Dachshunds - Popular Dogs
Dachshunds originate from Germany where they were specifically bred to hunt badgers. These badger-hunting dogs were much bigger than the breed today but were still small enough to get into a badgers set and kill their prey. During the 1800s however they began to be bred as pets and their size decreased to what it is today. There is no such thing as a ‘typical’ dachshund because the breed varies so much that they are all seen as unique. Technically however there are three varieties of Dachshund; short-haired, wire-haired and long-haired. These three varieties then come in three different sizes; standard miniature and toy.
Dachshunds are loving dogs but are not for everyone. Because of their inbred instinct to hunt independent of a pack they can be stubborn with regard to training. They can be hard to house train and rebellious if not treated with a firm hand, however if training is begun during puppyhood the resulting adult dog is generally very well behaved.
Dachshunds are very loyal to their family and will protect to a certain extent however they are more comfortable in a home with older children who understand the dog’s nature. Small children are often a bit too boisterous for the dachshund resulting in the dog becoming quickly irritable. Dachshunds are also known for their love of barking and so babies and toddlers may become upset at the constant noise.
This should not put prospective owners off though as dachshunds are extremely lovable and fun. They are perfect apartment dogs and when bought in pairs are well behaved and inseparable. Dachshunds have a surprisingly large amount of energy and so enjoy long walks and a quick game of ‘fetch’ in the park. They should however be constantly watched as they tend to chase anything they think of as prey. If dachshunds are walked in pairs, their pack instinct will cause them to stand up to larger dogs and so should be kept on a lead until the owner knows they can be trusted.
Because of their body shape dachshunds are prone to spinal problems and should be handled with care. In addition over-feeding which ultimately leads to obesity can put a lot more pressure on the spine of this small breed than it does in most other breeds. Feeding should be strictly controlled in order to prevent spinal problems in later life. The life expectancy for a healthy dachshund is from 12 to 15 years.
Dachshunds with long hair need to be groomed on a daily basis as the undercoat is prone to matting. The wire haired variety need to be professionally clipped at least twice a year while the short haired variety benefit from regular rubdowns with a soft damp cloth.