Dachshunds are long built with a low silhouette, bold, alert expression, and vivacious personality. All of these qualities made Dachshund dogs a superstar in the kingdom of canines originating mainly from Germany. This very breed comes in two sizes and three coats. Dachshund can be of standard size or miniature.
Although this breed isn’t built for distance running, swimming, leaping, but they are tireless hounds for sure. They are vigilant and smart, with a big bark, and can make a very good watchdog. It was bred to be an independent hunter, and they can be brave and a bit stubborn too. Also, their endearing nature wins millions of hearts.
The personality and temperament of the Dachshund
If you are looking for dachshund facts, you will find the first thing is its personality. These dogs are clever, courageous, and lively. They are bred for perseverance, and this is another way of stating that they are stubborn. The dachshund has a reputation for being fearless and entertaining, and they like to cuddle with their masters.
The personality of a Dachshund varies on their coat type, if you look at the wire-haired dogs they have a side of terrier in their history, and these are troublemakers. Longhair ones are generally quiet and calm. Some mini Dachshunds are shy or nervous, but that’s not the right breed. If you are looking for Dachshund to pet, then you must avoid the puppies that don’t match the breed.
Dachshund’s temperament gets affected by so many factors, like socialization, heredity, and training. Puppies who have nice temperaments are playful and curious and want to approach people, and loves to be held by them. You have to meet such a parent who ensures that their puppy has a nice temperament, also you will be able to evaluate what the dog will be when he or she grows up.
Like every dog, Dachshund needs to socialize from an early age, they need to meet different people with sights, and sounds, and have this experience when they are young. Proper socialization helps a Dachshund puppy to be grown up as a well-behaved dog. You can invite visitors and stroll them around the neighborhood to help them learn social skills.
Information about dachshunds
Weight: The normal weight of a Dachshund can be between 8 to 11 pounds, and the standard one is 15 to 30 pounds.
Height: The height of a Dachshund can be 8 to 9 inches, and the overall length of the body is 21.5 to 25 inches. If they are standing their height will be 13 to 14.5 inches.
Lifespan: Dachshund comes in two sizes standard and miniature, and their coat varies from long-haired, smooth, or wirehaired. Generally, a healthy breed of Dachshund has an average lifespan of 12 to 15 years.
Dachshund physical characteristics
Sizes: You will find two types of Dachshund, one is standard and the other is miniature. The short ones have a height of 5 to 7 inches, and the standard dogs have a measure of 8 to 9 inches at the shoulder.
Coats of Dachshund: You will find out that these dogs have typically three types of coats in the dachshund facts, wirehaired, smooth-haired, and long-haired.
- Log haired Dachshunds: This type has long and silky hair at their body parts like, beneath the belly, behind the legs, neck, ears, and tail. Long-haired Dachshunds require daily brushing their coats and proper grooming to keep the hair in good condition.
- Smooth-Haired Dachshunds: Most of the Dachshunds in the US have smooth hair, and the coat is shiny, short, and dense. This requires a small amount of grooming. Smooth-haired Dachshund has leather-looking ears, and they have long hair on their bellies.
- Wire-Haired Dachshunds: These are of medium length, and their coat gives them a rough appearance. They also have facial hair, and this is what makes their identification pretty easy.
The color and patterns of Dachshund
The major color of a Dachshund generally is red, and it can be tan or black too. The dogs who have tanning on them will have marks on their tail, eyes, and paws. The color red ranges from deep rust to copper, and in between some black may appear at the side of the face, back, edges of the ears, and it gives them a burnished effect.
From distance, a Dachshund may look tan and black dog, but if you look closely it will be found that there are red tinges at the base of the skin, and the place has transitioned to black at the length.
Wirehaired Dachshunds have different coats and patterns from smooth-haired ones. They have short and thick hair on the topcoat with a dash of soft undercoat. Longhaired Dachshund has a shiny and glistening appearance and is of the same reddish color is observed.
Light-colored dogs have faded gray, blue, and light hazel eyes. They can have either double-dapple color or white hew. They can have a dapple pattern.
Grooming requirements of a Dachshund
Dachshunds require low maintenance. They shed but it’s not too much unless they roll onto some surface that has a bad smell. They also don’t need to be bathed as they don’t have much odor from dogs. Smooth Dachshunds coats can be wiped with a damp cloth to keep them clean. If you live in a cold location, your smooth breed Dachshund might need a sweater when they go outside.
Wirehaired dogs need regular brushing, and they need to strip off their coats twice or thrice a year to have a good look. You can ask the breeder and they will show you the technique. Longhaired Dachshund hair must be brushed regularly to prevent mats. They need a bath more often than the smooth-haired ones, and their coat must be dried properly.
For the three types of Dachshunds, as the owner, you have to give special attention if they get droopy ears because it can be the effect of fungus, mites, or bacteria. Wet a cotton ball with an ear cleaner and wipe the ears every week. You don’t have to go deeper and try not to put the cotton swab inside the dog’s ear.
Other grooming needs like dental hygiene and nail care. You need to trim the nails of your Dachshund twice or once a month. Also, clean their teeth at least three to two times a week.
Energy levels and exercise needs
You can think that Dachshunds do not need much exercise as they are lively dogs, but they have short legs and are not much larger than a cat, so they need at least two moderate walks every day. They enjoy playing with puzzle feeders and finding hidden treats.
There is some kind of physical training they need to strengthen back muscles and prevent any kind of injury. They need moderate exercise, as they are tenacious hikers, but not for jogging because of their small legs.
Friendliness towards humans and animals
The dachshund has to get socialization to become friendly with other animals and humans. Without proper training, they will be hesitant to mingle. When they are rightly trained and socialized they become friends and even show affection to strangers. But the training needs lots of patience.
Adaptability to different living spaces
Dachshunds can adjust to a smaller living place, so they are perfect for apartment life. However, if you have changed your home from a larger place to a smaller one, it will depend on your dog’s temperament how they will cope with the situation. If you have a well-trained Dachshund they will adjust easily, but the un-trained one might show some resistance.
Dachshund intelligence and trainability
Dachshunds are intelligent with an independent nature. They have a very playful spirit. They can be mischievous too, so you have to be very patient while training them. Also, they are a bit hard to potty-train, but this is the issue with most dogs.
The Dachshund is a lively dog but they always need good care and training from their owners. If followed the same, they can accept more people, and live a healthy life.
