Description:
The Dachshund, also known as “the wiener dog”, actually comes in three different varieties: the wire-haired, the short-haired, and the long-haired. Though there are three different types of Dachshund all of these dogs have one thing in common with one another; they’re all a small breed of dog.
The wire-haired Dachshund can be difficult to groom due to the fact its hair has a tendency to tie into knots. Long-haired Dachshunds are a little easier on grooming because their hair softer when long. Short-haired Dachshunds are very easy to groom. They don’t have to be groomed everyday like the wire-haired and long-haired, and grooming doesn’t take as long with the short-haired Dachshund.
Like its nickname suggests, “the wiener dog” has a body similar to a hotdog shape. It has short-stumps for legs, and a long slender body. The Dachshund has an oval-shaped head, which is accompanied by a medium length muzzle and big-droopy ears.
The Dachshund breed comes in many different colors. The most common colors for the Dachshund are: black, brown, cream, tan, and red. These colors sometimes mix and the Dachshund offspring are born with mixed-color patterns. The Dachshund’s coat usually fades with age to a grey color.
Average life span:
The Dachshund lives an average life of 12 to 15 years (144 to 180 months) old. The most common life for this dog to live is 13 years (156 months) old. Sometimes, with good health, the Dachshund will live to be 18 years (216 months) old.
Height:
There are three different sizes of Dachshund, but, like I stated above, all of which are small breed of dogs.
The normal sized Dachshund (Standard) – Both male and female will stand to be 14 to 18 inches (35 to 45cm) tall.
The miniature sized Dachshund (Dwarf) – Both male and female can stand a maximum height of 14 inches (35cm) tall.
The smallest sized Dachshund (Toy) – Both male and female can stand a maximum height of 12 inches (30cm) tall.
Weight:
Different heights come with different weights. I have listed all of the different weights, like I did with the different heights, above.
The normal sized Dachshund (Standard) – Both male and female can weigh to be 20 pounds (9kg). It is best that your ‘standard’ sized Dachshund does not go 6.5 pounds below 20 pounds, or weigh more than 10 pounds above 20 pounds.
The miniature sized Dachshund (Dwarf) – Both male and female can weigh to be 9 pounds (4kg.) Try not to allow your ‘dwarf’ sized Dachshund to weigh 4 pounds less then 9 pounds, or weigh 5 pounds more than 9 pounds. This will keep your ‘dwarf’ sized Dachshund at a healthy weight.
The smallest sized Dachshund (Toy) – Both male and female can weigh to be 8 pounds (3.5kg.) Do not allow your ‘toy’ sized Dachshund to go 3.5 pounds below 8 pounds, and don’t allow it to weigh 4 pounds more than 8 pounds.
Temperament:
The Dachshund, no matter what type, will have a clownish personality. This breed may be small but they have an extremely loud bark. Other pets in the family could make your Dachshund jealous, hence leading to anger problems and biting for no apparent reason. Your Dachshund will not only bite the animal it’s jealous of but it will also bite you due to the fact it thinks you have betrayed it.
The Dachshund is intelligent, bold, family friendly, playful, and jumpy. This breed will go well with families that have both small children and large children. Though this breed is normally friendly with children, your Dachshund could have a personality all of its own and decide it doesn’t like to be bothered with children. It is best to watch your new Dachshund will your children, if you have any, for a couple days until the dog and children become comfortable with one another.
Living conditions:
The Dachshund will do fine living the apartment life. Providing plenty of exercise for your Dachshund will be mandatory if living in an apartment. This breed of dog is normally active indoors and out. Barking fits can occur at any given moment for no reason. The Dachshund will do fine with a small yard if given a proper amount of exercise.
Health problems:
The Dachshund is prone to getting “Dachshund Paralysis.” It is very likely that your dog will get “Dachshund Paralysis” sometime during its life time; normally when the Dachshund is older.
Dachshund Paralysis – Dachshund Paralysis means that your Dachshund could experience problems with its spinal discs’.
This breed is also prone to: heart disease, urinary tract infections, and diabetes. The Dachshund is known to become over weight and lazy easily. Obesity for the Dachshund could increase the risk of heart problems and diabetes. The added weight will put extra strain on the dogs’ heart and back.
