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What is a Dachshund?
The Dachshund is a small, compact hound whose legs are short and body is long. The head is long and wedge-shaped, with pendulous or 'floppy' ears. The dachshund was bred to hunt badgers (a nasty, aggressive animal that lives in tunnels). Dachshunds are still used to hunt rabbits and woodchucks. They have a keen sense of smell. Their short legs can move amazingly fast. The dachshund is the only American Kennel Club recognized breed that can and does hunt above and below ground.
How do you say Dachshund?
The correct pronunciation is "DAHKS-HUND". Dach - meaning "badger" and Hund - meaning "dog" (badger dog).
The Dachshund in the United States is bred in two (2) sizes - Miniature and Standard. The Miniature Dachshund is 11 pounds or less when over a year old. The Standard Dachshund is between 16 and 32 pounds.
The Dachshund is bred in three coat types: smooth, longhaired and wire-haired. The Dachshund may have short hair (smooth Dachshund), long hair (similar to an Irish or Gordon Setter) or Wire hair (a coarse coat like that of a Terrier).
How well a Dachshund gets along with kids will depend on three (3) things: the temperament of the dog, how the dog is raised, and how the kids are taught to treat animals. A Dachshund with a sound temperament, and properly raised and socialized with children, who likewise understand how to treat a dog kindly, should do fine with kids. Of course, small children should never be left unsupervised with any type of dog.
A Dachshunds is a working dog with a very strong, willful personality. It takes an owner with an equally determined character to own a Dachshund. They are not a mean, aggressive, or unpredictable breed, just strong-willed and perhaps a bit stubborn. An owner of a Dachshund must be comfortable letting his/her dog know who is "the pack leader," in which case they are not very difficult to train. With consistent and rewarding training they learn quite easily.
Dachshunds tend to be very sociable animals, and if properly raised and socialized generally will get along well with other dogs and animals. It is important to remember that Dachshunds are hunters and that if you intent to have them with cats, rabbits, rodents, etc., you should be sure the dog is trained from an early age to get along with these types of pets. To an unfamiliar Dachshund your new pet rabbit may be seen as hunting game and he will only be doing what he sees as his job to rid you of it. Keep these things in mind when considering a Dachshund for a pet.
Website design and maintenance contact: Created on February 21, 2004 Last updated on December 05, 2005 |
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