The Dachshund

 

There is probably no other breed of dog that is as controversial as the dachshund (ok, maybe the pug). Once a popular fashion dog, despite the fact that he is ranked 9th among the most popular German dog breeds, the birth numbers of puppies have drastically decreased.

However, if you have once devoted yourself to a dachshund, you will hold on to this wonderful breed. Similarly as it is the case with the Spitz, these dogs were always discredited as yapper and biter.

For a long time, the dachshund was even regarded in certain circles as a sneaky coward who bites out of fear. All nonsense. The dachshund is an absolutely great dog, which is slowly becoming as appreciated as it deserves.

He can still be used excellently for hunting, but he also gains more importance again as a family dog, which is nice, because he is also very well suited for hunting.

But also for older people the dachshund has proven to be a perfect companion. As a hunting dog in the true sense of the word, he still wants to run, but he can also get used to less exercise and above all he is also very suitable for keeping in an apartment.

The nature of the dachshund

The dachshund is a hunting dog through and through. Nevertheless he is very intelligent and quickly understands what his humans expect from him. He is a loving companion who goes through thick and thin for his humans and with them and stands by their side faithfully for a dachshund life.

Unfortunately this breed is often completely underestimated. A dachshund is not only faithful, he also learns very fast and above all very gladly.  So you can teach him also very easy different tricks.

Especially in contact with children he is very affectionate and likes to subordinate himself to them. He likes to be stroked and depending on the species he enjoys as a longhaired dachshund also the regular grooming intensively.

Despite its short legs, the dachshund is a relatively athletic dog, who likes to be in nature, but who is also quite content with less exercise, if his humans devote enough time to him otherwise.

The historical background of the dachshund

the dachshund, that is called also dachshund in hunt-circles and by experts, was originally bred purely for the hunt. With its short legs and the narrow breast, this dog was optimally suitable in order to hunt in the buildings of badgers and the like more. This has of course also manifested itself in the breed standard.

Historically seen the dachshund, as we know it today, goes back to the Bracken. Already around the year 1500, the bracken, which was frequently used at that time, was bred specifically. If one assumes that those dogs are the ancestors of the dachshunds, then the history of the dachshunds can be traced back to the time of the Celts and thus goes back more than 2000 years.

Already in the Middle Ages, the so-called Celtic Bracken, which are still recognized as the foundation dogs of dachshund breeding, are said to have been specifically bred in the direction of the present form.

They were already used there for the hunt for fox and Co. With the increasing of the hunt-development on the different constructions of the badgers and other construction-inhabitants, also a further selection took place with regard to even shorter legs and an even narrower physique, that should facilitate both the entrance into the construction and the hunt in selbigen for the dogs.

This selective breeding for the appropriate hunting qualities brought however also an ever increasing self-confidence of the dogs with itself. For this reason, their popularity decreased in the later course of time again and again.

It was important for the dachshunds to be self-confident and courageous. In the Dachsbau they had to decide for themselves what to do and could not rely on being led and guided by their humans. For the hunters it was great to have such an independent dog that also hunted successfully.

However, over the centuries this targeted breeding also led more and more to the dachshund becoming a dog that had to bind itself less and less to its human. Although today dachshunds are also bred from non-hunting lines, this genetic basis remains.

The first breed characteristics for the dachshund as we know it today, however, were created only amazingly late, namely in 1879. The first German Dachshund Club, however, was already founded in 1888, at that time under the leadership of two special lovers of this breed, Klaus Graf Hahn and Dr. Emil Illgner.

This German dachshund club still exists today, and now has over 25,000 members. It was not until the 19th century that the dachshund became a household name beyond the German borders, not least because of Queen Victoria, who came to the dogs through her grandson, the German Emperor Wilhelm II, and quickly learned to love them.

Today, the dachshund enjoys great popularity again, although it is now soon more appreciated and bred in the Asian region than is the case here in Germany.

What demands does a dachshund make

A dachshund wants to be led and consequently educated. Although it feels almost most comfortable on the hunt and at comparable work, it has also become more and more a balanced family dog, which does not immediately, but probably after some time binds itself to its owner.

Nevertheless, the intelligence of the dachshund should not be underestimated, nor should his almost excessive self-confidence. The latter leads especially in the area of the social-behavior under Artgenossen and bigger dogs opposite again and again to problems.

The dachshund is equipped with sufficient courage, so that he fearlessly stands in the way of really big dogs and is not averse to attack them when it comes to his mind.

For this reason, it is also especially important to show the dachshund from an early age where his limits are and who is in charge of this human dog pack. Once this fundamental question has been clarified, the dachshund will gladly submit and impress with its unconditional loyalty and courage. Although he does not necessarily belong to those dogs that seek permanent physical contact.

The dachshund and its health

As with so many other dog breeds, the dachshund also brings with it some particularly breed-typical illnesses. Beside the typical dachshund paralysis, which is not only true for the dachshund but for many short-legged and bow-legged dog breeds.

Besides that, diseases of the eyes are of course not uncommon. Likewise also various skin diseases and also epilepsy occur again and again. The Cushing's syndrome is also very common.

If, however, great importance is attached to a careful selection of the parents when breeding these dogs, then you will get a robust dachshund with a firm temperament, which also has a correspondingly high life expectancy of over 10 years.

Even though the dachshund may appear a bit fragile, he is still a robust and pithy dog, who will go out the door even in case of wounds and weather and who does not shy away from any challenge, because of his little dachshund heart.

Three dachshund puppies

Dachshund Types: Dachshund Mix or the Dachshund Mongrel

The dachshund is a breed of dog that attracts supporters and skeptics alike. Some like this small breed with the short legs and the pride. Others again must think of janitor Krause, if they see the dog race.

The dachshund has of course its peculiarities and must be educated accordingly. Above all because the small quadrupeds can be really stubborn contemporaries.

A typical dachshund cannot be named, because the animals occur in unbelievable many variations. Very popular: the Dachshund Mix or the Dachshund Mongrel!

Therefore, the dachshund is distinguished more through its fur-colors and through the structure of the fur.

•     Short-hair dachshund: Characterized by short and lying close fur. The typical dachshund, because one usually knows. The fur is hard and solid.
•     Long-haired Dachshund: It looks especially noble. The fur is silky, long and shiny.
•     Rough-haired dachshund: It is the shaggy companion under the dachshunds. This dachshund type has a thick undercoat, which is very dense. The overcoat is hard and firm.
  

But these are not the only differences you can see in a dachshund. Also the fur-colors can be distinguished. The following colors are to be found among others with the dachshund types:

•     Light colored to dark up-colored
•     Dürrlaubfarben
•     Monochrome red, red yellow, yellow
•     Two-tone black or brown with brand
•     Spotted
•     Tigered/Tromed
  

White coat colors are not desired in this breed and are therefore not considered in breeding. In Germany, the tabby form is little widespread within the dachshund-breeding. However, more and more lovers of this dachshund-form are found, that slowly possess a big demand also in Germany.
Buy a dachshund: Where to find the dachshund breeder
Buy a dachshund: Where to find the dachshund breeder

You can buy the dachshund puppies from a breeder, if you wish. You should absolutely rely on German breeders. They do not only pay attention to the breeding conditions, but also to the color regulations. If you want to decide for a dachshund breeder, you will not only get animals suitable for breeding, but also dachshunds, which have all vaccinations accordingly.

The accessories for the happy dachshund

If you want a happy dachshund, you can of course contact the dachshund breeders. If you have the dog only at home, you must of course also deal with the topic equipment. The dog bed for dachshunds can consist of many materials. Among them from basket, fabric or plastic. Each dog bed or each dog basket has its advantages. With the dachshund it is especially important that the beds are not too big and not too small. The animal should fit optimally.

Beside the dog bed you should also buy the harness for dachshunds. This must consist of a robust and soft material so that the dog cannot hurt itself. But why do you need a dog harness. Dachshunds are known to suffer quickly from spinal injuries or diseases in the area. Therefore it is advisable to equip the animals with a harness for the gas round so that the spine remains protected.

The collar for dachshunds is also an important acquisition, but it can be used very individually. You can always use different materials for the collar. One should not only pay attention to the form, but also to the fact that the collars can be adapted in size.
The perfect person for a dachshund is...

•     Calm and level-headed, determined and experienced in handling hunting dogs.
•     Whether family, older couple or hunter. The dachshund is actually a quite flexible representative of its kind, which knows how to adapt quickly to the respective circumstances and learns quickly to take its own advantage from the different situations.
•     As a highly intelligent dog, the dachshund naturally also likes to be mentally encouraged and challenged. Whether it is tracking, for which it is particularly suitable in its capacity as a hunt-drawn dog, or learning appropriate tricks.
•     Of course, depending on the type of dachshund, the more or less necessary time for grooming should not be missing.
•     The person of a dachshund does not necessarily have to live in a house with garden, as long as the dog is employed, also an apartment is completely sufficient to make these small crooks happy.

Conclusion

A dachshund is not a dog like any other. Equipped with its own head, it needs experienced guidance and firm rules as well as a little space for its own development.

The dachshund is also a very versatile dog, suitable for the whole family as well as for individuals. He is by far better than his reputation sometimes precedes him and hardly any other dog has ever divided the nation as the dachshund did. Some love him and others hate him.

However, this breed has enough self-confidence to cope with such things. If you are looking for a somewhat demanding and at the same time flexible dog, who also feels comfortable in an apartment and knows how to adapt to different circumstances, a dachshund is the best choice.

Since these dogs are bred in different fur types and colors, there is really something for everyone.