Dachshund

One of the most easily identified dog breeds delights everyone who spots it. This little hot dog may be short, but there is nothing small about the Dachshund's spirited personality. The Dachshund originated during the 1600s in Germany, where they were developed to hunt badgers and other burrowing animals. The smooth-haired variety was created first. Dachshunds were bred to be low enough to the ground to root out their quarry and tenacious enough to stand off against these critters. Development of the long-haired dachshund followed, and they were used to hunt otters and other small aquatic mammals. The wire-haired dachshund was the last to be created, and its coat served to protect the dog from brush and bramble in the hunting fields. In 1870, dachshunds were brought to the United States to hunt rabbits. The American Kennel Club first recognized the breed as a member of the hound group in 1885. In recent years, the dachshund has consistently ranked among the top ten most popular breeds in the American Kennel Club's registry.

The Dachshund was bred for hunting badgers and has a small, low body that enables it to flush out badgers. Despite its low height and short legs, the Dachshund is a fast runner and has great endurance. Its coat can come it three varieties: Smooth and short, Long and straight or hard and dense. It has minimal grooming requirements. Dachshunds have long bodies, long muzzles and short legs. Dachshunds come in two sizes. The standard dachshund stands eight to nine inches tall at the shoulder and weighs between 16 and 32 pounds. The miniature dachshund weighs less than 12 pounds and stands five to six inches tall. Both variations come in three different coat types, which include the smooth coat, the long coat and the wire coat. The wire-haired dachshund has bushy eyebrows and a terrier-like beard. Dachshunds come in an extensive array of colors and patterns. The coat may be a solid color, bi-colored or tri-colored. Patterns include dapple and brindle. Piebald dachshunds are white with a few patches of one or two solid colors.

Personality

The Dachshund is a confident, courageous and active dog breed. It is a noisy dog that loves to hunt and track. It usually bonds with one or two family members but is generally independent and has a mind of its own which makes the Dachshund hard to train. The Dachshund is friendly toward children but may snap at them. They need to get regular daily exercise in the form of a walks or a good indoor game. Dachshunds are excellent watchdogs. Dachshunds are brave little dogs that are not shy about barking at noises, perceived threats and potential intruders. They are intelligent, but training and housebreaking can be challenging. Dachshunds can be stubborn and feisty. If they do not want to do something, they are determined not to do so. They tend to nip if their patience is pressed too far, which makes them better suited to households with older children that have been taught to respect animals. Their hunting instincts drive them to want to dig. Dachshunds are active and playful indoors, and adapt well to apartment living. They tend not to relish being left alone for long periods. They enjoy interaction with their human families and make affectionate companions.

Breed Characteristics

Dachshund Build Information

The Dachshund was bred for hunting badgers and has a small, low body that enables it to flush out badgers. Despite his low height and short legs, the Dachshund is a fast runner and has great endurance. His coat can come in three varieties: Smooth and short, Long and straight or hard and dense. He has minimal grooming requirements. Dachshunds have long bodies, long muzzles and short legs. Dachshunds come in two sizes. The standard dachshund stands eight to nine inches tall at the shoulder and weighs between 16 and 32 pounds. The miniature dachshund weighs less than 12 pounds and stands five to six inches tall. Both variations come in three different coat types, which include the smooth coat, the long coat and the wire coat. The wire-haired dachshund has bushy eyebrows and a terrier-like beard. Dachshunds come in an extensive array of colors and patterns. The coat may be a solid color, bi-colored or tri-colored. Patterns include dapple and brindle. Piebald dachshunds are white with a few patches of one or two solid colors.

Behaviour and Personality

The Dachshund is a confident, courageous and active dog breed. He is a noisy dog that loves to hunt and track. He usually bonds with one or two family members but is generally independent and has a mind of his own which makes the Dachshund hard to train. The Dachshund is friendly toward children but may snap at them. They need to get regular daily exercise in the form of a walks or a good indoor game. Dachshunds are excellent watchdogs. Dachshunds are brave little dogs that are not shy about barking at noises, perceived threats and potential intruders. They are intelligent, but training and housebreaking can be challenging. Dachshunds can be stubborn and feisty. If they do not want to do something, they are determined not to do so. They tend to nip if their patience is pressed too far, which makes them better suited to households with older children that have been taught to respect animals. Their hunting instincts drive them to want to dig. Dachshunds are active and playful indoors, and adapt well to apartment living. They tend not to relish being left alone for long periods. They enjoy interaction with their human families and make affectionate companions.

Appearance

Dachshunds with smooth coats require minimal grooming. Using a grooming mitt once a week will remove dead hairs and minimize shedding in the home. Those with long coats should be brushed once a week for the same reasons, and brushing will also prevent tangling and matting. Dachshunds with wire coats require more attention. The dead hairs must be stripped from their coats at least twice a year, and their beards and eyebrows should be trimmed every two to three months. All dachshunds should have their ears inspected weekly, and the ears should be kept clean and dry to prevent ear infections. Brushing their teeth every other day will reduce plaque and maintain good oral and overall health.

Dachshund Common Health Conditions

Dachshunds live an average lifespan of 12 to 15 years. The most common health problems to afflict dachshunds are slipped, herniated, pinched or ruptured discs in the spine. This is the result of their long body that must be supported on short legs, and these injuries can result easily from activities that are considered normal for other breeds, such as jumping off of a sofa or being taught to stand up on his hind legs. Spinal disc injuries can result in hind end paralysis. Dachshunds are also prone to becoming obese, which places additional strain on their backs and increases the breed's already elevated risk for diabetes. Skin conditions and eye problems are also noted in the dachshund.

Dachshund Pet Insurance

When adding a dog or cat to your family you want to make sure your pet is happy, healthy and protected. During its lifetime your pet is exposed to many illnesses and diseases and some breeds are affected by a congenital disease which is a condition existing at birth. At these moments when your pet is ill or maybe needs surgery, you want to be protected for the unexpected and high veterinarian costs.

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Breed Talents and Facts

The dachshund originated in Germany. The dachshund has numerous nicknames, including doxie, badger dog, hotdog dog, sausage dog and wiener dog. The dachshund is curious and courageous, but he can also be stubborn and loves to bark. The spirited dog makes an excellent companion for families with older children. The dachshund comes in two sizes, with the standard size being the larger variation. The standard dachshund stands eight to nine inches tall at the shoulder and weighs 16 to 32 pounds. Dachshunds have a moderate energy level. Dachshunds require minimal to moderate grooming. The average lifespan for a dachshund is 12 to 15 years.