Dachshunds – An
Overview Of The Dachshund Breed
The Dachshund is by far one of the most recognizable of all the breeds.
The Dachshund is really a fun loving and energetic dog that is very
intelligent and clever and loves to be around people. Sometimes prone
to weight gain and laziness, this breed will quickly become
“couch potatoes” if not walked and played with on a
regular schedule.
First bred in Germany, the Dachshund was
originally a hunting dog, used to go to ground in the tunnels dug by
badgers. The term Dachs literally means badger in German and the breed
gradually developed to obtain the long and narrow body and the short
powerful forelegs for digging. The smaller style or type of Dachshund
was used for hunting smaller prey such as rabbits and stoat, which is
also called an ermine or short tailed weasel. Again going to ground or
following the prey into its burrow was very important.
Physical Description
There are three distinct varieties of Dachshunds
and they are: the long haired, wire haired and short haired dogs. Then
again, there are three size categories with each coat type, and those
are the normal (14-18 inches and about 20 pounds), the miniature (up to
14 inches, weight over 9 pounds), and the toy (under 12 inches and
weight under 8 pounds). The American Kennel Club (AKC) does not
classify the toys as a separate type; rather they are shown in a
special class within the miniatures.
The Dachshunds have a low body with short and
powerful legs. They have an elongated head and neck, and strong teeth.
The eyes should be bright and intelligent looking and the ears long and
mobile. They should be very muscular-looking overall, with a
well-developed chest and sternum and a marked rise in the abdomen after
the ribcage. The backs should be flat and not swayed and the tail
should be long and straight and carried in line with the back.
The Dachshund can be almost any color with black,
tan, fawn, yellow or chocolate, gray, brindle or dapple. The various
coat styles have differences in allowable colors.
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Temperament
The Dachshund is a very lovable and loving breed.
They love to run and play and are good even with a small area to
exercise in, provided they are walked frequently. They're often a bit
lazy, so need to be encouraged to exercise. They need to be with people
to remain socialized. Dachshunds do well with other pets provided
they're introduced when the dog is young or the socialization is done
carefully. Since Dachshunds were originally a hunting breed, they may
view cats, hamsters and other pets as prey, rather than as companions.
Health
Overall, the Dachshund is a healthy breed, often
living to 12 to 15 years of age. They're prone to weight gain that can
lead to problems with spinal disc dislocations (Dachshund Paralysis).
They can also have hereditary conditions such as heart disease, urinary
tract infections and diabetes. By purchasing a puppy or dog through a
reputable breeder the likelihood of these conditions
will decrease.
Considerations for Owning A Dachshund
As with any breed, a Dachshund tends to do better
in certain conditions. They tend to be slightly more difficult to train
and require someone with a firm ability to consistently train as dog or
puppy. They do require appropriate socialization or they can become
snappy and somewhat difficult to deal with. Dachshunds may not be
appropriate for homes with small children or lots of other larger pets
as they may jump or injure their backs playing too roughly. Dogs of
tthis breed are also compulsive diggers and will quickly find favorite
spots to dig in a yard or enclosure. For their size, Dachshunds have a
deep and loud bark, and while they are wonderful watchdogs they may not
be appropriate for areas where their barking may pose a problem.
Dachshunds do very well in apartments, houses and
even on farms and large acreages. They enjoy being with people and are
basically a housedog and should not be kept outdoors in cold or wet
conditions. Dachshunds love a challenge and enjoy games of fetch and
chase. A well-trained Dachshund is a pleasure to live with and provides
loving companionship for his or her owners.
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