The Dachshund was originally used in hunting badgers, rabbits and foxes. The Dachshund still has the hunting instinct today, but it’s also a popular companion animal. This small but stubborn dog can live to be twelve to sixteen years old. He is affectionate and friendly towards his owner.
With early socialization, the Dachshund gets along well with children. With a Dachshund in the house you need not fear burglars. It is a real watchdog and will bark at danger. Are you curious and would you like to know more about the Dachshund? Then read this article.
The history: the small hunting dog from Germany
The Dachshund originally comes from Germany and was used there as a hunting dog. He helped hunt small animals, such as rabbits, foxes and badgers. This is why it’s called a Dachshund. The Dachshund had short legs and was therefore able to follow the small animals to their lairs. This happened already in the Middle Ages.
Later the Dachshund was also seen as a companion dog. This is thanks to Queen Victoria who brought a Dachshund to England in 1839. Around 1870, the Dachshund also made its way to the United States and Canada. In these countries they were first used for hunting, but later they became companion animals. The Dachshund became more and more popular and is now also a beloved pet all over the world.
The character: cocky, cheerful and smart
The Dachshund is affectionate and does not like to be alone. It is wise to start early with getting the Dachshund used to being left alone. Towards its owner it is friendly, but it is certainly not an everyman’s friend. The Dachshund clearly has preferences and can be reserved towards certain people. By nature it is not a children’s friend, but with the right upbringing it can generally get along with them. It is a real watchdog and will start barking if it sees a stranger or senses danger. It is important to control his vigilance and barking from an early age. The hunting instinct is still in the Dachshund, so you should certainly be alert with other small pets.
The Dachshund is smart and curious. Generally it is a cheerful and excited dog. Even though it is a small dog, it can be very stubborn and likes to follow its own rules. Partly because of this, early socialization is important. The Dachshund also needs clear boundaries and rules. There are three variations of the Dachshund. Most characteristics of a Dachshund are the same, but each variant has specific character traits. The three types are:
- Short-haired Dachshund;
- Longhaired Dachshund;
- Wirehaired Dachshund.
The short-haired Dachshund has the average character. He is gentle and attached to his family. Towards strangers he is reserved. The Longhaired Dachshund is softer, more sensitive, quieter and more affectionate than the other two types. The wirehaired Dachshund is the fiercest species. This is because Terriers have been used in breeding.
The appearance of a Dachshund
The Dachshund has short legs and an elongated body. It has a robust, muscular body. The chest is deep and broad. The head is long, as is the tail. The Dachshund has a long muzzle and drooping ears.
There are three sizes of Dachshunds and they are classified by chest size. The standard Dachshund is the largest species and has a chest size starting at 35 centimeters. This type weighs nine to ten pounds. The middle species is the Miniature Dachshund and has a chest size between 30 and 37 centimeters. This species weighs between five and seven kilograms. The smallest species is the Kaninchen Dachshund. This Dachshund has a chest size of up to 32 centimeters and weighs between three and five pounds.
The hair types can also be divided into three types. As mentioned earlier the short haired, long haired and wirehaired Dachshund. The long-haired Dachshund has half-long hair. They have a nice fluffy tail. They have longer hair at the ears, legs and chest. The color of the coat can vary. Single-colored it occurs in the colors red, red-yellow and yellow. Bi-colored in black or brown with brown or yellow markings on the legs, head or chest.
The Short-haired Dachshund has a very short coat and because of this its robust, muscular body stands out well. The colors are the same as the long-haired Dachshund. The wirehaired Dachshund has a spiky coat with a large beard and eyebrows. They often look funny. Most frequently seen in dark or light gray-brown.
The care
The coat care of a Short-haired Dachshund is minimal. Occasionally he needs to be brushed and then he looks beautiful again. The long-haired Dachshund requires a little more time to maintain. The coat must be brushed regularly to prevent tangles. The wirehaired Dachshund also needs to be brushed regularly and it is wise to have it trimmed about twice a year.
In addition to coat care, it is important to regularly check the nails and trim them if necessary. The ears and eyes must also be kept clean. You can do this with a damp cloth. The teeth can be cleaned with a special dog toothbrush and dog toothpaste. It is also wise to regularly give the Dachshund something to chew on, this is good for his teeth.
Because of its physique it is important that the Dachshund is kept warm. He can not stand cold and humidity. During a walk he will not suffer much from this, but at home he needs to be dried off and kept warm.
Are there any diseases that occur in this breed?
The Dachshund reaches an average age of between twelve and sixteen years. In general, it is a robust dog with good health. Nevertheless, there are some diseases and hereditary disorders that can occur in a Dachshund.
- Mitral valve degeneration
- Hernia nucleus pulposus
The mitral valve is the heart valve between the left ventricle of the heart and the left atrium. Due to the condition, the valve no longer closes properly. As a result, blood no longer flows from the left atrium to the left ventricle. The blood may leak into the left atrium of the heart. This can become progressively worse. The Dachshund has little to no discomfort at first. However, the vet can often already hear a murmur in the heart. The problems usually occur later in life. Symptoms may include fatigue, coughing, increased breathing and poor eating.
Hernia nucleus pulposus is also known as Dachshund paralysis. In this condition, the intervertebral discs are affected. When this disc ruptures, it is called a hernia. Symptoms of intervertebral disc problems are that your dog:
- Does not want to walk anymore;
- Have pain when touched in the neck;
- Have difficulty jumping or climbing stairs;
- Showing other signs of paralysis.
It is important that you always keep a close eye on the health of your dog. When in doubt, you can always ask the vet for advice. With this you can prevent any health problems.
Dog training for this breed
The Dachshund is not the most obedient dog and is independent and stubborn. It is important that you, as an owner, stand firmly in your shoes and use clear rules and boundaries. Yet despite everything it is a smart dog. Dog training is not impossible, but it takes time and patience. Because of the hunting instinct it is also fun to take the Dachshund to hunting training after the basic training sessions. You will certainly please the Dachshund with this. He likes nothing better than to use his nose to track.
Make sure you have varied exercises. Enthusiastic and regular rewarding works best with a Dachshund. A Dachshund generally learns quickly, but you cannot expect complete obedience from him. This has to do with the character.
A basic training or puppy course is recommended for every dog. This teaches your dog to get along with other dogs and learns the basic commands. By being active and learning things together you will build a good bond with your Dachshund.
What does a Dachshund cost?
The prices for a Dachshund vary. This mainly depends on the size of the Dachshund. For a standard Dachshund you pay between $1000 and $1200. For a Miniature Dachshund you pay between $1250 and $1500. A Kaninchen Dachshund costs between $1300 and $1650. For a small dog this seems quite an amount. Yet on average you can enjoy this small companion dog for thirteen years. When buying always make sure you do this at a recognized breeder.
After the purchase costs of the Dachshund you must take into account other costs. You need to get stuff in the house such as a basket, leash, toys and grooming products. There are also recurring costs for the vet and food. Vet fees can be variable and can add up when there are health problems. It is important that you are aware of this and can afford the costs before you purchase a Dachshund. You may want to think about taking out insurance.
How much exercise does this breed need?
The Dachshund is an active dog and needs average exercise. It is important that you do other activities with your Dachshund besides the daily walks. It can happen that if the Dachshund does not get enough exercise it will show unwanted behavior. This can manifest itself in extreme barking or squeaking on the leash.
A Dachshund has good stamina and loves to go on long walks. It is important that you always keep the dog on a leash. A Dachshund has a hunting instinct and can lose sight of his owner if he smells something.
A Dachshund also likes to play in the garden. He loves to dig, so keep this in mind, before you know it he digs between the flowers. You can, for example, create a special place where the Dachshund can play and dig to his heart’s content.
Agility sports are less suitable for a Dachshund. This is due to the vulnerable long back. Of course, you do not want your Dachshund to get an injury. Hunting training is recommended for a Dachshund. But in general a Dachshund also loves to play search and sniff games. A Dachshund has a very good nose and is only too happy to use it. Provide enough challenge and the Dachshund will not get bored.
Recognition in the United States
The Dachshund has been officially recognized in the United States bij the AKC since 1885. This means that it is a healthy dog breed that may be bred with and can participate in various sporting events.
Do you already own a Dachshund or are you planning to purchase one?
A Dachshund is a small dog with a big character. It is important that a Dachshund gets an owner who is clear and consistent. With a good and early socialization, the Dachshund will be a fine companion. The Dachshund comes in different sizes and also the coat varies. Check beforehand which type of Dachshund appeals to you most. Do you already have a Dachshund or are you planning to buy one? Share your experiences in the comments and get in touch with other Dachshund lovers.
