Dachshund

Dachshund: BREED BOX Country: Germany Size: 9-25lb(4-11kg), 5-10in(13-25cm) Temperament: Intelligent, outgoing Grooming: LIttle brushing Recognition: FCI, AKC, ANKC, CKC, KC(UK), NZKC

The Dachshund today is a favorite family pet but these lovable companions were first bred in the 1600s in Germany to go after badgers in their dens. They were fearless and fierce. Their long, low physique allowed them to dig underground to find their prey, which often attacked when they reached them. “Dachshund” means “badger dog” in German.

Breed History

The original Dachshunds, or dogs used to hunt badgers, date from the 1600s in Germany. These first Dachshunds were said to be larger than the dogs today, weighing between 30 and 40 pounds. At that time the dogs were also used to hunt rabbits and for hunting fox. Some Dachshunds may have been crossed with terriers at some point which would explain their interest in digging, as well as the wirehaired variety of Dachshund.

At any rate, the Dachshund is classified as a scent hound today. From the 1600s onward the breed was gradually bred to a slightly smaller size. The Dachshund name was used to designate the smooth and longhaired varieties in the 17th century. The wirehaired variety were added in 1890.

The Dachshund was recognized by the American Kennel Club in 1885 and the breed became very popular in the United States in the early 1900s. With World War I the breed fell out of favor due to their connection to Germany. After the war breeders in the United States began to rebuild the gene pool with more importations from Germany and the breed once again became popular.

Appearance

The Dachshund comes in three coat varieties: smooth, longhaired and wirehaired. The Dachshund also come in both a standard and miniature size for each coat type. Standard dogs weigh between 16 and 32 pounds. Miniatures weigh 11 pounds and under at the age of 12 months and older.

The Dachshund is low to the ground and long in body. They have a robust muscular development. Although they are not a tall dog they are not a petite dog either. They are bold and confident. Many Dachshunds take part in earth dog or field trials as sports and they should appear to be quite athletic. The Dachshund is well-known for his “keel” or the formidable chest he carries. Their legs are short. They have paws that are quite large and somewhat paddle-shaped to help them with digging.

Numerous coat colors and combinations are allowed.

In The Home

In the home the Dachshund is a lovable, playful companion. They make a wonderful pet for many people. They require moderate exercise and they are considered adaptable to most living situations.

Dachshunds can be good with children but they should be supervised, especially with younger children. Some Dachshunds are not good with children.

Dachshunds can be quite stubborn and may chase other pets. They are intelligent but they can be hard to train. They are extremely loyal and devoted to their families. However, the Dachshund can be prone to some behavior problems such as separation anxiety, chewing and nuisance barking. They can also be hard to house train. They do not always like unfamiliar people and they have been known to growl or snap at people such as visitors. If the dog becomes bored he may become destructive.

Dachshunds must be well socialized as puppies in order to avoid these behavior problems. They should be taken places with their owner, introduced to other dogs on a leash and introduced to unfamiliar people who pet them. Early obedience training is also recommended for Dachshund puppies. The more socialization and early training with positive reinforcement that you do with your Dachshund puppy, the better for his later behavior.

Care

With three coat varieties, the care of a Dachshund’s coat will depend on what kind of coat the dog has. Smooth Dachshunds are relatively easy to care for. They simply require regular brushing to prevent shedding. A longhaired Dachshund will need more brushing and combing to prevent matting. They may need some extra conditioning after baths to keep their coats in good condition. A wirehaired Dachshund will need to be stripped every few weeks by a professional groomer. Some owners may prefer to use clippers on this coat but it won’t look the same as wirehaired Dachshunds you see in photographs.

You will also need to clean your Dachshund’s ears regularly to prevent ear infections and trim his nails regularly.

Dachshunds are prone to have back and spinal problems, particularly intervertebral disk disease (IVDD) because of their very long back. If the dogs become obese their risks are increased. Injury or other things that put strain on their backs will also cause problems.

Other potential health problems include hereditary epilepsy, granulomatous meningoencephalitis, dental problems, Cushing’s syndrome, thyroid problems, allergies, cataracts, glaucoma, progressive retinal atrophy, corneal ulcers, sudden acquired retinal degeneration, and cherry eye. Always talk to a breeder before getting any purebred dog. Ask if they have done health testing appropriate for the breed. In many cases health tests can help eliminate some of the problems that can be passed down to puppies.

Where to Find a Dachshund

Dachshunds are quite common but it’s always important to find a good breeder. The AKC parent club for Dachshunds in the United States is the Dachshund Club of America. You can contact them to find information about breeders and more information about the breed.

The Dachshund Club of American can also provide you with information about Dachshund rescue. They have rescue groups across the United States to help Dachshunds in need.

You may also want to check your local shelter to see if there are any Dachshunds near you. It’s always possible there could be a Dachshund in your local shelter. Rescue volunteers try to remove Dachshunds as soon as they find out about them so they won’t be put to sleep but it’s difficult to get to every dog who needs a home.

• Ideal Owners: All versions of Dachshunds are great family pets. They are excellent with kids. Regular exercise is recommended.
• Coat Color: Variety of colors
• Life Expectancy: 12-14 years
• Other Names: Zwergtechkel(Miniature), Normalschlag(Standard)

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