Dachshund

The Dachshund is a popular dog breed with short legs and a long body. An exaggerated appearance of these dogs is an adaptation for hunting badgers and other animals in their underground dens. These dogs located the quarry, followed it underground, drew ferocious badgers from the dens and had to fight in narrow tunnels. Though today, this breed is famous mostly as a family companion, it retains its working abilities and instincts of a hunting dog. The Dachshund was the fourth breed recognized by the AKC. All major registries and breed clubs recognize this breed: the FCI, UKC, CKC, KCGB, NZKC, NKC, CCR, ANKC, APRI, and ACR. The AKC and other registries classify this breed into the Hound Group.

The origin of this strange-looking breed is unknown. Probably, it was developed in Germany in the 17th-18th centuries. However, Egyptian pictures with similar looking dogs date back to the 9th-10th centuries. The present-day Dachshund comes in two size varieties (standard and miniature) and in three coat varieties (smooth-coat, long-coat, and wire-haired.) The AKC doesn’t recognize a Toy variety of the Dachshund, though such dogs are very popular in Europe.

The smooth-coated is the basic variety of the Dachshund, as a short flat lying coat is well adapted to the original purpose of the breed. Longhairs appeared as a result of a mutation after crossbreeding with the German Spaniel. Unsuitable for hunting badgers, such dogs were used for bird hunting. Wirehairs resulted from crosses with the Schnauzer and the Dandie Dinmont Terrier. Their harsh coat was an excellent protection from thorns and rough terrain.

A typical personality of the Dachshund is similar to personalities of other hunting breeds. Dachshunds are generally clever, bold, active, and happy. Smooth-coats tend to be aloof with strangers and bond closely only with one family member. Long-coats are playful and easy-going while maintaining their dignity. Wire-hairs are very outgoing and clownish. Like all intelligent and independent dogs, Dachshunds can be difficult to train and housebreak for an inexperienced owner. The right owner for the Dachshund is firm and able to understand the personality of the dog and show it who the boss is.