is directed at another canine companion in the home or when introducing a new dog into the family.
Do The Dachshunds Really Need A Companion Dog?
We dachshunds simply love being around other family members. As such, if you only have one dog in the family that gets all the attention, think carefully about introducing another dog into the household. Why do you want another dog? Do you think your dachshund needs a doggy friend? Some owners might think that adding another dog to the family will help your dachshund manage his separation anxiety. Or maybe you saw an adorable rescue pup that you just have to bring home. All of these are great reasons for bringing home another dog, but before taking this step, think about what you might need to ensure that all the dogs in your household live together peacefully.
Most likely, your dachshund is not going to immediately welcome a new dog into the family. He might become annoyed and start a search and destroy mission for your shoes or dig the recently planted flowers in the yard while hunting for nonexistent badgers.
A dachshund’s natural aggression may make your new dog’s life miserable. Another possibility is that if your new dog misbehaves, your well-trained dachshund might forget everything you had so painstakingly taught him and start misbehaving. It is recommended that you try as best you can to remove emotion from any decision to bring a new dog home. There are several ways you can ease your dachshund’s loneliness or separation anxiety that don’t include getting a new dog, such as hiring a dog walker or enrolling him in doggy daycare. If you come across a rescue dog that tugs at your heart strings, try volunteering at your local shelter instead of adopting a new pup. This way, you can feel happy about helping soothe countless other rescue dogs.
However, if you really have your heart set on adopting a second dog, then with patience and training, you can make the experience of introducing another dog into the family a delightful one.
Do Dachshunds Play Well With Other Dachshunds Only?
Dogs are not capable of differentiating one breed of dog from another. Dachshunds (all dogs, really) are capable of identifying rabbits, cats and other non-canine animals as belonging to a different species, but they do not have the capacity to distinguish between various breeds of dog. Personality is much more important than breed when choosing a new dog for your home. It is a good idea to try and go for a dog that has the same temperament as your loving dachshund.
Most dachshunds are playful and energetic; they will get along well with other dachshunds or dogs with similar character traits.
Does Size Matter?
Size really does not matter when you’re going to select a new dog for your family. Some studies have shown that in multi-dog families, the dachshund is the alpha and the Rottweiler is submissive. But when it comes to the size of the dog, some caution is required as a large dog can accidentally injure your dachshund, particularly when they are playing rough. If you are interested in bringing home a large dog, you should go for one of the gentle giant breeds, such as the Great Dane, St. Bernard or Bull Mastiff. Even if they don’t possess the playfulness and the energy that your dachshund would like in a companion, your dachshund is less likely to suffer an injury in the event of an accident.
Male Or Female?
In general, female dogs in the same house do not play well with each other. If your dachshund is a ‘she’ and you are thinking of getting another dog, you should get a male companion. Comparatively, male dachshunds generally get along well with male or female dogs.
Have a Trial Run Before Having Another Dog
There are always exceptions. For instance, a lazy dog might get along well with an active dog or female dogs might get along well with each other after all. Or perhaps a special bond formed between an old dog and a young one. In order to make sure a new dog gets along with your dachshund, let the dogs decide themselves and have a trial run. However, there are good and bad ways of introducing dogs to each other. Be sure to make certain preparations before the dogs meet.
Whether you’re introducing a second dog into the family as a companion for your dachshund or if you are going to add a dog to your multi-dog family, some suggestions could make life easier for everyone. You need to make both dogs aware that you are the alpha and the pack will react to your behavior. If you are excited, the pack will get excited; if you are calm, the pack is likely to be calm. Also, before bringing home the new dog, close off a particular section of the house with baby gates, and keep his food, water, bed and toys into the enclosed area.
Conclusion
Dachshunds are friendly and intelligent, and they can definitely get along well with other dogs if they are introduced properly.
