About Dachshunds
"A dachshund is a half-dog high and a dog-and-a-half long"
H.L. Mencken
Commonly referred to as hot dogs, sausage dogs or wiener dogs, dachshunds have been among the most popular breeds in the United States since the 1950s. Long and low, stubby-legged and barrel-chested, they are instantly recognizable.
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Function
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Dachshunds were originally bred in Germany, over 300 years ago, to hunt badgers, pursue them into their narrow burrows and kill them. ("Dachs" is the German word for badger.) The dachshund's short legs and tubular torso make it ideally suited to this activity. These stouthearted hunters have also been used to catch rabbits, foxes and even wild boars. The dachshund is classified as a hound but exhibits characteristics of tenacious terriers.
Features
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Image courtesy of Peter Griffin and Public Domain Pictures
As with any breed, temperament and personality varies from dachshund to dachshund. In general, the breed is playful and loyal with family but might be standoffish with outsiders. They can be stubborn and resist training - including house training. They have a hearty bark that is disproportionately loud relative to their size. They are also known to be good competitors in Earthdog Trials and scent-tracking events. In Earthdog Trials, dogs are timed as they pursue prey through a series of man-made, underground tunnels. Scent-tracking events are the competitive form of canine search and rescue, showing off the dog's natural ability to recognize and follow a human scent.
Size
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The dachshund comes in three varieties: short-haired (also known as "smooth"), long-haired and wire-haired. Each variety features two sizes: standard (14 to 18 inches, 11 pounds or greater) and miniature (up to 14 inches, up to 11 pounds). Coat color can vary widely, from solid black to cream to multi-colored brindle or dappled. Today's dachshunds are smaller than the original breed---the original breed weighed between 30 and 40 pounds.
History
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Image courtesy of Public Domain Clipart
Introduced in America in the late 19th century, dachshunds steadily gained popularity over the next few decades. During the first World War, however, dachshunds fell out of favor because of their German connections. Some dachshund owners were called unpatriotic. The American Kennel Club temporarily re-christened the breed "Badger Dog" to downplay its origin. After the war, the breed slowly began to reestablish itself. And by World War II, dachshunds were so entrenched in American society that they escaped the prejudices suffered by their predecessors.
Today, dachshunds are popular with urbanites and apartment dwellers in the United States. The dog's small size and modest exercise requirements make it a good choice for the city. In 2007, dachshunds were ranked seventh in popularity among all breeds.
Considerations
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Due to its elongated shape, the dachshund is prone to spinal disc problems (Dachshund paralysis). Dachshunds have a tendency to be lazy and become overweight. The extra weight is especially dangerous for this breed because it puts more stress on an already vulnerable spine. For the same reason, dachshunds should be discouraged from jumping---for example, jumping off furniture. Some veterinarians suggest that dachshunds avoid climbing stairs too. Others feel that a slow, careful climb is good exercise for the dog. For the sake of their spines, they should never be exposed to rough play or handling. The dachshund should be picked up carefully, supporting both the front and back ends.
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