The saying goes: “When a dachshund looks in the mirror, he sees a lion.” And there is something to it: The little dog is a fearless hunter. A few years ago, the news went through the media that the dachshund was dying out. From declared dead to deathly chic: Dachshund breeding is on the rise again, the litter statistics of the VDH (Association for the German Canine Society) even show him in second place, behind the German Shepherd.

The dachshund – a loyal hunting companion for the underground

The dachshund is a typical German dog breed that has been known since the Middle Ages. It was once bred primarily for hunting, as an earth dog for burrow hunting for badgers and foxes. This is also where the name Dachshund comes from, which gave the name to the classification of the FCI (Fédération Cynologique International, International Cynological Umbrella Association). In addition to burrow hunting, the dachshund is used for rummaging on driven hunts and for tracking. The dachshund has long been known throughout the country not only to dog lovers: it adorned the parcel shelf of cars as a wobbly dachshund and caused a sensation as Waldi, the Olympic mascot. The dachshund Bodo is an icon of German comedy and there is even a dachshund museum in Passau. Queen Victoria made the dachshund popular outside Germany in the 19th century.

Popular dog breeds with a similar tradition:

• Basset: Unmistakable – anyone who has ever seen a Basset Hound will always recognize this dog breed. The short-legged, cumbersome-looking hunting dogs are twice as long as they are large. The danger of underestimating them is high – because the strong dogs are passionate hunters.
• Beagle: You certainly know the most famous beagle in the world – Snoopy. His real conspecifics are considered a paragon of good-naturedness and philanthropy, but also stubbornness. Their character makes the spotted hunting dogs ideal family dogs, especially if you have toddlers or babies in the house.
• Bloodhound: The Bloodhound – also known as the Bloodhound – is a sensitive dog with an excellent nose. It is even said to have the best sense of smell among all dog breeds. Because of its good nose and endurance, the good-natured Belgian is a popular hunting dog.

Dachshund breeds: size and colors

Dachshunds are available with different types of fur, as long-haired dachshunds, short-haired dachshunds and wire-haired dachshunds. And in three sizes: dachshund, dwarf dachshund and rabbit dachshund. The dachshund size is not given as a height at the withers, but with the chest circumference. Depending on the variation and sex, this can be between 25 and 47 centimeters. The smallest rabbit dachshunds weigh only around 2.5 kilograms, large dachshunds up to 9 kilograms. The popular miniature dachshund, which is also colloquially referred to as a mini dachshund, has a chest circumference of 30-35 cm and weighs up to 5 kg.
According to the breed standard of the FCI, the coat of the dachshund may be monochrome, two-coloured, spotted or brindle. Red, black and brown are considered permissible colours, with a dark coat colour being preferred.

In addition to the German dachshunds, there is the American dachshund. It is divided into two sizes, the decisive factor is not the chest circumference, but the weight at 15 months. The American dachshund has a slightly more supple bone structure than its German colleague and a slightly shorter back. In addition, piebald dogs are allowed in American dachshunds. The American dachshunds are not recognized by the FCI. Despite their white markings, however, they are not dachshund mixes, but a fully recognized dog breed in America.

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Life expectancy: How old do dachshunds get?

Dachshunds have an average life expectancy of 13 years, healthy dachshunds can also reach 16 years of life and more. However, how old a dachshund becomes in each individual case depends on its individual circumstances. With a healthy diet, sufficient exercise and good health care, you promote a long and happy dachshund life.

Dachshund character – small but mighty

The dachshund character is often described as stubborn and stubborn, but that is only half the truth. Due to its origin and its use as a hunting dog underground, a dachshund had to be self-confident and courageous when confronted with sometimes much larger animals such as foxes or badgers. This has developed into the self-confident and decisive character of the dachshund, which can still come into play today in dog encounters with larger breeds. Dachshunds are therefore considered to be less bonding than other dog breeds, although this of course depends heavily on the individual animal and its living conditions. However, with the right education and a healthy mix of attention and freedom, a dachshund becomes a loyal and lovable companion.

Training and keeping of the dachshund

The training of the dachshund is often considered difficult. The dachshund has a mind of its own and strives to assert it. Due to its commitment as a hunting dog, it is also used to getting along without its humans. In situations where the hunting companion on two legs was often still far away, the small dog finally had to find its way around independently and make courageous decisions. This characteristic is still fundamentally anchored in many dachshunds today. If you want to buy a dachshund puppy, you should therefore be aware that you have to start with consistent but loving training from day one so that your dachshund learns to trust and follow your judgment.

Dachshunds can be kept in the city apartment – provided that they are occupied and used appropriately. However, regular climbing of stairs is problematic for the dachshund with its long back and should be avoided at all costs. If you want to leave your dachshund alone for several hours, you must first train this in small steps, i.e. leave the house for only a few seconds at the beginning, praise the dachshund effusively when you return, and extend the time more and more. A lockable dog box is also useful, in which the dachshund feels comfortable and safe. This way you can be sure that the dog will not do any mischief during your absence. Staying in the dog box must also be trained.

For the good socialization of the dachshund puppy, it is recommended to attend a puppy school and then a dog school.

Is a dachshund a yapper?

Dachshunds are alert and suspicious dogs and therefore tend to bark and yelp even in the apartment. Out of consideration for your neighbors, you should stop your dog from barking. The easiest way to do this is with an abort command, which you train with the clicker. In addition, you should always keep your dog busy enough – a satisfied and tired dog is less likely to bark.

Occupation: How much exercise does a dachshund need?

Dachshunds need long walks, they are not lap dogs. You should plan two hours or more for the walks every day. In forest areas rich in wildlife, it is advisable to put the dachshund on a leash, because rummaging is in his blood. Running game is always more interesting for the little hunter than a calling master or mistress. If you do not lead the dachshund hunting, you should offer him a species-appropriate activity. Search and tracking work is ideal, and the clever dachshunds can also be inspired by intelligence games.

Dog sports with dachshunds are also possible, but you should pay attention to the physical characteristics of the dachshund. For example, dachshunds should not jump if possible and a slalom course is also not suitable for the elongated dachshund body. Agility training is clearly not part of the right dog sport for a dachshund. Instead, try out whether your four-legged friend enjoys obedience training or dog dancing together. Here, too, however, the choreographies should be adapted to the anatomical conditions of the dachshund.

Is a dachshund suitable for beginners?

The dachshund is smart and recognizes leadership weaknesses immediately. Dachshunds are therefore not typical beginner dogs, although even a beginner can master the education of the dachshund with the appropriate commitment. Blind obedience is not to be expected from a dachshund, but cooperation is. You can achieve this with reward-based training. If you want to buy a dachshund as a beginner, you should plan enough time and patience for the consistent training of your four-legged friend. Ideally, you should be supported by professionals such as an experienced dog owner or dog trainer.

Are dachshunds good family dogs?

Dachshunds that are not used for hunting are quite suitable as family dogs. The only important thing here is good socialization, in which the dachshund puppy learns to get along with all family members from an early age. Many dachshunds are playful and also enjoy an occasional cuddle session with their humans. However, dachshunds also need their space. Especially when dealing with children, you should make sure to interpret the needs of your four-legged friend and give him the necessary rest if necessary.

Who is a dachshund suitable for?

A dachshund is the ideal four-legged companion for all those who appreciate long walks and like to spend time in nature. In order to ensure the mental exercise of the dachshund, you should have enough time for the activity of this dog. The intelligent four-legged friend does not want to be bored and, if necessary, looks for his own entertainment, which may not completely override your interests.

Caring for the dachshund

All dachshund species, i.e. long-haired dachshunds, wire-haired dachshunds and short-haired dachshunds are easy to care for. Regular combing and brushing is sufficient. Unless the dachshund has pursued its favorite activity, digging. Then the aardvark, as the dachshund is affectionately called, needs a shower.

Wire-haired dachshunds also need to be trimmed several times a year with a trimming knife, a pumice stone or by hand. The easiest way to do this is with a trimming knife. With it, you pluck out everything that is loose in the direction of growth. If you don’t dare to trim yourself, a visit to the dog groomer is advisable to prevent the rough hair from matting.

After a walk in the woods, you should always check the dachshund for ticks, as it can easily come into contact with them due to its small size. Also make sure that your dachshund maintains its weight – even if it is difficult to resist the famous dachshund look.

In autumn and winter, you should make sure that your dachshund does not freeze. Due to its small body size and short legs, the dachshund is much closer to the cold ground than other dogs and a sweater for dachshunds or a dog coat ensures that the little furry nose does not have to shiver.

Dreaded dachshund paralysis – interesting facts about dachshund health

Both the short, crooked legs and the long back of the dachshund bring health problems with them. The short-leggedness of the dachshund, as well as the basset or corgi, is due to the so-called chondrodysplasia. In this case, the cartilage tissue of the growth plates in the long long bones ossifies prematurely and the dog remains short-legged and often crooked-legged.

Due to the extremely long back in relation to the legs, dachshunds often suffer from a special form of herniated disc. In dachshund paralysis, the nerves in the spine are pinched and the dog loses control of part of its body. The hind legs are usually affected. Dachshund paralysis cannot be reversed and can only be alleviated with medication or surgery as well as physiotherapy. Sufficient exercise and avoidance of obesity have a preventive effect against dachshund paralysis.

In addition, dachshunds are more likely to suffer from epilepsy, Cushing’s syndrome (a chronically elevated cortisol level), urinary stones and eye diseases.

Buying dachshunds: How much does a dachshund puppy cost?

If you want to buy a dachshund puppy, you should definitely choose a reputable breeder who meets the strict breeding requirements of his association. Serious breeding has its price: A dachshund puppy with papers from the German Dachshund Club (DTK) costs between 1,500 and 2,500 euros, particularly sought-after and rare color lofts have a higher price.

But maybe the adoption of a dachshund from the animal shelter or a dachshund from organizations such as “Dachshund in Need” is an option for you. Sometimes, for example, older dachshunds that are looking for a new home because their master or mistress can no longer take care of them have to be handed in here.

Dachshund Mix: What kind of dachshund mixes are there?

In addition to a purebred dachshund, a dachshund mix could also be an option for you. There are very different crosses here, which differ from each other in their characteristics and external appearance. Starting with the dachshund-terrier mix to the dachshund-poodle mix to the dachshund-shepherd mix or labrador-dachshund mix, very different breeds have already been mated with each other. However, keep in mind that with a dachshund mix, it will often only become apparent in the course of growing up which parent has asserted itself more strongly and how the size and appearance of the dachshund mix will develop over time.