Interesting Dachshund Facts
Probably the most strangely shaped dog in the Hound category is the German Dachshund. The Germans developed this odd little dog to hunt badgers, where his long body and short legs helped him with the task. Consider these fascinating Dachshund facts:
The Dachshund’s defining feature is its long body and short legs. This breed comes in three varieties, including wirehaired, shorthaired and long haired, and dogs of each variety come in three different sizes. Dachshunds belong to the AKC hound group.
The German Dachshund has an elongated, muscular body and short legs. It has an elongated head, convex skull and eyebrows that stick out. His jaws are pronounced and muscular. He has a friendly and active expression, with dark oval eyes (eyes can be brown, black or even appear red). His long ears flop down. The upright tail is aligned with his back.
The American Kennel Club determines acceptable ranges for height and weight for the breed. These Dachshund facts stat that a standard size Dachshund should 14 to 18 inches long, and weigh around 20 pounds. A dwarf or miniature Dachshund should be between 12 and 14 inches long and weigh around 9 pounds. A toy should be less than 12 inches and weigh around 8 pounds. An average lifespan is 12 to 15 years.
Dachshund coloring can be solid or two-toned. Solid coat colors include yellow or tan. Common bi-colored combinations include bright chestnut with black, brown or grey marks. Other patterns include piebald or even harlequin.
Although loving and extremely loyal, the independent Dachshund can sometimes be difficult to train. They tend to be a bit high-spirited, and they love to dig, so be sure to watch your yard for holes. In general, the long-haired dachshund may have a bit more serene temperament than the agitated and sometimes silly wire hair.
One problem dachshunds face is that they have a tendency to be lazy and gain weight, adding to their other health risks. As with humans, they increase their chance of heart disease, diabetes, urinary tract infections and back problems.
The shedding rate of German Dachshunds is about average, as compared to other breeds. The shorthaired variety is the easiest to care for in this regard, as it generally only needs rubbing with a chamois or soft cloth. Longhaired varieties will need to be brushed every day. It’s a well known Dachshund fact that the wirehaired Dachshund’s grooming is a little more complicated, and will probably need to be seen by a professional dog groomer every six months or so.
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