Dachshund

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Dachshund

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Dachshund is a long-bodied, short-legged, hound-type dog breed, in two sizes and in three coat types which can be smooth-haired, wire-haired, or long-haired of various colors and patterns. Dachshunds were developed to scent and chase badgers or other tunneling animals, rabbits and mice. Nowadays, they are wonderful family companions with alert expression and vivacious personality.

Other Names Dackel, Kaninchen (Rabit), Normalgrosse, Normalgrosse (Standard), Normalschlag, Normalschlag (Standard), Teckel, Zwergteckel (Miniature), Zwert (Miniature)
Color Black, Black and Tan, Blue, Brown, Red, Silver, White
Height Males: 14-18 inches. Females: 13-17 inches.
Weight Males: 12-32 pounds. Females: 11-31 pounds.
Life Span 12-16 years
Personality Friendly, Curious, Spunky
Exercise Regular Exercise
Origin
Popularity #11
Groom Needs Weekly
Kids Friendly Yes with supervision
Dog Friendly Yes with supervision
Watch Dog
Family Dog
Litter Size 4-8

Dachshund Pictures

Dachshund Video

Introduction

A pure hybrid between a variety of hounds and terriers, Dachshunds are a unique blend of fascinating features. Imbued with short, sturdy legs and elongated trunks, Dachshunds make for excellent crawling and burrowing dogs. Their ability to scent keenly singles them out as exceptional tracking and hunting dogs. Little wonder they lived through the times hunting badgers, mice, and rabbits.

The Doxie or Wiener dog, as they are popularly nicknamed come in two sizes distinguishable either by their weight or their height. While the standard-sized type weighs between 16 and 32 pounds, the miniature size packs around 11 pounds at best. Of course, the standard size presents a huger appearance (8-9 inches in height) than their miniature fellows that rise to a mere 5 or 6 inches at the shoulder. A remarkable thing about Dachshunds holds that varieties are easily distinguished by the circumference of their chests.

Smooth, wirehaired and longhaired are words which have been used to refer to the coats of different varieties of the breed. Dachshunds have an average lifespan of about 13 years. When they aren’t burrowing or hunting badgers, they are a bundle of vivacious and lively companions. The American Kennel Club (AKC) ranked  Dachshunds 12th most popular among dog breeds in the U.S.

Living with Dachshund

Generally, Dachshunds don’t shed frequently, and they are relatively clean and in little or no body odor compared to other dog breeds. The breed’s grooming needs vary from the three coat types. 

The smooth-haired Dachshunds just need to wipe with a towel or hound gloves to look shiny, and the wired-haired dogs’ coat can be plucked or hand-stripped times a year, which mostly involves pulling their dead hair out of the body. And you can learn how to do this from a pet groomer in a way that doesn’t hurt the dog. About the long-haired, they require brushing more frequently depending on their thickness of coat, the daily brush can keep the hair away from mats and fabrics.   

Dachshund’s ears are easy to get the infection, so regular ear cleaning is required for them, and they should have their nails trimmed every month, besides, occasional trimming of the beard and eyebrows is needed to keep them neat.

Many feeders don’t think that Dachshunds require more exercise than just running around the house because of the small size, but they do need regular exercise to keep healthy in building strong muscles and protecting back. 

Moderate walks on a leash twice a day or games in the yard are recommended for Dachshunds, do not to allow them run up and down stairs or jump on or off the furniture because this can make them get injured. 

Though Dachshunds are active, they would rather stay with their owners than outdoor dogs, so they are more suitable for city life or apartment living. 

Dachshund puppies should be fed at least three times daily because they require more nutrition at this age. If they didn’t get enough nutrition, it can cause hypoglycemia (low glucose levels), and which is a serious health condition especially found in small dog breeds such as dachshunds. 

Adult dogs need to control the food intake to keep fit because obesity can cause a back problem to your Dachshund. It is suggested to get some advice from a vet to determine an appropriate amount of the food intake based on your dog’s size, age, and activity level.

You can also choose a food formulated specifically for Dachshunds, avoiding cooked bones and foods with high fat content. And be sure to keep the foods you don’t want your dog to eat out of his reach because Dachshund’s nose can get him into trouble.

The Dachshund can be expected to live 12 to 16 years with proper care, so long as he’s kept on a good diet and has enough exercise to maintain good muscle tone. Breeders need to keep eyes on your dog’s weight and prevent disc damage to his long back. 

Some health problems in the Dachshund including:

Serious back problems, including intervertebral disc disease

Epilepsy

Cushing’s Disease

Progressive retinal atrophy

Diabetes, especially in overweight Dachshunds

Gastric dilation-volvulus (bloat)

Suggested tests:

Cardiac Exam

Patella Evaluation

Ophthalmologist Evaluation

Total Annual Cost: $2674

Cost is estimated for the first year and may vary depending on many factors, such as dog food, health care, leash, collar, licensing, possible fencing, crates, training and obedience classes, dog-walking, grooming, treats, toys, flea, tick, and heart-worm meds, microchips, etc.

Although dachshunds are not difficult to train, you need to be firm and consistent in order to master the course. Dachshunds are very smart, but they are also independent and often stubborn, so training can be a challenge. 

Since Dachshunds are low to the ground, they can feel threatened when people bend over them. Training is helpful when you are sitting on the ground or sitting on the sofa with a dachshund. If dachshunds are threatened or trained using confrontation methods, they may bite, so be sure to use active intensive training. They like to give and receive love, and do their best through active, reward-based training.

When training, keep in mind the physical limitations of the Dachshund. It is well known that their long backs and short legs make this breed prone to back injuries. In addition to sitting, downing, and coming these normal commands, it can be helpful to teach your Dachshund that when people reach for them, treats follow. To do this, just reach out and pet your Dachshund, then praise and feed them a small thing. Your friends can do the same; pet the Dachshund and praise and feed a small portion of high-value treat. Once your Dachshund learns that petting leads to treats, they may be more relaxed for those who are looming around. 

History

The search into the history of Dachshunds has met with certain disagreements, notable amongst which is the confusion as to when the dachshunds were bred for badger hunting. Generally speaking, Dachshunds have a German origin dating as far back as the Middle Ages. The original German breeds were larger than the present-day breeds and had discrete straight-legged and crooked-legged varieties, as opposed the modern Dachshunds which are only crooked-legged.

To say that the veritable history of Dachshunds is in doubt is to belittle its complexity. Earlier reports had it that the smooth-haired type was a cross between the Bracke, German Shorthaired Pointer, and Pinscher. Others maintained that they were hybrids of the St Hubert’s Hound. Notable authors have also linked the smooth Dachshunds to the French Pointers as well as the Basset Hounds.

The Long-haired Dachshunds have a less critical origin. There are claims that longhaired Dachshunds were birthed from a cross-breed between smooth Dachshunds and several small Spaniels of the land and water types. A second account has suggested that smooth Dachshunds occasionally gave birth to offsprings with long hair. A deliberate cross between these long-haired offsprings probably resulted in the longhaired Dachshunds.

The most recently developed variety of wire-haired Dachshunds are probably hybrids of a cross between a smooth Dachshunds and several terriers.

Helpful Information

Breed Club: DACHSHUND CLUB OF AMERICA, INC.

Breed Club Link: http://www.dachshundclubofamerica.org/

Breed Club Rescue: DCA National Rescue

Breed Club Rescue Link: http://www.dachshundclubofamerica.org/rescue/