Despite their size, dachshunds are known for their courageous nature and will take on animals mach larger than themselves. Some may be aggressive toward strangers and other dogs. As family dogs, dachshunds are loyal companions and good watchdogs. They are good with children if treated well. They can be slightly difficult to train. Some dachshunds fanciers say there personally differences among the different varieties of the breed. For instance, the long coat Doxie is reportedly calmer than the smooth coat variety and the wire coat Doxie is more outgoing and clown like. Dachshunds were bred as hunters so it is no surprise that many of them like to dig. Some are also barkers, and, in one survey, dachshunds ranked high for destructiveness.