Dachshund Dog Breed

AKC Dog Breeds: Dachshund

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Hound Group
Height: 5-10 inches Weight: 7-28 pounds Color: Solid Red, Sable, Or Cream; Black And Tan, Chocolate And Tan, Wild Boar And Tan, Gray And Tan, Or Fawn And Tan, Brindle

Dachshunds are elongated dogs with short legs that are of the hound family. They are German in origin, and their name literally means badger dog, though in Germany they are commonly referred to as Dackel or Teckel dogs. The standard sized Dachshund was developed to hunt badgers while the miniature was developed to hunt rabbits. The breed was registered with the AKC in 1885.

General Appearance
The Dachshund is also known as a 'sausage dog' and has a very low body that is close to the ground, and is elongated. The Dachshund has a muscular and sturdy build, and his expression is a sweet and eager one. There are three varieties of Dachshund, and this includes the longhaired, the smooth haired, and the wirehaired variety. The miniature Dachshund weighs in at 7 to 11 pounds, and standard Dachshunds are around 20-28 pounds. The height of the Dachshund is 5 inches for miniatures and around 8-10 inches for standards .Its eyes are oval, dark red or brown-black with an energetic and friendly expression. Its ears are mobile and hanging long on its cheeks. Its body should have a strong protruding sternum and a moderately retracted abdomen. Its tail is carried in line with its back. The short-haired Dachshund's coat should be shiny, sleek and uniform.

Temperament
Dachshunds are a very clownish breed and can be very mischievous at times. A very intuitive dog, the Dachshund is now most commonly seen as a companion rather than a hunter. This breed loves to be around people. Dachshunds are very clever dogs. They have a lively temperament and are very gregarious, but this particular breed is prone to vary in temperament more greatly from dog to dog. The Dachshund is a fun loving dog, tenacious, and lively, but can become jealous and be very irritable. This breed does not do well with smaller children, but can do very well with older and more considerate children. Due to his small size and tiny legs, this breed should not be placed in a home with larger dogs unless they were raised around each other. The Dachshund has the tendency to become jealous, however can do very well with many other toy breeds in the home providing they are not snippy. They can be protective to a fault; they know no fear and will go into battle with any animal they perceive as a threat, regardless of its size.(see my Facebook page for photos of what happened to our dog when he chased after a coyote!)

Grooming
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.

Health Problems and Life Expectancy
Dachshunds are prone to spinal disc problems, also known as Dachshund paralysis. This is due to their very long spinal columns and very short rib cages. Dogs with this problem can become completely paralyzed. For this reason, it's important that your dog be trained early on not to jump, as jumping puts additional pressure on the spine. They are also prone to Heart disease, urinary tract problems and diabetes. This dog can become inactive as they age, which makes them prone to obesity. Dappled Dachshunds are prone to deafness and blindness. For this reason, they are very rare, as most breeders refuse to breed this pattern. The life expectancy of the Dachshund is around 12-15 years.

Activity Level
The Dachshund can be lively and vivacious, however he does not need much exercise. A short walk per day would suffice for this short-bodied breed. The Dachshund tends to tire out easily so any exercise provided should be given at different times rather than one long walk. This breed is prone to back problems so high jumping and/or running should never be allowed. Since this dog is small, games of fetch in the house may be enough to get them proper exercise.

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