| Getting to know your dog starts by getting to | | | | * Brown and Red |
| know its breed, and that includes getting a better | | | | In addition to the variance in colors and color |
| idea about its appearance, personality, and health | | | | combinations, the Daschund would generally have |
| requirements. Here's what you need to know | | | | black hair intermingled on the back, tail, edges of |
| about the Daschund: | | | | the ears, and face. While you will find many solid |
| Known also as the "wiener dog" because of the | | | | chocolate and black dogs of this breed, keep in |
| long body, the Daschund makes a great pet. With | | | | mind these are non-standard colors, meaning from |
| its low-riding body typically comes a laid back | | | | conformance competition in the United States and |
| "low-riding" attitude. The Daschund dates all the | | | | the United Kingdom, they would be disqualified. |
| way back to Ancient Egyptian days. Over the | | | | Temperament and Personality |
| years, the breed became popular around Europe, | | | | If you were looking for a fun, playful, and loyal |
| specifically loved by royalty. | | | | family dog, the Daschund would make an |
| The Daschund we know today was originally | | | | excellent consideration. This breed is actually quite |
| called a German Daschund, which was much | | | | clever, smart, and courageous but also being |
| larger, weighing up to 40 pounds. This early breed | | | | strong-willed, they can be a bit on the challenging |
| had straight and crooked leg varieties. The | | | | side when it comes to training. On occasion, a |
| Daschund is also famous for hunting of fox and | | | | Daschund might appear shy which would not be a |
| rabbit, as well as exterminating badgers and | | | | preferred behavior. In this case, early and |
| finding wild boar and injured deer. The name itself | | | | on-going socialization would help. |
| translates in German to "badger dog" because of | | | | Another interesting fact about the Daschund is |
| its amazing hunting, chasing, and scent abilities. | | | | that the type of temperament changes with the |
| Physical Appearance | | | | type of coat. For example, a long haired breed |
| Today's Daschund is known for having crooked | | | | tends to be a more relaxed dog. The eyes of this |
| legs, a barrel shaped chest, loose skin, and again, | | | | breed are deep and heartfelt, making the |
| the elongated body. As with other breeds, the | | | | expressions sweet. Then, the Daschund usually |
| Daschund is bred for a smooth, longhair, and | | | | has a rich bark while making snoring type sounds |
| wirehair coat. Keep in mind that the wirehair breed | | | | due to larger lungs that fill the space of the barrel |
| usually has shorter and wirier hair than the | | | | shaped chest. |
| smooth and long coat. If you plan to show, the | | | | Health |
| American Kennel Club accepts a miniature and | | | | Although you might expect the Daschund to have |
| full-size version, each with a distinctive class of | | | | a lot of health issues because of the elongated |
| height and weight. | | | | body, the truth is most are healthy. However, |
| To give you an idea of the difference, a miniature | | | | they can have problems with the spine, which can |
| Daschund would weigh 11 pounds or less while a | | | | be aggravated by obesity. To prevent spinal |
| full-grown dog would be anywhere from 16 to 32 | | | | problems, it is recommended this breed be kept |
| pounds. This breed is also available in a wide array | | | | from jumping off beds, walking up and down |
| of colors although the primary colors are red, and | | | | many stairs, and so on. Even picking this breed up |
| black and red. Other possibilities include: | | | | must be done carefully to avoid injury. For |
| * Fawn | | | | instance, the front and rear portions of the body |
| * Chocolate | | | | must always be completely supported. |
| * Wild Boar | | | | One of the most inherited of all spinal risks is |
| * Cream Blue | | | | Intervertebral Disk Disease, which can usually be |
| * Light Boar Red (copper, rust, etc) | | | | treated with various medications and in more |
| * Piebald | | | | severe cases, corrected with surgery. Alternative |
| * Sable | | | | medicine is also used and found in most cases to |
| * Dapple | | | | be successful. For instance, acupuncture, |
| * Double Dapple | | | | chiropractic manipulation, and physical therapy are |
| * White | | | | all possible solutions. |
| * Chocolate and Red | | | | |