Videos Dachshund Breed Information
Country of origin -
Germany
Common nicknames -
Doxie (US), Dackel or Teckel (GER, FR), wiener dog/hotdog (US),
sausage dog (UK/AUS), Teckel (NL), Worshond (S.A.)
Classification and breed standards
FCI:|Group
4 Section 1 #148|Stds
AKC:|Hound|Stds
ANKC:|Group 4
- (Hounds)|long-haired
smooth-haired
wire-haired
miniature long-haired
miniature smooth-haired
miniature wire-haired Stds]
CKC:|Group
2 - (Hounds)|Stds
KC
(UK):|Hound|
smooth-haired
wire-haired
miniature long-haired
miniature smooth-haired
miniature wire-haired Stds]
NZKC:|Hounds|long-haired
smooth-haired
wire-haired
miniature long-haired
miniature smooth-haired
miniature wire-haired Stds]
UKC:|Scenthound
Breeds|Stds
The dachshund is a short-legged, elongated
dog breed of the hound family. The breed's name is German and literally means "badger
dog," from (der) Dachs, badger, and (der)
Hund, dog. The standard size was developed to scent, chase, and flush
badgers and other
burrow-dwelling animals, while the miniature was to hunt rabbits.
Due to the long, narrow build, they are sometimes referred to as a
wiener dog, hot dog, or
sausage dog. Notwithstanding the German origin of
the dachshund's name, within Germany the breed is known both
formally and informally was the Dackel or
Teckel.
1. Quick Facts
Dachshund
Quick Facts
Toy weight: | 8 pounds (3.5kg.)|
Toy height: | Up to 12 inches (30cm.) |
Miniature weight: | 9 pounds (4kg.) |
Miniature height: | Up to 14 inches (35cm.) |
Standard weight: | 20 pounds (9kg.) |
Standard height: | 14-18 inches (35-45cm.) |
Coat: | Three varieties: short-haired, wired-haired and long-haired
Activity level: | Moderate
Learning rate: | Average (slightly difficult to train)
Temperament: | Lively, affectionate, proud, bold, almost rash,
tenacious, willful, clownish, curious, mischievous, very clever,
devoted
Guard dog ability: | Low
Watch-dog ability: | High
Litter size: | ?
Life span: | 12-15 years
1. 1. Appearance and Size
Dachshunds come in three sizes. A full-grown standard dachshund
averages 16 to 28 pounds. (7 to 12.7 kg), while the miniature
variety typically weighs less than 11 lb. The kaninchen weighs 7-9
lb. (5 kg) .
According to kennel club standards, the miniature variety
differs from the full-size only by size and weight, thus offspring
from miniature parents must never weigh more than the miniature
standard to be considered a miniature as well .
H. L. Mencken said that "A
dachshund is a half-dog high and a dog-and-a-half long," which
is their main claim to fame, although many poems and songs refer to
them as "two dogs long." This characteristic has led them
to be quite a recognizable breed and featured in many a joke and
cartoon, particularly The Far
Side by Gary Larson.
1. 2. Coat and color
Dachshunds have a wide range of colouration. Dominant colors and
patterns are red and black-and-red (often referred to as
black-and-tan). Also occurring are cream, blue, wild boar,
chocolate brown, fawn, brindle, piebald, and a lighter
"boar" red . The reds range from coppers to deep
rusts, with somewhat common black hairs peppered along the back,
tail, face, and ear edges, lending much character and an almost
burnished appearance; this is often desirable and is referred to
among breeders and enthusiasts as a "stag" or an
"overlay."
Solid black and solid chocolate-brown dachshunds occur and, even
though dogs with such coloration are often considered handsome, the
colors are nonstandard - that is, the dogs are disqualified from
conformance competitions in the
U.S. and Canada. Additionally, according to the Conformation judges
of the DCA (Dachshund Club of America), and the AKC (American
Kennel Club) assert the Piebald pattern a nonstandard and has voted to dismiss this pattern
from competition.
Light-colored dachshunds usually sport green or blue eyes,
rather than brown. They can also have eyes of two different colors;
in rare cases, such as the double-dappled coloration (called
merle in other
dog breeds ), dachshunds can have a blue and brown eye. Color
aside, this eye condition has led to the double-dapple coat being
disfavored among breeders and owners.
Dachshunds come in three coat varieties. The most common and
associated with the dachshund is the smooth coated dog. The next
most recognised is the long coat. The wire-haired dachshund is
least common. Many people cannot recognize wire-hairs as dachshunds
and can be mistaken as other kinds of dogs .
1. 3. Temperament
Dachshunds are playful, fun dogs, known for their propensity to
chase small animals, birds and tennis balls with great
determination and ferocity. Many dachshunds are strong-headed or
stubborn, making them a challenge to train. In fact, it's been
said that you don't train dachshunds, they train you.
Dachshunds have been known to have a liking to dig holes in the
garden, or chase small animals such as birds, squirrels, or
lizards. They have a particularly loud bark, making dachshunds good
watchdogs. Dachshunds are known for their devotion and loyalty to
their owners, though they can be standoffish towards strangers. If
left alone many dachshunds will whine until they have
companionship. Some dachshunds are prone to separation anxiety and
may chew objects in the house to relieve stress.
According to the American Kennel Club’s breed standards,
"the dachshund is clever, lively and courageous to the point
of rashness, persevering in above and below ground work, with all
the senses well-developed. Any display of shyness is a serious
fault."Their temperament and body language give the
impression that they do not know or care about their relatively
small and comical stature. Like many terriers, they think nothing
of challenging a larger dog. Indulged dachshunds may become snappy
. Fanciers of the breed often say that "Dachshunds are big
dogs in small packages".
The dachshund's temperament may vary greatly from dog to
dog. Seemingly most dachshunds do not like unfamiliar people, and
will growl or bark in response. Although the dachshund is generally
an energetic dog, some are laid back. Due to this dog's
behavior, it is not the dog for everyone. A bored dachshund will
become destructive. If raised improperly, dachshunds can become
aggressive or fearful. They require a caring owner that understands
their need to have entertainment and exercise. Some may not be good
with children, and they may bite an unfamiliar child. Others are
tolerant and loyal to children within their family, but these
children should be mindful of the breed's back and not carry
them around roughly.
2. Health
The breed is known to have spinal problems, especially
intervertebral disk disease (IVDD), due in part to an extremely
long spinal column and short rib
cage. The risk of injury can be worsened by obesity, which places greater strain on the
vertebrae. In order to prevent injury,
it is recommended that dachshunds be discouraged from jumping
(something many seem to like doing anyway) and taking stairs, and
encouraged to instead take the elevator (though some veterinarians
say that slow stair-climbing is unlikely to lead to injury).
However, according to the same article above, dachshunds that climb
stairs regularly may actually be less prone to IVDD, probably
because the exercise helps to keep them fitter and healthier, and
positive correlations were found between physically fit dogs and a
lower incidence of IVDD. Hence the reason why it's important to
keep the dog at a good body weight. Holding the dog properly is
also important, with both front and rear portions of the body fully
supported.
As it has become increasingly apparent that the occurrence and
severity of these spinal problems, or intervertebral disk disease,
is largely hereditary, responsible breeders are working to
eliminate this characteristic in the breed. Treatment consists of
various combinations of crate confinement and courses of
anti-inflammatory medications (steroids). Serious cases may require
surgery to remove the troublesome disk contents. Others may
need the aid of cart to get around if paralysis occurs.
In addition to back problems, the breed is also prone to
patellar luxation.
Some double dapples have problems with deafness and blindness.
Therefore they need an owner who understands a disabled dog's
special needs.
Other health problems include hereditary epilepsy, dental issues, Cushings disease, thyroid problems, various allergies and atopies, and various eye conditions (cataracts, glaucoma,
progressive retinal
atrophy, corneal ulcers,
nonucerative corneal
disease, sudden acquired retinal
degeneration, cherry eye, etc.).
It is important to buy from breeders who can guarantee that their
stock are free from these genetic problems and whose dogs have been
certified for eyes (esp in miniatures).
3. History
Some have theorized that the early roots of the dachshund go
back to Ancient Egypt, where
engravings were made featuring short-legged hunting dogs . But
in its modern incarnation, the dachshund is a creation of European breeders,
and includes elements of German, French, and English
hounds and terriers. Dachshunds have been
kept by royal courts all over Europe, including that of Queen Victoria, who was
particularly enamored of the breed.
The first verifiable references to the dachshund, originally
named the "Tachs Kriecher" (badger crawler) or
"Tachs Krieger" (badger warrior), came from books written
in the early 1700s. Prior to that, there exist references to
"badger dogs" and "hole dogs", but these likely
refer to purposes rather than to specific breeds. The original
German dachshunds were larger than the modern full-size variety,
weighing between 30 and 40 lb. (14 to 18 kg), and originally came
in straight-legged and crook-legged varieties (the modern dachshund
is descended from the latter). Though the breed is famous for its
use in exterminating badgers and badger-baiting, dachshunds were also
commonly used for rabbit and fox hunting, for locating wounded deer, and in packs were known to hunt game as large
as wild boar and as fierce as the
wolverine.
Double-dapple dachshunds are prone to eye disease and therefore
are rare. It is generally believed that the breed was introduced to
the United States between 1879 and 1885
3. 1. Symbol of Germany
Dachshunds have traditionally been viewed as a symbol of
Germany, despite their pan-European heritage. Political cartoonists commonly used the
image of the dachshund to ridicule Germany. The stigma of the association was
revived to a lesser extent during World
War II, though it was comparatively short-lived. German Field
Marshal Erwin Rommel was known for
keeping dachshunds.
Due to this association with Germany, the dachshund was chosen
to be the first official mascot for the
1972 Summer Olympics, with
the name Waldi.
The flap-down ears and famous curved tail of the dachshund have
deliberately been bred into the dog. In the case of the ears, this
is so that grass seeds, dirt and other matter do not enter into the
ear canal. The curved tail is dual-purposed: to be seen more easily
in long grass and, in the case of burrowing dachshunds, to help
haul the dog out if it becomes stuck in a burrow.
3. 2. Sports
Some people train and enter their dachshund to compete in
dachshund racing, such as the
Wiener Nationals. Several races across the country routinely draw
several thousand attendees, including races in Buda, Texas, Davis, California, Los Alamitos, California,
Findlay, Ohio, Oklahoma City, OK, Kansas City, KS, and Shakopee, MN. Despite the popularity of
these events, the Dachshund Club of America opposes "wiener
racing", as many greyhound tracks use the events to draw large
crowds to their facilities. The DCA also is worried about potential
injuries to dogs, due to their predisposition to back injuries.
Another favorite sport is earthdog
trials, in which dachshunds enter tunnels with dead ends and
obstacles attempting to locate an artificial bait or live but caged
and protected mice. Dachshunds, being true scent hounds, also compete in scent tracking events, with a national
championship sponsored every year by the DCA.
3. 3. Dackel versus Teckel
In Germany dachshunds are widely named as 'Dackel' (both
singular and plural). To be classified as a full Teckel, these dogs
must undergo Blood Tracking tests.
Classically, any dog of dackel heritage is given an official tattoo
upon one ear. After suitable training, the dog must then follow a
blood trail that is at least 48 hours old successfully to its
conclusion. Once this is completed, another tattoo is marked on the
other ear to denote full Teckel rank. As 'Teckel' are bred
for hunting purposes, teckels tattooed or not, tend to be visibly
larger in their chests than their dackel counterparts, though
marginally shorter in length.
3. 5. Popularity
Dachshunds are a popular pet in the United States, ranking 6th
in the most recent AKC registration statistics.They are
popular with urban and apartment dwellers, ranking among the top
ten most popular breeds in 39 of 50 major US cities surveyed by the
AKC. One will find varying degrees of organized local
dachshund clubs in most major American cities, including New York,
New Orleans, Los Angeles, and Chicago. American dachshund
enthusiasts will enjoy their visits to overseas, as the breed's
popularity is legion in places such as Germany, France,
Switzerland, Hungary, Poland,
Czech Republic, Slovak Republic, and Japan.
3. 6. Miscellaneous
Having been bred at one point as Wild
Boar hounds, the Teckel breed of these
dogs have a tendency to roll on their backs. This 'cute
behaviour' has rather morbid beginnings. The dog would be sent
into the undergrowth, to flush out the boar. The boar would, upon
seeing the smaller dog, give chase. The dog would lead the boar
towards the huntsman, whereupon it would throw itself upon its
back. The boar would then pass over the dog, who would then attempt
to either attack the throat or the genitalia of the passing boar,
thus wounding the boar sufficiently for the huntsman to kill their
prey.
During World War I the
dachshunds' numbers declined because they originated in Germany
and anything having to do with Germany was disliked. However, the
dachshunds' charm brought a resurgence during the Roaring Twenties.
4. Famous and Fictional Dachshunds
* The book Dumpling. Made by
Dick-King-Smith.
* Lump, the pet of Pablo Picasso,
who was thought to have inspired some of his artwork. (Pronounced:
loomp; German for "Rascal") A Dachshund's Odyssey, by David Douglas
Duncan
* Stanley and Boodgie, immortalized on canvas by owner David Hockney, and published in the book
David Hockney's
Dog Days .
* Wadl and Hexl, Kaiser Wilhelm
II's famous ferocious pair. Upon arriving at Archduke Franz Ferdinand's
country seat, château Konopiste, on a semi-official visit, they
promptly proceeded to do away with one of the Austro-Hungarian Crown Prince's
priceless golden pheasants, thereby
almost causing an international incident
* Senta, Kaiser Wilhelm II's
companion during World War I and his exile to Huis Doorn. Senta died in 1927 at age 20 and
is buried in the park of Huis Doorn, near the Kaiser's
grave.
* Hot Dog in renegade Krypto the Superdog
* Schotzie in That 70s
Show
* Itchy Itchiford in All
Dogs Go to Heaven
* Boots in Emergency!
* Little Dog in 2 Stupid
Dogs
* Slinky in Toy Story and
"Toy Story 2"
* Buster in Toy Story
2
* Wiener Dog, the name of Norm Henderson's dachshund on
The Norm Show
* Mr. Weenie in Open
Season
* Jorge in Clifford's Puppy
Days
* Waldi, the mascot of the 1972 Summer Olympics
* Dinah the Dachshund
* Pretzel in Pretzel by H.A. and Margaret Rey
* Hundley in Curious
George by H.A. and Margaret Rey
* Weenie, the pet of Oswald the Octopus, Oswald (TV series)
* Oscar, in the comic strip Liberty Meadows.
* Schnitzel von Krumm, in the Hairy Maclary series of children's
picture books by Lynley Dodd.
* Odie in Garfield The Movie and
Garfield: A Tale
of Two Kitties.
* The dogs of The Ugly
Dachshund
* Willie from the books by Ezra
Jack Keats
* Oliver in the anime series Ginga Nagareboshi Gin
* Bodo in Hausmeister Krause (a German sitcom)
* Origami in Raising
Helen
* Rufus "The Red" of (Morehead, Kentucky). Credited for
saving 4 children from a burning daycare in Kentucky. Has appeared
on many talk shows.
* In the early Mickey Mouse
comics, Mickey had a dachshund named Weenie.
* When Cap Toys resurrected Stretch Armstrong in the 1990s, they also created Stretch's dog, a
dachshund named Fetch Armstrong.
* Joe, owned by General Claire
Lee Chennault and the mascot of Chennault's Flying Tigers of World War II.
Copyright (c) 2008 Kitt Killion Permission is granted to copy, distribute and/or modify this document under the terms of the GNU Free Documentation License, Version 1.2 or any later version published by the Free Software Foundation; with no Invariant Sections, no Front-Cover Texts, and no Back-Cover Texts. A copy of the license is included in the section entitled "GNU Free Documentation License".
Taken or modified, in whole or part, from Wikipedia.org
