Dachshund

The Dachshund emanated from Germany where they were known as “badger dogs”.  In fact the word ‘dachs’ translate to badger and the word ‘hund’ means dog in German. There are illustrations of Dachshunds dating back to the 15^th Century. There are also documents that talk about the breed of dog called the earth dog, dachsel and badger creeper.

Because of their low, flat body, Dachshunds were used for hunting foxes as they could crawl into their dens.  At the time, the size of the Dachshund varied and larger dogs were used to catch badgers and track wild boar and the smaller dogs were used to hunt foxes and deer and sometimes rabbits. The dog became known as the ‘Teckel’ to German foresters during the 18^th and 19^th centuries.

The breed was refined in Germany over a number of years. Although it has never been firmly established which breed or breeds were used to develop the Dachshund, it is speculated that the smooth-haired breed was created by crossing the Braque, the Pinscher and a small terrier. Some believe that the French Basset Hound was also considered to be part of the Dachshund’s heritage. Dachshunds with long coats were thought to have developed by crossing the dogs with spaniels and the wired-haired Dachshunds most likely emanated from crossing the dog with wire-haired terriers.

During the 1800’s, Dachshunds breeders began to breed them for pets rather than as hunters. They were loved by the people of Great Britain and were a favourite of Queen Victoria.  Their popularity resulted in the breeding of smaller Dachshunds, resulting in the Standard-sized and Miniature Dachshund that we know today.

During World Wars 1 and II, the Dachshund’s popularity floundered in the United Kingdom because of their association with Germany. They regained popularity in the 1950’s and have remained popular around the world ever since, including Australia.

Dachshunds’ bodies are not built for distance running, leaping, or strenuous swimming, but nevertheless, these tireless hounds thrive on exercise and do require a daily walk. They make suitable companions for older people as they don’t require an exessive amount of exercise. It’s recommended to keep them on the lead during walks because they have a strong hunting drive and are likely to take off if they catch a scent.

It is essential that Dachshunds get regular exercise not only to stay fit, but also to build strong muscles that will support and protect their back. To avoid injury to its back, never allow a Dachshund to run up and down stairs or jump on or off furniture or other high places.

Dachshunds are very intelligent but are also independent and often stubborn, so they can be challenging to train. Patience and persistence are key. They love to give and receive affection, and do best with positive, reward-based training. Being sensitive creatures, they will not react well to harsh commands or punishment.

Dachshunds’ grooming needs vary depending on their coat type. The smooth-haired coat doesn’t require much mored than a weekly brush and/or a wipe with a towel to maintain. The long-haired coat requires more frequent brushing, depending on the thickness of the coat, to keep it in top condition. For the wire-haired coat, plucking or hand-stripping several times a year will keep it looking its best, and maintenance between groomings of occasional trimming of the beard and eyebrows and weekly or twice weekly brushing or combing.

All coat types are moderate shedders, relatively clean, and have little or no body odour. The breed’s pendulous ears make them susceptible to ear infections, and should therefore be cleaned weekly.