Dogs Types

Dachshund Dog

Country of Origin: The Dachshund (pronounced dak-sund; also known as a ‘Teckel’) originated in Germany in the sixteenth century. They were bred and trained to chase down prey, such as a badger (Dachshund means ‘Badger Dog’) or fox, enter its burrow, kill it, and retrieve it. The Dachshund was recognized as a distinct breed in 1910 and has gradually increased in popularity to become a favored pet. Famous Dachshunds include Picasso’s dog Lump, who may have inspired some of his works, and Waldi, the first Olympic Mascot and symbol of the 1972 Summer Olympics in Munich, Germany.

Coat: The Dachshund comes in three different varieties. The Smooth Haired Dachshund, Wirehaired Dachshund, and the Longhaired Dachshund. He also comes in two different sizes being standard and miniature. The Longhaired Dachshund has a long and straight coat, with hair slightly feathered and longer on the underbelly, ears, chest, and legs. The Smooth Coat has a straight, smooth, short, and glossy coat that should all be of equal length along the body of the dog. The Wirehaired has a coat of broken appearance with wiry, coarse, and harsh hair.

Character: Dachshunds are a very clownish breed and can be very mischievous at times. A very intuitive dog, the Dachshund is now most commonly seen as a companion rather than a hunter. This breed loves to be around people and should never exhibit signs of aggression or timidity. The Dachshund is an all around friendly dog, is very outgoing, and is sure to steal the hearts of everyone he meets.

Temperament: The Dachshund is a fun loving dog, tenacious, and lively, but can become jealous and be very irritable. This breed does not do well with smaller children, but can do very well with older and more considerate children. Due to his small size and tiny legs, this breed should not be placed in a home with larger dogs unless they were raised around each other. The Dachshund has the tendency to become jealous, however can do very well with many other toy breeds in the home providing they are not snippy.

Care: The Long Haired variety requires quite a bit of grooming. Being that this dog is so low to the ground, he is prone to getting burrs, sticks, and twigs stuck in his coat which should be removed daily if any are present. Brushing of the coat should be done on a regular basis to prevent tangling and/or matting. The Smooth Haired variety doesn't require much grooming and would respond well to an occasional wipe down with a damp towel, or a harsh towel to remove any dead or loose hair.