History

The origin of the Dachshund could be traced back to the 16th century and the breed owes its ancestry to the ancient German hunting dogs. Though the breed was widely used for hunting in Europe, it is now popular as a family pet. AKC recognized the breed in the year 1885.

Appearance

The breed comes in 3 varieties – the long haired, short haired and the wired haired. When the wired haired variety remains the dynamic ones, the long haired varieties are quieter compared to others. Dachshund has an elongated body but a short stature. It has long ears, dark, oval shaped eyes, strong jaws, arched and protruding eyebrows, and a long straight tail. The short-haired variety has a shiny, uniform coat and comes in tan, yellow or bi-color combinations of gray, black or brown. The breed is 6 – 8 inches tall and weighs 11 – 32 pounds.

Color

Two colored varieties include chocolate, black, wild boar, blue (gray) and fawn. These dogs will have tan markings over the eyes, on the sides of the jaw, underlip, inner edge of ear, front, breast, throat, paws insides of the legs.

Personality

Fabled as a quick-learner, the Dachshund is an active, smart, affectionate and loyal dog. A good travel companion, the breed goes well with kids. However, a positive introduction to children could favor a good relationship. The restless nature and the ability to bark in a loud voice make Dachshund a smart, alert dog.

Health Concerns

The average life span of Dachshund is 12 – 14 years. The breed is prone to health conditions like Dachshund paralysis (a spinal disc problem), cardiac diseases, diabetes, urinary tract problems, genetic eye diseases and skin problems.

Recognized By

CKC, FCI, AKC, UKC, ANKC, NKC, NZKC, APRI, ACR