Are you thinking of getting a Dachshund? Maybe you’re wondering if Smooth, Long and Wire Haired Dachshunds have different personalities? Here’s everything you need to know about the personality differences between Smooth, Long and Wire Haired Dachshunds!
Do Smooth, Long and Wire Haired Dachshunds Have Different Personalities? Yes, Smooth, Long and Wire Haired Dachshunds do have slightly different personalities, but they all share common traits typical of the breed. However, Long-Haired Dachshunds tend to be more gentle and Wire-Haired Dachshunds more feisty.
Read on to find out more about the personality differences between Smooth, Long and Wire-Haired Dachshunds, and whether training and socialisation can have any impact on personality!
Table of Contents
This article is based on research and personal experience as a Dachshund owner of 10+ years. I’m not a Vet, qualified dog trainer or dog behaviourist.
The Difference In Personality Between Smooth Haired, Long Haired and Wire Haired Dachshunds
Smooth Haired, Long Haired and Wire Haired Dachshunds are all different to look at. They have the same elongated body-shape, big floppy ears and short legs, but their coats are all very different.
- Smooth Haired Dachshunds have short, neat, smooth textured coats and silky ears
- Long Haired Dachshunds have long, fluffy, silky textured coats and feathery ears
- Wire-Haired Dachshunds have coarse textured coats with bushy eyebrows and hairy beards
Not only do Smooth, Long and Wire Haired Dachshunds all look different, but they have slightly different personalities too!
However, please note that each Dachshund is individual, and some may have different personality traits to those that are listed here.
The personality of each Dachshund can also depend on their background, the dog breeder, and the way the puppy was socialised and trained when young.
Smooth Haired Dachshund Personality
The Smooth Haired Dachshund was the first type of Dachshund originally bred in Germany in the 15th century. They’re also the most common type of pet Dachshund.
They’re thought to have been a cross between a Pinscher and Bruno Jura Hound, a cross between a Pointer, Pinscher and Brake Bloodhound, or a development of the St Hubert Hound.
They were created as hunting dogs, and their smooth fur would have been helpful to streamline their ability to chase prey quickly when diving into underground tunnels.
Out of the three coat types, Smooth-Haired Dachshunds tend to have personalities closest to that of their hunting ancestors.
The main personality traits of the Smooth Haired Dachshund are characteristic of the original breed:
- Loyal
- Stubborn
- Courageous
- Very Noisy
- Intelligent
- Lively
- Playful
- Territorial
- Greedy
- Chasers
- Burrowers
- Affectionate
- Cuddly
- Loving
Smooth Haired Dachshunds are also likely to be very devoted to their owners. This can mean they’re sometimes clingy and may suffer with separation anxiety when you go out.
They can also be a bit over-protective of their family too, especially around strangers they don’t know.
Unfortunately, Smooth Haired Dachshunds are noisy and they’re known to bark a LOT! They may bark at people visiting your home or out in the garden or yard too.
Smooth Haired Dachshunds will often display characteristics from their hunting heritage!
They may dig up your lawn, burrow under blankets and bark at anything that moves!
Even thought they’re domesticated dogs these day, that natural hunting instinct never leaves them!
Long Haired Dachshund Personality
Long Haired Dachshunds came next. They originally came about by breeding Smooth-Haired Dachshunds with possibly Long-Haired German Pointers or Long-Haired Spaniels.
This explains the Spaniel-like look of Long Haired Dachshunds with their wavy silky locks and feathery ears and legs.
It’s thought that Long Haired Dachshunds were originally bred to have warmer coats than Smooth Haired Dachshunds so they could stay out hunting for longer.
However, it’s also believed that Smooth Haired Dachshunds were bred with Long Haired Spaniels to create a calmer breed that would make a better pet, than a working dog.
To help you, the personality differences in the list below have been highlighted in bold.
The main personality traits of the Long Haired Dachshund are:
- Loyal – but not always to one person
- Stubborn
- Courageous
- Slightly less noisy than Wire and Smooth-Haired
- Intelligent
- Lively
- Playful
- Territorial
- Greedy
- Chasers
- Most burrow
- Affectionate
- Not quite as cuddly as Smooth-Haired
- Loving
- Calm
- More relaxed
- More laid-back
- Less needy
- Sweet-natured
- Gentle
- More likely to be friends with everyone
- A hint of Spaniel-like personality
Long haired Dachshunds are the calmest of the three types of Dachshund. They’re more gentle, relaxed, quiet, sweet-natured and laid-back.
However, quiet doesn’t necessarily mean quiet. It just means more quiet than Smooth and Wire-Haired Dachshunds are!
Another interesting personality difference that only applies to Long Haired Dachshunds is that not all of them like to burrow under blankets (although most do!).
Burrowing is a trait that’s very typical of the Dachshund breed, but some Long Haired Dachshunds just don’t do it – probably because they get too hot!
Wire Haired Dachshund Personality
The final Dachshund was the Wire-Haired Dachshund. They originally came about by breeding Smooth-Haired Dachshunds with Wire-Haired Pinschers or Terriers.
It’s thought that Wire Haired Dachshunds were originally bred to have thicker, rougher fur than Smooth Haired Dachshunds.
This was to give them a level of protection from harsh brambles and other vegetation when out hunting for prey.
To help you, the personality differences in the list below have been highlighted in bold.
The main personality traits of the Wire Haired Dachshund are:
- Loyal
- Stubborn
- Courageous
- Very noisy!
- Intelligent
- Lively
- Playful
- Territorial
- Greedy
- Chasers
- Burrowers
- Affectionate
- Not quite as cuddly as Smooth-Haired
- Loving
- Bit more feisty
- Slightly more aggressive
- Bit more protective
- Slightly more attitude
- Mischievous
- Comedic clowns
- A hint of Terrier-like personality
The distant terrier heritage of Wire Haired Dachshunds tends to make them slightly more prone to feisty and aggressive behaviours.
Wire Haired Dachshunds can sometimes bark at strangers or young children if they feel threatened, jealous, protective, anxious or scared in any way.
However, they do make great family dogs as long as they’ve been trained properly, socialised as puppies and introduced to new people, children and other dogs in the right way.
Although, as with all dogs, extra care needs to be taken around children until they’re old enough to know how to play with the Dachshund sensibly.
Wire Haired Dachshunds are also the funniest and most mischievous of the three types of Dachshunds.
They’re comedic clowns that are full of personality and will do anything to make you laugh!
Does How You Raise A Dachshund Impact Their Personality?
Yes, how you raise your Smooth, Long or Wire-Haired Dachshund through training and socialisation can impact their overall personality.
For example, most Dachshunds are extremely loyal and devoted to their owners, and will happily follow them wherever they go.
However, overindulging this too much can lead to separation anxiety when you do need to leave the house.
But, if you make sure you don’t mollycoddle your Dachshund as a puppy, they’ll be less likely to develop separation anxiety as they get older.
That doesn’t mean your Dachshund won’t be loyal, but you can definitely teach them how to be more independent and confident on their own.
Dachshunds are also known to be overly-protective too, especially around people they don’t know.
But, if you focus on puppy socialisation and introduce them to lots of people and children when they’re young, they’ll be less likely to be protective around strangers in future.
Socialisation is SO important and will greatly impact your Dachshund’s personality!
If your puppy hasn’t experienced lots of places, sights and smells during that short 8 to 16 week window, they could develop behavioural problems further down the line.
So, even though your Dachshund will always exhibit traits that are typical of the breed, training and socialisation can help to mould them into the dog you want them to be.
Do Dachshund Siblings Have Different Personalities?
Yes, Dachshund siblings can all have slightly different personalities.
Even though most will exhibit the main Dachshund traits, you’ll still get some that are more outgoing, and others that are more clingy or needy.
When choosing a Dachshund puppy from a litter, it may be best to go middle of the road.
So don’t pick the quiet, nervous puppy that’s hiding in the corner because they’re more likely to be unhappy if there’s lots of people, family, kids and other pets around.
Nervous puppies are generally more suited to living in quieter homes. They can also be more prone to anxiety-related issues (although, obviously, this is just a generalisation).
On the other hand, don’t pick the feisty puppy that’s clambering all over the others.
Outgoing puppies may be super-smart and active, but they can also be a bit domineering!
They may need more mental stimulation and training and could be a bit more of a handful. Plus, they may not get on so well with other dogs either.
That’s not to say either of those puppies wouldn’t make wonderful additions to your family, but they may need more one-on-one time and be harder work.
Although, again, this is just a generalisation because every Dachshund is unique and individual!
So, the personality of the puppy can be influenced by many things. Not only the coat type, but also the individual dog, breeding, training, socialisation, and their history too.
The personality differences between Smooth, Long and Wire-Haired Dachshunds are subtle, but definitely noticeable.
Nonetheless, they are ALL still Dachshunds! So most will display the main Dachshund traits typical of the original breed.
So, there you have it! Smooth, Long and Wire haired Dachshunds do have slightly different personalities, but they all share common traits that are very typical of the Dachshund breed. Long Haired Dachshunds tend to be more gentle, sweet and laid-back, whereas Wire Haired Dachshunds can be more feisty, aggressive and comedic! Smooth Haired Dachshunds are a mix between the two and have traits that are characteristic of the original breed.
What do I do next?
If you want to find out the personality differences between Male and Female Dachshunds, click here!
If you read all the way to the end of this article, you’re exactly the sort of person I’d LOVE to join my Facebook Group. Your support for my blog means everything to me so, if you found this article helpful, please kindly share below. Thank you! 💋
