Dachshund

The Dachshund is a breed originating in Germany where it was bred for hunting. Distinctive features of the breed include its elongated body, short limbs and long, movable ears. In addition to their physical appearance, they are noted for being friendly and affectionate dogs.

General details

Dogs of the breed are small in size, but muscular. The standard weight ranges from 7 to 14.5 kilograms, while the miniature variety usually weighs 5 kilograms or less. The height range is between 20 and 23 centimeters for the standard variety and between 13 and 15 centimeters for the miniature. They have an average life expectancy of 12 to 16 years and belong to Group 4 of the Fédération Cynologique Internationale (FCI), which groups the Teckels.

Breed history in brief

The Teckel has a history that dates back to the Middle Ages in Germany, where it was used for badger hunting. The aim of the breeders was to obtain a dog suitable for hunting underground, for which they crossed hounds. Over time, three different sizes of Teckels were developed: standard, miniature and rabbit hunter, and three varieties of coat: short, long and hard hair. This dog is considered one of the most versatile breeds of hunting dogs due to its ability to hunt both above and below ground, and its bravery in searching for and tracking wounded prey. The popularity of the Dachshund has spread throughout the world, and today, it is a beloved pet because of its loving and loyal temperament. Occasionally, it is also used as a therapy dog.

Breed characteristics

The Dachshund is a long-bodied dog, with a pronounced withers and a strong, broad back. The head is elongated and narrows as it reaches the nose, but does not become pointed. The eyes are almond-shaped, medium-sized and can range from dark reddish brown to blackish brown. The ears are long, rounded and mobile, but the front end is close to the cheeks. The tail droops slightly and may have a slight curve in the last third of the tail. The short coat is smooth and glossy, close fitting to the body. The long-haired variety has longer hair under the neck and on the lower part of the body, with feathers on the back of the limbs and on the lower part of the tail. Finally, the harsh coat is coarse and dense, with a distinctive beard on the muzzle and bushy eyebrows. In addition, the hair on the ears is shorter than on the rest of the body. All coat varieties have an undercoat. The Dachshund can have different color patterns, including unicolor (red or red with black hairs interspersed), bicolor (black or dark brown with tan markings) and harlequin (dark color with irregular gray or beige patches). In addition, they may also have a brindle or multicolored pattern. The Dachshund breed has a friendly and balanced temperament, neither fearful nor aggressive. As a hunting dog, it has an excellent nose and is described as passionate, persevering and fast. These characteristics suggest that Teckels can be energetic and determined dogs, which may require early socialization and training to ensure they become obedient family pets.

Common health problems

The breed is characterized by good health. However, they are prone to develop certain disorders or pathologies such as acanthosis nigricans, cataracts, cleft lip, corneal dystrophy, cryptorchidism, deafness, demodicosis, follicular dysplasias, histiocytomas, Cushing's disease, intervertebral disc disease, microphthalmia, mitral valve dysplasia, optic nerve hypoplasia, progressive retinal atrophy, pyruvate kinase deficiency, von Willebrand disease and urolithiasis. In addition to the above conditions, the OFA (Orthopedic Foundation for Animals) Canine Health Information Center (CHIC) recommends a cardiac and eye screening examination at least two years prior to breeding. Periodic evaluations for patellar luxation are also advised starting at 12 months of age.