Dachshunds are independent. Dachshunds are loving. Dachshunds are playful. Dachshunds are aggressive.
How can all this be true of one breed of dog? Well, it is. Dachshunds are among the most complex and interesting breeds precisely because they encompass all these attributes and many more besides.
Bred in Germany in the 1600s to chase vermin, bold and fearless characteristics were selected first and foremost. At the same time, they had to be strong-willed, resourceful and persistent. It does little good to have legs and feet that are excellent for digging if the dog doesn’t have the spirit of pursuit.
Those attributes have continued down the centuries. While most Doxies today are pets, not hunters, once attributes are bred in their nature doesn’t change much. But what’s aggression in one circumstance can be simple courage in another. What is willfulness in one situation can be valuable persistence in another.
Above all, Dachshunds are intelligent dogs. Their individualist character makes them more difficult to take an interest in training. But handled correctly, their smarts allow them to excel in whatever they do.
Keep in mind, too, that independence does not necessarily mean they are uninterested in others. Doxies are filled with curiosity and want to take part in any adventure going on around them. Some breeds are satisfied to sit by quietly and observe. A Dachshund wants to be in the middle of things, participating along with everyone else.
Within these broad outlines there are variations.
The classic-looking Smooth-Coat exhibits all the classic behaviors – barking at the least invasion to its territory, leading the pack whenever possible and more. It will be reluctant more often to take a bath and struggle during nail clipping time.
The Wire-Hair type looks and acts like a combination of Doxie and terrier. Terriers, too, are high strung. But they love to play and their behavior is not aggressive so much as just forthright.
The Long-Hair is more like the Irish Setter in miniature, though not to that extreme. They enjoy a good romp, but are a little more inclined to watch and wait their turn. They are among the easier varieties to train though they take a bit more grooming care.
All are natural diggers. Bred to chase badgers and other small game into a den, they like getting into things. Their powerful front legs and muscular chest make it pretty easy for them to do just that. Getting out isn’t too much more difficult, thanks to the streamlined body and smooth, narrow head. As a result, if you want to keep the garden or lawn intact, don’t allow the dog to roam freely without supervision.
But Dachshunds do need at least moderate exercise in activities where they can work off some of their natural energy. An obstacle course with tunnels is a good idea for these ‘gophers’.
They are also loyal and loving. The bond between a Doxie and the person or family it ‘adopts’ is unusually strong. They want to be near people and enjoy interaction. As any Dachshund owner will be happy to tell you…
Filed under Articles by on Jul 30th, 2009. Comment. 
Because of cross-breeding there are dozens of different Dachshund varieties. But they fall into just a few broad categories. The AKC recognizes three coat varieties and two sizes.
Size
Standard-size Dachshunds (the type most often seen in ads or commercials) are about 9 inches high at the withers (the top point of the shoulder blades). These are the classic ‘weiner dog’ with long bodies, short legs and stout chests. Weight runs anywhere from 10-30 lbs. Anything larger is either a mixed breed or an obese dog.
Miniature Dachshunds are becoming even more common in an already popular breed. They may be as light as about 8 lbs but are typically around 10 lbs. They are correspondingly shorter than the Standard, about 5 inches high at the withers.
Coat
The Smooth-Coat is the original type and the most common in mo
vies. They’re often reddish-brown, but darker colors like chocolate exist in large numbers. Less common are Smooth-Coats that are dappled (spotted) or brindled (striped). That type shows up more often as a Wire-Haired or Long-Haired variety.
Wire-Haired dogs almost resemble a cross between the stereotypical Doxie and a Schnauzer or terrier. They have long muzzle hair and furry chests. The coloring is also more terrier-like, often a blue-gray mixed with tan.
The Long-Haired is especially beautiful, sporting a long, silky coat, similar to a Cocker Spaniel. Colors can vary but reddish and black, sometimes mixed with a little white, is fairly standard. That long hair is also found on the back of the rear legs and the tail, somewhat like Goldens.
An offshoot is the Piebald, a white pattern superimposed on a background color, such as red or brown.
Apart from color, the different types shed at different rates.
Not surprisingly, Smooth-Coats shed less (but less does not mean ‘not at all’). They also have a particular odor that is not found in other breeds. Without regular bathing that odor can become pronounced and some owners find it annoying.
Long-Hairs, as one might expect, shed the most and require the most grooming attention to keep out mats.
Wire-Coats are in between the two extremes, but they do require regular care. Their long muzzle hair can be a particular problem, made more difficult than usual by the dog’s short legs.
Eyes
While darker eye color dominates, those with modified coats can have amber or green eyes. Double Dapple types (a special genetic variation) often have very light blue eyes. Birth defects are more common in this type, though, and some are born blind or without fully developed eyes.
Thanks to the large geographical dispersion and popularity of the breed, Dachshunds of the basic types have evolved to dozens of sub-types. Smooth-coat dappled gray Doxies are not hard to find, nor are Long-Haired black and white ones. Yet all have the same lively disposition that makes Dachshunds one of the most popular breeds worldwide.
Filed under Articles by on Jul 26th, 2009. 2 Comments.
Dachshunds are an independent breed. Doxies are loving. Doxies like to play. They can be aggressive.
How can all this be true of one breed of dog? Well it is. Doxies are among the most interesting and complex breeds precisely because they encompass all these attributes and many more besides.
Bred in Germany in the late 1600s to chase vermin, fearless and bold characteristics were selected first and foremost. At the same time, they had to be strong-willed, resourceful and persistent. If the dog doesn’t have the spirit of pursuit, it does little good to have feet and legs that are excellent for digging.
Those attributes have continued down the centuries. Most Doxies today are pets, not hunters, once attributes are bred in their nature does not change much. What is simple courage in one circumstance can be considered aggression in another. What is willfulness in one situation can be valuable persistence in another.
Above all, they are an intelligent breed. Their individualist character makes them more difficult to take an interest in training. If handled correctly, their smarts allow them to excel in whatever they do.
Independence does not necessarily mean they are uninterested in others. They are filled with curiosity and want to take part in any adventure going on around them. Some breeds are happy to sit by quietly and observe. A Dachshund wants to be participating along with everyone else and in the middle of things.
Within these broad outlines there are variations noted.
The Smooth-Coat exhibits all the classic behaviors such as leading the pack whenever possible, barking at the least invasion to its territory and more. They will struggle during nail clipping time and be reluctant more often to take a bath.
The Wire-Hair breed looks and acts like a combination of terrier and Dachshund. Terriers, also, are high strung. They love to play and their behavior is not aggressive so much as just forthright.
The Long-Hair is more like the Irish Setter in miniature, though not to that extreme. They are a little more inclined to watch and wait their turn, but do enjoy a good romp. Even though they take a bit more grooming care, they are among the easier varieties to train.
All Dachshund variations are natural diggers. Bred to chase badgers and other small game into a den, Dachshunds like getting into things. Dachshunds powerful front legs and muscular chest make it pretty easy for them to do just that. Getting out isn’t too much more difficult, thanks to the streamlined body and smooth, narrow head. As a result, if you want to keep the lawn or garden intact, do not allow the dog to roam freely without supervision.
Dachshunds do need at least moderate exercise in activities where they can work off some of their natural energy. An obstacle course that contains tunnels is a good idea for these “gophers”.
Doxies are also loyal and loving. The bond between a Doxie and the person or family it “adopts” is unusually strong. Doxies want to be near people and enjoy interaction. As any Dachshund owner will be happy to tell you……..
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Filed under Articles by on May 25th, 2009. Comment.
All dogs require regluar grooming to keep their nails in trim and their coats healthy. Exactly which technique to use for your Doxie depends on which of the three main types you have.
Smooth-Coat
A Smooth-Coat Dachshund is the classic, short-haired type you have seen in a hundred films and ads. Requiring little more than a regular brushing and bath, their coats are easy to care for. “Regular” varies with the dog’s environment and age.
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Younger dogs might require baths as often as once per week, though once a month is fine when they stay out of dirt and bushes. If they live in rougher circumstances, be sure to keep their coats clean and brushed regurlarly. “Regularly” means a minimum of twice per week, and as necessary.Remove plant material when they are done playing.
A wire slicker is fine for grooming, but exercise care. Even though all dogs are durable, it is important not to scrape the skin. Which can lead to hot spots that the dog will make worse by licking and chewing. Since Dachshunds are an assertive, high-energy breed, extra caution is needed.
Wire-Hair
The wirey hair on the muzzle, chest and legs of this variety gives them the name. It can also give them a necessisty for extra grooming care.In their case, more frequent baths along with more regular brushing will be called for.Brushing will take longer as well.
The stiff coat is actually in two layers, like the terriers they look like.Get the undercoat with a slicker and use a regular brush for the topcoat. Be aware, too, that they will shed more.That may call for a shampoo that helps control shedding. Be prepared for seasonal changes as they naturally adjust to the change in weather by shedding more.
Shorten any excess hair off the muxxle to avoid it dragging on the ground. Cutting behind the rear legs will be needed once it reaches a length that leads to mats.Regular brushing up to twice a week is good enough.
Long-Hair
As the name suggests, this type has long, wavy hair. Since they are low to the ground, more regular trimming will be necessary, along with more frequent bathing.Mattig is especially common in this variety, but can be avoided with brushing every other day, paying close attention to behind the ears.When mats form, trim them gradually with a blunt-nose pair of scissors until you have removed enough to work out the mat with fingers and brush.
A combination shampoo and conditioner works well with this type.Be sure not to over-bathe them, though, which can lead to dried, scaly skin. Regular, gentle brushing will help, since it smooths natural oils under the coat and over the skin.
Nail Trimming
All types need to have their nails trimmed often, usually weekly. The normal technique is okay. Get a good pair of guillotine scissors and hold each foot firmly, searching for the quick. Cut away from the quick to avoid accidents, which are more likely in the Dachshund’s case because of their feisty nature.
Only-Dachshunds has gifts and more for the Doxie Lover
Filed under Articles by on May 23rd, 2009. Comment.
