Dachshund

Among the most highly esteemed breeds in America and other countries as well is the Dachshund. His name translated from the German is "Badger Hound” and it suggests the breed's origins, although the actual beginnings as a pure-bred type remain obscure. Long-bodied, short-legged dogs hunting badgers are shown in pictures going back as far as the Fifteenth Century. They were big, strong fellows, weighing up to 35 pounds.

The hunting inheritance remains in the breed's make-up and he is used occasionally on rabbits and other ground game, but his chief function is that of house dog and companion, for which his nature and physical characteristics fit him admirably. Usually credited with being of German origin although very likely of ancient lineage, the breed was well established in America about the time of the Civil War and ranked high in popularity here before World War I.

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Antipathy for all things German during the latter war led to a serious decline and it was not until the early 1930s that he climbed back into the first ten in A.K.C. registrations.

Many persons that know the Dachshund are familiar only with the smooth-haired variety, but there are two others--wire-haired and long. haired. There also are miniatures in each coat variety, purposely produced to work in burrows smaller than light and heavyweight Dachshunds can enter. Whether the smooth-coated dog was the original and the other two developed through outcrosses or vice versa is controversial.

Regardless of background, he is a friendly, lively, courageous fellow whose short legs produce a lot of exercise mileage at a minimum of owner effort.

Dachshunds Characteristic:

Bred as a hunting dog, the Dachshund retains its game, courageous nature, but makes a super housedog, a good watchdog and its excellent with children. Prone to overweight and trouble in the back unless keep fit, rater self-willed.

Color: Ren or tan, red-yellow, yellow, brindle, two-colored-deep black, chocolate, gray, and with each with tan markings; dappled-clear brownish or grayish color with dark irregular patches of dark-gray, brown, red-yellow or black.

Weight: Standard- longhaired - dog 18 lb, bitch 17 lb; smooth-haired - dog 25 lb; bitch 23 lb; wire-haired - dog 20-22 lb, bitch 18-20 lb; miniature (all types) - 10 lb (not exceeding 11 lb).

Coat type: Longhaired - soft sleek, with pronounced feathering; smoothhaired - short thick and smooth; wirehaired - short, thick, rough, hard coat, the smoothhaired Dachshund needs grooming each day with a hound glove. 

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