Dachshund Facts For Prospective Pet Owners

The German Dachshund is the most fascinatingly figured dog compared to any other breed including the Hound. This long short legged dog was first raised in Germany to hunt badgers. Some interesting Dachshund facts are mentioned below:

The Dachshund is part of the AKC hound group and has a long body with short legs. It comes in three varieties wirehaired, shorthaired, space and long haired and also in three different sizes which is available in each variety.

This short legged but muscular German Dachshund has an elongated body. With a convex skull and protruding eyebrows, the head is also elongated. He has a friendly and energetic expression with oval eyes that are dark – either brown, black or even red. He has muscular and strong jaws. Long ears that hang down and the tail is carried straight up in line with the back.

The American Kennel Club determines acceptable ranges for height and weight for the breed. These Dachshund facts stat that a standard size Dachshund should 14 to 18 inches long, and weigh around 20 pounds. A dwarf or miniature Dachshund should be between 12 and 14 inches long and weigh around 9 pounds. A toy should be less than 12 inches and weigh around 8 pounds. An average lifespan is 12 to 15 years.

Dachshunds come in two color patterns, solid or bi colored. The solids are a yellow or tan color while the bi coloreds tend to have bright chestnut coat with black, brown or gray markings. On top of this, there are harlequin and piebald varieties.

Dachshunds are known for their sweet and loyal temperament, but can be stubborn and hard to train. They can be playful or even mischievous. The like to dig, so expect that in your yard or garden. People have indicated that these tendencies may affect the calmer long-haired dachshunds less, while the wire-haired dachshund is more energetic and playful.

One problem dachshunds face is that they have a tendency to be lazy and gain weight, adding to their other health risks. As with humans, they increase their chance of heart disease, diabetes, urinary tract infections and back problems.

The shedding rate of German Dachshunds is about average, as compared to other breeds. The shorthaired variety is the easiest to care for in this regard, as it generally only needs rubbing with a chamois or soft cloth. Longhaired varieties will need to be brushed every day. It’s a well known Dachshund fact that the wirehaired Dachshund’s grooming is a little more complicated, and will probably need to be seen by a professional dog groomer every six months or so.