Excerpts with permission from Steve Michelson's Dachshund FAQ.  The complete FAQ and additional resources can be found at http://oamweb.com/educational/dachsiefaq/dachshunds.html

Q.  Are they easy to housebreak?

A.  Housebreaking can be difficult with Dachshunds. I've spoken with numerous people who have Dachshunds, and I've found it's not uncommon to hear things like "she's 95% reliable." Personally, I think it's their independent nature that makes them difficult to housebreak. It's not that they don't know any better, or that they maliciously want to be disobedient; it's just that they don't always see the necessity of relieving themselves outside (especially in bad weather), and they are willing to accept the consequences. Unless you're a real ogre, the minute you see one look up at you with his inquisitive, adoring expression, capped off with his brown, almond shaped, soulful eyes, you'll understand why they often get away with things.

Q.  How are they with children?

A.  Dachshunds can be very good with children, provided they are socialized properly when they are puppies. I often let mine play with the children in the neighborhood, including babies, when I first got her (I still do), and I believe, at least in part, this made her very good and tolerant of children of all ages. Still, no matter how good any animal is with children, you should never leave them unsupervised.

Q.  Do they bark a lot? What do they sound like?

A.  Once they find their voice (at about 18 months), they have barks that sound like they come from much bigger dogs, making them good watch dogs - not guard dogs (which will actually attack) but watch dogs, which only make a lot of noise.

Q.  Do they have any funny habits?

A.  One peculiar thing they do is to roll around in smelly things when they encounter them. This is due to their hunting instinct. While doing this, they are trying to "lose their scent" so that their prey cannot smell them. Chillie tries to do this, but I'm usually pretty quick to detect when she's about to do it, and I put an end to it rather quickly. (Whenever she gets too interested in something, I know there's potential trouble!) Another carry-over from their hunting days is that they love to dig. Although this trait is usually seen outdoors, it also follows them into the house, where they like to tunnel through blankets until they get it "just right."

Q.  Tell me, do they shed, are they clean, and do they smell?

A.  They are medium shedders, relatively clean, and they have little or no doggy odor. They don't need to be bathed often (less than once a month, unless, of course, they've gotten into something, which they're known to do).

Q.  How much exercise do they need?

A.  They require a modest amount of exercise. Two walks of moderate distance (each about 1/2 mile) a day should be pretty good. More if you're so inclined. They're a long-lived breed, which can live up to 16 years or more with proper care. Because they are such social creatures, they don't do well as outdoor dogs - they need to be with their humans.

Q.  What about their back problems?

A.  Dachshunds have a predisposition towards intervertebral disk disease. The disks are located between the majority of the
vertebrae in the spine. They act as a cushion between the vertebrae. These disks are similar to a jelly doughnut, with a fibrous outer portion and a jelly like center. These disks undergo degeneration as the dog ages.   The jelly portion becomes calcified and hardens.  Eventually, the disk may rupture or herniate thus causing severe pain to paralysis.  For more information, go to Intervertebral Disk Disease.  The best advice is to discourage them from jumping at an early age. We have taught our Dachshund to use a ramp to get up and down form the sofa.  He had a herniated disk but is now walking. To see Frederick walking up his ramp, click here.

Q.  It sounds like a Dachshund is the dog for me. Where can I get one?

A.  If you decide that a Dachshund is the breed for you, I'd highly recommend going to a reputable breeder, where you can talk to the breeder, and meet the parents of the puppies. Being such a popular breed, I'm sure there are breeders who are more interested in making money than breeding well-tempered, healthy dogs. The Dachshund Club of America has a breeder referral service here. Or, if you want to save a dog consider the Dachshund Rescue of North America, or rescuing a Dachshund from a local animal shelter. With proper care, socialization, and training, they can be wonderful companions for many, many years.