They have a mind of their own...

Dachshunds are not like any other breed of dog. In fact, a belief is held by many Dachshund breeders that they are in fact NOT a breed of dog, but aliens from a far away planet, here to (a) take over or (b) devore all our food.

It could be both.

I had once heard of a Dachshund who did not like her owner's new husband. So everytime the husband would walk by the little dog, the dog would scream and jump backwards and the owner of course would blame the husband. Well, that was until the poor Dachshund misjudged the angle once and the owner clearly saw two feet between them.

I swear it could be true, though. I once stood in a pet store for 10 minutes showing Shelby the entire selection of toys in an aisle, and every one was met with distaste until she saw the squeaky bunny toy. The one that was just like the one I bought Kit when I brought her home. The one that Shelby and Kit would often get into fights over and it would end up me taking it from Shelby, giving it to Kit, and a VERY angry Shelby.

Of course once she had said toy, she never wanted it, except for when Kit came around.

Maybe it's Penny's INCREDIBLE stubborness; which so happens to be a breed trait, which is the reason many Dachshunds are not housebroken. It's not that the owner cannot housetrain the dog, it's that the dog is a simply a Dachshund, and doing what they do best.
(How did I ever get a CGC on that dog? Oh right, the evaluator had a pocket full of treats...)

Maybe it was the time I had fed Shelby and she "insisted" she was hungry again (another breed trait), and when I denied her over and over she came up with a crafty little plan when I was in the fridge getting lunch for myself...
It started when I noticed she was missing. Moments later I heard a crash in the fridge and opened it to find a freezing but stuffed Shelby gorging into a turkey.

I often joke I am afraid to sleep at night because of the little pair of brown eyes watching me... waiting to kill me off...

Life with Dachshunds is never ever dull.

As much as they can drive you crazy, though, they can be the best dogs in the world. I love the fact that when you pick them up, no matter what they were doing, they will bury themselves under your chin and snuggle up to you. They are very driven dogs, incredibly courageous, and despite above stories - very loyal.

I wouldn't have any other breed in the world.

I have got to be crazey.