re: #55 Backwoods_Sleuth

They are GREAT dogs, especially with children (in Victorian times and even later, they were very much in demand as babysitters), it all depends on how they are raised…much like ANY breed of dog.

Last time I checked, the worst (read: most vicious/dangerous) breeds were Dachshunds and Chihuahuas.

I do know a bit about at least one Dachshund. We housesat for a family for a year when we were just married. Barely any rent, but we had to take care of their Dachshund. He was mostly sweet, but could get in a rage about food; but in particular his burrowing-animal instincts would kick in—dog under the table and your leg swings in his direction meant a lunge; playful dog goes down into the sheets on the bed—you lift the sheets and the dog comes at you like shot out of a rocket because vestigial impulses about being in a den of some kind and coming under attack kick in.

My wife was pregnant while we lived there and the little beast followed her everywhere; when she slept on the couch he would jump up to put his head on her tummy. Mostly a sweet boy, but I can see how they cause lots of bites.