Dear Dave,
I totally get where you’re coming from. Dog bites are a serious concern. About 4.5 million people are bitten by dogs in the U.S. each year, with over 800,000 requiring medical attention. Children are victims more often than adults, and they’re more likely to be seriously hurt. With those sobering stats, why would anyone consider getting a family dog?
Far more families have happy, lifelong bonds with their family pet than those who experience tragedies. It has little to do with breed, and more to do with responsible ownership. Dog owners who socialize their pets from the start, and those who teach their kids how to read canine body language, are far less likely to end up driving to the ER for a nasty bite.
Doxies can be an excellent choice for families thanks to their sturdiness. Many small breeds are too fragile to risk sharing a home with small children, but dachshunds have a stockier build. This is especially true of the standard-size dachshund.
The downsides of owning a family dachshund include the possibility of “small dog syndrome.” This happens when owners are less diligent about socialization and training with small dogs due to the perception that it isn’t as important. It is. Train both your fur child and human ones well, and there’s no reason to be nervous about adopting a dachshund.
Hope that helps.
– Doctor Dog
