Little Pawz -- Dachshund -- Standard Dachshund -- Miniature Dachshund -- Small Dogs -- Small Dog Breed Information -- Toy Dogs -- Miniature Dogs -- Dog Breeds

The Dachshund was bred as a badger hound in its native Germany. What was needed was a short-legged hound, with a keen sense of smell, coupled with courage and gameness; and a dog that could burrow — an ability that, if unchecked, will cause your Dachshund to demolish your yard and garden.

Some Dachsunds are still bred as hunting dogs and will bravely tackle an opponent larger than themselves, such as the badger. The Dachshund will also defend its master until death. However, their role today is mainly as a companion and pet. They may be a little aggressive with strangers, if unchecked.

Size
STANDARD DACHSHUND (Long-haired): Dogs: 18 lbs. (8.2 kg); Bitches: 17 lbs. (7.7 kg)
STANDARD DACHSHUND (Smooth-haired): Dogs: 25 lbs. (11.3 kg); Bitches: 23 lbs. (10.4 kg)
STANDARD DACHSHUND (Wire-haired): Dogs: 20 – 22 lbs. (9 – 10 kg); Bitches: 18 – 20 lbs. (8.2 – 9 kg)
MINIATURE DACHSHUND (Long-haired, Smooth-haired and Wire-haired): 10 lbs. (4.5 kg)

Coat and Colour
Three coat types: Smooth or Short-Haired. Short, dense, shining, glossy. Wire-Haired — like German Spiky-Haired Pointer, hard with good undercoat. Long-Haired — like Irish Setter. See later paragraphs in this standard regarding the Special Characteristics. Colour — Solid red (tan) of various shades, and black with tan points, should have black noses and nails, and narrow black line edging lips and eyelids; chocolate with tan points permits brown nose. Eyes of all, lustrous, the darker the better.

Exercise
Regular exercise for the Dachshund is important as the tendency to put on weight must be discouraged. This does not mean you must take your Dachshund on 10-mile treks, but short, frequent walks are advisable, with plenty of opportunity for running and playing in a well-fenced yard.

Grooming
The Dachshund's coat is easy to keep in condition. The smooth-haired needs only a few minutes attention every day with a hound glove and soft cloth. A stiff-bristled brush and comb should be used on the long-haired and wire-haired varieties.

Health Care
Disc trouble can befall the Dachshund because of its long back and stubby little legs. Anyone who has seen a young dog paralyzed, while otherwise in good health, will recognize the need to keep their pet's weight within the breed standard and to prevent it from leaping on and off furniture. Treatment varies from injections of cortisone to an operation.

The Dachshunds teeth are prone to tartar. Regular scaling is recommended, but stains can be removed with doggy toothpaste and either a doggy toothbrush or a bit of gauze wrapped around the finger.

Feeding
STANDARD: Recommended would be 3/4 can (13.3 oz 376 g size) name-brand dog food with a biscuit, or 1 1/2 cups of a dry dog food.
MINIATURE: 1/2 can (13.3 oz 376 g size) name-brand dog food with a biscuit, or 1 cup of a dry dog food. Always provide an ample supply of fresh water for your Dachshund.

Origin and History
The Dachshund wad bred as a badger hound or hunting dog, and is known to have existed before the 16th century and to have been derived from the oldest breeds of German hunting dog, such as the Bibarhund.

When the German Dachshund club was formed in 1888, there was only one variety, the smooth-haired Dachshund, whose wrinkled paws, then a characteristic, have now been almost bred out. Today there are three varieties with miniature versions of each type: smooth-haired, long-haired and wire-haired. The wire-haired was introduced with crossing of the Scottish Dandie Dinmont Terrier and other terriers, and the long-haired by crossing the smooth-haired with a spaniel and an old German gun dog, the Stöberhund. The bandiness in the breed, due to a weakness in the tendons, has now been eradicated, as has exaggerated length.

In Europe during both World Wars, the Dachshund, recognized as the national dog of the Teutonic Empire, was often discarded, shouted at, or even stoned in the streets because of its German ancestry. Happily this sorry state of affairs has long since passed and the sporty, lovable Dachshund is again popular.

Celebrity Owners
Screen legends Clark Gable and Carol Lombard owned a Dachshund named Commissioner.