Dachshund

Dachshunds are an older breed of dog that has become very popular in modern society. Whether you prefer the short hair Dachshund, long hair, or wire coated Dachshund, their personalities date back to the 1700s when the dogs were being bred for rodent extermination.

Some people think that the breed dates back to Ancient Egypt because of carvings depicting short-legged hunting dogs. But, as for modern day, the Dachshund can be considered a European creation by breeding various German, French, and English hounds and terriers.

Dachshunds have been kept by royal courts all over Europe, to include Queen Victoria.

The first verifiable references to the dachshund, originally named the "Tachs Kriecher" or "Tachs Krieger," came from books written in the early 1700s.

Prior to that, references that refer to a "badger dog" and "hole dog", could be considered references to the Daschund, but it could also refer to purposes of a dog versus the breeds.

The breed is famous for its use in exterminating badgers and badger-baiting, dachshunds were also commonly used for rabbit and fox hunting, as well. Sometimes, they were used in packs in order to locate wounded deer while hunting.

Dachshunds are playful and fun dogs to have and be around.

They are known to chase small animals, birds, lizards, and tennis balls, which can be attributed their badger and rodent hunting past.

Dachshund are, also, known for their extensive digging problems, which can also be attributed to their roots, as well.

Many dachshunds are strong-willed or stubborn, making them a challenge to train, but with constant reinforcement and positive training, the breed is very trainable; you just want to make sure to have the correct tools for training, which includes your attitude.

Dachshunds are known for their devotion and loyalty to their owners and families. This love in addition to their loud bark, they make great watchdogs.

Some dachshunds are prone to separation anxiety and in order to relieve the stress, they may cause damage to within the house.

Daschunds can, also, be credited to being clever, lively, and courageous.

If raised improperly, withouth proper socialization and training, dachshunds can become aggressive or fearful. They require a caring owner that understands their need to have entertainment, exercise, and training.

The dachshund's temperament may vary greatly from dog to dog. Where some individuals will not like new people, others may immediately consider them a friend. Some Daschunds will be the average energetic dog, whereas some are laid back. Some may not be good with children, possibly biting an unfamiliar child, whereas. others do not know a stranger.

Because of this varied temperament, the Daschund may not be the dog for everyone.

Dachshunds come in three sizes. The standard dachshund averages 16 to 28 pounds, while the miniature dachshund typically weighs less than 11 pounds. The third, more rare daschund variety is the kaninchen, which weighs around 7-9 pounds.

Dachshund can have three different coats- the a smooth (short) coat, long coat, and the wire coat.

The breed has a wide variety of colors and patterns such as black and tan, merle, red, cream, blue, wild boar, chocolate brown, fawn, brindle, piebald, and any mix therein.

Dachshunds are known to have spinal problems, especially intervertebral disk disease (IVDD), due mostly because of their 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 not be allowed to jump or take stairs. But, some people say that taking stairs, can reduce the risk of IVDD because it allows the dog to walk and stay in shape.

Holding the dog properly is important to reduce the risk of injury. You should have the front and rear portions of the dog fully supported.

More recently, it seems that evidence has come up leaning towards the higher likelihood that the severity of spinal problems is largely hereditary. Responsible breeders are working to eliminate this characteristic in the breed, so before buying a Daschund, make sure to question the breeder about this in his dogs and their past.

Pictures can be found at flickr.com.