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Dachshund Dog Breed: Characteristics, Care, Info, and Maintenance

In the starting, there were three types of Dachshund dog breed. A Pinscher, a puppy Pinscher, and an Alpine Dachsbracke. In the 16th century, they came into existence. A German breed was originally smooth-coated dogs. In the 19th century, there was no Wire-haired doxies breed. Although In early as 1797 there is mention of some of them.

Breed Group: Hound Group

Life Span: 12 – 16 Years

Weight: 15 – 30 Pounds

Height: 8 – 9 Inches

Origin Date: 1500s

Food: 1.5 Cups Daily

Food Cost: 25 – 45 USD/Month

Exercise (Daily): 60 Minutes

Dachshund Dog Breed: Characteristics, Care, Info, and Maintenance
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In 1910 Dachshund breed turned a lot more challenging. Dachshund can smooth-coated doxies. (a nickname coined for Dachshunds) breeders with little Pinschers only. Moreover, having a stiff, weary outer coat of hair Doxies with Little Schnauzers and long-haired Doxies with Papillons. Dachshunds were stalking dogs earlier because their power to capture is fast and uncanny. Other animals killed badgers and some other breeds just because of food. It made them attractive to independent families, including Queen Victoria.

When the Dachshunds breed grew up. They were accepted as hunting dogs and as household pets as well. In 1885, American Kennel Club Dachshunds became an authentic breed in America. In this modern era, this breed is popular in the United States.

Dachshunds have a long face with flexible ears and a lengthy back to provide something they want or need. They have many facial gestures and expressions., which Dachshunds will use to their influence (like trying to guilt you into giving them treats!). Their noses are unique and have a powerful sense of smell.

Height

The height of a dachshund varies depending upon the age and maturity of the dog. A miniature dachshund is usually smaller than 7 inches. However, as they grow up, their height will increase.

  • Male: 8 to 9 inches
  • Female: 7 to 9 inches

Weight

A miniature dachshund dog can weigh less than 16 pounds. However, as this dog becomes mature, its weight will increase.

  • Male: 18 to 30 pounds
  • Female: 15 to 25 pounds

Life Span

12 – 16 Years

The lifespan of this dog is much greater than usual dog breeds. With proper care and maintenance, dachshunds can survive for more than 14 years. However, we will mention the estimated age below for better understanding.


Coat and Color

The coat of the dachshund is usually smooth. Meanwhile, some of the dachshunds have long hair. In contrast, dachshunds also have wire hair. Some dachshunds only have one color. This color is usually chocolate, pale or creamy color. Dachshunds have two colors, and sometimes they have different patterns on their coat.

However, there are different colors on dachshunds and something in the form of spots. We can also notice them in stripes and dapples.

Rare Coat Color:- Pitch Black


Additional Traits

  • Both male and female dachshunds have various qualities that differentiate them from each other. The Male is funny, loves to play, and has fun. On the contrary, female dachshunds are somewhat the opposite of male dachshunds. They show significant mood swings, anger, and various other issues.
  • Male dachshunds are not afraid of new people. They love communicating and seeing new people and strangers. They give everyone a sweet and warm welcome. On the other hand, female dachshunds are not as much extroverts. They love their small, soft space. They are not a fan of everyone showing involvement in it.
  • There are some traits that both male and female dachshunds share. As both the dachshunds are hard to train, we can assume that it is due to their stubborn nature. It is due to the reason that dachshunds are placed so low in the intelligence level of canines. Moreover, both are loyal and love their pet parents. However, their way of showing may vary.

Family Dogs

Dachshunds are family dogs. They are a faithful partner and good guards. Dachshunds are good with children or treated well with children. They can be a little painful to train. They have personality differences among the different diversity of the breed. For example, the long-coat dachshund is presumably more peaceful than the smooth-coat range, and the wire-coat dachshund is more outgoing and lively. As hunters, Dachshunds do not take orders that well. Some are also barkers.


Inflexible

Dachshunds dogs are hunters by nature. They do not allow anyone to order them around. These dogs are usually the boss. However, with proper training patience, you can make these dachshunds obedient. Training these pups is troublesome but not impossible. The key to disciplining these pups is being patient and using the right training tools and collars.


Active

Dachshund dogs love to play. Even when you are busy doing household chores, these dogs would love to play with you. It can be problematic for you. To solve this issue, take dachshunds for long walks. Proper exercise from time to time is also beneficial for calming their playful nature.

Taking care of pets is a responsibility, not a privilege. They always rely upon us for various reasons such as food, training, exercising, etc. Therefore, being a guardian of them, you need to feel your commitment. Care can take many forms. We briefly outlined some of them below.

Shedding Level

These dogs do shed during a particular time of year. However, when it comes to the amount of shedding, we usually consider Dachshunds average shedders. However, there is some difference in the number of shedding among the breed because it depends on the coat.


Grooming

Grooming this pet is not an arduous task. You can groom this pet at home too. The cost of grooming a dachshund depends heavily arduous the size and weight of the dog. For small dachshund pups, the cost of grooming is usually 30 to 40 USD.

However, for a medium-sized dog fully grown and mature. Dachshunds that have long hair coat is high maintenance, and the cost in the dollar is usually 10 dollars to 50 dollars.


  • Male dachshunds have a thing to please people. They love getting compliments and praise from their owners. No matter what is the form of praise. It can be treat, love, affection or some time.
  • Female dachshunds, on the other hand, are stubborn. They love to see new people. It is their hobby to make new friends and communicate with everyone. Thus, you can have a hard time training female dogs.
  • You can make your male pup do anything by giving them treats. It is also helpful in building a positive relationship between you and your dog. For female dogs, we suggest using our dog training collars. Here you can find plenty of collars that are helpful in training male as well as a female dogs.

These German dogs were to be hunting dogs, and like all hunting dogs, they care to bark. Their bark can be noisy. Many Dachshunds are possessive to changes in their personality, which increases the probability of immoderate barking.

The pet parents facing dog barking issues should refer to our dog collar guide. We have compiled a list of the best dog collars. Train your dog with these effective dog training collars.


Exercise

Miniature dachshund dogs should not exercise for more than half an hour. Only 30 minutes are perfect for dachshunds. However, when these dogs grow up, the time period for exercise also increases. You can jog and exercise with your pup. Adult dachshunds need at least 1 hour of exercise. You can take small breaks in between the exercise session.

Dachshunds can eat everything, like dry, wet, raw, or baked food. All types of food are appropriate, as long as you buy the ‘Complete’ edition. Miniature dachshunds required less food than standards. Mature Usually have two meals daily. However, puppies have a minimum of three meals daily.

Dachshunds are active and healthy dogs. They need large amounts of food to get energy. A healthy and balanced diet is essential for the upkeep of life without any diseases. The monthly cost of food for dachshunds is usually 30 to 45 dollars. It is a monthly expense that all dachshund owners face for their pups.

Best Food for Dogs

Meat and food that is rich in nutrition. An especially protein-rich food is best for the growth and maturity of dachshunds.

Carrots are a portion of healthy food for these dogs. It also helps to remove plaque from the teeth of dachshund dogs. It is crucial for good dental health. Carrots contain vitamin A, which is helpful for the immune system, skin, and coat of dachshunds.

Apple, fish, and white rice are healthy for this canine. However, dog breeds suffering from diabetes should not eat a large amount of this food.

Cooked, plain white rice can be a good option for a Dachshund with an upset stomach, as it helps in the digestion of food quickly.

All nutritious food are safe for Dachshunds, such as Salmon, shrimp, and tuna. It is safe for eating because it contains vitamins B in a moderate amount. It is also helpful in defending a dog’s digestive system and helps healthy blood circulation.

Chicken is a fine meal for dachshunds. Especially when these dogs have upset stomachs. It can play a vital role in the healthy gut of your pup.


Eating a lot of dairy products causes a stomach problem. It is because dogs have low levels of galactose. It is a digestive enzyme that analyzes and dissects the sugars in milk. However, it is safe to eat in small amounts. It can be dangerous when a dog intakes in large sums.

Avocado contains a harmful substance called persin, which is not safe for dachshund dogs. It can cause vomiting and diarrhea.

Cherries contain numerous poisonous and harmful chemicals. It can also lead to breathing issues and coughing in your dachshund dog. Moreover, a dachshund can have digestive difficulties and stomach problems. Eating this fruit can worsen the situation.

Do not give chocolate, coffee, Citrus fruits, or anything containing caffeine. The main reason is that it consists of chemicals known as methylamines. In severe cases, it can cause death. It starts from vomiting and throwing up and thus leads to the agonizing death of the dachshund.

Grapes, raisins, sultanas, and currants are highly harmful to German dogs because it is not safe. However, even small quantities of this fruit can cause numerous issues. Most prominently kidney is affected by the attack of this fruit.

You can feed various other food items to your pup. These can be treats, fruits, or anything else. However, most people do not know what to feed a Dachshund. We have a wide range of articles that tell which food is best for a dog. Must read these articles to know more about a dog’s eating tastes.

The merits and demerits of any pet, especially dog breeds, largely depend upon the expectations of individual owners. However, some of the most significant pros or cons of the Dachshund are below:

  1. Extremely Loyal: They quickly become close to their human partner, Given their love, for their company. Dachshunds are very faithful and will pursue you around the house daily. These German dogs love to embrace under the covers, making them superb dogs for those dull days after a hard week at work. They have a unique sense of humor. So, you can count on these dogs to put a smiley.
  2. Socailable: Dachshunds are become social from a young age to bring up their well-balanced personality. These German dogs tend to get on well with their companion. It makes them good family pets. However, being an only breed tends to do good as a pair. So, Dachshunds make them perfect candidates for their dog owners who already have a dog in the household.
  3. Suitable for Apartments: They are perfect for those with the required space in their apartment or house. The Dachshunds stand at around 8 and 11 inches at the shoulder, whereas the Puppy Doxies grow to a height of about five and seven inches. Moreover, these German dogs don’t take up much space due to their small size. These dogs need a lot of house training to avoid leaving an unpleasant surprise for their owner.
  4. Great Watchdogs: The dachshund was initially used to seek annoyance in Germany. They do function in the household. Doxies make good guards, given their trend to bark at noises. These German dogs have a loud bark despite their small setting. Their bravery is uncontested to show their dogged resolution throughout their existence.
  5. Low Maintenance: Dachshund makes for great apartment dogs. They don’t depend on their size because German dogs have low-maintenance personalities. They don’t need a lot of exercise. However, Daily walks for a healthy diet. So, knowing your beloved Doxie doesn’t get massive.
  6. Lots of Variety: Dachshunds are the perfect breed for expected owners who want to get themselves a superb dog. These dogs are in 15 different colors and collect coat patterns, two different sizes, and three different types of coats.
  1. Super Stubborn: Dachshunds can be easy-going dogs. They have a stubborn band that can be difficult to move unless trained from premature age. This breed has been known to rule the household. However, through training, you can make these dogs cordial and obedient. Must read our article about psychological techniques that are helpful in training any dog breed. These German dogs need a lot of patience during training, so if you have a short temper, then these dogs presumably aren’t for you. Those with knowledge of training breed liken Dachshunds to a puppy. The excellent news is Doxies are very brilliant and are fast to determine.
  2. Behaviour with Other Dogs: These German dogs usually react aggressively towards other dogs for two reasons. Anxiety or they think that other dogs express a threat. Your dog may distinguish a threat to their status or safety, or Dachshund may even be protecting you against a clear threat. They are similar to other dogs who may get aggressive if Dachshund is bored or anxious. They accomplished and entertained Dachshund is much unlikely to show any aggression.
  3. Big Appetites: These German dogs have unsatisfied appetites, which suit a problem if Dachshunds package too many pounds. While there is the appreciable risk of a spine problem, it can also consider issues with their heart, thyroid glands, and more significantly. These German dogs have a very characteristic bark which is unusually loud given their small size. Bearing in mind that Dachshunds bred were to hunt bait and other small animals and aware their owners of the fragrance, it’s not a surprise Dachshunds bark a lot.
  4. Burrowing: Another one of their characteristics that comes from their function of probing chivy in Germany is delving. Dachshunds would repose their bodies into couch and earth to hunt out badgers and other wildlife. They were famous for hunting during old times.
  5. Nipping: While Dachshunds do good as family pets and get through with other dogs, These German dogs could be a potential danger for families with babies, babies, and puppies. Dachshunds will wound or nip if they are frightened, which can be an issue for those with premature families.

Responsible breeders attempt to maintain the highest breed standards accepted by kennel clubs like the AKC and The Kennel Club. Dogs bred by these standards are less likely to acquire health conditions. So, some congenital health problems can occur in Dachshunds.

The following are some conditions to be attentive to:

  • Cancer: When dogs mature and grow, they are more susceptible to get diseases. Most importantly, when dachshunds become eight years old, they can contract cancer. Usually, squamous and cancer cell carcinomas are common in dachshunds. It’s best to get a proper checkup once they reach this age period. Check lumps or any spots on the body of your dog.
  • Teeth: Sometimes the teeth of dachshunds can get various infections. Overcrowding of teeth in the jaw is also a common situation in this dog. Thus, due to more teeth, the chances of your dog getting infections and cavities are high. However, with proper treatment and grooming, you can decrease the chances of your pup getting any dental issues.
  • Obesity: Dachshund dog breeds are amongst the top 10 dog breeds that can gain weight quickly. Due to weight gain, your dachshund can face severe health issues. Back pain also becomes a regular occurrence for this breed. Follow a strict diet plan to avoid obesity issues in your pup. Obesity can invite numerous other diseases in dachshunds.
  • Back Problem: Doxies are revealed to be back problems, given their specific body types. It doesn’t take enough for these German dogs to evolve issues with their backbone, given their long bodies but small fixture. They also have some coat varieties such as smooth, longhaired, and wirehaired.

A canine psychologist conducted a study on various dogs. The primary aim of the study was to figure out the intelligence and obedience levels of different dog breeds. The name of the psychologist was Stanley Coren. Dachshunds were also a part of this research. However, these dogs secured 92nd position, which is obviously much low.

Thus, we can say dachshunds are not remarkably intelligent. However, they do well in various other areas. It compensates for the fact that they are not much brilliant.

The dachshund is one of the oldest living dogs in the world. A dachshund that lives in Japan holds this record. The name of this dachshund is Funny, and everyone describes this dog as a loving and adorable pup. The age of this dog is 21 years and 170 days. It is data from November 2020. Thus, it proves that, with proper care and maintenance, dachshunds can live for longer time periods.

Kaiser Wilhelm ll was the last king of Germany. He had a dachshund dog breed. This breed was a lovely companion of kaiser, especially in hunting and traveling. They buried this dog along with the kaiser. That is why Germans have immense respect for this dog breed.

  • Albert Einstein: famous geniuses owned dachshunds. However, people are still skeptical about Einstein being an owner of this dog breed.
  • Adele: A famous singer and songwriter, Adele is also a pet lover. The name of her dachshund is Louie. She called her beloved pup the love of her life. It is indeed quite adorable, and almost all dog lovers can relate to that love and affection.
  • Jack Black: is a famous American actor who has worked in five-star movies. Some of his well-known films are Jumanji, school of rock, and goosebumps. He is also the owner of a dachshund dog, Titus.
  • Kirsten Dunst: is an American actress and has won various awards for her outstanding performance. You might know her because of her extraordinary role in superman, the power of dogs, the interview with a vampire. She is also the owner of an active dachshund dog breed.
  1. People who love travel: These dogs are loyal companions and good with children. Because of their long backs, dachshunds are susceptible to disc issues. This German dog was in Germany years ago to hunt badgers. Dachshunds make them perfect pets for a small house or apartment. However, barking is often creating a problem. They love to travel. So, it’s easy to carry these German dogs.
  2. People who are broke: Dachshund dog breeds do not need proper and timely grooming. Most of the dachshunds do not shed a lot. Moreover, you will not face a lot of hassle to clean everywhere because of the shedding. Thus it is the best option for lazy people as well.

However, we suggest starting with small dog breeds. But if you are a pro in this category, what are you waiting for? Adopt this dog breed right now.

Dachshund Puppy
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