Dog Breeds - Dachshund

The Dachshund comes in three main types. There is the short haired, the wire haired, and the long haired variety. They also come in two main size categories. There is the standard Dachshund and miniature Dachshund.

The Dachshund has an unmistakable personality. They are a clever, lively dog with an immense amount of courage. Ideal for the work that they were originally bred for - hunting.

Originating in and around Germany, their name betrays what they were originally bred for; "Dachs" meaning Badger and "hund" meaning hound. The Dachshund was bred to hunt and draw the badger. Considering the formidable foe that the badger is, the fact that the Dachshund has a confident almost reckless personality is not surprising.

The Dachshund has a remarkable form. They have a long muscular elongated trunk, probably one of the most recognizable dog breeds there is.

Where children are concerned, the Dachshund seems better with older children. That confident personality can sometimes lead to irritability and a shortness of temper. Snapping and biting is not unheard of, so may not be suitable for smaller children. The same can also be said for other animals. The Dachshund can be quite protective, so other animals that over step the mark may soon know about it!
Dachshunds also love to dig and can also be very vocal animals. Barking can be a favorite pastime for some Dachshunds.

Due to the size of this breed, they lend well to apartment living. That said, they are a lively animal and will need regular exercise.

The standard Dachshund will be approximately 35-45cm in height and weigh between 8-10kg. The miniature Dachshund will be around 35cm maximum and will weigh around 3-5kg.

As far as grooming the Dachshund, this is dependant on which variety of Dachshund you have. The long haired Dachshund will require daily grooming to remove tangles etc. The smooth haired Dachshund requires less brushing but a regular grooming does no harm. The wire haired breed will need regular grooming but may also need a trim every six months.

If you are looking for a dog breed that is full of personality, strong courageous and protective of it's family but just as eager to curl up with it's owner in front of a fire, then the Dachshund may be the perfect dog for you.