Dachshund Dog

Introduction

The Dachshund, also known as the Dachel, the Teckel, the Normalgrosse Teckel, the Dachslein, the Doxie, the Hot Dog, the Sausage Dog and the Wiener dog, was actually named for the German phrase meaning "Badger Dog." The German word dachs means "badger" – another animal with a sturdy body on short, crooked legs. The Dachshund was developed because of its ability to track prey and "go to earth" to attack badgers and other burrowing mammals. True to its origin, the modern Dachshund participates successfully in field trials and earth-dog tests, showing its keen hunting instincts and go-to-ground hunting ability. Despite its exaggerated and almost comical appearance, the Dachshund is a very smart and athletic dog that makes an excellent house pet. The Dachshund was recognized in the Stud Book of the American Kennel Club in 1885.

History & Health

History

The Dachshund probably originated in Germany in the early 1600s. The breed's streamlined shape and bold attitude were developed and perfected to help them hunt, and eventually to fight, badgers and other mammals deep within their underground dens. The badger was a formidable adversary, especially to a small dog. Badger-dogs needed strength, stamina, keenness and courage, both above and below ground, to be successful. Dachshunds were well-suited to this task. Packs of Dachshunds also were used to hunt wild boar, foxes, deer, ermine, weasel and rabbits.
Dachshunds were recorded in the English stud book as German Badger Hounds in 1874, contributing to the mistaken belief that Dachshunds are hounds rather than terriers. As long ago as 1906, a breed expert commented: "That it is used occasionally as a hound in the sense that it follows rabbits and hares by scent as does a beagle, does not alter the fact that it is essentially a dog that goes to earth and is therefore a terrier." In 1927, a great dog historian (Edward Ash) commented that a Dachshund is, in fact, a terrier with very crooked legs, but possessing in a very great degree both the appearance and fine nose of the beagle. Some say that the best way to settle the hound-versus-terrier argument is to say that the Dachshund is a hound that became a terrier, and that it displays the best qualities of both.
The Dachshund Club of England was formed in 1881, and the German Deutscher Teckelklub was formed in 1888. The German breed standard was set in 1879. Registration of Dachshunds was included in an all-breed studbook even before the German Dachshund Club was founded. After World War II, management of the breed fell to the German breed clubs, which focused on the dogs' hunting capabilities rather than conformation, producing a more terrier-like dog.

Eleven Dachshunds were included in the American Kennel Club's Stud Book in 1885. Dachshunds rapidly gained popularity in America. The Dachshund Club of America was founded in 1895, and by 1914 Dachshunds were among the top ten breeds exhibited at the glamorous Westminster Kennel Club dog show.
Dachshunds are rarely used for hunting in the United States, although they excel in field trials and earth dog tests, demonstrating their keen hunting instincts and using their instinctive go-to-ground abilities. Doxies are small enough to live happily in an apartment, yet sturdy enough to live in the country. Outdoors, they are hardy, vigorous and tireless; indoors, they are affectionate, companionable, eager to please and alert in announcing strangers.

Health

The average life expectancy for this breed is between 12 and 15 years. Breed health concerns may include sick sinus syndrome, patent ductus arteriosus, pattern baldness, cutaneous asthenia, immune-mediated thrombocytopenia, lipomas, liposarcoma, congenital deafness, intervertebral disc disease, atlantoaxial subluxation and a number of ocular disorders or conditions.

Temperament & Personality

Personality

The Dachshund packs a whole lot of personality into a tiny little body. Many owners are so devoted to the breed that they refuse to adopt any dog that isn't a Wiener Dog. Like most other small dog breeds, they tend to like to "take on" other dogs by yapping incessantly, but never following up on their mouthy threats. They are attention-loving clowns who will steal the show whenever they can. Dachshunds don't like to share attention and make excellent companions for single people or empty-nesters who have a lot to time to devote solely to their dog.

Activity Requirements

Dachshunds don't need a lot of vigorous activity to remain healthy and happy, though they should be walked daily and allowed to get out and run once in a while. Their running activities should always take place in a fenced in yard, however, as Wiener Dogs love to chase small animals and birds. Their small size makes them ideal apartment or condo dogs, but a commitment should be made to exercise a Dachshund, as they are prone to weight problems.

Trainability

Though tiny, Dachshunds believe they are in charge at all times. They like to decide where they are going, when they are going there and what they'll do when they arrive. Telling a Dachshund what to do is futile. They must think the activity or behavior was their own idea, or they will become completely disinterested. Treats are a must-have when working with this breed, as is an abundance of patience. Harsh treatment is not a good idea as Dachshunds will simply respond by snapping or biting.
Dachshunds are notoriously difficult to house train, and potential Wiener Dog parents would be wise to have their breeder house train the dog before bringing him home.

Behavioral Traits

Barking is the most common issue with Dachshunds. They are alert little watchdogs who don't take kindly to strange people or animals stepping onto their turf. They will sound the alarm early and often that a stranger is approaching. Or another dog. Or a bike. Or a car. This behavior is hard to train out of them, so patience is a much-needed virtue for a Dachshund owner.
This breed is not an ideal breed for families with small children. Dachshunds are possessive of their toys, space, and people and have been known to bite kids. Older kids are fine, as long as they know how to properly handle the dog.
Dachshunds should never be left unattended in a yard. They were originally used for digging den animals out of the ground, and their instinct to dig is still strong. Though tiny, they can make fast work of flower beds and have been known to dig under fences in search of new adventures.

Breed Standard

General Appearance
Low to ground, long in body and short of leg, with robust muscular development; the skin is elastic and pliable without excessive wrinkling. Appearing neither crippled, awkward, nor cramped in his capacity for movement, the Dachshund is well-balanced with bold and confident head carriage and intelligent, alert facial expression. His hunting spirit, good nose, loud tongue and distinctive build make him well-suited for below-ground work and for beating the bush. His keen nose gives him an advantage over most other breeds for trailing. NOTE: Inasmuch as the Dachshund is a hunting dog, scars from honorable wounds shall not be considered a fault.

Size, Proportion, Substance
Bred and shown in two sizes, standard and miniature; miniatures are not a separate classification but compete in a class division for "11 pounds and under at 12 months of age and older." Weight of the standard size is usually between 16 and 32 pounds.

Head
Viewed from above or from the side, the head tapers uniformly to the tip of the nose. The eyes are of medium size, almond-shaped and dark-rimmed, with an energetic, pleasant expression; not piercing; very dark in color. The bridge bones over the eyes are strongly prominent. Wall eyes, except in the case of dappled dogs, are a serious fault. The ears are set near the top of the head, not too far forward, of moderate length, rounded, not narrow, pointed, or folded. Their carriage, when animated, is with the forward edge just touching the cheek so that the ears frame the face. The skull is slightly arched, neither too broad nor too narrow, and slopes gradually with little perceptible stop into the finely-formed, slightly arched muzzle, giving a Roman appearance. Lips are tightly stretched, well covering the lower jaw. Nostrils well open. Jaws opening wide and hinged well back of the eyes, with strongly developed bones and teeth. Teeth-Powerful canine teeth; teeth fit closely together in a scissors bite. An even bite is a minor fault. Any other deviation is a serious fault.

Neck
Long, muscular, clean-cut, without dewlap, slightly arched in the nape, flowing gracefully into the shoulders without creating the impression of a right angle.

Trunk
The trunk is long and fully muscled. When viewed in profile, the back lies in the straightest possible line between the withers and the short, very slightly arched loin. A body that hangs loosely between the shoulders is a serious fault. Abdomen-Slightly drawn up.

Forequarters
For effective underground work, the front must be strong, deep, long and cleanly muscled. Forequarters in detail: Chest -The breast-bone is strongly prominent in front so that on either side a depression or dimple appears. When viewed from the front, the thorax appears oval and extends downward to the mid-point of the forearm. The enclosing structure of the well-sprung ribs appears full and oval to allow, by its ample capacity, complete development of heart and lungs. The keel merges gradually into the line of the abdomen and extends well beyond the front legs. Viewed in profile, the lowest point of the breast line is covered by the front leg. Shoulder blades-long, broad, well-laid back and firmly placed upon the fully developed thorax, closely fitted at the withers, furnished with hard yet pliable muscles. Upper Arm-Ideally the same length as the shoulder blade and at right angles to the latter, strong of bone and hard of muscle, lying close to the ribs, with elbows close to the body, yet capable of free movement. Forearm–Short; supplied with hard yet pliable muscles on the front and outside, with tightly stretched tendons on the inside and at the back, slightly curved inwards. The joints between the forearms and the feet (wrists) are closer together than the shoulder joints, so that the front does not appear absolutely straight. The inclined shoulder blades, upper arms and curved forearms form parentheses that enclose the ribcage, creating the correct "wraparound front." Knuckling over is a disqualifying fault. Feet-Front paws are full, tight, compact, with well-arched toes and tough, thick pads. They may be equally inclined a trifle outward. There are five toes, four in use, close together with a pronounced arch and strong, short nails. Front dewclaws may be removed.

Hindquarters
Strong and cleanly muscled. The pelvis, the thigh, the second thigh, and the rear pastern are ideally the same length and give the appearance of a series of right angles. From the rear, the thighs are strong and powerful. The legs turn neither in nor out. Rear pasterns - Short and strong, perpendicular to the second thigh bone. When viewed from behind, they are upright and parallel. Feet-Hind Paws - Smaller than the front paws with four compactly closed and arched toes with tough, thick pads. The entire foot points straight ahead and is balanced equally on the ball and not merely on the toes. Rear dewclaws should be removed.Croup- Long, rounded and full, sinking slightly toward the tail. Tail-Set in continuation of the spine, extending without kinks, twists, or pronounced curvature, and not carried too gaily.

Gait
Fluid and smooth. Forelegs reach well forward, without much lift, in unison with the driving action of hind legs. The correct shoulder assembly and well-fitted elbows allow the long, free stride in front. Viewed from the front, the legs do not move in exact parallel planes, but incline slightly inward. Hind legs drive on a line with the forelegs, with hock joints and rear pasterns (metatarsus) turning neither in nor out. The propulsion of the hind leg depends on the dog's ability to carry the hind leg to complete extension. Viewed in profile, the forward reach of the hind leg equals the rear extension. The thrust of correct movement is seen when the rear pads are clearly exposed during rear extension. Rear feet do not reach upward toward the abdomen and there is no appearance of walking on the rear pasterns.Feet must travel parallel to the line of motion with no tendency to swing out, cross over, or interfere with each other. Short, choppy movement, rolling or high-stepping gait, close or overly wide coming or going are incorrect. The Dachshund must have agility, freedom of movement, and endurance to do the work for which he was developed.

Temperament
The Dachshund is clever, lively and courageous to the point of rashness, persevering in above- and below-ground work, with all the senses well-developed. Any display of shyness is a serious fault.

Special Characteristics of the Three Coat Varieties
The Dachshund is bred with three varieties of coat: (1) Smooth; (2) Wirehaired; (3) Longhaired and is shown in two sizes, standard and miniature. All three varieties and both sizes must conform to the characteristics already specified. The following features are applicable for each variety:
Dachshund (Smooth)

Smooth Dachshund
Coat-Short, smooth and shining. Should be neither too long nor too thick. Ears not leathery. Tail-Gradually tapered to a point, well but not too richly haired. Long sleek bristles on the underside are considered a patch of strong-growing hair, not a fault. A brush tail is a fault, as is also a partly or wholly hairless tail.

Color of Hair-Although base color is immaterial, certain patterns and basic colors predominate. One-colored Dachshunds include red and cream, with or without a shading of interspersed dark hairs. A small amount of white on the chest is acceptable, but not desirable. Nose and nails-black.

Two-colored Dachshunds include black, chocolate, wild boar, gray (blue) and fawn (Isabella), each with deep, rich tan or cream markings over the eyes, on the sides of the jaw and underlip, on the inner edge of the ear, front, breast, sometimes on the throat, inside and behind the front legs, on the paws and around the anus, and from there to about one-third to one-half of the length of the tail on the underside. Undue prominence of tan or cream markings is undesirable. A small amount of white on the chest is acceptable but not desirable. Nose and nails-in the case of black dogs, black; for chocolate and all other colors, dark brown, but self-colored is acceptable.

Dappled dachshunds-The dapple (merle) pattern is expressed as lighter-colored areas contrasting with the darker base color, which may be any acceptable color. Neither the light nor the dark color should predominate. Nose and nails are the same as for one- and two-colored Dachshunds. Partial or wholly blue (wall) eyes are as acceptable as dark eyes. A large area of white on the chest of a dapple is permissible.

Brindle is a pattern (as opposed to a color) in which black or dark stripes occur over the entire body although in some specimens the pattern may be visible only in the tan points.

Sable-the sable pattern consists of a uniform dark overlay on red dogs. The overlay hairs are double-pigmented, with the tip of each hair much darker than the base color. The pattern usually displays a widow's peak on the head. Nose, nails and eye rims are black. Eyes are dark, the darker the better.
Dachshund (Wirehaired) Wirehaired Dachshunds

Coat-With the exception of jaw, eyebrows, and ears, the whole body is covered with a uniform tight, short, thick, rough, hard, outer coat but with finer, somewhat softer, shorter hairs (undercoat) everywhere distributed between the coarser hairs. The absence of an undercoat is a fault. The distinctive facial furnishings include a beard and eyebrows. On the ears the hair is shorter than on the body, almost smooth. The general arrangement of the hair is such that the wirehaired Dachshund, when viewed from a distance, resembles the smooth. Any sort of soft hair in the outercoat, wherever found on the body, especially on the top of the head, is a fault. The same is true of long, curly, or wavy hair, or hair that sticks out irregularly in all directions. Tail-Robust, thickly haired, gradually tapering to a point. A flag tail is a fault. Color of Hair-While the most common colors are wild boar, black and tan, and various shades of red, all colors and patterns listed aboveare admissible.

Wild boar (agouti) appears as banding of the individual hairs and imparts an overall grizzled effect which is most often seen on wirehaired Dachshunds, but may also appear on other coats. Tan points may or may not be evident. Variations include red boar and chocolate-and-tan boar. Nose, nails and eye rims are black on wild-boar and red-boar dachshunds. On chocolate-and-tan-boar dachshunds, nose, nails, eye rims and eyes are self-colored, the darker the better.

A small amount of white on the chest, although acceptable, is not desirable. Nose and nails-same as for the smooth variety.
Dachshund (Longhaired)

Longhaired Dachshund
Coat - The sleek, glistening, often slightly wavy hair is longer under the neck and on forechest, the underside of the body, the ears and behind the legs. The coat gives the dog an elegant appearance. Short hair on the ear is not desirable. Too profuse a coat which masks type, equally long hair over the whole body, a curly coat, or a pronounced parting on the back are faults. Tail-Carried gracefully in prolongation of the spine; the hair attains its greatest length here and forms a veritable flag. Color of Hair-Same as for the smooth Dachshund. Nose and nails-same as for the smooth.

The foregoing description is that of the ideal Dachshund. Any deviation from the above described dog must be penalized to the extent of the deviation keeping in mind the importance of the contribution of the various features toward the basic original purpose of the breed.

Disqualification
Knuckling over of front legs

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