The long and short of sausage dogs

Apparently, dachshunds are the most aggressive dogs in the world according to a recent survey in the news. Come on, how can a dog no taller than a foot harm anyone? Sausage dogs are safe pets provided they are trained properly.

I am the proud owner of a miniature dachshund, Milo, and when he is not busy helping me write this blog, he has the power to convert anyone into a dog lover, needless to say I still have all my fingers and ankles!

For those of you who aren’t hugely familiar with the breed, sausage dogs are far from dangerous and are definitely not inclined to bite their owners, or anyone else for that matter, unless they are provoked.

If they did then how bad could it be? Personally I would rather be bitten by a delirious dachshund than a raged rottweiler. There seems to be some sort of confusion between aggression and danger. However its important to remember that if any dog, regardless of its breed, is not properly trained by its owner, then it will be more prone to act unsociably.

Everyone knows that small dogs like dachshunds and Chihuahuas are noisier so they will naturally come across as more aggressive.

Dachshunds can be very loud but its all yap and no action. I like to think that what they lack in size they make up with their confident bark. For this reason these little mutts make excellent watchdogs, they just don’t realise their actual size (Milo still thinks he is a Doberman). Their alert ears make them excellent gate keepers to any household especially in the city where a typically larger guard dog would be harder to accommodate.

I admit that I am no breed expert, however having lived and breathed dachshunds for the last few years and by running my own dachshund dog club, I can certainly speak for most owners in London when I say that these dogs make devoted family pets.

Dachshunds are playful and energetic with a feisty demeanour, which is often compared to that of a terrier. These dogs were originally bred to hunt hence their shape and size, which can also cause them joint and back problems in old age.

From experience I can tell you their stubbornness can get the better of them at times but they are such comical characters and they really thrive on companionship which ultimately makes them wonderful four legged friends.

So, the long and short of it is that if you are a responsible dog owner you will discipline your dog and it will not be inclined to bite anyone.

Here are some tips to maintaining some doggy discipline so your pooch doesn’t make the headlines:

1. Combat clicker training - Learn how to clicker train your dog. This is proven to help with unsociable behaviour such as the door bell jitters

2. Leash discipline - Teach your dog leash discipline and avoid retractable leashes which allow the dog to walk at its own pace

3. Back to basics - Teaching your dog to understand basic commands such as sit, down, stay and heel will establish you as his alpha dog and teaches him to respect you and listen to you

4. Feed a supplement such as bionic biotic that can help relieve the digestive discomfort that could cause their aggression and contains magnesium, a natural calmant

5. Finally, if you are worried about your dog’s general behaviour its best to seek the advice of a professional dog listener or attend a local dog training school

Lisa and Milo reporting from Pooch & Mutt petquarters