Dachshund - Everything you need to know about the Dachshund – Lobo Azul

Also known as “ sausage dog ” or Dachshund , a term of German origin, where this breed comes from. The popularity of the Dachshund is wide, and there are plenty of reasons for this.

Small size .
Weight : Between 4 and 5kg.
Hair type : Medium length and wavy or short and straight depending on type.
Character : Smart, Playful, Stubborn, Devoted, Vivacious, Independent, Active, Brave
Health : Healthy although may suffer from small congenital problems
Life expectancy : Between 12 and 16 years.

The Dachshund Characterized as a breed with excellent temperament, balanced, agile and playful, since its appearance it has gained great attraction for society. Both its ability to adapt to any living space, as well as its unmatched physical characteristics and numerous qualities, made it an unparalleled pet, maintaining this recognition to this day. However, like many other dog breeds, the Dachshund requires special care and different knowledge to ensure its well-being and emotional balance during its development. Do you want to adopt a Dachshund or Dachshund and don't know anything about it? You will find information about its origin, care, physical appearance, health and the care that this dog needs in this complete guide to the breed, prepared especially for all those who wish to learn more about this type of dog. Discover all the details about the unique dachshund in the following paragraphs!

Origin of the Dachshund

Although its origin is considered partly to be from the 18th century, in Germany the history of the Dachshund dates back approximately to the Middle Ages . This dog is one of those that prevailed over the different crossbreeds of hounds to obtain a breed with physical characteristics appropriate for underground hunting. Its unique morphology made it a valuable resource for hunting and tracking below the surface, especially when capturing badgers. In fact, the name " dachshund " in German means "dachshund", attributed to this dog for its outstanding ability to catch these animals.

In addition to these skills, his surface performance also garnered great recognition. These dachshunds were rated as excellent barkers, trackers and very skilled in pursuit. Therefore, their preference as guard and companion dogs was an aspect that became characteristic of the breed. In 1888 the first German breed club, known as the Deutscher Teckelklub , was founded, when the first official breed standard was drawn up. All of this caused the breed's appeal to grow at international levels, causing the first presentation of these dogs to take place at a dog show in England. Even today, the Deutscher Teckelklub is the institution that is considered official when referring to this dog. In fact, the standard published in 1989, coming from this institution, is what has formally forged the reputation of the breed. Today, this breed continues to be one of the most recognized dogs in the world. Today three sizes of the breed stand out: the standard, the miniature and the one known as kaninchen . Its popularity has been on a large scale thanks to its qualities, but on a larger scale, due to its peculiar appearance.

Physical characteristics of the breed

If there is something to highlight about the Dachshund, it is its unique physical appearance . It is not in vain that it is known as a "sausage dog." And its small body is elongated, in the shape of a sausage, but at the same time it has great muscles and strength. Its shortened size, evidently longer than tall, has not been an impediment for this dog to possess great skill and, above all, remarkable bravery. Let's see below the most notable physical characteristics of these canines.

Size and weight

This breed does not have specifications regarding its size in the official standard. However, it is common to find different measurements within its variety. Generally, height can average between 25 and 30 centimeters at the withers and a weight of up to 10 kilograms at most.

Face

The Dachshund also has an elongated head. From a frontal view, its face appears wide, specifically its snout. However, as you move towards the tip it becomes slightly narrower. It has a large, outward, black nose. Their eyes are also quite pronounced, oval, whose colors are variants between different shades of brown and black. The ears of these dogs are set high, but hanging and rounded enough to be evident, which gives them great mobility.

Extremities

The Dachshund's legs are not very long but they are quite strong, well arched and not too far apart. Its pads are strong and quite resistant, which provides it with great dexterity.

Line

It has a long and well set tail. Low insertion and with a slight curve at the tip.

Dachshund Coat

The coat of these dogs is as peculiar as their physical build, as there are three specific varieties: short-haired, wire-haired and long-haired. As for colors, there are a large number of variations in which they can be found, whether unicolor, bicolor or spotted, ranging from reddish to yellow, with black spots, among others. Furthermore, one way to identify the existing variety of Dachshund is through its coat, as there are three types:

Short hair

They were the most popular, presenting their smooth, shiny and quite dense fur, also covering their entire small body.

Hard hair

The characteristic of wire-haired dogs is that they have a combination of layers: external and internal, throughout the body, except for the ears, eyebrows and muzzle. Although they were the last to appear, these wire-haired dogs gained great popularity and, to this day, still maintain it.

Long hair

While those with long hair have a notable extension of hair, especially in areas such as the neck, where it is longer; Its canvas is smooth, shiny and close to the body. These dogs have also become very recognized, especially at the beginning of the 20th century, where fans and exhibition lovers set their sights on the long-haired Dachshund.

Dachshund Varieties

Although the breed is commonly established with the distinction of the standard, some time after its appearance, two more specimens emerged with distinctive characteristics , more specifically their size, as it was smaller than that of the common specimen. These variants were the result of various crossings in order to carry out more specialized hunts. These specimens are: the miniature (or dwarf) and the kaninchen , also known as the rabbit hunting specimen . Although the differences between the breed are few, in attitude and abilities they can be distinguished very easily. The Standard Dachshund was selected for its abilities and appearance for tracking and hunting foxes and badgers. And, on the other hand, the miniature and the kaninchen, because they were smaller in stature, were appropriately included in the hunting of hares and rabbits respectively, whose job was carried out by the ferrets. However, his wild temperament did not give good results to hunters.

Once these specimens appeared with great skill, they were engaged in hunting the aforementioned prey. However, in the case of the Kaninchen, their upbringing was not very fortunate due to frequent genetic alterations. This resulted in it becoming the species with the smallest number of specimens. Because its maintenance and care required exaggerated dedication on the part of the breeders of this breed. A characteristic aspect of this variety of Dachshund is that, although they are distinguished by their dimensions, it is not precisely their size or weight that is considered within this distinction. In fact, the International Cynological Federation (FCI) does not have a standard in this regard. However, to identify each specimen of the breed, its chest size is considered. Being characterized as follows:

Standard

Its chest diameter should be up to 35 centimeters, and its weight generally does not exceed 10 kilograms.

Miniature

30 or 35 cm in diameter on his chest.

Kaninchen

30 cm thoracic diameter maximum. Because the differences are very small between the dimensions of each species, it is expected that the dogs reach at least 15 months of life to carry out the corresponding measurement of their chest.

Dachshund Behavior

A combination of strength, vitality, energy and security ideal for hunting, with the presence of loyalty, fun, joy and affection excellent as a companion animal, is what mainly defines the temperament of the Dachshund . It is, without a doubt, a very balanced animal, with a character that is difficult to find in any other breed, because it provides practically everything an owner wants. We are talking about a dog with a very flexible capacity for adaptation , so it can live with complete peace of mind in the city, in a small space, or fully enjoy the outdoor life that the countryside offers. In any case, these dogs will serve as exceptional companions. They are brave, willing and always active dogs, so their company will be full of fun and entertainment. Although they do not require excessive exercise routines, they greatly enjoy walks outdoors and, above all, games.

Coexistence

Although these are very sociable dogs with their family nucleus, they will be devoted and loyal to those they consider close without hesitation. However, it is a somewhat difficult animal to educate, because they are also a little stubborn, which is why they require firmness and leadership from their guardian to establish basic commands. Regarding the presence of other animals, the Dachshund may have problems, because it is a hunting animal, so in the presence of smaller animals they will feel the innate impulse to chase them like their prey.

They may also appear somewhat uncomfortable in front of other dogs, as they tend to be very territorial and are not at all sociable with other canines. However, early socialization can be a solution to this problem. Apart from what has been said, these dogs may have some behavioral problems, such as excessive barking or frequently digging in gardens, because due to their nature as hunters underground, there is a tendency for them to adopt these behaviors. The proper education of these dogs will ensure that behavioral problems are minimized and their adorable and fun personality prevails in their daily life, with their family.

Dachshund training

As mentioned in the previous section, this is a highly intelligent dog breed, so its education is not difficult if the appropriate considerations are taken and, furthermore, it begins from the early weeks of the puppy's life. It is a very self-confident dog , balanced but with great presence, which in many cases is underestimated due to its physical appearance and size. Sometimes, these dogs are given the same treatment as a simple domesticated companion dog, ignoring that they are an animal of a hunting nature with a brave, active and progressively controllable personality. This requires not only an owner dedicated to the education of the canine, but also knowledgeable about the breed so that the training process carried out with these dogs is appropriate.

One of the main points to consider is to appear firm, as a leader who will guide the dog in its training. To do this, it is not necessary to assume an authoritarian and aggressive figure, but rather to make it clear with actions who is in charge of the training. Once this position is established, it is important to begin education with socialization, in the first instance with their environment, other animals and people. This will allow the dog to develop a broader sense of coexistence, especially with other animals, and not feel invaded in some cases. After this step, showing the basic commands for the canine will help it establish guidelines for its behavior, an issue that in many cases is not done and behavioral problems end up appearing such as biting furniture, hiding objects and digging excessively, mistreating the gardens. These aspects are the ones that require the most dedication from the guardian of this dog. Once continuously practiced and learned, we can move on to the lessons of tricks and games, which cannot be missing from the personality of these canines. It should be noted that although it is an intelligent and dynamic animal , they do not respond effectively to traditional training, on the contrary, they are rebellious to learning. These dogs, like many others, require an efficient connection with their owner, which is why the use of positive reinforcement is recommended at all times during their practice.

Dachshund Health

Although we talk about the Dachshund as a strong and active breed that generally remains in good health and reaches a longevity that exceeds 15 years and can reach up to 20 in some cases, these dogs can be affected by pathologies specific to the breed. The appearance of certain diseases, in some cases, is inevitable. Due, mainly, to its morphology and also to the care that is provided by its owners, who in many cases, neglect the attention that this breed requires. One of the illnesses most associated with these dogs is herniated discs. Its appearance has become a characteristic and not very opportune episode for this breed, whose discomfort can even limit its mobility.

On the other hand, due to its curious body structure, the dachshund can suffer from cardiovascular and digestive disorders, mobility problems, diabetes and, the most common, urinary tract problems. Furthermore, obesity is a delicate point in these dogs, due to their size in particular, since, in general, they do not eat a diet appropriate to their physical build, which puts them at obvious risk of suffering from this condition, making them a risk factor for the appearance of health problems such as those mentioned above. For this reason, the importance of providing necessary care to this breed and controlling, above all, its diet and well-being, making periodic visits to the specialist, in addition to other care that we will see below, are essential.

Dachshund Care

Although the care may vary depending on the type of Dachshund that you decide to adopt, in general, the attention that these dogs require is similar. They are all focused on providing these dogs with an appropriate quality of life and extending their longevity to the extent possible to enjoy their company for a long time in good health. Let's look in more detail at the care that the breed requires for a correct physical and emotional balance:

Feeding

Feeding is one of the essential care that must be taken into account, given that this is a breed with a frequent tendency to suffer from obesity. You should know that these dogs tend to eat a lot , so controlling this aspect by dividing the food into small and frequent portions will be a great help to stay satisfied. Try, in turn, to provide quality feed that offers not only the appropriate nutrients for its physical well-being, but also the fats that this breed needs to maintain its good health. Depending on its size and age, the veterinarian will be able to tell you which is the best feed to ensure its favorable development.

Exercises

Complementing their diet with a favorable exercise routine to maintain the canine's health is of great importance. However, it should be noted that, although it is a very active and energetic dog that greatly enjoys outdoor activities, this breed does not require excessive exercise routines. Two walks a day, where they are allowed to move freely, will be enough to maintain their emotional balance and good body shape.

Hygiene

This element will vary depending on the type of Dachshund. However, the care is very similar. First of all, brushing can be done at least once a week. With the exception of the times when the hair begins to shed, a greater frequency of this process will be required to avoid the presence of hair throughout the house. Now, in relation to bathing, regardless of the variety, it is important to carry out this process only when the breed is really dirty and requires it. Other care such as medical control, deworming and vaccination are of equal importance and will keep the Dachshund's health in perfect condition, away from diseases.

Conclusion

As we have learned throughout this article, the Dachshund is a very complete breed in terms of personality and character. He is brave, but at the same time intelligent, noble and funny. Which makes it an ideal option as a companion dog or for special activities such as hunting. Although their adaptation is notable to any space, outdoor life is preferred for these dogs that love to run around large places. However, you will live comfortably in either space. What is notable is the importance of training and the necessary presence of an experienced tutor who is knowledgeable about the breed during training and who identifies himself as a leader who will guide the canine. In this way, bonds of trust will be established and the dog's education will show very positive results. Finally, if you consider this breed as an ideal pet for you, you will enjoy the company and energy of a dog like no other. Find out more about other dog breeds: