Dachshund Breed Information

Last updated Sep 15, 2020 0

Many people think of the Dachshund as one type of dog that has short legs, short hair, and a long body. This is partially correct, but probably does not go quite far enough. There are actually three varieties of Dachshund to include shorthaired, wire-haired, and longhaired.

Although it is a rather small dog, the breed appears to carry itself proudly and has a strong bite with good teeth. Dachshunds are tan or yellow if they are a solid color or have deep brown or black coats with a brown underside. You will even see some that are speckled and streaked.

The Dachshund breed comes from Germany and has a history that stretches back hundreds of years. Its name comes from the German word for badger, “dachs” since the dog was trained to chase badgers to dens. To have the ability to burrow in and dig the animal out, the breed evolved to its long body and short legs.

The Dachshund has also been used to hunt other small animals and can be quite a tenacious breed.

Dachshund Temperament

The Dachshund, though widely known by slang names such as wiener dog is a very clever breed and known to be quite courageous, as you might expect since it was used to hunt down badgers. Some experts say the Dachshund personality borders on rashness, with any sign of shyness considered a real fault. In addition, this breed moves freely and smoothly, for the most part, though the short legs and heavier body may make it appear awkward. The gait can appear to have a bit of a roll to it, as well.

Generally, the Dachshund has some of the terrier personality with being tenacious and lively common traits for this breed. This dog loves to dig and will bark loudly, although it is interesting to note that the longhaired variety of Dachshund is calmer than the others are.

Keep in mind that this breed of dog can be irritable and sometimes are difficult to train. However, if socialized young and well, it makes a wonderful pet but typically does not like being overly handled.

Dachshund Size and Color

Again, there are three varieties of dachshund – shorthaired, wirehaired, and longhaired. Each of the varieties can have different sizes such as standard, dwarf, and toy. Standard Dachshunds usually stand from 14 to 18 inches at the withers and weigh about 20 pounds. Dwarf Dachshunds stand up to 14 inches and weigh about nine pounds. Then for Toy Dachshunds, you see a height of about 12 inches and weight around 8 pounds.

Solid color dachshunds are tan or yellow, while the two-colored variety consist of deep brown, black, or even gray coloring, coupled with chestnut brown markings. In addition, you will find that some breeders end up with beautiful streaked and speckled varieties of the Dachshund.

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Dachshund Feeding and Grooming Requirements

One of the first things experienced owners and breeders may tell you about the Dachshund would be not to overfeed it because the breed tends to gain weight quickly. Even though this dog was a working/hunting dog, the breed does not get the demand for activity it used to, which can contribute to weight gain. Overall, the Dachshund is a lively and playful dog, doing well with outside exercise to help control this problem.

When it comes to food, you might try using only fresh, homemade ingredients similar to what you bring home for yourself when you prepare the pet’s meal. For instance, the area from which the Dachshund originally came had foods that were high in nutrients such as vitamin A, so it would be good to try to include foods with this vitamin as part of the diet. N addition, we would suggest feeding a high fat/low protein, puppy food diet, even through adulthood.

The longhaired variety requires regular combing and brushing, while many people suggest professional attention such as trimming for the wirehaired Dachshund.

Shedding is considered average for the breed, and if the nails were not worn down through everyday activity, you would need to trim them or have them trimmed by a groomer or veterinarian.

Dachshund Exercise Needs

Although the elongated back of the Dachshund could lead to health problems, you want to avoid overstress of this area. However, the breed is relatively active, doing best with a modest amount of exercise. This dog breed needs to be with humans and should be walked rather than turned loose, unless you have a moderate sized fenced yard.

If you do try any activity that requires excessive agility, be careful not to injure the dog’s back. The Dachshund has quite a bit of stamina, being a breed that loves to play in the park.

We also discourage having the dog jump from any height due to the possibility of back injury.

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