DACHSHUND DOG BREED

Description:

The Dachshund is a hound-type dog breed, originated several hundred years ago from Germany. Initially, this dog breed was created to hunt badgers and other varieties of the weasel family. Hence the name Badger Dog (“Dachs” meaning badger and “hund” meaning dog). The elongated body of this breed allows it to easily hunt below the ground, forcing the prey to leave the den. While the Dachshund was used to hunt foxes and otters, miniature Dachshunds were bred to hunt smaller animals such as rabbits. Moreover, packs of Dachshunds were used to trail wild boar. The Dachshund was officially recognized by American Kennel Club in 1885.

Height: 6-9 inches  Weight: 9-20 pounds  Lifespan: 12-16 years

Characteristics:

The Dachshund is a very funny dog. Although this breed has a tremendous intuition, Dachshunds are used more as companions than as hunters. Dogs of this breed are extremely fond of humans and are very friendly and sociable. Dachshunds should not show the slightest sign of aggression or timidity. Comparable Breed: The Border Terrier and Dandie Dinmont Terrier.

Character:

The Dachshund is a dog which is very fond of all sorts of entertainment. Pushy and energetic, these dogs can be overly jealous, even irritable. Dachshunds cannot develop a relationship with young children. But, if children know how to behave, they can quickly find a common language. Due to its small size, this breed is not suited for families with a large dog, except if they did not grow up in the same household. But, the Dachshund usually does well with the small dog breeds and other pets.

Coat / Care:

There are three different varieties of Dachshund, including smooth, long-haired and wire-haired. The Dachshund also varies according to his size. Hence, there are conventional and miniature varieties. Long-haired Dachshunds, as the name implies, have a long and straight hair. The bottom of the abdomen, ears, chest and legs are adorned with longer strands. The Long-haired Dachshund requires a little more care. Since this dog has very short legs and its body almost dragging on the ground, those long strands must be cleaned after every outdoor activity.

Furthermore, you must regularly comb and brush your pet in order to prevent the hair from forming tangles and mats. The Smooth Dachshund’s coat consists of straight, smooth, short and glossy hair, which must be equal in length throughout the whole body. Smooth Dachshunds require little maintenance. It is sufficient to wipe the dog regularly with a damp towel to remove dirt and dust. During the shedding season, make sure to use a rough towel to minimize the hair loss. Wirehaired Dachshunds are quite the opposite of Smooth varieties. Hence, these dogs are covered with short, thick, rough hair, which has a wire structure. On the other hand, the undercoat is very soft. They need regular brushing.

Health Problems:

The Dachshund may be susceptible to several diseases, including Epilepsy, Deafness, Progressive Retinal Atrophy (PRA), Canine Diabetes Mellitus (DM) and Hyperadrenocorticism. The Dachshund has a life expectancy of 12 to 16 years.

Weight / Height

The male Dachshunds dog breed’s height is around 6 – 9 inches and weighs around 9 and 20 pounds. Female Dachshund dogs can reach a size from 6 – 9 inches and weighs between 9 and 20 pounds.

Training:

The Dachshund is quite stubborn and therefore needs the experienced owner. Hence, the owner must be equally stubborn and persistent in order to train the dog well. But, since this is a very delicate and somewhat nervous dog breed, make sure to avoid rude and too harsh training methods. Moreover, this can lead to the development of excessive timidity and cowardice. The Dachshund gets tired quickly, so the classes should be broken into several short sessions. Additionally, varied lessons and respectful approach will be the most effective.

Activity:

Even though this dog breed is very vivid and active, it does not need intense training. Dachshunds enjoy long walks and other outdoor activities, as well as interaction with other dog breeds. Also, these dogs like to dig and hunt. The Dachshund can have significant problems with the spine, so you should not allow your pet to jump or run excessively.

Photo credit: Kinshuk Sunil/Flickr; Tony Alter/Flickr