Dachshund
Appearance
(Standard Dachshund, Miniature Dachshund, Toy Dachshund, Doxie) The Dachshund is a small hound breed with a long, well-muscled body and stout, short limbs. They possess an intelligent expression and they carry themselves quite proudly. Their body features a protruding sternum and a retracted abdomen. Their head is elongated, their skull is slightly convex, and their long muzzle features a robust set of jaws. Their teeth close in a scissors bite and their oval-shaped eyes are dark in color. They have arched prominent eyebrows and long ears that are mobile and hang toward the cheeks. The breed’s tail is carried in the line of the back. There are three varieties of Dachshund: short-haired, long-haired, and wire-haired. Within each of these varieties, there are three different sizes. The coat of the Dachshund is glossy, sleek, and consistent. It can be solid, bi-color, piebald, speckle-streaked, or harlequin. Solid-colored Dachshunds are tan or yellow, while bi-color Dachshunds are deep black, brown, or gray with chestnut markings.Know something we don't? Add it here.
Temperament
The Dachshund is affectionate and full of energy. Their proud, bold demeanor sometimes borders on abrasive, but their clownish streak usually makes up for their willfulness. They are courageous, mischievous, and have a tendency to try and train their owner(s). The breed is loyal and devoted to their family, and gets along quite well with older, more considerate children. They are a good breed to travel with, and they generally live happily with other pets. They have been known, however, to get jealous and irritable towards other animals. All varieties of the Dachshund are comparatively difficult to train. They enjoy barking and they sometimes refuse to be handled. They have moderate protective instincts. Many owners and breeders of the Dachshund say that the wire-haired variety is more outgoing and goofy and that the long-haired variety is calmer.Size
12 - 18 inchesWeight
8 - 20 poundsHealth
The Dachshund is susceptible to spinal disc problems that may lead to paralysis. Other health concerns include the onset of heart disease, urinary tract problems, and diabetes. The Dachshund should not be overfed because of its propensity to put on weight and become lazy. Overfeeding the Dachshund will put unnecessary strain on the dog’s back, and it will also contribute to the onset of a number of serious health risks. This breed typically lives for 12 to 15 years.Origin
The Dachshund originated in Germany hundreds of years ago. The breed’s initial purpose was to hunt and follow badgers, and the word “Dachs” is actually the German word for “badger”. After many years of performing this task, the Dachshund gradually evolved with shorter legs that helped the breed go down into burrows and dig with more efficiency. Smaller Dachshunds were bred for the purpose of hunting stoat and hare.Maintenance
The long-haired Dachshund requires daily combing and brushing, and the wire-haired Dachshund needs professional grooming at least twice per year. The smooth-haired Dachshund’s coat should be wiped down with a clean, damp cloth. All Dachshund varieties are average shedders.Ideal Environment
The Dachshund is content to live in a small household or apartment. They are an active breed, both outdoors and indoors, and they enjoy going for walks and playing in the park. They are perfectly happy without a yard, but they should be given at least a bit of exercise per day. Rigorous activities (like jumping) should be discouraged because of this breed’s proneness to spinal damage.Ask a QuestionDachshund Q&A
how long will my dachshund stay pregant ?
9 WEEKS
FROM 57 TO 61 DAYS
what health problems are associated with this breed?
Diabetes is a concern.
a lot of dachshunds have joint problems in their legs and also have problems with their backs because of how long they are in comparison to their legs.
I have been looking into purchasing a Doxie for about 1 year, I have heard that the mini doxie's have more spinal problems than the larger doxie's is this true?
Yes they usally do but if you make sure that it does not do any high jumping then it should be fine.
I have 2 x 4mnth old Daxies. The one pup has a patch of dry skin on her back about half way between her head and her tail. I dont know how to treat it? They do not have fleas or ticks or mites (its not mange) and wonder if its excema? How do I treat this? Is it neccessary to take her in to the vet or can I treat at home myself? I am also giving her a fatty acid supplement which also aids in clearing up skin problems (Efazol).
Mabye It's Ringworm.Ringworm can cuse dry grey patches on the skin. Take it to a vet and get it treated.
My boyfriends mini doxie is about 10 years old and is 14 lbs i only feed him 1 cup of food a day but he just lays around even if i try to play with him, any sugestions on how to get his weight down?
a daily walk will get his metabolism up, and once he loses a few pounds, he'll get more energy and become more active.
My doxy, can't bark. He sounds horse. IS there anyway to get him back to normal. OR could it be that he is getting old and he does bark alot.
Do they like children under the age of three?
Upload a PhotoDachshund Photos
Write a ReviewDachshund Reviews
Rating:
they are lovely
i have a dachshund, named duchess, and her favorite food is hotdog (no kidding). she loves to be with me, loves to stay on my lap and be brushed down. she is protective of the family as well. one example was when i met my uncle and my uncle patted me (in his comical manner) to which my dachie started to growl over him, thinking perhaps that i was already being maltreated. lol. but that was cute. my duchess loves to take a walk with me, every morning and afternoon enjoying the wonderful sites around her.
Pros: loving, great lap dogs, protective in a way, good watch dogs, very funny, loves to be with someone and highly active
Cons: stubborn, they have a mind of their own