Dachshund
Recommended for: Singles, families
Maintenance Level: Medium
Lifespan: 14-16 years
Temperament:
Affectionate, independent
Affectionate, independent
Health Risk:
This breed has an around average probability of having health issues in its lifetime, hence it is one of the more affordable breeds to insure.
This breed has an around average probability of having health issues in its lifetime, hence it is one of the more affordable breeds to insure.
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Breed Overview
The Dachshund is a small long dog with muscular short legs. There are three varieties of Dachshunds including shorthaired, wirehaired and longhaired and each of these varieties do shed. They have a long muzzle and almost shaped eyes that can either be dark red or black-brown.
The short-haired Dachshund’s coat is sleek and shiny and Dachshunds can come in a variety of colours including red or cream, black and chocolate, dapple, sable, piebald, brindle, and wild boar. Short-haired Dachshunds are usually black, chocolate, wild boar, grey or fawn with tan or cream markings.
The Dachshund or Doxie as it is affectionately known, is a loveable dog with a bright personality. The Dachshund breed is also commonly referred to as the Sausage Dog due to its long body.
Dachshunds love nothing better than curling up under a blanket with their owners and they also love the company of other dogs, especially another Dachshund puppy. They also make great watchdogs.
The Dachshund weighs about 4.9 kilos at the age of 12 months and they stand at about 20 to 27 cms.
Dachshunds have an average lifespan of 14 to 16 years.
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Personality and Temperament
The Dachshund has in independent nature and this may make them a challenge to train. They make great family pets and are loyal companions. Persistence is the key in training a Dachshund and if you start early you will be able to achieve basic obedience training.
It’s always best to keep your Dachshund puppy on the lead during walks because they have a strong hunting drive and will take off if they catch a scent. While they are suitable for families it is wise to supervise young children because the Dachshund’s long back can be injured if he is not handled with care.
Dachshunds make wonderful companion dogs for older people and they don’t require a huge amount of exercise.
Common Dachshund Diseases & Conditions
Symptoms, diagnosis, treatment and pictures
- Intervertebral Disc Disease. This is a condition that occurs when the disc between the vertebras becomes damaged, causing swelling and leaking. Common symptoms include: inactivity or lethargic behaviour, shivering, limping, or the inability to bend down to eat. If you notice these behaviours, get in touch with your vet.
- Epilepsy is a disease that can occur in Dachshunds and it can either be hereditary or the result of a knock to the head. If your Dachshund suffers seizure its best to see your vet as soon as possible.
- Progressive retinal atrophy refers to a family of eye conditions which lead to the gradual deterioration of the retina, causing first night blindness, then full blindness. There is no cure, but many dogs adapt easily to the loss of sight and can lead relatively normal lives, as long as their environment does not change too drastically.
- Gastric Dilatation-Volvulus. Also known as bloat, gastric dilatation-volvulus is a deadly condition. Risk is increased if the dog is fed one large meal a day, eats quickly, drinks large amounts of water or exercises after eating. The stomach twists, making the dog unable to belch or vomit to get rid of excess air, and as a result the blood supply to the heart is impaired. Unless immediately attended to, the dog may die. Symptoms of bloat include a distended belly, excessive drooling, dry having, restlessness, exhaustion, weakness and a quick heart rate.
- Cushings Disease. This condition can occur due to an imbalance in the pituitary or adrenal gland or when the dog has too much cortisol as the result of other conditions. The symptoms of this disease include excess urination and excess drinking.
- Diabetes occurs when the body cannot regulate blood levels. Affected dogs do not lose their appetite, but will often lose weight, urinate a lot and get thirsty often. It is treated with a special diet and insulin.
Not all conditions are covered by Pet Insurance. For details of Bow Wow Meow Pet Insurance cover, refer to the Product Disclosure Statement.
History
The Dachshund emanated from Germany where they were known as badger dogs. In fact the word ‘dachs’ translate to badger and the word ‘hund’ translates to dog in German. There are illustrations of Dachshunds dating back to the 15th 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 there are stories of Dachshunds 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 breed was refined in Germany over a number of years. The dog was known as the ‘Teckel’ to German foresters during the 18th and 19th centuries. The smooth hair breed was created by crossing the Braque, the Pinscher and a small terrier. It has been reported that the French Basset Hound was also considered to be part of the Dachshund’s heritage. Dachshunds with long coats were probably developed by crossing the dogs with spaniels and the wired haired Dachshunds most likely emanated from crossing the dog with wirehair terriers.
During the 1800s Dachshunds breeders were breeding them more for pets than hunters. They were loved by the people of Great Britain including Queen Victoria. Their popularity resulted in the breeding of smaller Dachshunds resulting in the miniature dachshund that we know today.
The German Dachshund Club was founded in 1888 and the first Dachshund Club of American was founded in 1895. During World War 1 and World War II the Dachshund’s popularity floundered in the United Kingdom because they were associated with the Germans.
They regained popularity in the 1950s and have remained popular around the world ever since including Australia.
Dachshund Facts!
- Dachshunds can suffer from slipped discs so don’t let them jump from high places.
- Like a lot of small dogs, Dachshunds have big attitudes and can be a bit stubborn.
- The oldest Dachshund recorded lived to 23 years old.
- The nickname in Australia for the Dachshund is the ‘sausage dog’.
- Dachshunds can tend to put on weight so it’s good to make sure they have a healthy diet and plenty of exercise.
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MORE INFORMATION
The Dachshund Club of Queensland: http://www.dachshundclubqld.com/html/links.html
