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Dachshund
Other Names: "Sausage Dog" Country of origin: Germany Dog Group Kennel Club: Hound General appearance: The Dachshund is sometimes referred to as a sausage dog and it's not hard to see why. They are short legged with long bodies and are a member of the hound family. There are also miniature variations of the breed available and they can be smooth haired, long haired or wire haired. He also comes in two different sizes being standard and miniature. The Longhaired Dachshund has a long and straight coat, with hair slightly feathered and longer on the underbelly, ears, chest, and legs. The Smooth Coat has a straight, smooth, short, and glossy coat that should all be of equal length along the body of the dog. The Wirehaired has a coat of broken appearance with wiry, coarse, and harsh hair. While small, the Dachshund is still muscular and powerfully built with a deep, broad chest and well-developed forelegs. The forehead blends into the muzzle creating an elongated look to the skull. Colours: There are many colours of Dachshund that are acceptable. Size: Bitch 15 -23 cms Dog 18 -28 cms Weight: Min Max Bitch 9kg (20lbs) 12kg (26lbs) Temperament: In general Dachshunds are intelligent, lively and playful. They enjoy chasing things but can be stubborn which makes them hard to train. They should not be timid or aggressive but can have strange personalities if over indulged or not exercised sufficiently. It is recommended that firm, consistent training techniques be used to overcome the dog's natural tendency to dominate, Movement: Despite their small stature, the Dachshund's stride should be long and flowing. Care and training: The Long Haired variety requires quite a bit of grooming. Being that this dog is so low to the ground, he is prone to getting burrs, sticks, and twigs stuck in his coat which should be removed daily if any are present. Brushing of the coat should be done on a regular basis to prevent tangling and/or matting. The Smooth Haired variety doesn't require much grooming and would respond well to an occasional wipe down with a damp towel, or a harsh towel to remove any dead or loose hair. The Dachshund can be stubborn at times, making training a little bit difficult for the average owner. It can be very difficult to overcome the hunting instinct and train the dog to come when called. This breed requires firm and consistent handling, but can be a little sensitive so he should always be corrected in a gentle manner, never harsh or this breed could become submissive and timid. Overall Exercise: 20 - 40 minutes per day Feeding requirements: The Dachshund can be fed dry or wet food once or twice a day. They can be greedy so be very careful to not overfeed as an overweight Dachshund is at much greater risk of back problems. Exercise: Med Grooming: Low Noise: Med Personal Protection: Low Suitability As Guard Dog: Medium Level of Aggression: Medium Compatibility With Other Animals: Low Suitablity for Children: Low Often docked: No Average litter Size: 3-4 Life expectancy (yrs): 12 - 14 Health issues: Prone to disc problems - do not let them become overweight or jump from heights, as their backs are prone to injury. They are also subject to genetic eye diseases and skin problems. Other health concerns include epilepsy, hypothyroidism. Bloat is a health issue to most dogs, being the second largest killer of dogs other than cancer, but dachshunds can be particularly susceptible to it because of their deep chests. History: Dachshunds are known to have existed as far back as the 16th century, described as a "low crooked legged" dog. The name of the breed ranges from Little Burrow Dog, Dacksel, to Badger Dog, and named Teckel in its native country. Dachs is the German word for "badger", while hund is the word for "dog". Dachshunds are derived from the oldest breeds of German hunting dogs. First came the smooth haired Dachshund, and then the other two followed. Dachshunds were bred to hunt and burrow for badgers and the miniature was created to hunt hares. To create the variety we have today, Dachshunds were bred with spaniels, pinschers, Dandie Dinmont Terriers and the German Stöber. The Dandie Dinmont contributed to the wire-haired version, and the Stöber had a paw in the creation of the long-haired type. Queen Victoria in 1839 was the first to own a Dachshund in England. Soon after her marriage to the German Prince Albert, her new husband brought more Dachshunds to the British, and the breed gained popularity. In 1866 the breed was on exhibition in Britain, and later given a breed standard in 1873. Four years later the English Dachshund Club was formed, and in 1895 the Dachshund Club of America began. Dachshunds are actually Terriers. According to stories, the Dachshund was kept in the Hound group because of a difficulty with translating the name into English. Gergweis, Germany, has held the title of "Dachshund Capital of the World", in which Dachshunds once outnumbered people two to one. They were used as a tourist attraction, rented out to take walks and to be played with. Today Dachshunds are bred as pets and are highly popular in not only Europe, but American and Australia as well. Some are still used in Europe as hunters.
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