Dachshunds - Breed Introduction
Dachshunds are sometimes appropriately referred to as “big dogs in small packages.” Their deep bark belies their relatively small stature, while their personality characteristics seem more in keeping with those of larger breeds than smaller varieties.
Dachshunds’ legs are short in proportion to their elongated bodies, a distinguishing feature that accounts for the unofficial nicknames of “hot dogs” or “wiener dogs” that have been bestowed upon them. Twentieth-century American writer and satirist H. L. Mencken aptly described the dachshund as “a half-dog high and a dog-and-a-half long.”
Dachshunds are typically categorized as either Miniature or Standard, depending on their weight. Those that weigh 11 pounds (5 kilograms) or less at 12 months of age and older are classified as Miniature.
The average Standard Dachshund weighs between 16 pounds (7 kilograms) and 32 pounds (15 kilograms). The average height of the standard dachshund is 8 inches (20 centimeters), while the miniature dachshund stands just 6 inches (15 centimeters) tall.
History of Breed
Although it has been theorized that the roots of the Dachshund date back to Ancient Egypt, the breed as we know it today originated in Germany. Its name comes from the German words “dachs,” meaning badgers, and “hund,” meaning “dog.”
Dachsunds were originally developed to hunt badgers and other burrow-dwelling animals. Their physical characteristics and their courage, tenacity, and ferocity made them well-suited to the task.
The breed includes elements of German, French, and English hounds and terriers. Dachshunds have been kept by royal courts throughout Europe, including that of Queen Victoria (queen of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Ireland from 1837 to 1901), who was particularly fond of them.
Dachshunds were imported into America in 1885, and the Dachshund Club of America has promoted the breed since 1895.
The dachshund’s popularity in Germany led to it being chosen to be the first official mascot of the 1972 Summer Olympics. The breed is also popular in France, Switzerland, Hungary, Poland, Japan, and the Czech Republic Slovak Republic.
Color and Coat
Dachshunds can have one of three types of coats – smooth, longhaired, or wire-haired. The smooth coat is the most common, followed by the long-haired. Wire-haired Dachshunds are the least common and the least recognizable (they are most likely to be mistaken for another breed).
The Smooth Dachshund’s coat is short, thin, smooth, and shiny. The coat of the Longhaired Dachshund is sleek and often slightly wavy. Its hair is longer under the neck and on the chest, on the underside of the body, on the ears, and behind the legs. The longest hair is on its tail.
The Wire-Haired Dachshund has an outer coat of short, thick, rough hair with an undercoat of finer, somewhat softer hair. Perhaps its most distinguishing features are its beard and its bushy eyebrows.
Dachshunds may be one solid color or two-colored. One-colored dachshunds are typically red, though cream is another possibility. The reds range from coppers to deep rusts, and they’re sometimes peppered with black hairs along the edges of the ears, the back, the tail, and the face. This gives the coat a burnished appearance that is referred to as a “stag” or an “overlay.”
Two-colored dachshunds are most commonly black-and-tan. The other two-coloreds, though relatively rare, include chocolate, wild boar, gray (blue), and fawn (Isabella).
All are typically accented by tan or cream markings on the chest, the paws, one-third to one-half the length of the underside of the tail, and sometimes the throat, as well as inside and behind the front legs, over the eyes, on the sides of the jaw and underlip, and on the inner edges of the ears.
Personality and Temperament
Dachshunds have been characterized as being clever, lively, courageous, proud, bold, affectionate, curious, and mischievous. They are known for their devotion and loyalty to their owners, and they prefer companionship to being alone.
Dachshunds tend to be reserved around strangers, and they have a protective nature that can make them very good watchdogs. Many are stubborn and tenacious, which can make them slightly difficult to train. However, they are very intelligent, and are capable of learning complex tricks.
Dachshunds require about 20 to 40 minutes of exercise daily, and they appreciate a nice, long walk. It’s advisable to keep these dogs on the leash as their hunting instincts can cause them to dash off in pursuit of small animals like rabbits and birds, and under those circumstances, they’re not likely to come back when called. Another great form of exercise that dachshunds engage in enthusiastically is playing fetch.
Dachshunds vary somewhat in their ability to get along with children. They’re more likely to be agreeable to children within their own family than outsiders, whom they may snap at if provoked. Dachshunds also tend to do better with children if they’re already in the home when the dog is adopted.
Dachshunds have a tendency to form a strong bond with their owners, often one person in particular, and they may feel jealous or threatened by a newcomer (such as an infant) who represents a new focus of attention. Dachshunds normally get along with other pets, but early socialization is required for them get along with feline family members.
Although they are playful, their size makes it possible for them to spend their energy indoors. Thus, they are well-suited to apartment living, in addition to larger dwellings. If allowed to roam freely in a fenced area, owners should keep in mind that dachshunds were bred to hunt burrow-dwellers, and as such, they’re capable of digging their way under many types of enclosures.
The dachshund makes a wonderful companion, especially for adults. Though, like all dogs, it appreciates attention, it is also independent enough to tolerate reasonable periods of time alone.
Show Characteristics
Dachshunds are long and lean, with short legs. Their heads are well-formed, and their long muzzles taper slightly, featuring a black nose. Their brown eyes are almond-shaped and expressive.
Their ears, set near the top of the head, are medium-long and rounded, framing the face. The straight tail is tapered and covered with a single coat of lustrous hair.
Health Concerns
Dachshunds are known to have back problems, which can be attributed in part to their very long spinal columns and short rib cages. However, spine problems are also considered to be largely hereditary.
There are preventive measures that owners can take to guard against these potential problems. Dachshunds should be discouraged from jumping and climbing stairs. When held, both the front and rear portions of the body should be fully supported. Finally, obesity must be avoided, as it puts unnecessary strain on the back.
Grooming
The short-coated dachshund is the easiest to care for, requiring no more than occasional brushing. Both Longhaired and Wire-haired Dachshunds need to be brushed or combed once or twice a week, and their coats should be trimmed as needed.
Additionally, the wire-haired variety should be stripped twice a year to remove dead hair. Dachshunds should be bathed only when necessary. Their ears should be cleaned regularly to prevent mites and the growth of fungus or bacteria. Dachshunds are considered average shedders.
Country of Origin
The Dachshund originated in Germany.
Average Life Span
The average life expectancy of the Dachshund is 12 to 15 years.
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