GENERAL INFORMATION
The Dachshund is first and foremost a sporting dog but he is remarkably versatile, being equally adaptable as a house pet. His temperament and acute intelligence make him the ideal companion for town or country. In the field of sport he is unequalled, combining the scenting powers of a Foxhound with unflinching courage and will go to ground to fox and badger.
The Dachshund in general appearance is long and low, but with compact and muscled body, not crippled, cloddy or clumsy, with bold defiant carriage of head and intelligent expression. He is the ideal pet and companion for the modern day family, being of ideal size for the average home and he is equally at home on the family lounge or racing across the paddocks in pursuit of rabbits.
The Dachshund is excellent with children and although he is only small in size he has an extremely strong protective nature towards his home and family and will not take a backward step to any man or beast.
He is also strong, hardy and easy to care for and all three coat varieties require marginal attention, particularly the smooth variety scores heavily in this respect requiring very little grooming at all, which is a big advantage for the average dog owning family. Overall the Dachshund has much to offer as a faithful companion and family pet and he can be recommended to any person without hesitation as an animal that will win his way into your heart.
The Dachshund is a unique member of the canine world in that there are three different coats represented and six varieties catering for all tastes. The three coats are smooth, long and wire, and these varieties were developed for specific purposed mainly depending upon the type of terrain encountered in their district of origin.
The smooth coat is short, sleek and easy to care for.
The long coat is the more glamorous of the three with long feathering on the ears, underline and tail, giving the appearance of elegance for those who prefer a long coated glamorous animal.
The wire coat is short, compact and harsh to touch and the breed is characterised by a beard and bushy eyebrows which give the wire his characteristic appearance.
Each coat variety comes in two sizes, standard and miniature. The standards normally weigh from 20-25 lbs. (9-12kg) and the miniatures are under 11lbs (4.5kg).
The origin of the Dachshund has been lost in antiquity and there is much conjecture, as with other breed of dogs, as to its origins but it is generally accepted that the breed grew to prominence in Germany where is was used by foresters and noblemen to hunt badger, fox and rabbits in the dense forest where a larger animal would have difficulty in pursuing its quarry.
The Dachshund was trained to go to ground after his quarry and the Germans specifically developed the Dachshund for this purpose.
Early descendants of the Dachshund were characterised by very crooked front legs and indeed this animal was a far cry from the streamlined and elegant outline of the Dachshund today. As with all breeds of dog serious breeders have, over the years, endeavored to improve the quality of their stock and the Dachshund has been no exception to the rule as one can tell by comparing photographs of the dogs of yesteryear to today.
Today’s Dachshund in Australia and England is not normally used for hunting and is only bred as a faithful companion or show dog and as a result the breed differs slightly in type to those in Germany where it is still compulsory for a Dachshund to hold a field trial certificate before he can be awarded the title of champion.
Although domesticity has resulted in slight variation in type and appearance of the Dachshund, he still has retained a keen hunting instinct which is quickly brought to the surface at the sight of a rabbit or fox, and one often hears stories from country Dachshund owners of their dogs returning home carrying a rabbit, or how they have exterminated a den of foxes.
COLOURS
Black and tan, red, shaded red, chocolate, chocolate dapple, silver dapple, fawn, tiger brindle, black brindle, red brindle and grizzle. The only colour not allowed is white, except for a small spot on the chest.
SHOW DOG OR PET
Only pure bred dogs, from a Canine Council registered sire and dam are able to be exhibited. These dogs must be entire i.e. not castrated/spayed and on the main show register of the Canine Council. Alternatively you may choose to register your dog on the limited register and compete in obedience events. This decision needs to be made with your breeder at the time of purchase.
Showing your dog can become an enjoyable hobby but it does require some extra commitment to grooming and training. Should you, however, prefer to just have a "pet" then you should discuss with your Vet the option of spaying/castrating your dog.
Breeders immunize and worm puppies before they are sold. Puppies should then be wormed every three months. They require a booster at 16 weeks and then once a year.
LIFESPAN
Dachshunds live for 10-20 years.
USEFUL QUALITIES
Dachshunds are good at obedience training and are effective watch-dogs, as they have a very loud warning bark, but they are not yappy dogs. They are also great lapdogs, love a game of ball with the kids and also enjoy going for a jog.
IDEAL OWNER
There is a variety of Dachshund suited to everyone. A longhair would suit asthma suffers; miniature smooths are great for the old or infirm; standards or miniatures are good for active people or kids as they have plenty of energy.
SUITABILITY AS A HOUSEHOLD PET
Dachshunds do not have a doggy odour, so are suitable indoor pets.
FEEDING
Dachshunds eat fresh meat and dog biscuits, 110-170g (4-6oz) per day for miniatures and 170-220g (6-8oz) per day for standards, depending on activity. Miniatures cost about $8 a week to feed, standards about $10.
EXERCISE
The more exercise the better. Dachshunds get bored hanging around the yard and are enthusiastic eaters, so either exercise regularly or cut down on the food. Dachshunds are quite happy to spend their life on your favourite chair but for the dogs well being regular exercise is recommended.
TEMPERAMENT
Each variety is different in temperament. The smooth is more aloof than the other varieties and generally chooses just who they like or dislike.
A smooth particularly believes that it should run the household not you. Whilst this may be frustrating at times one cannot help but love them.
Longs have wonderful natures and make excellent pets being not as aloof as the smooths.
The wires are the extroverts, they love everyone and just love to be around people and to enjoy life.
