The Dachshund

If you like a breed that comes with a lot of variations, then you may be interested in a Dachshund.  Dachshunds originated in Germany, in fact the name “Dachshund” means badger dog in German. According to www.akc.org , they were first bred in the early 1600s in Germany to go down burrows after badgers. Their short stature made them perfectly suited for this task.

In 1887, according to the Dachshund Club of America, www.dachshund-dca.org , they were first brought to the United States. In the U.S., dachshunds come in two different sizes: miniature, which is 11 pounds and under as an adult, and standard, which is 16 to 32 pounds as an adult. Both types come in three different coat types: smooth, longhair and wirehair. So between the two sizes and three coat types, there are six different varieties of Dachshunds. While only certain ones are allowed in the show ring, Dachshunds also come in a wide variety of colors including: red, cream, black and tan, chocolate and tan, dapple, piebald and others.

Like many hunting dogs, Dachshunds can be independent in nature. They are often  more of a one person, or one family dog, and tend to be very loyal to that family. They are quite playful, and need daily exercise, but due to their short stature, don’t need as much exercise as most larger breeds of dogs. The downside of that long, low back is that Dachshunds are prone to developing disc issues, so it’s important to make sure that they don’t become overweight and that you try and keep them from jumping on and off high furniture.

If you are interested in obtaining a Dachshund, you should contact a reputable breeder or consider adopting one from a rescue or shelter. You can find Dachshunds in need of homes at Dachshund Rescue of North America, www.drna.org or you can look for them at www.petfinder.com .