Dachshund
Origin: Dachshund breed of dogs was first bred in Germany in the 1500s. This breed of dogs was purposely bred to hunt badgers, foxes, and rabbits, enter their burrows, kill them, and retrieve them. Dachshund comes from a family of scent hound dogs. They were recognized as a distinct breed, after which they gained popularity as family pets.
Size: A Dachshund is generally bred in two sizes, standard and miniature. A standard Dachshund weight ranges from 16-32 pounds and stands up to 13-14 inches, whereas a miniature Dachshund weighs 11 pounds and has a height of 11-13 inches. Some people breed exceptionally small dogs and classify them as toy Dachshund; however, it is not officially recognized. They have almond shape eyes, round ears, a straight tail, and a sturdy physique. The shade of eyes is much lighter blue and brown of dachshund canines.
Coat: Commonly known as Sausage dogs, Dachshunds have smooth, wired, and longhaired coats. Smooth-haired Dachshunds have a short and shiny coat, and they come in red, cream, and black colors. Wirehaired Dachshunds have a thick and short upper layer and a soft underlayer. Longhaired Dachshunds have wavy hair, which gives them a glossy and elegant appearance. They come in various colors and twin shades like black and cream, black and tan, chocolate and tan, and fawn and cream.
Temperament: Dachshunds are intelligent, brave, and independent dog breed who loves spending time with humans and are pretty easy-going. They can be stubborn sometimes and act mischievous if not trained correctly. Dachshunds do not get friendly with strangers and bark at them, but they are great with their families and kids. Dachshund canines are particularly dedicated to their owners. A Dachshund personality can vary according to their coat type. Longhaired is quiet and calm; on the other hand, wirehaired can be a trouble maker.
Care: A Dachshund is an energetic dog with high energy requirements. They love to walk and indulge in different outdoor games with other pets. They love to dig and chase anything that moves. They are also active inside the house and can go well in apartments as well. A 15 minutes’ walk twice a day or a game of fetch or Frisbee is enough to keep them healthy and active. While training a Dachshund, give rewards and appreciation and keep the session short and fun. A Dachshund shed, but not excessively, brushing once a week is enough to keep their coat healthy. They don’t need to bathe very often and are free of dog odor. Longhaired Dachshunds must be wired regularly to avoid dirt and mats from forming.
Nails and ear cleaning should be done once or twice a month to avoid any infections. Dental hygiene should be taken care of.
Health: The dachshund breed of dogs lives up to 12 years to 17 years. Intervertebral Disc Disease (IVDD), Progressive Retinal Atrophy (PRA),
Epilepsy, Partial Paralysis, Bloating, Deafness, and Canine Diabetes are some of the health concerns a Dachshund is prone to. Ask for a health clearance when you plan to get one.
