Dachshund Dog Breed Information and Personality Traits

The dachshund is a loyal companion and good with children, but because of its long back, dachshunds are prone to disk problems. Therefore this dog is not a good choice for anyone with many steps in the home.

Dachshund at a glance
The Dachshund Dog Breed

The dachshund was bred in Germany centuries ago to hunt badgers. "Dach" means badger and "hund" means dog.

Size:

Weight Range:

Male: 4 to 15 kgs.
Female: 4 to 15 kgs.

Features:

Long back, dolichocephalic (long face), short bowed legs, floppy ears (naturally)

Expectations:

Exercise Requirements: 20-40 minutes/day
Energy Level: Very energetic
Longevity Range: 12-14 yrs.
Tendency to Drool: Low
Tendency to Snore: Low
Tendency to Bark: High
Tendency to Dig: High
Social/Attention Needs: Moderate

Coat:

Length: Short/Long
Characteristics: Hard coat. Straight. Flat.
Colors: Black, chocolate, wild boar, gray or fawn with tan, brindle
Overall Grooming Needs: Low

Club Recognition:

AKC Classification: Hound
UKC Classification: Scent Hounds
Prevalence: Common

All three varieties of dachshunds — the smooth-, wire- and long-coated — are found in two sizes called standard and miniature.

Miniatures are not a separate AKC classification but compete in a class division for "5 kilograms and under at 12 months of age and older." Weight of the standard size is usually between 7 and 15 kilograms. There is no height standard for the dachshund but they are usually under 23 centimetres in height.

All three types are known for their long backs and short muscular legs, which explains the unflattering nicknames "sausage hound" or "hot dog." They also have a long muzzle, long and droopy ears, and a tail carried in line with the back.

The dachshund's coat may be shades of red, black, chocolate, white or gray. Some have tan markings or are spotted or dappled. Dachshunds live about 12 to 15 years.

Diet Suggestions:

Puppy: Hill's Science Diet Small Paws Puppy Food

Adult: Hill's Science Diet Perfect Weight Small & Mini Adult Dry Dog Food

Mature: Hill's Science Diet Small Paws Senior Adult 7+ Dry Dog Food

Personality:

Despite their size, dachshunds are known for their courageous nature and will take on animals much larger than themselves. Some may be aggressive toward strangers and other dogs.

As family dogs, dachshunds are loyal companions and good watchdogs. They are good with children if treated well. They can be slightly difficult to train.

Some dachshund fanciers say there are personality differences among the different varieties of the breed. For instance, the long-coat dachshund is reportedly calmer than the smooth-coat variety, and the wire-coat dachshund is more outgoing and clown-like.

Dachshunds were bred as hunters so it is no surprise that many of them like to dig. Some are also barkers, and, in one survey, dachshunds ranked high for destructiveness.

Living With:

Dachshunds are prone to disk problems because they have a long back, so this dog is not a good choice for anyone with a lot of steps in their home. To further protect the dachshund's back, the dog should not be allowed to jump on and off furniture, and his weight should be kept in check.

The smooth-coat dachshund requires little coat care other than an occasional rubdown or brushing. For the long-coat variety, daily brushing and combing is advised; the wire-coat dachshund requires stripping at least twice a year. The breed is considered an average shedder.

History:

The dachshund was bred in Germany hundreds of years ago to hunt badgers. "Dach" means badger and "hund" means dog. The three varieties of dachshund, smooth-, wire-,and long-coated, originated at different times. The smooth was the first and arose from a mixture of a miniature French pointer and a pinscher. The breed also comes in two sizes: standard and miniature, with the standard the original size.

The dachshund has short, strong legs that enable the dog to dig out prey and go inside burrows. Larger versions of the breed were used to chase deer or fox. Smaller dachshunds were bred for hunting hares and ferrets.

The breed is still used for hunting, primarily in Europe, but in North America this dog is usually a family pet. In fact, it is one of the most popular AKC breeds.