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8 Small Dog Breeds That Are Surprisingly Good Watchdogs

A smooth-coated brown dachshund lies alert on a woven rug by a wooden front door, looking up toward the window.
Contrary to expectations for small breeds, a Dachshund’s large chest capacity produces a deep, booming bark like a much larger dog.

5. Dachshund

Bred in Germany to track and extract badger scent trails from underground burrows, Dachshunds carry a fearless, persistent temperament. Available in miniature (under 11 pounds) and standard sizes (16 to 32 pounds), their long bodies house a remarkably large chest capacity.

Because of this unique chest anatomy, a Dachshund produces a deep, booming bark that sounds like that of a much larger dog. Dachshunds possess incredible olfactory and hearing range.

They pick up on subtle changes outside your front door and will sound the alarm instantly if an unrecognized visitor approaches.

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