Dachshund is small dogs with short legs and long bodies originating in Germany over 300 years ago to hunt badgers, The Dachshund is a fun, friendly, and energetic breed.
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DACHSHUND CHARACTERISTICS
- Country of Origin: Germany.
- Breed Size: Small.
- Weight: 11 to 22 pounds.
- Height: 5 TO 9 inches.
- Energy Level: Active.
- Exercise requirements: Medium.
- Lifespan: 12 to 16 years.
- Coat: There are two types short-coated Dachshund and long-coated Dachshund
- Colors: Black, blue, brown, chocolate, cream, fawn, liver, and red.
- Patterns: Bicolor, black and tan, blue and tan, brindle, liver and tan, merle, sable, spotted, ticked.
- Shedding amount: Medium.
- Tendency to Bark: High.
- Tendency to Dig: High.
- Grooming needs: Low.
- Attention needs: Moderate.
DACHSHUND APPEARANCE
The Dachshund breed has a long, muscular body with short, stubby legs. Its snout is long, and its front legs are disproportionately large, paddle-shaped, and well-suited for digging. This breed has a deep chest that gives it room for developing heart and lung capacity.
Dachshund comes in three sizes: standard, miniature, and kaninchen (German for rabbit). The United States and the United Kingdom clubs do not recognize the rabbit size.
The coat comes in three types:
- Smooth
- Wire-haired
- Long-haired.
Dachshunds cannot run long distances or jump, but these active hounds are up for anything. They are intelligent and vigilant and make excellent watchdogs.
HISTORY
The Dachshunds are a creation of Germany breeders from German, French, and English hounds and terriers. The word Dachshunds comes from the German word dach, which means badger, and hund, which means dog.
The original German dachshunds were larger than the modern full-size variety, weighing between 31 and 40 pounds (14 and 18 kg), and originally came in straight-legged and crooked-legged.
The standard size was scent badgers. However, the miniature dachshund hunted small prey such as rabbits.
The breed is a hunting dog in Europe; however, the Dachshunds are family dog in North America.
TEMPERAMENT
The Dachshunds are independent, brave, and a little stubborn. Even with a small size, dachshunds have a courageous nature. As a family dog, a dachshund is loyal and a good watchdog.
TRAINING
Dachshunds can be difficult to train and need early socialization exposure to people, children, and other dogs to ensure good behavior.
HEALTH AND CARE
This dog breed is prone to spinal problems due to its long spine and short ribcage.
These spinal injuries can be worse if the dog is obese or has intense exercises that put more pressure on the spine.
Severe cases may require surgery to remove the problematic disc contents. A dog may need the help of a cart to get around if paralysis occurs.
In addition to back problems, the breed is prone to patellar luxation. Dachshunds can also suffer from osteogenesis imperfecta, which means their bones are brittle. This condition seems to be mostly limited to wire-haired Dachshunds.
In Double-spotted Dachshunds, there are varying degrees of vision and hearing loss, including reduced or absent eyes. Not all Double Spotted have problems with their eyes or ears.
Other health problems suffered by dachshunds include:
- Hereditary epilepsy
- Granulomatous meningoencephalitis
- Dental problems
- Cushing’s syndrome
- Thyroid and autoimmune problems
- Allergies
- Eye conditions: cataracts, glaucoma, progressive retinal atrophy, corneal ulcers, nonulcerative corneal disease, sudden acquired retinal degeneration, and cherry eye.
Dachshunds are also more likely than other dog breeds to develop congenital heart problems.
Dilute-colored dogs (Blue, Isabella, and Cream) are highly susceptible to alopecia, which can lead to hair loss and extreme sensitivity to the sun.
CURIOUS FACTS ABOUT DACHSHUND
Dachshund is the 13th most popular of the 194 dog breeds recognized by AKC (American Kennel Club)
The Dachshunds are the national symbol of Germany
Dachshund means Badger Dog in Germany
John F. Kennedy bought a dachshund puppy while touring Europe in 1937 for his then-girlfriend Olivia. Dunker never left Germany after Kennedy started to get allergic reactions.
Carol Lombard and Clark Gable had a Dachshund named Commissioner.