Have you ever wondered why do dachshunds hate rain? Is their aversion random, or is there an instinctual reason behind it? Dachshunds were originally bred to hunt badgers and other burrowing animals. Their long body and short legs may cause discomfort in wet conditions. Additionally, their strong hunting instincts make them sensitive to various smells; rainwater smell also irritates them, leading to their dislike of rain. In this blog, I will share insights into why do dachshunds hate rain.
Body structure
Dachshunds have a unique body structure compared to other dogs, which might make them dislike rain; their long bodies and short legs can easily touch the wet ground, which contributes to their dislike a wet conditions. My dachshund also dislikes the rain and feels irritated when I take him out in wet weather.
Strong Scent Sensitivity
Dachshunds were bred to hunt burrowing animals, which makes them highly sensitive to scents. They can easily sense various types of smells in their environment. When it rains, the mixture of the soil and rainwater releases a strong smell that many humans find pleasant. However, most dog breeds feel irritated by this scent; dachshunds are one of those dog breeds.
Instinct and Preference
As i mantioned earlier, dachshunds were bred to hunt badgers and other burrowing animals. This means they naturally prefer dry, underground environment rather than wet conditions. Because their ancestors used to it and they are naturally comfortable in dry weather.
During hunting, they need to burrow and chase animals; their instinct makes them alert, cautious, and sensitive to environmental changes, such as wet, slippery ground, which feels unfamiliar. They may interpret the sound of rain as a threat due to their sharp hearing.
Dislike of Being Cold
They have a long back and short leg body structure, which makes them more susceptible to feeling cold than other dog breeds. Their low distance to the ground also means they are more affected by cold temperatures. Additionally, smooth-haired dachshunds have very thin coat layers, contributing to their dislike of cold weather. For this reason, they usually prefer to stay indoors when it rains outside.
They are small in size, and they tend to lose body heat quickly than larger dog breeds. For these reasons, they generally prefer to stay indoors during rainy and cold weather. Additionally, lower temperatures can lead to joint stiffness or arthritis, which dachshunds are prone to.
Thin or Sparse Coat
Dachshunds have a very thin coat compared to other dog breeds. Which makes them more sensitive to cold weather, their coats don’t provide much warmth, so they tend to dislike going outside during the rainy season, even when we are using an umbrella
Negative Experiences or Lack of Exposure
If your dachshund arent exposed to rain as a positive experience, they may feel uncomfortable and associate rain with a negative and fearful experience. Dachshunds are stubborn, smart. Once they dislike something, they refuse to do it again without training; we need to train for it.
Lack of undercoat (especially in smooth-haired)
If you have a smooth-haired dachshund, they only has a single-layer coat, which doesn’t provide much insulation compared to wire-haired and long-haired coat types. Water penetrates through it easily, and they often try to avoid it naturally.
Fear of Thunder or Loud Rain Sounds
Dachshunds, like many other dog breeds, are sensitive to unpredictable loud noises. Thunder, heavy rain, and wind can be frightening, triggering anxiety and stress. So they feel fearful when they go out in the rain.
Unpleasant Touch Sensation
Dachshunds often dislike the rain due to the unpleasant sensation that wet grass causes. They have sensitive nerve endings in their paws and skin, especially around the belly area, which can irritate them while walking in the rain. They have short legs, and they frequently come into contact with wet grass, making them uncomfortable.
Stubborn Temperament
Dachshund have a strong-willed personality. They were originally bred to hunt badgers, making them confident, independent, and persistent. This trait can make them stubborn, especially when asked to do they dislike like going out during rain.
Conclusion
Dachshunds often refuse to go outside in the rain, and they do this for various instinctive and practical reasons. Originally bred to hunt badgers, their behaviour can be attributed to several factors. Their short legs can make it challenging to bring them into a wet environment. They are also sensitive to cold temperatures and have a heightened olfactory sense, which may affect their willingness to go out in the rainy season.
