Last Updated on August 23, 2023 by Fumipets
Dachshund: The Lively and Unique Breed
The Dachshund, with its unique elongated body and short legs, is a distinctive breed known for its history of hunting small game. These dogs possess lively and brave personalities, often forming strong bonds with their owners.
Dachshunds come in three coat types – smooth, longhaired, and wirehaired – each requiring specific grooming needs. While they can make great family pets, Dachshunds are better suited for families with older children due to their small size.
Careful attention is needed to prevent spine issues, given their long backs. Regular exercise and proper handling ensure these lively companions thrive in various environments.
Dachshund Breed
The little and spirited dachshund, pronounced “dahks-hund,” is well known for its long body and short legs. It has long been a household favorite. Although they may not have the appearance of a ferocious hunter, dachshunds were used as trail dogs to flush out their prey by crawling into badger and rabbit burrows.
Most contemporary dachshunds are equally content with plenty of everyday play followed by lounging about the house with their owners. They are still sometimes employed as hunting dogs. They can fit into almost any living arrangement due to their size and minimal care needs, but watch out—these tiny dogs can make some loud sounds. To discover more about the dachshund, continue reading.
Appearance
The dachshund, often known as a doxie or, more lovingly, as a sausage dog or weiner dog, is a little hunting hound with a huge personality. It is adored across the globe for its short and sturdy body. The dachshund is a dog that was developed in Germany to dig into the dens of its prey. The breed is available in two different sizes—standard—and three different coat types—smooth, longhair, and wirehair.
The smooth dachshund’s short, shiny coat can be solid red or cream, black and tan, dappled (also known as merle), which has evenly distributed light and dark colors, brindle, which has dark stripes against a lighter base, or sable, per the breed club’s standards. The color and pattern of a smooth dachshund’s coat affects the color of their eyes. Dapple dachshunds often have partly or completely blue eyes, whereas smooth dachshunds with solid or bicolor coats typically have dark eyes.
A soft undercoat is covered by a short, rough, and wiry top coat in wirehaired dachshunds. The beard and eyebrows on these dachshunds are also noticeable. The same range of hues and patterns as smooths are available for wirehairs, although they are most often seen in wild boar (brown with blonde highlights), black and tan, and different hues of red.
The hair on longhaired dachshunds is silky, lustrous, and often wavy; it is longer behind the legs, under the neck, and under the torso. All of the smooths’ colors are available for these doxies as well.
Temperament
It may surprise you to learn that dachshunds were originally trained to be vicious hunters given their charming looks and silly demeanor. the’s true, the little sausage-shaped dog used to dig burrows and battle to the death or flush out its victim. The bravery and spunk of the breed have been preserved, despite the fact that current dachshunds are more lap dogs than Lancelot.
“They were bred to hunt badgers—this is not a timid little dog,” asserts Brian Kilcommons, owner of the Connecticut-based training center The Great Pets Resort. They are incredibly predatory and loud, but yet adorable as a button.
Dachshunds are energetic and alert dogs with powerful, deep howls that will be sure to raise the alarm at the sight of visitors, but they aren’t suitable as guard dogs for obvious reasons. Due to their lively nature, dachshunds need a fair amount of daily social interaction. They often dig holes in the backyard or burrow beneath blankets in bed. They also have a tendency to dig and burrow.
Despite their reputation for being naughty and difficult, dachshunds may learn to obey commands relatively easily. As with most hounds, perseverance and reliability are essential. As with any breed, your dachshund needs to be properly socialized from an early age. Dachshunds may be agitated and reactive, while not often being seen as overtly hostile toward people.
Mini dachshunds, which are what most people have, may get along well with children, according to Kilcommons. But a dog can become irritable or uncomfortable and become aggressive. It’s crucial to educate kids on how to behave around dogs and to constantly keep an eye on them when they play with any dog.
Living Needs
The dachshund is a breed that can adapt to almost any environment and thrive as a companion (but watch out for too many stairs!). Despite being active, the dachshund is perfectly content to lounge around the house as long as her owner is nearby and she gets lots of playtime. Owners must promote regular activity for this small-framed type since they have a tendency to be indolent. Obesity is a major concern for this breed. It should be adequate to walk up to half a mile twice day. She will need to wear a coat if she plans to spend a lot of time outdoors while it is chilly outside since dachshunds don’t fare well in the cold.
Although their small size makes them ideal for seniors and apartment dwellers, there are a few very important factors to take into account before getting a dachshund. To begin with, dachshunds could need unique modifications to the home’s layout, such as stairways or a ramp up to furniture (if permitted) to reduce leaping. The dog may need to be carried regularly if it jumps too much, which is another reason to maintain a healthy weight for the dog.
In particular, when left alone for an extended period of time, dachshunds may be a noisy breed. “Barking is a homing device for dogs that go to ground,” claims Kilcommons. “If they’re digging a den 20 feet below the surface of the ground, the only way to know how to get them out is by the barking, because they’re not backing out, they’re fighting with or killing somebody. Dachshunds are noisy and were bred to bark. Their bark has a sharp edge.
The dachshund enjoys digging and scent-trails, as befits her ancestry. Make sure the yard is completely fenced in and strengthened at the base if you’re bringing a dachshund to a house with a yard. Keep an eye on your dachshund when she is outdoors for both her safety and the benefit of your landscape.
Dachshunds are also famously difficult to housetrain; it might take them up to a year to get the idea. Housebreaking them is often challenging and time-consuming, as it is with many hounds, according to Kilcommons. Even then, they could just find leaving the house difficult. When it’s too cold or your dog is feeling lazy to go outside, it’s advised to teach your dachshund to use a piddle pad inside.
Although dachshunds typically have independent personalities, that doesn’t mean they don’t enjoy participating in family activities. Although this small breed can be good with family pets, she may require additional socialization and training to be calm around strangers.
As long as her owner is kind, tolerant, and has a sense of humor to go along with this pup’s lively personality, a dachshund is a wonderful companion for both single adults and families as well as the elderly. Before committing to any dog, it’s crucial to take your lifestyle into account. To determine if a dachshund is a suitable match for you, discuss your expectations with a breeder or rescue organization.
Care
The grooming requirements vary widely depending on the dachshund coat variety. Despite spending time outside, all three kinds are low-shedding, odor-producing, and generally clean (though their paws may need care after an intense digging session). However, they are not regarded as a hypoallergenic breed. All dachshunds should only have a bath once a month or less, since doing so might dry up their delicate skin.
Smooth-coated dachshunds are very low care, needing just a simple towel wash off or once a week brushing. Doxies with long hair may need more regular combing, with specific attention to any potential matting. The most care breed of the three is the wirehaired dachshund, which needs weekly brushing and regular clipping of the beard and brows (though this is more for aesthetic preference than practicality). Great advice and resources are provided in this guide for caring for your longhaired dachshund.
Regular brushing is an excellent opportunity to check for things like nail length, ear and tooth health, coat shine (dull hair may indicate a vitamin deficiency in her diet), and coat sheen. Dachshunds’ ears need additional weekly attention because of their floppy shape, which may hinder normal air circulation and cause infections. Consult your veterinarian for advice on how to properly examine and care for your dachshund’s ears.
Although dachshunds were bred to be independent-thinking and focused while hunting, this does not mean that they are difficult to train. In fact, this breed might be eager to learn the majority of obedience commands; just keep the training pleasant and enjoyable. Food may be a powerful motivation for hounds, as it is for other animals, but Kilcommons advises playing to a different inclination. According to Kilcommons, “This breed can take to obedience training great,” but it depends on how you approach it. Leveraging the dog’s natural abilities and hardwiring is key. dachshunds are prey for them. As an incentive during training, bring out a toy.
Health
The average lifetime of dachshunds is 12–16 years, and they are seen to be a relatively healthy breed. The Dachshund is susceptible to certain ailments, like other breeds, and the breed’s lengthy body may cause major health problems if it is not properly nourished and exercised. Breeders are highly advised to undergo comprehensive cardiac, patella, and eye tests by the Dachshund Club of America, the official breed organization. Of course, not every dachshund will have major health problems, but it’s crucial to be aware of these difficulties when thinking about this breed. All dogs should be bought from reliable breeders who can show you the dog’s parents and siblings. When considering adoption, request the rescue’s complete health history.
Due to their propensity for obesity, Dachshunds may have severe back issues. It’s crucial to follow a rigorous food plan and be sure to get enough exercise each day. The breed of dachshund is prone to slipped discs, thus it’s crucial to prevent your dog from ever jumping on furniture, getting in or out of automobiles, or any other similar activities. Additionally susceptible to infection are their droopy ears. For regular and routine ear checks, adhere to your veterinarian’s recommendations.
History
The dachshund has a pleasant appearance and a small physique, yet it is a skilled predator. According to the American Kennel Club, this hunting hound made its appearance for the first time in Germany some 600 years ago. The breed was a strong opponent for badgers, foxes, and hares due to her long, thin frame and intelligent, brave disposition. Several experts on the breed claim that larger dachshund packs were even used to hunt wild boar.
In the 1800s, the dachshund started becoming a popular home pet. This particular breed shrank in size since they were no longer engaged in life-or-death battles with badgers, but their big personalities persisted. The spirited dachshund won over the hearts of the populace and even members of the royal family like Queen Victoria.
The breed arrived in America around the end of the 19th century, where it soon gained popularity. Because they were frequently viewed as a direct representation of Germany, their popularity dipped during the World Wars, but it recovered in the 1950s and has steadily increased ever since. Dachshunds are still used for hunting in Europe even though they are usually kept as pets in the U.S.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is a Dachshund known for?
Dachshunds are known for their elongated bodies, short legs, and keen sense of smell, originally bred for hunting small game.
What are the common personality traits of Dachshunds?
Dachshunds are often curious, lively, and brave dogs. They can be independent but also form strong bonds with their owners.
What are the different coat types of Dachshunds?
Dachshunds come in three coat types: smooth, longhaired, and wirehaired, each with unique textures and grooming needs.
Are Dachshunds suitable for families with children?
Dachshunds can be good family pets, but due to their small size, they might be better suited for families with older children who understand how to interact gently.
What kind of exercise and care do Dachshunds require?
A5: Dachshunds need regular exercise to prevent weight gain and maintain their health. Their long backs make them prone to spine issues, so proper handling and avoiding activities that strain their backs are crucial.
