Dachshund Dog
Dachshund Dog Breed Facts & Information
The Dachshund, affectionately called the Wiener Dog, Sausage Dog, and Doxie, is a small German scenthound with short legs and an elongated body first bred to hunt tunneling animals like rabbits or foxes. Hunters even used packs of Dachshunds to trail wild boar, which might be surprising considering the reputation for how dangerous wild boar can be. But certainly, this shows that the Dachshund has a sense of courage to outmatch their size. Any Doxie owner knows this to be true! As legendary literary critic and humorous journalist H. L. Mencken said, “Half a dog high and a dog and a half long,” but Dachshunds are enough to take on a badger. That’s how they got their name (Dachs meaning badger; Hund meaning dog).
Regarding temperament, Dachshunds are devoted, playful, stubborn, willful, active, and vivacious. Expect these little dogs to be the stars of the party. They also form strong bonds with certain individuals, even in a multi-person household. Because of their origins as hunting dogs, Dachshunds are prone to barking. If you’re an apartment dweller or particularly sensitive to sound, this breed may not fit your lifestyle needs best. Of course, you can spend a bit of time working on training to teach your Dachshund to quiet down when necessary. These smart little dogs are very food-motivated, so training with a high-reward treat should help.
When considering a Dachshund, it’s advisable to prioritize adopting from rescue organizations or shelters to provide a loving home to a dog in need. However, if you decide to purchase a Dachshund puppy, it’s crucial to choose a reputable breeder. Conduct thorough research to ensure that the breeder follows ethical practices and prioritizes the well-being of their dogs. Reputable Dachshund breeders prioritize the health and temperament of their dogs, conduct necessary health screenings, and provide a nurturing environment for the puppies. This active approach ensures you bring home a healthy and happy pup while discouraging unethical breeding practices.
Quick Facts
- Origin: Germany
- Size: Small to medium-sized: Standard (16-32 pounds or 7-15 kg), Miniature Dachshund (11 pounds or 5 kg and under), and Kaninchen (“rabbit” in German, typically around 8 pounds or 3.5 kg and under).
- Lifespan: About 12-16 years
- Coat: This breed has three coat types: shorthaired, Longhaired, and wirehaired. They also comes in a variety of colors and patterns.
- Temperament: Dachshunds are known for their lively and curious nature. They can be quite clever but sometimes stubborn. They are often brave and confident despite their small size.
- Exercise Needs: They require moderate exercise. Regular walks and playtime are important to prevent obesity and keep them mentally stimulated.
- Training: This breed can be independent thinkers, but they can learn well with positive reinforcement training. Early socialization and consistent training are key.
- Grooming: Grooming needs depend on the coat type. Smooth-coated Dachshunds require minimal grooming, while long-haired and wirehaired Dachshunds require more attention to prevent matting.
- Health: Generally healthy but prone to certain health issues, including back problems due to their elongated body. This makes proper weight management, avoiding jumping from heights and using harnesses instead of collars important for their spine health. Regular check-ups with a veterinarian are crucial.
- Waldi, a Dachshund puppy, was the first official mascot for the 1972 Olympic Summer Games in Munich, Germany.
Dachshund Overview
Dachshunds (pronounced DAKS hund — never dash-hound) come in three varieties: smooth (shorthaired), wirehaired, and longhaired. In the United States, Dachshunds are either miniature (11 pounds and under as an adult) or standard (usually between 16 and 32 pounds as an adult). If your Dachshund weighs between 11 and 16 pounds, he’s called a tweenie. Other countries have a wider variance in the sizes. For example, in Germany, the official birthplace of the Dachshund breed, Dachshunds are identified as Standard, Miniature, or Kaninchenteckel, based on a chest measurement taken at the age of fifteen months.
No matter their size, Dachshunds are a delightful addition to any family, so they have ranked near the top of most popular dog lists since the 1950s. Their cute appearance and lively disposition have inspired many affectionate nicknames for the breed, including wiener dog, hot dog, sausage dog, Doxie, Dashie, and (especially in Germany) Teckels, Dachels, or Dachsels You can’t help but smile when you look at a confident Dachshund, proudly carrying his long, muscular body on short legs, his elongated head held high with a bold, intelligent look in his eyes.
Because of their almost comical appearance, Dachshunds have long been a favorite subject of cartoonists and toy makers. But their cute appearance was developed for far more serious and practical reasons. Their short legs enable them to dig and maneuver through tunnels to corner and even fight badgers and other animals, while their large chests give them plenty of “heart” for the fight. Dachshunds are brave but can be somewhat stubborn and have an independent spirit, especially when hunting.
At home, the Dachshund’s playful nature comes out. He loves to be close to you and “help” you tie your shoes. Because of his intelligence, he often has his own ideas about what the rules are when it comes to play. Those rules may not be the same as yours or even other breeds of dogs. Dachshunds are known for being lively and enjoy chasing other small animals, birds, and toys. The breed standard — a written description of how the Dachshund should look and act — probably describes their personality best, saying, “The Dachshund is clever, lively, and courageous to the point of rashness, persevering in above and below ground work, with all the senses well-developed. Any display of shyness is a serious fault.” Dachshunds have soulful eyes and complex facial expressions.
Their lungs are large for a dog this size and have a barrel-like chest. Because of these things, Dachshunds have a loud, deep bark that sounds as though it comes from a much larger dog. And they do like to bark, which you might consider if you have neighbors who could be annoyed rather than amused by the antics of your brave little Dachshund. Dachshunds often bond closely with a single person.
They may even become jealous of their owner’s attention and can become snappy if not properly trained and socialized. Smooth Dachshunds are the most popular variety in the United States. Their coats are short and shiny and need little grooming. They do, however, need a sweater in the winter if you live in an area with cold weather. Common colors are red, cream, black and tan, black and cream, chocolate and tan, blue and tan, and Isabella (fawn) and tan. Dachshunds also can have patterns in their coats, such as dapple (a mottled coat pattern), brindle, sable, and piebald. Longhaired Dachshunds have sleek, slightly wavy hair and can be the same colors as the Smooth Dachshunds.
They should be brushed daily to prevent mats from forming, especially around their elbows and ears. Many believe the Longhaired Dachshund has a more docile temperament than the Smooth or Wirehair. Wirehaired Dachshunds have wiry, short, thick, rough coats with bushy eyebrows and a beard. Like Smooth Dachshunds, they often are mischievous. They won’t need a sweater in the winter, but they do need to be brushed regularly to prevent mats from forming. Their coat colors can be the same as the Smooth Dachshund, but the most popular colors in the United States are wild boar (a mixture of black, brown, and gray), black and tan, and various shades of red. Dachshunds often have been seen as a symbol of Germany. Because of this association, Dachshunds lost popularity in the United States during World War I and II.
However, their appeal was too great for this to resist, and they quickly made a comeback in popularity. Because of the association with Germany, a Dachshund named Waldi was chosen to be the first official mascot for the 1972 Summer Olympics. Dachshunds are a good choice for apartment dwellers and people who don’t have a backyard. They are popular with urban dwellers because of their small size and ease of care.
They generally are active indoors and also enjoy going on walks. Just be careful not to let them get too fat or allow them to injure their backs by jumping off furniture. Also, be sure to support their backs when you are holding them. Because of their long backs, they are susceptible to slipped or ruptured (herniated) disks in their backs, which can result in partial or full paralysis. Although they were originally bred to hunt ferocious badgers and other animals, today’s Dachshunds are ideal family companions.
Additionally, many people show them in conformation, obedience, agility, field trials, and earth dog trials. They are also hard-working and well-appreciated therapy dogs. Some people enter their Dachshunds in Dachshund races, such as the Wiener Nationals. Although these races are popular, the Dachshund Club of America opposes “wiener racing” because many Greyhound tracks use the events to draw large crowds and because the DCA worries that such races could injure Dachshund’s backs. Because they are such a popular breed, many people breed Dachshunds to make money rather than out of a love for the breed and a desire to breed healthy, even-tempered dogs. Be careful to obtain your Dachshund from a reputable breeder who screens his or her breeding animals for temperament and health problems. The Dachshund is a versatile companion. The Dachshund suits almost anyone with their various sizes, colors, coat types, and personalities.