Miniature Dachshund

Although it has never been firmly established which breed or breeds were used to develop the Dachshund, we do know that the breed originated in Germany where they were known as “badger dogs” (in German, the word ‘dachs’ means badger and the word ‘hund’ means dog).  There are illustrations of Dachshunds dating back to the fifteenth Century, as well as eighteenth century books that refer to a breed of dog called the ‘badger crawler’ and ‘badger warrior’.

German foresters needed a dog small enough to go to ground, with a good nose to find its quarry , a loud bark and a courageous nature. Because of their low, flat body, Dachshunds proved useful for hunting small prey 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, while the smaller dogs were used to hunt foxes and rabbits and to track down wounded deer.

The breed was refined in Germany over time. During the 1800’s, Dachshunds were bred more for pets than hunters.  They became popular in Great Britain and were a favourite of Queen Victoria. Their popularity led to the breeding of smaller Dachshunds, and in 1910, stricter breeder criterias were adopted related to size.

During World War 1 and World War II the Dachshund’s popularity floundered in the United Kingdom because of their association with Germany. Today, their popularity has been reestablished and the Miniature Dachshund is a popular dog right across the world.

Miniature Dachshunds aren’t built for distance running, leaping, or strenuous swimming, but nevertheless, these tireless hounds thrive on exercise and need a daily walk. They make good companions for older people as they don’t require a huge amount of exercise. It’s always best to keep them on the lead during walks because they have a strong hunting drive and will take off if they catch a scent.

Miniature Dachshunds need regular exercise not only to stay fit, but also to build strong muscles to support and protect their back. To avoid injury, never allow a Dachshund to run up and down stairs or jump on or off furniture.

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

Miniature 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 in good condition. For the wire-haired coat, plucking or hand-stripping several times a year will keep it looking its best, and it is easy to maintain between groomings with 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.