The Dachshund is a curious, bold dog breed that loves to explore and dig. They might be the smallest of the hounds, yet they are the biggest in spirit. The breeds have their origin in Germany. In German, “Dach” translates to Badger and “hund” stands for dog. They were bred to hunt for badgers, rabbits and other small game and hence the name.
Fast Facts On Dachshund
Origin: Germany
Weight: Miniature Dachshund: Around 5 Kg
Standard Dachshund: Between 7 to 14 Kg
Height: Miniature: 5-6 inches tall.
Standard: 9-11 inches tall
Coat: Smooth, Long Haired, Wire Haired
Skin Colour: Black, Black & Tan, Chocolate & Tan, Blue & Tan, Cream, Tan, Chocolate & Cream, Red
Life Span: 12 – 16 years
Dachshund Characteristics
Energy Level – High
Exercise Needs – Low
Playfulness – Moderately Playful
Affection Level – Moderately affectionate
Friendliness With Other Dogs – Friendly
Friendliness Toward Strangers – Reserved
Tendency to Bark – High
Tendency to Drool – Low
Watchdog Ability – High
Guarding Potential – Medium
Grooming Needs – Moderate
Cold Tolerance – Medium
Heat Tolerance – Medium
Veterinarian Visit – Rare
What Are The Best Foods For Dachshunds?
Food For Newborn Dachshunds (Birth To 8 Weeks)
If not mother’s milk, newborn Dachshund pups can be fed milk prepared from powder. They should be fed from a feeding bottle every two hours. Below are some of the best foods for newborn Dachshunds:
Food For Dachshund Puppies (2 Months to 8 Months)
Puppy Dachshunds need to be fed a little more than their adult counterparts in order to build good muscle mass and strength. As the puppies have a good appetite, it is important not to feed them filler products like Corn. Below are some of the best foods for Dachshund puppies:
Food For Adult Dachshunds (8 Months To 11 Years)
As Dachshunds have a small digestive tract and an increased energy requirement, a protein-rich diet is advisable for Dachshunds. Their diet should be balanced for maintaining an ideal weight, which will prevent back problems that Dachshunds are often vulnerable to. Below are some of the foods you can give your adult Dachshunds:
Food For Senior Dachshunds (11 Years and Above)
As Senior Dachshunds are generally not active, their fat consumption can be reduced. One can choose a diet having a moderate fat content for mature Dachshunds. Below are some of the best foods for Senior Dachshunds:
What Is A Dachshund’s Nature Like?
Dachshunds are brave, clever and devoted dogs who get along best with adults. They are highly dedicated to their owners and are quite aloof to strangers. They are a very alert breed and will bark at the slightest hint of intrusion in their territory. Dachshunds should not be kept in isolation for too long, as they are susceptible to separation anxiety and may chew objects in the house to relieve their stress. They are not ideal breeds for families having small children, as the dogs are quite possessive about their toys and have a tendency to bite kids. Well-trained Dachshunds and well-behaved children get along well.
Are Dachshunds Easy To Train?
The stubborn behaviour of Dachshunds makes them difficult to train. The earlier the training starts for the Dachshund, the better it is. Positive training, patience and giving them treats whenever required can make them obedient. Being gentle but firm in your commands helps with faster learning. However, keep in mind that the training exercises must not be too repetitive, as Dachshunds get easily bored.
Do Dachshunds Shed?
Dachshunds are moderate shedders, and the amount of shedding depends on their coat type. Smooth-Coated Dachshunds shed the least as they have less undercoat. They should be brushed weekly to eliminate dead hair. Longhaired Dachshunds have a wavy outer coat and a fluffy undercoat, causing them to shed more than smooth-coated Dachshunds. The bushy beards and the bristly outercoat of Wirehaired Dachshunds cause them to require more grooming than their other two counterparts. Wirehaired Dachshunds and Longhaired Dachshunds need daily brushing to prevent tangles and hair shedding.
How Much Exercise Does A Dachshund Need
Exercise for Dachshunds is a great mental stimulation, apart from being a health booster. Dachshunds love going outside and exploring things. A 6-month-old puppy should have 30 30-minute walks outside. Adult Dachshunds above 1 year old should have 60 60-minute walk (can be two split sessions). Remember that these breeds were used as hunting dogs and their natural instincts to toil is still there. Daily walking is enough to keep them fit and healthy.
What Are The Pros And Cons Of Having A Dachshund?
Pros
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Dachshunds are lovely and adorable dogs. If properly socialised, they can be great family dogs.
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Unless you overfeed a Dachshund, they make excellent apartment dogs requiring little maintenance.
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Excellent Watchdog. They will alarm you at the slightest suspicion.
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They love to cuddle, making them a great affectionate breed
Cons
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Dachshunds are not good with smaller pets.
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They are known as a stubborn breed making them difficult to train.
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Can chew things in the house if isolated for a longer period.
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They become overweight quickly if fed more.
Dachshund Breeding
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Litter Size |
4 to 6 puppies |
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Breeding Complications |
No |
Some Fun Facts About Dachshunds
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Dachshunds were used 300 years ago in Germany as a Badger dog to chase and flush out badgers and to hunt smaller prey like rabbits.
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Dachshunds come in 12 different colours and they all have different kinds of markings.
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The breed was Queen Victoria’s favourite
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Dachshunds were the first Olympic mascots in the 1972 Munich Olympic Games.
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The breed has a longer life span making it one of the longest living dog breeds. An average lifespan of a Dachshund is 14 years.
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Dachshunds are energetic and athletic, and they even took part in dog races during the ’70s in Australia.
History Of Dachshunds
A number of writers and dachshund experts have theorised that the origin of the Dachshund goes back to ancient Egypt and therefore have been in existence for over a staggering 4000 years!. An inscription on the ancient monument of an Egyptian pharaoh reads ”Teka”. This led some to believe that this is the root of the German word “ Teckel” which translates to our beloved hound dog in English. The word ‘Dachshund’ refers to badger dog in German. Original Dachshunds in the 18th Century in Germany were much larger to their contemporary counterparts. They had a weight between 14 and 18 Kg. This breed was used for killing badgers and for hunting rabbits and foxes. Since the existential evidence of the correct origin of this breed is unclear, the debate about their early ancestors still continues. Dachshunds have conventionally been viewed as a symbol of Germany. The breed was chosen as the first Olympic Mascot in the 1972 Munich Olympic Games.
