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Dachshund

Meet Dachshund

Dachshunds have a hunting reputation which may be hard to believe because of their miniature size. This breed was in the business of hunting tunneling animals like foxes and rabbits however, its increased versatility has made them great show dogs, family pets and even companions. These small prey hunters have definitely had their fair share of playing predator and prey, hence moving onto some other characteristics of the dog breed.

About Dachshund

The Dachshund, often called the “wiener dog” due to its long body and short legs, originated in Germany over 300 years ago.

Brief history

This dog breed originated from Germany and back then they were referred to as the badger dog. In essence, the ‘Dachs’ in Dachshund stands for badger while the ‘hund’ means dog. This dog breed can be traced to the 15th century and they came in different sizes. 

However, in the 18th and 19th centuries ‘Teckel’ as called in Germany was refined and elongated. The purpose of this was to create a dog that could fit into the burrows of a badger and lure him out or kill him. 

A lot of years went into this development and in the 1800s people started keeping Dachshunds as pets rather than hunting dogs. 

Temperament

This dog breed is clever no doubt. It has a fearless trait as part of its hunting heritage, it is courageous, driven and can display traits of stubbornness. Dachshunds of this generation can be as cute and cuddly with their owners as they’re allowed to be. 

This dog breed is very entertaining especially when it chases its tail. However, with the diversity in the color of the coat, the personality of the dachshund differs. The wirehead breed has the terrier in its lineage which could be the source of its mischief. 

The longhairs are calmer than the Smooths which have a mix in personality. Dachshunds are naturally bold and fearless hence when getting a puppy, neglect any that displays timidity.

Environment

This petite dog can thrive in an apartment setting. However, they have a low tolerance for cold weather as their fur is thin, but they can handle the heat. Any loving environment where the dachshund will have a good amount of exercise or walks is fine with this breed. 

They’re very sensitive breeds and love pleasing its owners. This dog breed is known to develop better in an environment with kids around as they’re very kid-friendly. 

Exercise

This dog breed has an average need for exercise. They can be very playful especially around kids and their exercise needs are fair. Any exercise the dachshund partakes in needs to be of average intensity to avoid fatigue. 

They are natural hunters, hence they have a great potential for wanderlust and they will follow trails till they probably get missing. In essence, in terms of exercise, walks in the park, playing fetch or testing his perseverance could be great for the dog. 

When dachshunds get bored or are left unattended for hours at a stretch, they can eat and destroy anything within their reach.

Grooming

Maintaining this dog breed costs little to nothing. Yes, they do shed but no, not often and not in abundance. Their fur is short and shiny hence it requires regular brushing to keep their appearance. Bathing dachshunds should be done ceremoniously or when they reek of something. 

This breed doesn’t have the accompanying doggie smell and their oral hygiene is important as brushing should be done thrice weekly. When winter approaches, your dachshund will need a sweater when outdoors as they don’t do so well when exposed to cold. 

One important factor to note is that Dachshunds are also groomed based on their type.

10 Frequently Asked Questions About Dachshunds

Dachshunds come in two sizes: standard and miniature. Standard Dachshunds weigh between 16 to 32 pounds, while miniatures weigh up to 11 pounds. They typically stand 5 to 9 inches tall.

Dachshunds are intelligent but can be stubborn. Consistency and positive reinforcement work best for training. Patience is key, especially for housebreaking.

Yes, Dachshunds can be great with children, especially if raised together. However, due to their small size and independent nature, interactions should always be supervised to ensure gentle handling.

This could be tricky. Depending on their type they could be red, cream, black, chocolate, gray, fawn, tan, or merle.

A dachshund lives for about 12-15 human years.

Depending on their type, about 16-32 pounds.

Very high. Dachshunds are bred hunters hence they may wander in search of squirrels or rabbits whenever they get the chance.

Yes, hence if you’re not a fan of continuous and unsolicited barking, the Dachshund may not be for you.

Dachshunds often have back-related problems either due to genetics or the chemistry of their movement.

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