Dachshund
 Description:
The Dachshund has a strong mix of both hound and
terrier characteristics: he has a strong sense
of smell, a loud voice and he also has the built-in
instinct to search out vermin and rodents. In
Germany, where the breed has existed since the
early 1600s, the dog was named Dachshund which
means "badger dog" and historians believe
the original smooth variety evolved from the French
Basset. Later on, crosses with field spaniels
created the longhaired type and crosses with terriers
created the wirehaired types. Miniature versions
of all three coat varieties were then developed
by breeding only the smallest specimens from subsequent
litters. The breed became popular and was recognized
in the late 1800s in Britain and North America.
The Dachshund enjoys family life in the country
or the city. The combination of excellent tracking
abilities and short, compact yet muscular body
made the Dachshund an obvious choice for game
which liked to burrow or hide in dense thickets.
Height:
Miniatures are generally under 9"
(23 cm), while the Standard Dachshund are several
inches taller.
Weight:
Miniature variety must weigh under 10
lbs (4.5 kg); Standard variety usually weighs
between 16 and 32 lbs (7-14 kg).
Coat Type:
There are three coat-types: smooth, longhaired
and wirehaired. The Smooth's coat is short, flat-lying
and shiny. The Longhaired's coat is longer, wavy,
and glossy. The Wirehaired's coat is thick, tight
and wiry and is the most weather-resistant of
the three types. Colors for all types are solid
red, or black with tan markings. The Longhaired
and Wirehaired require extra attention for grooming
purposes.
Temperament:
The Dachshund is intelligent, energetic and brave
beyond his means. They make lively, friendly,
loyal family pets.
Health Problems:
Epilepsy has been demonstrated to have
a genetic component in this breed. The Dachshund
has a very long back, and is the breed at most
risk for disk-related problems (studies have shown
that about 25% of Dachshunds will have some disk-related
problems in their life). Therefore he should not
be allowed to jump from heights, including chairs
and beds. He needs moderate, daily exercise to
prevent him from becoming overweight, particularly
in his senior years. Prone to eye disorders and
osteosporosis.
Special Interest:
Dachshunds were a favorite of Queen Victoria's,
and she was a serious Dachshund breeder. Because
of their fearlessness, Dachshunds have been known
to get into trouble which they can't get out of
easily; for example, they can scale a high chainlink
fence but strand themselves at the top.
Classifications:
AKC: Group 2 - Hounds
CKC: Group 2 - Hounds
KC: Sporting - Hound Group
FCI: Group 4
ANKC: Group 4 - Hounds
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