Dachshund Top Ten Facts and Information
©Christopher Nichols Dachshund Top Ten Facts 1. Introduction The Dachshund hails from Germany and means "badger dog" after its heritage as a hunting Scenthound. They were bred to track prey into their burrows and either drag them out or kill them. The Dachshunds' long narrow body made them ideal for this task. Lifespan is 12-14 years. 2. Variety Dachshunds come in many varieties of size, and colors, and coat types.Sizes: Standard or MiniatureColors: Large variety, but most "common" coloring is black and tan or Red.Coats: Smooth-haired (short and smooth, velvet feel), Longhaired (long, sleek and silky hair which is longer under the chest, on the legs, tail, and around the ears.Very elegant appearance. Wirehaired Dachshund: Short,thick, and rough outer coat. Finer and softer undercoats. 3. Temperament and Personality Dachshunds are a very lively, outgoing, courageous, and oftentimes stubborn. They make excellent companion dogs and want to spend most of their time at your side, both indoors and out. Friendly, charming, and curious, Dachshunds are known for their affectionate nature and make great "lap dogs". Despite their small size, a loud bark makes them good watch dogs. 4. Trainability The Dachshunds' indepedence and intelligence can make this breed of dog more difficult to train. They learn quickly and can be trained for a wide variety of tasks and events, but require solid training techniques to overcome their initial stubbornness. Problems solving skills are naturally very high and this makes them excellent contenders in Earthdog and field trial events. 5. Exercise Needs This Dachshund top ten will help keep your Wiener dog happy and healthy. Dachshunds are a hunting breed and need physical exercise. They can become bored otherwise which can lead to some unwanted behaviors such as biting, digging, chewing, barking, etc. Luckily the Dachshund can get their daily exercise needs met with a couple of short (15-30 minute) walks each day. A good game of fetch or other backyard adventures can also qualify as "exercise" for your doxie. Smooth-coated: Low maintenance, occasional soft brushing with a "hound mitt" and a bath every few weeks. Longhaired: More regular brushing and grooming of the coat. A professional groomer is recommended for new owners Wirehairs: This coat variety requires the most careful groooming to obtain the desired "wirehair" look. Hand stripping of the coat is required and again seeka professional groomer unless you learn the skills from groomer, breeder, or show handler. 7. Feeding Dachshunds will eat all day if you let them. Put them on a daily feeding schedule and stick to it. Occasional treats are OK, but over feeding will lead to obesity and health problems for your Dachshund. 8. Dachshunds and Children This Dachshund Top Ten Fact is a very popular subject for new Doxie owners. Dachshunds are usually very good with children. Supervise small children at all times. Teach kids to be gentle with wiener dogs so as not to hurt the dogs's delicate back. A fearful or hurt dog could snap at a child. Dachshunds are also very loyal and protective of their owners so the dog may be reserved or aggressive towards strange children. 9. Health Issues Dachshunds are prone to Bloat, due to their deep chests. You can prevent this gastric disorder by not allowing your wiener dog to exercise or drink lots of water after eating too quickly (which is usually all of the time!) Back problems are also common in the breed because of their long spine carried on short legs. Intervertebral Disk Disease can be extremely painful for your dog and even paralize its hind legs. Prevent this by teaching your dog not to jump from couches or other high heights and limiting their stair climbing/descending to onlyonce or twice per day. 10. Versatility Dachshunds are a very versatile breed that are equally at home in a small apartment or hunting prey on a ten acre farm. They make great family pets and are easy to care for. Dachshunds can also excel at competitive activities, such as agility, showing, Earthdog, and field trials among others. Return from Dachshund Top Ten to Homepage |
