Dachshund dog breed characteristics and facts

The Dachshund is famous for its long body and short legs. These dogs are known since ancient times, as evidenced by rock paintings that are 5000 years old. The breed first appeared in Germany and was specially bred for hunting badgers and other raking animals-badgers and foxes. In some cases, they used the scent of their prey just below the ground as well. Dachshunds could even hunt in flocks wild boar. Its phenomenal qualities made it a success as a pet, show dog, hunting dog, and family favorite.

But however, do not be deceived by this pup. Per standard, and in the words of renowned literary giant and satirist H. L. Mencken, they “might be half a dog high and a dog and a half long” but this miniature, drop eared dog is strong enough to tackle a badger. And he actually did. That’s how they became known . However, you may be familiar with them under one of their many pseudonyms, which include Dachshund, Sausage Dog, Doxie, and others.

Dachshund Facts

• Origin: Germany
• Size: Small
• Lifespan: 12-16 years
• Coat: Three coat types: Longhaired Dachshund, Shorthaired Dachshund and Wirehaired Dachshund.
• Temperament: Lively, Brave, Confident and Curious nature
• Exercise Needs: They have moderate exercise requirements. Regular walks and playtime are important to prevent obesity and keep them mentally stimulated.
• Training: Early socialization and consistent training required
• Grooming: Minimal grooming needs
• Health: Generally healthy, but may be prone to some health issues

Dachshund Overview

Dachshunds DAKS hund  —  never dash-hound. According to the AKC, they are bred and shown in two sizes: standard and miniature. An adult standard Dachshund generally will weigh between 16 and 32 pounds while he will have a weight of less than 11 pounds as a miniature adult. The AKC classifies a third type, the tweenie, as a result of mixed breeding. He will have a weight from 11 to 16 pounds. Varieties Dachshunds come in three varieties: smooth shorthaired, wirehaired, and longhaired or in other countries more.

Regardless of their size, a Dachshund is a joy to have in the family, positioning it near the most elevated purpose of allusion offers since the 1950s. Their engaging appearance envisions the stir of dragging that long body around the home, which has legitimately roused different sweet thoughts for the breed. Dachshund is otherwise called wiener dog, hot dog, frankfurter dog, sausage dog, Doxie, Dashie, and in Germany, particularly, Teckels, Dachels, or Dachsels. At the same time, the person seems confident and proud-finishing a long muscle body on short legs out and back-keep his head up high and looks excited, smartly in his eyes.

Dachshunds’ ability to dig and maneuver their tunnels to corner and fight badgers and other animals gave them their short legs. And since they needed strong hearts to combat the animals, they have rather big chests. While Dachshunds are courageous, they are also a little stubborn and have an independent disposition, particularly while hunting. They’re the smallest hounds with relatively large terriers, devoted to their families and always prepared to fight.

But Dachshunds really let their joyful natures catch fire at home. The minute you walk in the door, they want to be your shadow. They will snuggle with you on the couch, try to sneak-cozy under the covers, and “assist” you with chores (such as helping you tie your shoes by dragging the laces off your feet). Dachshund’s fun for playdough is directly proportional to his intelligence. The little dog has a rule he wrote about a long time ago, and it doesn’t always sync up with your own rules... or those of any other dog breed, for that matter! The string-leotard chase of Dachshunds had shaken the European continent for at least a hundred years. They run ecstatically on the tail of a cage armed with a feather duster, dash for a squirrel or a mouse, and even for a flat-bellied moth. The breed standard suggests Dachshund temperament most accurately, describing dachshund as follows, “The Dachshund is clever, lively, and courageous to the point of rashness, persevering in above and below ground work, with all the senses well-developed. Any display of shyness is a serious fault.” And the characteristic eyes and face were filled with expressions.

In addition, Dachshunds have considerably large lungs for a little canine breed and a barrel-like chest. Hence, Dachshunds have a loud and deep bark that looks like it originates from a huge dog. They also enjoy barking, so if you live next to neighbors who may become overwhelmed with the bold behavior of your brave little Dachshund, keep that in mind. Moreover, Dachshunds generally form strong attaché with a single person.

They may also become jealous of their owner’s attention and if not properly trained and socialized, can become snappy. In the United States, the Smooth Dachshunds is the most popular variety. Their coats are short and shiny and need only minimal grooming. Dachshunds require a sweater in the winter if you live in a cold environment. The most common colors for Dachshund are red, cream, black, and tan, black, and cream, chocolate and tan, blue and, tan, and Isabella fawn and tan. Dapple is a pattern while brindle, sable, and piebald and can all have patterns on their coats. The Longhaired Dachshunds have long, sleek, slightly wavy hair and come in the same colors as the Smooth Dachshund.

Make sure to brush them daily so that mats don’t form, especially around the elbows and ears. A lot of people feel that the Longhaired has a sweeter personality than the Smooth or Wirehair. Wirehaired Dachshunds have short, thick, rough, sculpted coats with hos eyebrows and a beard. Like Smoothes, they get into the trash and are foiled without supervision. A winter coat will not be required, but to keep them matt-free, they will need to be brushed twice weekly. Their colors are similar to the Smooth; however, the most famous names in America are wild boar, black and tan, and then a number of red varieties. Dachshunds were frequently linked with the word Germany. During both World War I and World War II, they were practically driven to extinction in the United States because of the relationship.

It is difficult to resist their charm, which is why quickly became popular again. Similarly, since the dog was also connected with the name of Germany, Dachshund Waldi became the first animal mentioned as an official games mascot in 1972 at the Olympics. Dachshunds are a recommended breed for those living in an apartment or without a yard. They have become trendy among people in city centers because of their size and minimal upkeep.

They are normally active indoors and like to take walks. However, be cautious that they do not get too chubby, that they do not leap off furniture and hurt their backs, and simply provide support to their backs while you hold them. Because their backs are lengthy, Dachshunds are predisposed to suffering a slipped or herniated disk in their back, resulting in paralysis that is total or in parts. They were bred to chase down ferocious badgers and other animals, however today’s Daschunds are a wonderful family dog.

Moreover, many people parade them in conformation, obedience, racing, field trials, and earthdog trials. They are employed as hardworking and highly appreciated therapy dogs. Some race their Dachshunds in wiener dog races, such as the Wiener Nationals. Although these races are well-known and rightly draw long feeds, the DCA dial “wiener dog racing” because it is used by many in the Greyhound racing background to maximize the level off and because the DCA is afraid that such exhibitions may harm the backs of the Dachshunds. Many dinghund enthusiasts overestimate their capacity to make money because these dogs are so popular. They do not have the love of their breed and the mentorship to market naturally healthy, well-mannered puppies. When acquiring your Dachshund, make sure you only obtain puppies from reliable developers who check their mated animals for their emotions and for health considerations. The Dachshund is a multifaceted buddy. With different varieties of dimensions, shades, coat forms, and personas, the Dachshund is virtually available for everyone.

Dachshund History

The Dachshund originated in Germany. In German, “ badger ” is “ dachs ” and “ dog ” is “ hund,” therefore badger dog. There are illustrations of Dachshund-type dogs from the 15 th century, and documents from the 16 th century were found mentioning the “earth dog,” “ badger creeper,” and “dachsel.” The Dachshund’s hunting prey wasn’t just badger, though. The breed was also utilized on various other den animals, including foxes, and a pack of Dachshunds was generally utilized to trail wild boar. The earliest Dachshunds differed radically in size.

Short-legged, long-bodied dogs on badgers and boar weighed 30 to 35 pounds, while their longer-legged relations used to hunt foxes and deer weighed 16 to 22 pounds. Smaller, 12-pound Dachshunds hunted hares and weasels, while Portuguese ladies once carried a 5-pounders in their muff to bolt cottontail rabbits. Developed over many years by German foresters in the 18th and 19th centuries. The Teckel, as it is known in Germany, was designed to be a hunting hound.

Desiring to form a dog strong and rabid enough to bacterial speck a badger out of its loch, they first perfected a pioneering type and then began to give it more height. The pioneering forms and collapses that simply longed through crosses with the Braque, a small French pointing dog were perfective, as were the Pin. There is a probability the French Basset Hound was used in perfective.

Although the exact history of Dachshunds is uncertain, the long-coated Dachshunds were presumably produced by crosses with numerous spaniels, and the wirehairs through the crosses with numerous Terriers. Thus, dachshunds are carefully sculpted by generations of breeding; they are today the only AKC-acknowledged breed that hunts over and under the ground. Short, powerful legs helped Dachshunds dig down slender underground burrows and pursue their bait. The tail is long and robust, extending straight from the spine, offering the handlers a “handle” to draw the Dachshund from the “Set” with the pet.

Actually, such unusually large and paddle-shaped paws of the Dachshund allowed the dog to dig very efficiently. The loose skin of the Smoothe Dachshund would not tear while the animal tried to crawl deep into the burrow. There is no doubt that its chest is long and broad, making it possible to store large amounts of lungs and ensuring the dog’s endurance. The long nose made him a good scent hound. You may also need to explain the reason for the deep, loud bark – in order to the hunter could hear where his dog was, which he let into the hole.

And, of course, they needed to be fearless and determined: while the original German Dachshunds were larger than modern breeds, the smallest Dachshund seems just as fearless – hand him a squeaky toy, and he will “kill” it before your very eyes, eviscerating it in a bid to eliminate the squeaker as fast as possible. Because these dogs were not only meant to chase after prey but also to kill it. Then, in the 1800s, Dachshunds in Great Britain began to be bred more as lap dogs than as hunters.

In royal courts all over the European continent, the “wiener dog” became a favorite. Queen Victoria was particularly fond of dachshunds. As a result of this, the breed’s size was reduced by about ten pounds. In reality, a small breed is a miniature dachshund. A standard for the breed was established in 1879, and the German dachshund club was established in 1888; by 1885, they had reached America, where 11 were enrolled with the American Kennel Club.

The first one was named Dash. The Dachshund Club of America was not founded until 10 years later, in 1895 $#. The breed quickly became very popular in the U.S. The early 1900s. In 1913 and 1914, they were among the 10 most popular entries in the city at the Westminster Kennel Club show. Then in the united states and england, times changed drastically, World War I so the dachshund, like anything German, became tabu #$. Dachshund owners were sometimes called traitors, and their dogs were stoned.

Again, some U.S. breeders imported some from Germany and the breed started to draw interest once more. The situation repeated itself during World War II, but hardly as destructively as the first time. In the 1950s, Dachshunds again became one of the most popular family dogs in America and remained in that position ever since. In the U.S. and Great Britain, they are hardly used for hunting anymore. In other parts of Europe, mainly France, they are always considered hunting dogs. To ever come full circle, Dachshund is Today the sixth-most popular dog of the randomized 155 breeds and varieties according to he AKC.

Dachshund Size

Dachshunds are bred and in two sizes: Standard Dachshund and Miniature Dachshund. Standard Dachshunds of all varieties usually weigh between 16 and 32 pounds. Miniature Dachshunds of all varieties weigh eleven pounds and under at maturity. Dachshunds who weigh 11-16 pounds are called Tweenies. While many of them have been shown and even finished championships, they are not considered a separate variety by the AKC. However, this size is acceptable. Some people who breed “specialty “Dachshunds e designated as Toy Dachshunds; nevertheless are not an officially recognized designation.

Dachshund Personality

The Dachshund is intelligent, cheerful, and brave. He’s “bred for tenacity,” which is “mostly” a euphemism for “stubborn.” Dachshunds are supposed to be amusing and fearless, but what do they actually want? Yes, whatever their owner is doing, they are snuggled up beside him. For many Dachshund owners, this is the primary reason, and it outweighs the hassle of having a pet who demands everything to be done in line with his preferences.

Coat type can also affect the personality expression. Wirehaireds can be real clowns because they are half-terrier. Longhairs are quiet and calm, with Smooths someplace in between. Some Mini Dachshunds are nervous or timid dogs, but they are incorrect. It would be best if you steered away from puppies that are exhibiting these behaviors.

Dachshund temperament is influenced by a variety of factors. Genetics, upbringing, and early experiences all play a major role. Puppies with fine temperaments are curious and lively, eager to approach people and be held by them. Therefore, select the middle-of-the-track puppy, not one who beats on his littermates or one who hides away from them.

You should always meet at least one of the parents-usually the mother is the one who’s available-to ensure that they have nice temperaments that you’re comfortable with. Meeting siblings or other relatives of the parents is also beneficial to evaluate what a puppy will be like when he grows up. With Dachshunds, you need early socialization – exposure to many different people, sights, sounds, and experiences- the time they are young.

Socialization will go a long way toward ensuring that your Dachshund puppy grows up to be a well-rounded dog. Enrolling him in a puppy kindergarten class is a wonderful method to get started. Additionally, to aid the puppy in developing his socializing abilities, invite visitors frequently, go to bustling parks, pet stores, shops that allow dogs, and amble about leisurely to meet neighbors.

Dachshund Health

Generally Dachshund's are healthy, but it’s important to be aware of below health issues if you’re considering Dachshund breed.

• Intervertebral Disc Disease
• Epilepsy
• Progressive retinal atrophy (PRA)
• Gastric dilatation-volvulus (GDV)
• Cushings Disease (Hyperadrenocorticism)
• Canine Diabetes Mellitus (DM)
• Deafness
• Syringomyelia (SM)

Dachshund Care

About that stamina and energy. Dachshunds are miles-though short-with hounds that like to run for long distances, but they also hunt and dig. With the same stamina and energy, they will be digging dogs. They are equally as active indoors and can do well in small living quarters if they get at least a moderate volume of daily activity. Two half-mile long walks a day will do the trick; if you don’t have 20 minutes twice a day to dose them up, a game of fetch in the yard can help.

Dachshunds are not a well-behaved or kennel spawn. They should be inside pets. Dachshunds can have a back disorder if they leap on and off furniture, so get a ramp or a set of stairs and show them to make use of it if they wish to get on the sofa or bed. Support his back and chest by keeping a Dachshund in between his arms anytime you have to bear him. Dachshunds can easily be trained for real motivation. Hold treats, a preferred toy, and undivided influence on their training.

Dachshunds soon get uninterested if you make them repeat the same exercise all too frequently, and that means obeying practice should be entertaining and novel. Housetraining can be tough. It will be difficult to persuade a Dachshund to eliminate outside, for example. However, patience and regularity will win the day. Crate training is also beneficial. After housetraining, crate training is another clever approach to guarantee that your Dachshund does not frolic about the house where he should not. As puppies, Dachshunds, like all dogs, can tear destructively.

Young crate training can also make your Dachshund understand when to be confined in case he has to be boarded or hospitalized for some time. Never leave him trapped in a crate the whole day. It is not a jail, and he should never be left to spend more than a few hours, especially during the day. The Dachshund is a people-dog, and it must not be made to be in a crate or kennel for its entire life. The Dachshund is an out-of-sight watch hound but can be vocal. Minis are also known to be yappers. This can a problem when Dachshund lives in an apartment building or a neighborhood Condo community.

Dachshund Grooming And Coat Color

The coat of the Smooth Dachshund is short and shiny. Single-colored Dachshunds are red or cream, perhaps with some black hairs. Two-colored Smooth Dachshunds are black, chocolate, wild boar grizzled, gray blue, or Isabella fawn with tan or cream markings. Dappled Dachshunds have a dappled merle pattern in their coats, with light and dark-colored areas in an even distribution.

When it comes to the eye, whereas dark eyes are desired and poor or no white hair on the chest, are permissible, partially or entirely blue eyes and a considerable amount of white hair on the chest is permissible. Brindle is one pattern, and sable is one where there is an overall dark overlay of hair. The wirehaired Dachshund has a coat that is of a different nature than the Smooth Dachshund.

Dachshund have thick, short, hard hair on the topcoat with a softer undercoat. The hard topcoat hair is spread all over the body except for the jaw, eyebrows, and ears. Although all colors found in the Smooth Dachshund are allowable for the Wirehair, there is only one color: wild boar. Dachshund, Longhaired – A glistening, slightly wavy longhair makes the Longhaired Dachshund seem particularly elegant.

Their eyes were in the same colors that Smooth Dachshunds were. Light-colored Dachshunds do not have various shades of brown eyes, rather light grey, light hazel, green or blue. They can also have eyes of two distinct colors; in rare instances including the double-dapple, where Dachshunds can sport a blue and a brown eye while a variety of white coloring happens over the body in addition to the dapple pattern.

Dachshunds are a low-maintenance breed. They have a seasonal shed, but they do not shed heavily. They hardly need a bath except they have rolled in something which smells bad, and they don’t have that typical doggie smell. Smooths can be wiped down with a damp towel between baths to keep them clean. If you live in a cold area in winter, your Smooth Dachshund may require a covering when he goes out. Wirehaired Dachshunds are brushed constantly and should be stripped two to three times a year to look their best.

Your Wirehaired Dachshund breeder or your groomer should be able to demonstrate this for you. Longhaired Dachshunds will need to be brushed on a regular basis so that mats don’t develop. More frequent bathing of the Longhair than the Smooth Dachshund is required, and you will need to blow-dry the coat to make it look its best. In all Dachshund sizes and coat types, their droopy ears require special attention. Clean the ears once a week by moistening a cotton ball with an ear cleaner appropriate for use by your veterinarian and using it to clean the ears.

Besides, do not forget about the grooming needs as nail care and dental hygiene. Never go any deeper than the first knuckle on your finger, and never stick a cotton swab into your Dachshund’s ear. Never trim a Dachshund’s nails too short; you will hurt your dog.

Dachshund Children And Other Pets

Dachshunda are good with children. However, they may not be always loving and patient with your kids’ small roommates at first, and you should be careful when they play. The Dachshund’s long back may be easily injured if not to handle the dog properly. Thus, teach your children that they can hold and pet the pet only while sitting on the floor.

Begin teaching your child to approach and touch your dogs and supervise your meetings with your little child and dogs to avoid biting, as well as ear or tail pulling by either party. Your child should be taught never to wake a sleeping or eating dog or try to take the food away from him. No dog of any kind should be without close supervision in the presence of a child. Dachshunds commonly interact well with other household pets, especially if they are brought up together from puppyhood, although they have an assertive, domineering personality and may be the top dog.