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