The purebred Dachshund dog breed belongs to the “hound” group of working dogs. This small-sized hunting dog makes a great family pet thanks to its calm, low-key, and affectionate temperament. Dachshunds are cute and curious. They’re one of our favorite small dog breeds, and you’re also sure to love this adorable dog if you take […]
The purebred Dachshund dog breed belongs to the “hound” group of working dogs. This small-sized hunting dog makes a great family pet thanks to its calm, low-key, and affectionate temperament. Dachshunds are cute and curious. They’re one of our favorite small dog breeds, and you’re also sure to love this adorable dog if you take one home.
Here’s everything you need to know about Dachshunds in order to fall in love with this puppy forever!
Dachshunds are small-sized dogs. They stand less than a foot tall and weigh between 16 – 32 lbs. The classic “wiener” dog, Dachshunds have a long torso and very short legs, giving them the overall appearance of a hot dog. With their long noses, big soulful eyes, and large floppy ears, Dachshunds are known to melt hearts. This purebred dog breed comes in short, smooth hair and long hair. Some Dachshunds have medium-length hair, but are typically regarded as “long-haired.” Their coloring can be anywhere from dark chocolate to fawn to as light as cream. Most Dachshunds have a coat of many colors, with brown, fawn, and brindle being the most common.
Dachshunds are not intimidating-looking dogs, nor are they aggressive. Thanks to their short legs and low energy, you may need to help or even carry your Dachshund wherever there are stairs. If your home has a lot of stairs, you may need to build ramps if and when your Dachshund struggles in his older age.
Many owners enjoy the benefits of their Dachshund’s short legs in that this breed can’t jump up on the furniture or get on the couch without assistance. Whether or not your Dachshund makes it up onto the couch to snuggle, never let your Dachshund jump down from high furniture like your couch. Jumping down could cause injury.
Dachshunds are “scent hounds” that were originally bred to hunt badgers and other small, burrowing game like rabbits and foxes. In fact, “Dachshund” means “badger hound.” If you’ve ever met a badger, this wild animal can be an aggressive fighter when antagonized, cornered, and threatened. Now, imagine that the Dachshund breed went after badgers fearlessly. This speaks to the tenacity of the Dachshund’s hunting instinct and its instinct to chase and capture furry things. Today, the Dachshund’s fearlessness and tenacity carries over into its relationships with their favorite people and the families they live with. Though not an aggressive breed, the Dachshund is protective of family and can be skeptical of other dogs. With their families, Dachshunds are sweet, affectionate, and goofy.
Dachshunds are very playful and will almost never curb their enthusiasm for chasing after a furry squirrel or other small critter. As playful and affectionate as Dachshunds are, they are relatively difficult to train thanks to their stubborn, cautious attitude. Some Dachshund owners wonder how hunters ever got them to chase after small game, since their modern-day Dachshunds are often resistant to obey even the most basic commands despite understanding them. The popular American author E.B. White once said of his Dachshund named Fred:
“I would rather train a striped zebra to balance an Indian club than induce a Dachshund to heed my slightest command. When I address Fred I never have to raise either my voice or my hopes. He even disobeys me when I instruct him in something he wants to do.”
The magic of the Dachshund is that though he will likely disobey you, you will only love him more. Dachshunds have an irresistible cuteness in all that they do. They are smart and clever, and you may find yourself chuckling at their tactics rather than being annoyed by them. For example, we knew of a pair of Dachshunds that used to fake asthma about midway through their daily walk because they wanted their owners to carry them the rest of the way! Initially, the owners took their pups to the vet, but that expensive trip only proved the Meryl-Streep-level of acting skills these dogs possessed. They now get carried for the second-half of their walks!
When you bring home a Dachshund, be ready for a personality that ultimately impresses you!
Dachshunds are low-key dogs, but they still need a substantial amount of exercise, especially mental exercise. Generally speaking, an adult Dachshund needs 50 minutes of exercise per day, but this can and should be broken up into shorter exercise sessions. Because of their very short legs, Dachshunds will not do well on a 50 minute walk, for example. A better strategy is to take them on 3 twenty-minute walks per day, or 2 twenty-minute walks and 1 ten-minute game of fetch, all spaced out throughout the day. When inside, Dachshunds enjoy games of “hide and seek,” which helps them exercise their “scent hound” skills. They also love dog puzzles like Kongs and other treat-incentive games.
The grooming needs of your Dachshund will depend on whether he has a short, smooth coat, a wiry coat, or a long haired coat. Long-haired Dachshunds need to be brushed once a day to ensure that fur matting doesn’t form and to straighten and smooth any tangles. Dachshunds generally enjoy being brushed, and the entire bruising process typically shouldn’t take longer than 3 – 5 minutes. Short-haired Dachshunds are a little easier with a quick brushing about twice per week. Like all dogs, your Dachshund’s nails will need to be clipped and his ears cleaned. This can take place once every 4 – 6 months by yourself or a professional groomer. Long-hair Dachshunds may need a little hair trim every 6 months, but that will depend on how long you want your pups hair to be.
That’s everything you need to know to fall in love with the purebred dog breed, Dachshund. The only thing left to do is come into Petland Texas to meet our Dachshund puppies for sale in Houston, TX!
