Learn about a Dog Every Day - Dachshund

The Dachshund is a unique and popular breed of dog, the Dachshund is a hunting dog that specializes in catching beasts in narrow holes, so named because of its short limbs and its entire body resembles a dachshund. The following is a detailed introduction:

Basic Information

• Name: Dachshund (German), alias Sausagedog, badger hound, hog badger dog
• Subfamily: Canis lupus
• Subspecies: Domestic Dogs
• Suborder: Split-footed
• Country of origin: Germany
• Lifespan: up to 15 years or more

Characteristics

• Body type: The Dachshund has a long body, near the ground, short legs, and the whole body is like a dachshund. According to its body size, it can be divided into standard and small (miniature) two kinds.
• Head: The head is long and narrow, with a wedge-shaped skull and a slightly arched top. The depressed area between the eyes where the muzzle and skull meet is prominent. The eyes are slightly slanted almond eyes, dark in color and expressive. The muzzle is elongated and the nose is large and dark.
• Ears: moderately long and wide, rooted near the back of the head, with the front edges hanging down to the cheeks, showing a beautiful curve.
• Limbs: the forelimbs are short, with the forearm bones slightly curved inward; the hind limbs are muscular, stout, and slightly splayed.
• Tail: The root of the tail is high and strong, with a tapering tip. Dachshunds with different coats have slightly different tail forms, such as the short-haired Dachshund with a brush-shaped tail.
• Coat: There are three types of Dachshund coats: short-haired (short, dense, and close to the body), long-haired (straight and long, with edge hairs in some areas), and bristly (rough, lengthwise bristles all over the body). Hair color variety, including red, black, brown, boar, chocolate, gray, camel, and so on, and each with a little brown markings.

Character traits

• Loyal and Courageous: The Dachshund is loyal to its owner and wary of strangers.
• Lively and cheerful: Dachshunds are lively, cheerful, alert and gentle, beautiful but not proud. They often make funny gestures and are a happy dog. Indomitable when working above or below ground, all senses are highly developed. Outdoors, the Dachshund is energetic and tireless; indoors, it is loving and sensitive, friendly when quiet and playful.
• Easy to train: The Dachshund is intelligent and quick to learn, ranking in the upper middle of the IQ scale in the canine world, making it easy to train. However, it is not advisable to train difficult maneuvers such as jumping to avoid vertebral displacement or other diseases.
• Loves to be pampered: Dachshunds are very good at being pampered, and will use their eyes, ears and body language to express their needs and emotions to their owners.

Life Habits

• Exercise demand: Dachshunds need a certain amount of exercise to maintain their health and body shape, but because of their small size, the amount of exercise required is not great. It is recommended to go out for a walk at least twice a day for at least 20 minutes each time. Dachshunds are good at catching small animals such as rabbits and foxes in bushes and burrows.
• Cleaning needs: The Dachshund is small in size and correspondingly clean. They don't have much of the odor that is characteristic of small dogs, so owners don't have to bathe them as often as once a month, which is enough; and grooming is done at least once a week. In addition, the Dachshund's teeth are prone to tartar, which should be removed regularly.

History and Development

• Dachshunds can be traced back to ancient Egypt and originated in Germany, where they have been popular since the Middle Ages.
• In 1840, the first Dachshund Club was established in Germany, which promoted the improvement of the Dachshund breed.
• In 1850, the Dachshund was introduced to England, where a miniature Dachshund was bred for pleasure.
• In 1935, the Miniature Dachshund Club was founded in England.
• In 1972, the Dachshund was used as the official mascot of the Olympic Games in Munich, Germany.

Today, the Dachshund is widely used as a family dog and is loved for its unique appearance and playful personality.