The dachshund is a small dog with a big personality. They make loyal family members and if treated well, are good with children. They are courageous dogs with a lot of energy. They can be slightly stubborn to train.
They make good watch dogs but some of them are aggressive towards strangers and other dogs.
According to the American Kennel Club they are the 13th most popular breed in the United States. They are classified as scent hounds in the United Kingdom and hounds in the United States.
They have a slightly comical appearance and their nicknames include “sausage dog” or “Weiner dog“
Origins Of The Dachshund
Although it is possible that a dog similar in appearance to the dachshund was around in ancient Egypt, the modern dachshund was bred in Germany for badger hunting.
In fact, dachshund is a German word which translates as “badger dog”
Their ancestry includes German, English and French breeds of terriers and hounds.
Opinion is divided regarding when they were first bred. There are 15th century records which refer to a similar dog. The Dachshund Club of America believe they were bred in the 18th century by foresters.
Dachshund Appearance
Outside of Germany, there are two sizes of dachshund, the standard and miniature. However, many dogs used as family pets fall between these two sizes.
A full-sized standard dachshund normally weighs between16 and 32 pounds. A fully-grown miniature dachshund weighs less than 11 pounds.
A standard dachshund is between 8 and 9 inches high and a miniature is between 5 and 6 inches high.
There are three coat types which occur in both sizes of dachshund. These are smooth, long-haired and wirehaired.
The coat colors include tan, black, fawn, beige, blue, chocolate and red.
There are also a number of patterns which occur on the coat. Hese include brindle, sable, dapple and Piebald.
Dachshunds do not need professional grooming, but the wire-haired variety should have regular brushing. The smooth variety sheds more than the others.
They have large floppy ears which were useful for keeping out dirt when they were digging. The Ears need regular inspection and cleaning.
Dachshund Temperament
Dachshunds can be difficult to house-train. Patience and persistence is needed. They can be quite stubborn dogs and all training might take a little bit longer than with some other breeds. They rank 49th in the list of intelligent dog breeds.
They become loyal companions and love to play games with their owner, especially if this involves chasing balls or toys.
They were bred as hunters to dig for badgers and other ground dwelling animals. They still like to dig and, as a dachshund owner, you may have to get used to holes in your garden.
They are good Watch Dogs but some of them become barkers. Their bark often sounds as if it comes from a much larger dog.
Dachshunds often bond closely with a single person. They can become jealous of this person's attention and need to be socialised early to avoid problems.
Dachshund Health
Dachshunds are a relatively long-lived breed with a life expectancy of between 12 and 16 years
Dachshunds have a long back in relation to their body size. This makes them prone to spinal problems. The most common of these is intervertebral disk disease. This problem develops in about 20% of dogs. The risk is increased if they are obese or engage in intensive exercise.
They are also susceptible to patellar luxation which is a condition where the kneecap becomes dislodged.
General
Dachshunds are an alert energetic breed of dog. A dachshund owner needs to commit to regular daily exercise to avoid the dog becoming bored and possibly destructive.
If you take the trouble to train them and socialise them properly, they make excellent family pets.
