Is the Caucasian Shepherd Dog Better than the Dachshund as a Pet? Answer…

Caucasian Shepherd Dog versus Dachshund

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Caucasian Shepherd Dog Versus Dachshund: Introduction

Are you thinking of getting a new pet dog, and you have narrowed down your choices to the Caucasian Shepherd Dog and the Dachshund? Well, you have come to the right place. In this article, we will provide you a detailed comparison of these two dog breeds to help you decide which of the Caucasian Shepherd Dog and the Dachshund better suits you.

We will provide you a detailed discussion and comparison of dog attributes such as intelligence, price, general health, friendliness, etc, for both the Caucasian Shepherd Dog and the Dachshund.

Furthermore, we will let you know which one of the Caucasian Shepherd Dog and the Dachshund is better suited for new dog owners, for owners with kids, for owners that live in apartments, for owners with dog allergies, etc.

Importantly, we did some analysis and calculation and we obtained a number that we call the Better-Pet Score™ for both the Caucasian Shepherd Dog and for the Dachshund. The dog breed with the higher Better-Pet score is the `better` pet. We hope that these Better-Pet Scores will provide you more insight into deciding which pet to get between the Caucasian Shepherd Dog and the Dachshund.

Our only goal here is to help you make a well-thought-out decision on your next long-term companion, be it the Caucasian Shepherd Dog or the Dachshund

Caucasian Shepherd Dog versus Dachshund

Caucasian Shepherd Dog versus Dachshund: Overview

A very important difference between the Caucasian Shepherd Dog and the Dachshund is the size difference between the two dog breeds. The Caucasian Shepherd Dog is a giant-sized dog while the Dachshund is a tiny-sized dog.

Furthermore, the Caucasian Shepherd Dog belongs to the Working Dogs group. Working Dogs were developed to assist humans in some capacity – including pulling sleds and carts, guarding flocks, guarding homes, and protecting their families. Breeds in the Working Group are known for their imposing stature, strength, intelligence, and fearless. Because of their size and strength, working dogs require a structured home life and firm, fair, consistent training by someone who can provide leadership without resorting to anger or physical force.

On the other hand, the Dachshund belongs to the Hound Dogs group. Hound Dogs were bred to pursue and hunt warm-blooded animals. Hounds hunt by using their good sight or their good sense of smell. Dogs that belong to the Hound Group have strong prey drives and often will stop at nothing to catch what they are pursuing.

Caucasian Shepherd Dog versus Dachshund: Comparison Table

The table below compares the Caucasian Shepherd Dog to the Dachshund based on different important factors such as Price, Health, Kid-friendliness, etc.

When a dog breed scores higher for a factor than the other dog breed, the box of the breed that scores higher is shaded green and the box of the breed that scores lower is shaded red. When there is no difference between the breeds for a particular factor then the box is shaded gray for both pets. Also, when the factor is not important in picking a pet, or when the factor cannot be compared between two pets, the box for the factor is shaded gray for both pets

Most of the factors in the table for each dog breed are ranked on a scale of 1 to 5. “1” means “worst”, and “5” means “best”.

However, some factors such as “Price”, “Average Lifespan”, etc. cannot be on a scale of 1 to 5, so they are not on a scale of 1 to 5 in the comparison table.

Factor Caucasian Shepherd Dog Dachshund
Good For Novice Owners 1/5 4/5
Life Span 10 to 12 years 12 to 15 years
Adapts Well To Apartment Living 2/5 5/5
Easygoing 4/5 2/5
Tolerates Hot Weather 2/5 3/5
Kid-Friendly 2/5 5/5
Dog Friendly 2/5 3/5
Friendly Toward Strangers 2/5 1/5
Easy To Groom 2/5 3/5
Easy To Train 2/5 2/5
Tendency NOT to Wander 4/5 1/5
NOT Rambunctious 4/5 3/5
Minimal Exercise Needs 4/5 3/5
Height 24 to 34 inches 8 inches to 9 inches tall at the shoulder
Tolerates Being Alone 3/5 3/5
General Health 3/5 2/5
Low Prey Drive 3/5 1/5
Does NOT Bark or Howl 3/5 1/5
Potential For Playfulness 3/5 4/5
Affectionate With Family 4/5 4/5
Does NOT Shed 2/5 3/5
Does NOT Drool 2/5 5/5
Potential NOT to Gain Weight 2/5 1/5
Intelligence 4/5 4/5
Does NOT chew on things 2/5 2/5
Calmness/ Low Vigor 2/5 3/5
Tolerates Cold Weather 5/5 1/5
Weight 80 to 220 pounds 16 to 32 pounds
Average Lifespan 11.0 years 13.5 years
Average Price $2110 $1730
Price Range $1500 – $2500 $1000 – $2000
Temperament Score 85.0 percent 69.4 percent
Common Health Problems and Recommended Health Tests
  • Cardiac Evaluation
  • Degenerative Myelopathy
  • Dentition
  • Elbow Dysplasia
  • Eye examination, results registered with the OFA.
  • Hip Dysplasia
  • Patellar Luxation
  • Autoimmune thyroiditis
  • Congenital Deafness
  • Eye Examination
  • Patellar Luxation
  • Progressive Retinal Atrophy
  • *Data from dogtime.com, OFA.org (The Orthopedic Foundation for Animals), petcalculator.com, wikipedia.org, ATTS.org (the American Temperament Test Society)

    Next, we added the scores of the factors that can be added together for the Caucasian Shepherd Dog in the table (that is, `Ease of Grooming` score + `General Health` score + `Calmness` score + …etc) and we compared it to the corresponding total score for the Dachshund. We call these total scores the Better-Pet Scores, as we mentioned earlier. We called this score the Better-Pet score because the better dog breed will have a higher score. This is because the pet will the higher score will have minimal needs and be easier to have as a pet.

    The Better-Pet score for a Caucasian Shepherd Dog is 69 out of 125 while the Better-Pet score for a Dachshund is 69 out of 125.

    Based on their Better-Pet scores, the Dachshund is not better or worse than the Caucasian Shepherd Dog. So, you can get the Dachshund or the Caucasian Shepherd Dog!

    Although we have done our best to analyze these two dog breeds in a very unbiased way, however, we will like to let you know that there are some dog attributes that cannot be assigned a number for comparison. We cannot put a number on how cute a dog breed is, for example. Beauty is in the eye of the beholder.

    Also, the dog breed that best suits you will depend on your peculiar lifestyle, your taste, and your priorities, which we do not know. So, for you to decide on which breed is right for you, read through the rest of the article to further understand both the Caucasian Shepherd Dog and the Dachshund so that you can make your own well-informed decision on which pet to get.

    Caucasian Shepherd Dog versus Dachshund

    The Most Remarkable Differences Between the Caucasian Shepherd Dog and the Dachshund

    Below is a list of where the Caucasian Shepherd Dog and the Dachshund are most different:

  • Caucasian Shepherd Dogs are not the best dogs for new dog owners. However, Dachshunds are good for new dog owners.
  • Caucasian Shepherd Dogs do not adapt well to apartment living. However, Dachshunds adapt well to apartment living.
  • Caucasian Shepherd Dogs do not get along well with kids. They are not kid-friendly. However, Dachshunds get along well with kids. They are kid-friendly.
  • Caucasian Shepherd Dogs do not have the potential to wander after things that capture their attention. They tend to stay around where you leave them. However, Dachshunds have a high tendency to wander. They are easily distracted by other animals or objects.
  • Caucasian Shepherd Dogs have a very high tendency to drool. However, Dachshunds do not have the tendency to drool.
  • Caucasian Shepherd Dogs can tolerate cold weather. However, Dachshunds cannot tolerate cold weather. They are vulnerable to the cold.
  • The Similarities Between the Caucasian Shepherd Dog and the Dachshund

    The Caucasian Shepherd Dog and the Dachshund are very similar in certain aspects. Below is the list of where the Caucasian Shepherd Dog and the Dachshund are most similar:

  • Both the Caucasian Shepherd Dog and the Dachshund cannot tolerate hot weather. They are not suited for hot environments.
  • Both the Caucasian Shepherd Dog and the Dachshund do not get along well with other dogs.
  • Both the Caucasian Shepherd Dog and the Dachshund are not very friendly towards strangers.
  • Both the Caucasian Shepherd Dog and the Dachshund require a lot of grooming and are not very easy to groom.
  • Both the Caucasian Shepherd Dog and the Dachshund are not easy to train.
  • Both the Caucasian Shepherd Dog and the Dachshund have low energy levels. They do not require a lot exercise time.
  • Both the Caucasian Shepherd Dog and the Dachshund have low exercise needs.
  • Both the Caucasian Shepherd Dog and the Dachshund are great family dogs. They are very affectionate with family.
  • Both the Caucasian Shepherd Dog and the Dachshund shed. They are not recommended for people with dog allergies.
  • Both the Caucasian Shepherd Dog and the Dachshund gain weight easily. You need to pay careful attention to what you feed them.
  • Both the Caucasian Shepherd Dog and the Dachshund are highly intelligent.
  • Both the Caucasian Shepherd Dog and the Dachshund are prone to nip and chew at things.
  • Both the Caucasian Shepherd Dog and the Dachshund do things with high intensity. They can be very forceful.
  • Size (Weight and Height) of Caucasian Shepherd Dog versus Dachshund

    Now, let us discuss the difference in size between the Caucasian Shepherd Dog and the Dachshund.

    Caucasian Shepherd Dogs weigh 80 to 220 pounds when fully grown. Caucasian Shepherd Dogs are 24 to 34 inches when fully grown.

    On the other hand, Dachshunds weigh 16 to 32 pounds when fully grown. Dachshunds are 8 inches to 9 inches tall at the shoulder when fully grown.

    Temperament of the Dachshund Versus the Caucasian Shepherd Dog

    The Caucasian Shepherd Dog has a better temperament than the Dachshund.

    This is because the temperament score for the Caucasian Shepherd Dog is 85.0 percent while the temperament score for the Dachshund is 69.4 percent, according to the American Temperament Test Society (ATTS).

    The American Temperament Test Society (ATTS) is a non-profit organization whose mission is to provide fair and objective evaluations of the temperaments of dog breeds.

    Dog breeds with low temperament scores tend to show unprovoked aggression, they easily panic without quickly recovering from the panic, and they tend to avoid people. However, dog breeds with high temperament scores are not aggressive and are not shy. Also, these dogs are generally friendly and they are protective of their owners.

    The average temperament score across all dog breeds (over 250 breeds) is 83.7 percent.

    With its temperament score of 85.0 percent, the Caucasian Shepherd Dog has an above-average temperament compared to other dog breeds.

    With its temperament score of 69.4 percent, the Dachshund has a below-average temperament compared to other dog breeds.

    The ATTS obtained the temperament scores of the Caucasian Shepherd Dog and the Dachshund by measuring the temperaments of 20 Caucasian Shepherd Dogs and 49 Dachshunds.

    Price of Caucasian Shepherd Dog versus Price of Dachshund

    The average price of the Caucasian Shepherd Dog puppy is $2110. The price of the Caucasian Shepherd Dog typically ranges from $1500 – $2500. However, the price of a Caucasian Shepherd Dog can be as low as $1000 and as high as $4000. We obtained this price information by reviewing the prices of 56 Caucasian Shepherd Dog puppies listed for sale from various sources.

    The average price of the Dachshund puppy is $1730. The price of the Dachshund typically ranges from $1000 – $2000. However, the price of a Dachshund can be as low as $200 and as high as $24000. We obtained this price information by collecting and reviewing the prices of 698 Dachshund puppies listed for sale from various sources.

    The Caucasian Shepherd Dog is more expensive than the Dachshund.

    Caucasian Shepherd Dog Dachshund
    Average Price $2110 $1730
    Price Range $1500 to $2500 $1000 to $2000

    The charts below show the price distribution for the Caucasian Shepherd Dog and Dachshund. For different price points, the charts show how many Caucasian Shepherd Dog puppies or how many Dachshund puppies are listed for sale at those price points.

    A breakdown of the prices of Caucasian Shepherd Dogs. The typical price range is shaded Green.

    A breakdown of the prices of Caucasian Shepherd Dogs. The typical price range is shaded Green.

    A breakdown of the prices of Dachshunds

    A breakdown of the prices of Dachshunds

    Note that a lot of factors determine how much you can expect to pay for the Caucasian Shepherd Dog puppy or the Dachshund puppy. This includes if health screening tests have been performed on the puppy, if the puppy is from a famous pedigree, the US State where the puppy is bred, etc.

    Nevertheless, when looking from a puppy, look at buying a puppy only from well-established breeders that breed puppies primarily for the love of dogs, and secondarily for profit. Do not buy a puppy from one of those puppy mills that mass-produce puppies in bad living conditions for maximum profit.

    You may also consider adopting a dog instead of buying a dog.

    Caucasian Shepherd Dog versus Dachshund

    Adopting the Caucasian Shepherd Dog versus Adopting the Dachshund

    You may consider adopting a dog instead of buying a puppy. Many Caucasian Shepherd Dogs and many Dachshunds are currently available for adoption.

    These adorable and cute dogs are waiting in dog shelters hoping that someday someone will rescue them. Furthermore, adoption costs are lesser than the cost of a new puppy. Dog adoption costs are usually around $300. In addition to your local dog shelter, a good place online to see dogs that are available for adoption is petfinder.com.

    Below is an adorable Male Caucasian Shepherd Dog named Arkansas, Little Rock; “Aslan” that is currently available for adoption on Petfinder.com. You can find other lovely adoptable Caucasian Shepherd Dogs like Arkansas, Little Rock; “Aslan” on pefinder.com.

    Also, like Caucasian Shepherd Dogs, Dachshunds are also available for adoption. For example, Mr. Pickles – Courtesy Post – So Ca is a Male Dachshund that is currently available for adoption on petfinder.com. You can find more Dachshunds like Mr. Pickles – Courtesy Post – So Ca that are up for adoption on petfinder.com.

    The Caucasian Shepherd Dog and the Dachshund can both be adopted. Images from petfinder.com

    Nico is the name of another Caucasian Shepherd Dog (Male) on petfinder.com that is looking for a new home.

    Also Meyer, an adorable Male Dachshund on petfinder.com that you can adopt.

    Caucasian Shepherd Dogs and Dachshunds are always available for adoption. Images from petfinder.com

    You can find more Caucasian Shepherd Dogs and Dachshunds that are available for adoption on petfinder.

    Health Problems of Caucasian Shepherd Dog versus Health Problems of Dachshund

    Every dog breed has its own set of health problems that it has a tendency to develop. Therefore, there is nothing like a perfect puppy.

    Both the Caucasian Shepherd Dog and the Dachshund are prone to certain genetic health conditions. The Orthopedic Foundation for Animals (OFA) is the organization that keeps track of health problems in dogs. Based on the extensive records that the OFA keeps, the OFA knows what health problems each dog breed is naturally prone to develop. Hence, the OFA recommends which health screening that breeders should perform on a dog breed to make sure that the breeders won`t breed `defective` dog parents that can pass down defective genes to their puppy offspring.

    The more health problems a dog breed is prone to develop, the more health tests the OFA will recommend for that dog breed.

    Based on our review of OFA records, we found that the Caucasian Shepherd Dog is prone to more genetic health problems than the Dachshund.

    This is because the OFA recommends more screening health tests for the Caucasian Shepherd Dog than for the Dachshund.

    7 health tests are recommended for Caucasian Shepherd Dog while 5 tests are recommended for the Dachshund.

    Below is a detailed discussion of health problems in Caucasian Shepherd Dogs and in Dachshunds.

    Caucasian Shepherd Dog Health Problems

    Caucasian Shepherd Dogs are genetically prone to certain health problems. However, breeders can reduce the chances of producing Caucasian Shepherd Dog puppies with genetic defects by making sure that a puppy`s parents are free from genetic health problems before allowing the parent to make puppies.

    The OFA provides breeders recommendations on which genetic diseases that breeders should screen their dog parents and puppies for.

    If you want a Caucasian Shepherd Dog puppy that will grow up to be healthy, make sure that your Caucasian Shepherd Dog breeder screens your puppy or your puppy`s parents for the health problems that the OFA recommends for your puppy`s breed. This will increase the chances that your puppy is free from genetic defects.

    The following are the health tests that Orthopedic Foundation for Animals (OFA) recommends that breeders should screen Caucasian Shepherd Dogs for:

  • Cardiac Evaluation
  • Degenerative Myelopathy
  • Dentition
  • Elbow Dysplasia
  • Eye examination, results registered with the OFA.
  • Hip Dysplasia
  • Patellar Luxation
  • You can find out more about OFA`s recommended tests for Caucasian Shepherd Dogs here.

    Dachshund Health Problems

    Dachshunds are genetically prone to certain health problems. However, breeders can reduce the chances of producing Dachshund puppies with genetic defects by making sure that a puppy`s parents are free from genetic health problems before allowing the parent to make puppies.

    The OFA provides breeders recommendations on which genetic diseases that breeders should screen their dog parents and puppies for.

    If you want a Dachshund puppy that will grow up to be healthy, make sure that your Dachshund breeder screens your puppy or your puppy`s parents for the health problems that the OFA recommends for your puppy`s breed. This will increase the chances that your puppy is free from genetic defects.

    The following are the health tests that Orthopedic Foundation for Animals (OFA) recommends that breeders should screen Dachshunds for:

  • Autoimmune thyroiditis
  • Congenital Deafness
  • Eye Examination
  • Patellar Luxation
  • Progressive Retinal Atrophy
  • You can find out more about OFA`s recommended tests for Dachshunds here.

    Which is Better for New Dog Owners, the Caucasian Shepherd Dog or the Dachshund?

    Caucasian Shepherd Dogs are not the best dogs for new dog owners.

    Dachshunds are very good for new dog owners.

    Is the Caucasian Shepherd Dog Better for Apartment Owners than the Dachshund?

    Caucasian Shepherd Dogs do not adapt well to apartment living.

    Dachshunds adapt very well to apartment living.

    Can Caucasian Shepherd Dogs Tolerate Hot Weather? Can Dachshunds Tolerate Hot Weather?

    Caucasian Shepherd Dogs cannot tolerate hot weather. They are not suited for hot environments.

    Dachshunds can tolerate hot weather as long as the weather is not too hot.

    How Kid-friendly are Caucasian Shepherd Dogs and Dachshunds?

    Caucasian Shepherd Dogs do not get along well with kids. They are not kid-friendly.

    Dachshunds get along well with kids. They are kid-friendly.

    Which Dog Breed is more Dog-Friendly, the Caucasian Shepherd Dog or the Dachshund?

    Caucasian Shepherd Dogs do not get along well with other dogs.

    Dachshunds get along fairly well with other dogs.

    Which is Easier to Groom, the Caucasian Shepherd Dog or the Dachshund?

    Caucasian Shepherd Dogs require a lot of grooming and they are not very easy to groom.

    Dachshunds are moderately easy to groom.

    Is the Caucasian Shepherd Dog Easier to Train than the Dachshund?

    Caucasian Shepherd Dogs are not easy to train.

    Dachshunds are not easy to train.

    Wanderlust Potential: Caucasian Shepherd Dog vs. Dachshund

    Caucasian Shepherd Dogs do not have the potential to wander after things that capture their attention. They tend to stay around where you leave them.

    Dachshunds have a high tendency to wander. They are easily distracted by other animals or objects.

    Tolerates Being Alone: Caucasian Shepherd Dog versus Dachshund

    Caucasian Shepherd Dogs can be left alone only for a short time.

    Dachshunds can be left alone only for a short time.

    Does the Caucasian Shepherd Dog Have a Higher Prey Drive than the Dachshund?

    Caucasian Shepherd Dogs have a moderate prey drive. They can sometimes chase after smaller animals and pets.

    Dachshunds have a high prey drive. They have the tendency to chase after smaller animals and pets. They do not get along well with other pets.

    Do Caucasian Shepherd Dogs Bark and Howl? What about Dachshunds?

    Caucasian Shepherd Dogs bark and howl, but not very much.

    Dachshunds are highly vocal. They have the tendency to bark and howl.

    Are Caucasian Shepherd Dogs good family dogs? What about Dachshunds?

    Caucasian Shepherd Dogs are great family dogs. They are very affectionate with family.

    Dachshunds are great family dogs. They are very affectionate with family.

    Do Caucasian Shepherd Dogs shed more than Dachshunds?

    Caucasian Shepherd Dogs shed. They are not recommended for people with dog allergies.

    Dachshunds shed moderately.

    Which one drools more, the Caucasian Shepherd Dog or the Dachshund

    Caucasian Shepherd Dogs have a very high tendency to drool.

    Dachshunds do have a very low tendency to drool.

    Can Caucasian Shepherd Dogs Tolerate Cold Weather? And can Dachshunds Tolerate Cold Weather?

    Caucasian Shepherd Dogs can very well tolerate cold weather.

    Dachshunds cannot tolerate cold weather. They are vulnerable to the cold.

    Other Dog Breeds That are Similar to the Caucasian Shepherd Dog

    Furthermore, there are other dog breeds that are very similar to the Caucasian Shepherd Dog that you can consider on your quest to get the best pet.

    We crunched the numbers and found that the following dog breeds have similar personality and temperament as the Caucasian Shepherd Dog:

  • Afador (76 percent match with Caucasian Shepherd Dog). Here is our comparison of the Dachshund vs Afador.
  • Akbash (73 percent match with Caucasian Shepherd Dog). Here is our comparison of the Dachshund vs Akbash.
  • Mastiff (72 percent match with Caucasian Shepherd Dog). Here is our comparison of the Dachshund vs Mastiff.
  • Boerboel (71 percent match with Caucasian Shepherd Dog). Here is our comparison of the Dachshund vs Boerboel.
  • Other Dog Breeds That are Similar to the Dachshund

    Furthermore, there are other dog breeds that are very similar to the Dachshund that you can consider on your quest to get the best pet.

    We crunched the numbers and found that the following dog breeds have similar personality and temperament as the Dachshund:

  • Dandie Dinmont Terrier (71 percent match with Dachshund). Here is our comparison of the Caucasian Shepherd Dog vs Dandie Dinmont Terrier.
  • Lhasa Apso (71 percent match with Dachshund). Here is our comparison of the Caucasian Shepherd Dog vs Lhasa Apso.
  • Manchester Terrier (75 percent match with Dachshund). Here is our comparison of the Caucasian Shepherd Dog vs Manchester Terrier.
  • Miniature Pinscher (72 percent match with Dachshund). Here is our comparison of the Caucasian Shepherd Dog vs Miniature Pinscher.
  • Other Breed Comparisons that Might Interest You

    You may also be interested in how the Caucasian Shepherd Dog and how the Dachshund compares to other breeds. So, see below the comparison of the Caucasian Shepherd Dog and of the Dachshund to other breeds:

    Caucasian Shepherd Dog Versus Other Dog Breeds

    Caucasian Shepherd Dog versus Cane Corso     Caucasian Shepherd Dog versus Yorkshire Terrier     Caucasian Shepherd Dog versus Weimaraner     Caucasian Shepherd Dog versus Westiepoo     Caucasian Shepherd Dog versus Bernedoodle     Caucasian Shepherd Dog versus Whoodle     Caucasian Shepherd Dog versus Tibetan Spaniel     Caucasian Shepherd Dog versus Cavalier King Charles Spaniel     Caucasian Shepherd Dog versus Basset Hound     Caucasian Shepherd Dog versus Maltipoo     

    Dachshund Versus Other Dog Breeds

    Dachshund versus Toy Fox Terrier     Dachshund versus Scottish Deerhound     Dachshund versus Komondor     Dachshund versus Ibizan Hound     Dachshund versus German Shorthaired Pointer     Dachshund versus Basenji     Dachshund versus German Pinscher     Dachshund versus Finnish Spitz     Dachshund versus Goldendoodle     Dachshund versus Maremma Sheepdog     

    Conclusion: Caucasian Shepherd Dog versus Dachshund. Which One is a Better Pet?

    In summary, there is nothing like a better dog breed or a worse dog breed. The important question to ask is which dog breed better matches your interests and lifestyle. We hope our discussion above will help you in deciding which dog breed between the Caucasian Shepherd Dog and the Dachshund better suits you and your family.