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Miniature Wire Haired Dachshund

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Miniature Wire Haired Dachshund Books

Group: Hound - Breed Standard

History

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". (In German the Dachshund is known most commonly as the Dackel or Teckel in Dutch.) The breed was developed to scent, chase, and hunt badgers and other hole-dwelling animals.

Description

Ideal weight: 4.5 kgs (10 lbs)

Modern dachshunds are characterized by their crooked legs, loose skin, and barrel-like chest, attributes that were deliberately added to the breed to increase their ability to burrow into tight spaces. Another characteristic is a long tail, which, when hunting, is often used by the owner as a handle to aid in extracting the dachshund from the burrow hole after capturing its prey. Dachshunds have a wide range of coloration. Dominant colours and patterns are red and black-and-tan. Also occurring are cream, blue, wild boar, chocolate brown, fawn, and a lighter "boar" red. The reds range from coppers to deep rusts, with somewhat common coarse 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 colours are non-standard.

Light-coloured dachshunds usually sport light grey, light hazel, green or blue eyes, rather than the various shades of brown. They can also have eyes of two different colours; in rare cases, such as the double-dappled coloration, dachshunds can have a blue and brown eye. Colour aside, this eye condition has led to the double-dapple coat being disfavoured among breeders and owners. The dachshund is known for its deep and soulful eyes and complex and telling facial expressions, the eyes having an allure that is commonly mentioned in writings about the breed.

Character/Temperament

Dachshunds are playful, fun dogs, known for their propensity to chase small animals and birds with great determination and ferocity. Many dachshunds are strong-headed or stubborn, making them a challenge to train. Often, dachshunds are a breed uncommonly loyal to their owners. The long-haired variety is considered to be less excitable than the other types, having been cross-bred with the even-tempered Spaniel in order to obtain its characteristic long coat. Because of the breed's characteristic barrel-like chest, the dachshund's lungs are unusually large, making for a sonorous and richly timbered bark that belies the dog's true size.

Breed Health

The breed is known to have spinal problems, 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 and taking stairs (though some veterinarians say that slow stair-climbing is unlikely to lead to injury). Holding the dog properly is 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(s).

Training

See our books on training

For further information, please contact one of the breed clubs of breeders listed below.

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Submitted 13 Nov, 2006, edited 06 Apr, 2008. 55 hits out.
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Miniature Wire Haired Dachshund

Miniature Wire Haired Dachshund Books