Dachshund

Description: Sporty and devoted Dachshunds makes an excellent family dog. Despite their small size they make a good watch dog with a surprisingly loud bark. Dachshunds may be slightly aggressive to strangers. Given the nickname the “sausage dog” they are low to the ground, long in body and short of leg with robust muscular development. The Dachshund has an intelligent, alert, facial expression. There are six varieties of Dachshunds; smooth-haired, wire-haired and long-haired in two sizes, Standard and Miniature. The smooth-haired Dachshund is the originally strain, the wire-haired and the long-haired were attained by crossing the smooth-haired with other breeds. Dachshunds are an intelligent and lively breed who will need firm training to prevent disobedience.

Other Names: Teckel (Miniature: Zwergteckel)

Type: Scenthound

Height: Standard – 8 inches, Miniature – 6 inches Weight: Standard – 16-32 lbs., Miniature – under 11 lbs.

Colors: All colors but white. Coat: Smooth-haired – dense, short and smooth, long-haired – soft and straight, and only slightly wavy, wire-haired – short, straight and harsh with a long undercoat.

Temperament: Dachshunds are lively, intelligent, courageous With Children: Yes, long-haired are very good, wire-haired are good, smooth are fairly good and miniature only with older children. Make sure their first experience with children is positive. With Pets: Some co-exist peacefully, many are bossy, likes to dominate other dogs. Must be socialized when young to accept cats. Special Skills: Family pet and hunting dog for above or below ground.

Watch-dog: Very High Guard-dog: Very Low

Care and Exercise: Dachshunds need regular brushing with a bristle brush. Dry shampoo or bathe when necessary. The smooth-haired dachshund has little body order and can be occasional rub down with a damp cloth. Regular exercise is important to the Dachshund as they have a tendency to put on weight and become lazy. Dachshund need care to control their diet as they will normally eat whatever is placed before them. Training: Long-haired are easier to train than smooth-haired but they have a mind of their own and require patient and consistency. Learning Rate: High, Obedience – Medium, Problem-Solving – High

Activity: Indoors – High, Outdoors – High Living Environment: Excellent pet for an apartment or house, city or country. Be aware they can bark loudly. An owner of a Dachshund should be consistent and patient who desires a small active, personable breed.

Health Issues: Prone to disc problems – do not let them become overweight or jump from heights. They are also subject to genetic eye diseases and skin problems.

Life Span: 12 – 14 years Litter Size: 3 – 4

Country of Origin: Germany History: Known to have existed as far back as the 16th century. Dachshunds are derived from the oldest breeds of German hunting dogs. Dachs is the German word for badger. Dachshunds were bred to hunt and burrow for badgers and the miniature was created to hunt hares. Today Dachshunds are bred as pets, though some in Europe are still used as hunters.

First Registered by the AKC: 1885 AKC Group: Hound Group Class: Hound Registries: AKC, CKC, FCI (Group 4), KC (GB)