Dachshund

In general appearance the Dachshund is a very long and low dog, with compact and well muscled body, resting on short, slightly crooked forelegs. A long head and ears, with bold and defiant carriage and intelligent expression. In disposition the Dachshund is full of spirit, defiant when attacked, aggressive even to foolhardiness when attacking; in play amusing and untiring; by nature willful and unheeding.

Origin: The origin of the Dachshund is not very clear. Some writers have professed to trace the breed or representations of it on the monuments of the Egyptians. Some aver that it is a direct descendant of the French Basset hound, and others that he is related to the old Turnspits - the dogs so excellent in kitchen service, of whom Dr. Caius wrote that “when any meat is to be roasted they go into a wheel, where they, turning about with the weight of their bodies, so diligently look to their business that no drudge nor scullion can do the feat more cunningly, whom the popular sort hereupon term Turnspits.” Certainly the dog commonly used in this occupation was long of body and short of leg, very much resembling the Dachshund.

In all probability the Dachshund is a manufactured breed, a breed evolved from a large type of hound intermixed with a terrier to suit the special conditions involved in the pursuit and extermination of a quarry that, unchecked, was capable of seriously interfering with the cultivation of the land. He comprises in his small person the characteristics of both hound and terrier - his wonderful powers of scent, his long, pendulous ears, and, for his size, enormous bone, speak of his descent from the hound that hunts by scent. In many respects he favors the Bloodhound, and one may often see Dachshunds which, having been bred from parents carefully selected to accentuate some fancy point, have exhibited the very pronounced “peak” (occipital bone), the protruding haw of the eye, the loose dewlap and the color markings characteristic of the Bloodhound. His small stature, iron heart, and willingness to enter the earth indicate the terrier cross.

Temperament: Intelligent, lively, courageous, obedient and affectionate. Miniature Dachshund makes an excellent family pet and a good watch dog too as this breed has a surprisingly loud bark for its size.

Grooming: Use a hound glove and rub down with a soft brush. A stiff brush and comb need to be used on the long and wire-haired varieties.

Exercise: A romp in a large garden usually provides enough exercise. Otherwise, short and frequent walks help preserve the Dachshund’s waistline.

Training: As a further precaution against disc injuries, take pains to discourage these dogs from running up the stairs or jumping up onto furniture.

Physical Appearance of the Dachshund

Head: Long, and appearing conical from above, and from a side view, tapering to the point of the muzzle, wedge-shaped. The skull should be broad rather than narrow, to allow plenty of brain room, slightly arched, and fairly straight, without a stop, but not deep or snippy.

Eyes: Medium in size, oval, and set obliquely, with very clear, sharp expression and of a dark color, except in the case of the liver and tan, when the eyes may be yellow; and in the dapple, when the eyes may be light or “wall-eyed.”

Nose: Preferably deep black. The flesh colored and spotted noses are allow able only in the liver and tan and dapple varieties.

Ears: Set on moderately high, or, seen in profile, above the level of the eyes, well back, flat, not folded, pointed, or narrow, hanging close to the cheeks, very mobile, and when at attention carried with the back of the ear upward and outward.

Neck: Moderately long, with slightly arched nape, muscular and clean, showing no dewlap, and carried well up and forward.

Fore-quarters: His work underground demands strength and compactness, and, therefore, the chest and shoulder regions should be deep, long, and wide. The shoulder blade should be long, and set on very sloping, the upper arm of equal length with, and at right angles to, the shoulder blade, strong boned and well muscled, and lying close to ribs, but moving freely. The lower arm is slightly bent inwards, and the feet should be turned slightly outwards, giving an appearance of “crooked” legs approximating to the cabriole of a Chippendale chair. Straight, narrow, short shoulders are always accompanied by straight, short, upper arms, forming an obtuse angle, badly developed brisket and “keel” or chicken breast, and the upper arm being thrown forward by the weight of the body behind causes the legs to knuckle over at the “knees.” Broad, sloping shoulders, on the other hand, insure soundness of the forelegs and feet.

Legs and feet: Forelegs very short and strong in bone, slightly bent inwards; seen in profile, moderately straight and never bending forward or knuckling over. Feet large, round, and strong, with thick pads, compact and well arched toes, nails strong and black. The dog must stand equally on all parts of the foot.

Body: Should be long and muscular, the chest very oval, rather than very narrow and deep, to allow ample room for heart and lungs, hanging low between front legs, the brisket point should be high and very prominent, the ribs well sprung out towards the loins (not flat sided). Loins short and strong. The line of back only slightly depressed behind shoulders and only slightly arched over loins. The hindquarters should not be higher than the shoulders, thus giving a general appearance of levelness.

Hind-quarters: The rump round, broad, and powerfully muscled; hip bone not too short, but broad and sloping; the upper arm, or thigh, thick, of good length, and jointed at right angles to the hip bone. The lower leg (or second thigh) is, compared with other animals, short, and is set on at right angles to the upper thigh, and is very firmly muscled. The hind legs are lighter in bone than the front ones, but very strongly muscled, with well-rounded-out buttocks, and the knee joint well developed. Seen from behind, the legs should be wide apart and straight, and not cow hocked. The dog should not be higher at the quarters than at shoulder.

Stern: Set on fairly high, strong at root, and tapering, but not too long. Neither too much curved nor carried too high; well, but not too much, feathered; a bushy tail is better than too little hair.

Coat and Skin: Hair short and close as possible, glossy and smooth, but resistant to the touch if stroked the wrong way. The skin tough and elastic, but fitting close to the body.

Color: There are three types of colors

• One Colored: There are several self colors recognized, including deep red, yellowish red, smutty red. Of these the dark, or cherry, red is preferable, and in this color light shadings on any part of the body or head are undesirable. “Black” is rare, and is only a sport from black and tan.
• Two Colored: Deep black, brown (liver) or grey, with golden or tan markings (spots) over the eyes at the side of the jaw and lips, inner rim of ears, the breast, inside and back of legs, the feet, and under the tail for about one third of its length. In the above-mentioned colors white markings are objectionable. The utmost that is allowed being a small spot, or a few hairs, on the chest.
• Dappled: A silver grey to almost white foundation color, with dark, irregular spots (small for preference) of dark grey, brown, tan, or black. The general appearance should be a bright, indefinite coloration, which is considered especially useful in a hunting dog.

Weight: Dachshunds in Germany are classified by weight as follows:

• Lightweight: Dogs up to16½ lb., bitches up to 15½ lb.
• Middleweight: Dogs up to 22 lb., bitches up to 22 lb.
• Heavyweight: Over 22 lb.

Miniature Dachshunds

• Weight: 4 to 5 kg / 9 to 10 lb
• Height: 13 to 23 cm

Special Note: In the following weeks, I will be covering …

• Dachshunds in dog show
• How to rear Dachshund puppies successfully?
• Dachshunds at hunting
• Dachshunds as companion