| The Dachshund or weiner dog as they as | | | | in the breed with the most dominate |
| lovingly referred in one of the more | | | | being red and black-and-red. Other |
| distinctive appearing dog breeds | | | | kennel club recognized colors are cream, |
| available. This clever and lively | | | | blue, chocolate brown, fawn, brindle, |
| short-legged dog knows how to win over | | | | piebald, and light red. The dog also |
| hearts of people eveywhere. | | | | comes in a solid black or solid |
| The name Dachshund literally translates | | | | chocolate brown, but these are not |
| from German to mean badger dog. This is | | | | recognized variations and are |
| because the breed is known for its use | | | | disqualified from competitions. |
| exterminating badgers by being the right | | | | The Dachshund breed has a very |
| size to flush them from there burrows. | | | | complicated personality which can make |
| The dog was also used for rabbit and fox | | | | the animal a challenge to own for some |
| hunting, locating wounded deer, and even | | | | people. Overall the dog is has a fun, |
| to participate in boar hunts. | | | | playful personality with a great |
| The first documentation of the Dachshund | | | | fondness for chasing tennis balls. The |
| comes from the mention of them in a book | | | | breed is also known for devotion and |
| in the early 1700's. Over time the dog | | | | loyalty which also makes it prone for |
| has become a symbol of Germany, and this | | | | seperation anxiety. This causes the dog |
| led to a decline in their popularity | | | | to whine excessively and chew on items |
| during World War I. The Roaring Twenties | | | | in the home to relief stress. The |
| saw popularity start to make a comeback, | | | | Dachshund also has a tendency to dig |
| with the height for them being a mascot | | | | holes in yards amd they can be wonderful |
| named Waldi for the 1972 summer | | | | watchdogs. For some individuals the |
| Olympics. | | | | stubborn tendency of the breed make them |
| The general appearance of the Dachshund | | | | a challenge to train and if raised |
| includes the long-bodied, short-legged, | | | | improperly they can become agressive and |
| and prominent pointy nose. They also | | | | fearful. |
| come in three recognized sizes with | | | | The biggest health risk to the dog is |
| weight being the difference beween the | | | | intervertebral disk disease, this is |
| types. The standard Dachshund averages | | | | caused by the longer than usual spine |
| sixteen to twenty-eight pounds, while | | | | combined with a short rib cage. This |
| the miniature usually weighs less than | | | | condition is hereditary in nature and |
| eleven pounds, and the karichen weighs | | | | many breeders are working to rid the |
| in at seven to nine pounds. | | | | breed of this genetic problem. To avoid |
| The coat of a Dachshund can come in a | | | | this disease the dog should always be |
| variety of colors and in three different | | | | held properly, they should also be |
| textures. The coat textures are smooth, | | | | encouraged not to make big jumps from |
| wirehaired, and longhaired; with the | | | | furniture or stairs, and at all times |
| smooth-coated being the most common | | | | they should be the optimal weight as |
| while the wire-haired is the least | | | | obesity can worsen the effects. |
| common. There are many color variations | | | | |