So, what is a Dachshund? A very unique dog, to say the least! Not only are they unique in their physical appearance, but also in their personality! See the AKC Standard page for a detailed physical description of the "Perfect" Dachshund. This page was designed to provide you with a variety of information about the breed to help you decide whether this is the right dog for you or not. They are a committment that could last 14 to 16 years or more, so it pays off to do your research. If the Dachshund is not meant for you, I would be happy to assist you in finding another breed that is!
SIZE
Dachshunds come in two sizes, Miniature and Standard. Miniatures mature at 11 pounds or under. Standards mature between 16 and 30 pounds.
COLORS
Dachshunds come in a wide variety of colors. These colors include Red, Cream, Black and Tan, Black and Cream, Solid Black, Chocolate and Tan, Chocolate and Cream, Solid Chocolate, Isabella and Tan, Blue and Tan, and Wildboar.
PATTERNS
The Dachshund colors listed above can also occur in several different patterns. DAPPLES have lighter colored areas contrasting with a darker base color. Both colors should be equal in area. A large patch of white on the chest is acceptable. DOUBLE DAPPLES have varying amounts of white coloring occurring over the body in addition to the dapple pattern. There is a significant risk of vision and hearing problems in double dapples. We will never breed to produce double dapples for this reason. PIEBALDS include spotted areas of full color over a white background. Ticking, small dots of full color, may or may not be present. BRINDLE doxies have black or dark stripes over the entire body.
COATS
There are three different coat types. Smooth-haired doxies have short, sleek, and shiny hair. The hair is same length on all parts of the body. Long-haired doxies have a long and silky coat, especially on the ears, tail, and behind the legs. Wire-haired doxies have a wiry, coarse, and brittle coat with whiskers on the muzzle area.
HISTORY OF THE DACHSHUND
The Dachshund breed was developed in Germany more than 300 years ago. Dachshunds were originally bred to hunt badgers underground, and the word "dachshund" literally means "badger dog" in German. The Dachshund was developed by selective breeding of different kinds of dogs. The main goal was to make a dog breed that could fit into badger dens underground and hold the badger until the hunter could dig it out and finish it. To be successful, these dogs needed to have short legs, long bodies, a deep chest for high lung capacity, big paws for efficient digging, and loose skin so it would not tear in tight burrows. Many people don't realize that the Dachshund's funny looks were actually specifically engineered for it's original purpose! The Dachshund is the only AKC-recognized breed that hunts above and below ground. They are true HOUND dogs!!!
Even though today most Dachshund are bred to be pets rather than to hunt, they still have the natural instincts their ancestors possessed. Dachshunds have a very keen sense of smell, so their noses are almosts always to the ground checking everything out. Dachshunds tend to have a surprisingly loud bark for their small size, whch was developed so the hunter could track down the Dachshund after it trapped a badger. These dog LOVE to dig and burrow, even if it's not underground. My Dachshunds dig at blankets and their beds before taking a nap, trying to find the perfect spot! They like to burrow under the covers while sleeping in your bed, so don't be alarmed if your Dachshund sleeps under there, he is comfortable and will not suffocate! While hunting, Dachshunds had to make their own decisions and solve problems, so as pets they are independent, strong-willed, self-directed, and will always be on the lookout for trouble or things to get into... okay, not always for trouble, but sometimes it seems like it to me! Please be aware that these things are permanently imprinted in their genes, so don't expect to be able to change them. However, the Dachshund is just as good of a companion as a hunter. They are loving, snuggly, compassionate, playful, witty, smart, and have a great sense of humor. They are wonderful dogs who love their humans more than anything and will do whatever it takes to please them.
TEMPERAMENT
Dachshunds are very social dogs. They love to be around their humans as much as possible and will follow you around the house while you're doing chores. If you want a dog you can just put outside most of the day, look elsewhere. Don't get a Dachshund unless you plan on your dog being a real and actively participating member of your family. These guys need lots of attention and love, and they will be great family additions if you treat them right. Dachshunds love to be the center of attention and can be very comical. They are intelligent and sometimes stubborn, so keep this in mind during training. Despite their small size, Dachshunds are very bold-natured and will attempt to do things they aren't capable of doing safely, including jumping off high surfaces and picking fights with bigger dogs. They are very good at trying to get what they want, but don't give in unless you are prepared to do the same for the rest of their lives (sleeping in the bed, eating human food, etc.). There are subtle differences in the temperaments of the three coat types of Dachshunds. All have high energy levels. Long-haired tend to be the most laid-back. They love being with their humans and are exceptionally friendly and affectionate. Smooth-haired tend to be more one-person or one-family dogs. They are cautious of strangers and sometimes get paranoid. Smooths love pleasing their owners. Wire-haired supposedly have the highest energy level of the three. However, remember these are only generalizations, it really just depends on the individual dog.
EXERCISE
Miniature Dachshunds are well-suited for living almost anywhere, from apartments to farms. They do need plenty of exercise, but if they are active indoors a short walk or two a day should be enough. However, they love to go outside and run around the park, so it's a good idea to get them outside as much as possible. Dachshunds have a lot of energy, and they can get bored easily. Give them something fun and safe to do instead of making them look for trouble. They love to cuddle on the couch with you, but they also love to play. My dogs love to run from one end of the house to the other and back, I call it their race track. Basically whatever their owners are up for, Dachshunds will happily join.
EATING
Dachshunds LOVE to eat! Overfeeding a Dachshund is very easy to do because they don't need much food in the first place. They are masters at giving you the sad, innocent puppy face when you are eating in attempt to be given some human food. Do not give in, if you do they will always beg in the future and it can cause health problems. Overfeeding a Dachshund can also contribute to back problems. Some Doxies will not stop eating even when they are full. I have a Dachshund that loves all kinds of food and I have no doubt he would eat to the point of getting sick if he had the chance. Then again I have one that is very picky and will only eat what she wants, when she wants.
GROOMING
All Dachshunds shed to a certain extent. Smooth-haired require very little grooming. Long-haired need brushing a couple times a week, especially around their ears to prevent tangles. Wire-haired require the most grooming out of the three. They need brushing a couple times a week and require professional grooming once or twice a year. Dogs should only be given baths with shampoo once every 2-3 weeks. This rule can be difficult to follow, especially with a puppy who gets messy or soils his crate often. But over-shampooing will dry a dog's skin out causing dandruff problems as well as skin irritations. Just use water or baby wipes if your dog needs frequent cleansing between shampoo baths. I've been told if a Dachshund smells, it's usually his ears. I use rubbing alcohol with q-tips, careful not to go too far into the ear canal.
TRAINING
Dachshunds can sometimes be difficult to train because of their natural instincts to investigate and think for themselves. This does not describe all Dachshunds, but do be prepared to put a little more time and effort into training than you would with some other breeds. If you don't make the effort to train your puppy, eventually he/she will soon be attempting to run the household. Once the Dachshund does catch on to training, he will be a great companion and can learn all kinds of tricks to amaze his owners and their friends. It just takes TIME and PATIENCE. Housetraining can also be difficult due to their small size. Be consistent and it will pay off in the end!
WATCHDOG
Dachshunds are protective and make great watchdogs. They will let you know when someone is at the door or approaching your house, and some are over-protective, barking at even small noises. I personally feel safe when I'm home alone with my doxies. I know they will watch out for me!
CHILDREN AND OTHER DOGS
Dachshunds can be great with children as long as they are introduced to them at a young age. Be very cautious until you can trust the puppy and child. Children must be taught the proper way to handle a puppy to prevent injury. This will frighten the puppy and perhaps cause it to snap. Make sure your child understands that puppies need lots of rest to grow just like human babies. Dachshunds love being around other Dachshunds, as well as other kinds of dogs, but they must be introduced gradually and never left alone together until you can trust them both. Some bigger dogs may think that a Dachshund puppy is a toy because it is very small and makes squeaky noises. Be very cautious and use your best judgement. Socialization at a very young age will prove to be very beneficial to your puppy. Make sure it happens so your puppy will be prepared for everyone it may meet in the future.
CAUTION
Because of this breed's scent hound traits, they must be watched carefully and never be left unattended to prevent escaping. Dachshunds follow their nose wherever it may take them, and this lead them to cross the street right in front of a car or to the other side of neighborhood. All Dachshunds should be on a leash or in a safely fenced area at all times when outside. They are also very good at digging and burrowing, so remember they can easily dig under the fence and get out if left alone for a long time. I wouldn't recommend an electric fence because it does not prevent bigger dogs from coming into your yard and injuring your little Dachshund. Keep an eye on them at all times to be safe!
