Detailed characteristics of the Dachshund breed

2024 Author: James Gerald | [email protected]. Last modified: 2023-12-17 14:00

Dachshunds were developed in Germany in the 15th century. At first, they were taken to hunt badgers, since they are quite nimble and dexterous, which is ideal for this type of craft. Almost every person knows how they look, but the character of these dogs is not familiar to everyone. By the way, the name of the breed in German sounds like "dachshund", which literally translates as "badger hunter".

Description of the breed

Dachshund has a specific appearance: small size, long body, short legs. Their muzzles are elongated, and their ears hang down at the sides. The coat is smooth and harsh, but there are exceptions. The dachshund can weigh up to 10 kg. There are also miniature representatives of the breed - only 4 kg.

Dachshunds were used to hunt wild boars (usually with other dogs), foxes, etc.

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Personality

Due to their hunting past, dachshunds have a touch of stubbornness in their character. But otherwise it is a very sweet and soulful dog that gets along well with people. It is also necessary to note their extraordinary determination, which was instilled in them for pursuing game in the forest, searching, digging holes and attacking the enemy.

Dachshunds are very attached to their owners and do not like being left alone for a long time, especially for dwarf breeds. They can follow their owner anywhere, even in spite of their small, short legs.

If the children are already adults and know how to handle animals (do not pull their ears and tail, do not try to pick them up against their will), then dachshunds will treat them well. But if there are too small children in the house who cannot be explained how to handle a pet, it is better not to have a dog. She can be aggressive.

Despite the fact that dachshunds are no longer considered a hunting breed, this does not negate the fact that they retain specific instincts. The main one is an innate love of digging, especially if the ground is loose and flowers grow in it. Also, these cute dogs will rush to any burrow, even remotely similar to a badger hideout, to try to wait for the animal. You need to be ready for this when walking and try to build the route so that there are as few such places along the way.

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In a family, a dachshund, as a rule, chooses one person whom he considers his master. Of course, she listens to other family members, but she always has one indisputable authority. As for strangers, the dachshund can be hostile to them, so it is advisable to try to teach your pet the rules of communication as early as possible.

By the way, dachshunds are very fond of barking. This should be taken into account if you want to have such a dog.

When feeding, you need to remember that dachshunds do not know the measures in food, therefore food should be given to them in dosage. They are also very fond of begging for sweets, for which they can do anything, including trick and deception. Therefore, if you do not control the diet of your pet, then this is fraught with obesity, which will negatively affect their spine (for example, during the game, an intervertebral disc may accidentally pop out).

For those who have not yet decided whether to start a dachshund or not, there are some interesting facts about these wonderful dogs:

• Dachshunds are among the 15 most popular breeds around the world;
• depending on the species, they can have a long, smooth or hard coat (the first type of wool protects the dog well from water, the second helps it to climb into holes, and the third one - to run through the forest among the plants);
• do not let the dachshund go to high places so that when jumping off it does not injure its back (in this regard, a special step can be built for the dog so that it can gently descend);
• the dachshund was the mascot of the 1972 Munich Olympics;
• in France this breed is called "Basset", and in Switzerland - "Neider";
• As you know, the current Queen of Great Britain is a big fan of the corgi, while Queen Victoria was more fond of dachshunds. In this regard, the specialists of the royal palace have worked for a long time to improve this breed;
• the homeland of these dogs is Germany;
• for many famous artists (for example, Pablo Picasso, Andy Warhol and others), the dachshund acted as a kind of muse, which is why they often sought to capture it in their paintings.

Education

Although dachshunds and smart dogs, they still need training and education. They tend to be stubborn and begging for food. Sometimes a pet may not listen to the orders of its owner at all (for example, if it sees a cat or a squirrel on the street). Therefore, it is very important from an early age to teach the dachshund to obey and master the basic commands.

Despite the fact that the representatives of the breed are very cute and sometimes touchy, you need to show them your authority and leadership qualities from an early age. For example, if the situation requires it, you can take away the pet's favorite toy for a while or deprive it of treats. But you also need to be a friend to your dog: learn to accept some of its specific aspects (for example, a tendency to dig holes).

Care

Due to their short coat, dachshunds do not require careful grooming: they only need to be brushed once a week. It is also necessary to trim the nails of your dog, to keep the ears and eyes of the animal clean. It is advisable to bathe the dachshund after each walk.