| Description: This breed is brave, dominant, independent, cunning, vigilant, resourceful, lively, tenacious, curious, has a sense of humor. These dogs act bigger than they appear and can bark frequently in protecting what belongs to them or their family/owner/handler. Any display of shyness is a serious fault. A Dachshund can sulk terribly if it feels that it has punished unfairly.
The long-haired variety of this breed tends to have a gentler nature than its smooth-haired counterpart. It’s been suggested that this tendency is due to the crossing of the smooth-haired Dachshund – the original type – with Spaniels and Irish Setters, which is how the long hair was created. Speaking of natural traits, Dachshunds are naturally free of doggy odor.
Other Names: Teckel (Miniature: Zwergteckel)
Height: Standard - 8 inches, Miniature - 6 inches
Weight: Standard - 16-32 lbs., Miniature - under 11 lbs.
Colors: All colors but white.
Coat: Smooth-haired - dense, short and smooth, long-haired - soft and straight, and only slightly wavy, wire-haired - short, straight and harsh with a long undercoat.
Temperament: Lively, intelligent, courageous
With Children: Yes, long-haired are very good, wire-haired are good, smooth are fairly good and miniature only with older children. Make sure their first experience with children is positive.
With Pets: Some co-exist peacefully, many are bossy, likes to dominate other dogs. Must be socialized when young to accept cats.
Special Skills: Family pet and hunting dog for above or below ground.
Watch-dog: Very High
Guard-dog: Very Low
Care and Exercise: Regular brushing with a bristle brush. Dry shampoo or bathe when necessary. The smooth-haired dachshund has little body order and can be occasional rub down with a damp cloth. Regular exercise is important as he has a tendency to put on weight and become lazy.
Training: Long-haired are easier to train than smooth-haired but they have a mind of their own and require patient and consistency.
Learning Rate: High, Obedience - Medium, Problem-Solving - High
Activity: Indoors - High, Outdoors - High
Living Environment: Excellent pet for an apartment or house, city or country. Be aware he can bark loudly. An owner of a Dachshund should be consistent and patient who desires a small active, personable breed.
Health Issues: Prone to disc problems - do not let him become overweight or jump from heights. They are also subject to genetic eye diseases and skin problems.
Life Span: 12 - 14 Years
Litter Size: 3 - 4
Country of Origin: Germany
History: Known to have existed as far back as the 16th century. He is derived from the oldest breeds of German hunting dogs. Dachs is the German word for badger. The dachshund was bred to hunt and burrow for badgers and the miniature was created to hunt hares. Today dachshunds are bred as pets, though some in Europe are still used as hunters.
First Registered by the AKC: 1885
AKC Group: Hound Group
Class: Hound |
