The dachshund or weiner, as they are fondly known in one of the most distinctive looking dog breeds available. This smart and lively short-legged dog knows how to win the hearts of people everywhere.
The name Dachshund is literally translated from German to mean badger dog. This is because the breed is known for its use to exterminate badgers by being the right size to expel them from their burrows. The dog was also used for hunting rabbits and foxes, locating injured deer, and even participating in wild boar hunts.
The first documentation of the Dachshund comes from mentioning them in a book in the early 18th century. Over time, the dog has become a symbol of Germany, and this led to a decline in its popularity during the First World War. The roaring twenties saw popularity begin to return, with the height for them being a mascot named Waldi for the summer of 1972. Olympics.
The general appearance of the Dachshund includes the prominent pointed nose, long body and short legs. They also come in three recognized sizes, with the weight being the difference between the types. The standard dachshund averages sixteen to twenty-eight pounds, while the miniature generally weighs less than eleven pounds, and the karichen weighs between seven and nine pounds.
A dachshund’s coat can come in a variety of colors and in three different textures. The coat textures are smooth, hard-haired and long-haired; with straight hair being the most common, while wire hair is the least common. There are many color variations in the breed, the most dominant being red and black and red. Other colors recognized by the kennel club are cream, blue, chocolate brown, fawn, brindle, peep, and light red. The dog also comes in a solid black or solid chocolate brown color, but these variations are not recognized and are disqualified from competition.
The Dachshund breed has a very complicated personality that can make the animal challenging for some people. In general, the dog has a fun and playful personality with a great fondness for chasing tennis balls. The breed is also known for its devotion and loyalty, which also makes it prone to separation anxiety. This causes the dog to whine excessively and chew items around the home to relieve stress. Dachshund also tend to dig holes in yards and can make wonderful watchdogs. For some individuals, the breed’s stubborn tendency makes them challenging to train and, if bred incorrectly, they can become aggressive and fearful.
The biggest risk to the dog’s health is intervertebral disc disease, caused by a longer than usual spine combined with a short rib cage. This condition is hereditary in nature and many breeders are working to eliminate this genetic problem from the breed. Faced with this disease, the dog must always be restrained correctly, it must also be encouraged not to make large jumps on furniture or stairs, and at all times it must have the optimal weight since obesity can worsen the effects.
