The Dachshund: A Dog For Town and Country

By Ann Gordon

An intimate look at America's fifth most popular breed

Is there any breed more recognizable than a Dachshund? The lovable wiener dogs have captured America's heart and imagination with their noble bearing and comical personalities. And the breed truly offers something for everyone, with long coats, wire coats, and smooth coats, standard size and miniatures. This book examines the characteristics that make a Dachshund so special. From choosing the right puppy to basic care and training to old age, every aspect of Dachshund ownership is covered. You'll meet famous Dachies past and present, and learn what makes them great. All the sports Dachshunds can compete in are discussed, along with show ring requirements.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Turner Publishing Company
• Release date: Apr 21, 2008
• ISBN: 9780470327913

Ann Gordon

Ann Gordon is an associate professor of political science and the director of the Ludie and David C. Henley Social Science Research Laboratory at Chapman University.

Book preview

Introduction

It has been more than 40 years ago since I carried a black-and-tan Dachshund puppy to my home, trying to shelter her from the hot August sun of Oklahoma. Little did I realize that this was the beginning of an incredible journey that I continue on today. I first saw this puppy when I went to her breeder’s home to view the litter. I wasn’t really sure that I wanted a Dachshund. I knew that I wanted to get a puppy, but other breeds interested me. My puppy, along with her brother and sister, came bounding up to greet me with the kind of enthusiasm and exuberance that Dachshund puppies impart to the people they meet. Within a few minutes, I was completely captivated. This was my introduction to Dachshunds. It was love at first sight, and it continues to be an affair of the heart.

People become involved with Dachshunds in many ways and on many levels. Many begin their Dachshund venture with a puppy that they bought as a pet. This may be as far as they proceed. Their puppy grows into an adult and becomes a cherished family member, providing them with companionship, love, devotion, and many amusing and enchanting moments. Through various circumstances, others become involved in the myriad breed activities that can be a part of having a Dachshund. Often this involvement can lead to a lifetime devotion to the breed.

My immersion into the world of Dachshunds and dogs in general was almost instantaneous. The breeder of my puppy had given me a book to read, The Dachshund, by Milo Denlinger, and I was told that there were pictures of my puppy’s ancestors in the book. Opening that book revealed a whole new world to me: It was the world of purebred dogs and the realm of Dachshunds in particular.

During the next 20 years, I was involved in breeding and showing standard Smooth Dachshunds under the kennel name of Ravenridge. I was fortunate to have bred many Champions and to have had some exciting specialty and all-breed show wins. I had the privilege of owning one of the last sons of Ch. Falcon of Heying-Teckelsons, Ch. Jolly Dachs George, who proved to be a show winner and an excellent producer. During this period, I became licensed by the American Kennel Club to judge Dachshunds in confirmation show competition and have judged throughout the United States and in Canada. (I am also licensed to judge Bassett Hounds as well.) Over the years, I have had the honor and the privilege to judge at four of the Dachshund Club of America’s Specialty Shows.

Although my personal involvement in Dachshunds has been in the area of showing and judging in confirmation competition, I did put my first Dachshund, that little black-and-tan puppy, through obedience training and showed her in obedience trials, where she earned her Companion Dog (CD) title. I loved the obedience work and was training her for the next level, but I also had become involved in developing a breeding program and began breeding Dachshunds for confirmation competition. My involvement in this interest, as well as devoting time to my two young sons, did not afford me the time that I needed to continue the obedience work.

Early on in my commitment to Dachshunds, I became a member of the Dachshund Club of America. This organization has been an important part of my life. Over many years I have served in the capacity of second vice president and first vice president. I am currently a member of the DCA Board of Directors. Upon becoming second vice president, I became the columnist for the Dachshund breed column for the AKC Gazette and have continued in that capacity to the present day. During one period, I served as the education chairman and planned educational seminars to be presented at the DCA National Specialty shows. I also instituted the first judging mentor program and educational workshop for prospective judges. I was delighted to see these programs held at the National Specialty.

More recently, I had the privilege to plan and oversee the implementation of the Historical Exhibit at the National Specialty Show, which celebrated the 100th anniversary of the Dachshund Club of America. This project was very special to me because it provided me with an opportunity to remember and to reflect on the great dogs and the outstanding people who have contributed to the Dachshund heritage.

Above all, the driving force behind the dog activities in which I have participated is my love for the Dachshund. Although I admire many other breeds, the Dachshund is the dog for me. Dachshunds have enriched my life by adding the kind of joy, delight, devotion, and companionship that only they can bring. Dachshunds can try your patience one minute and amuse you the next. There is nothing to compare to a Dachshund’s expression when he looks lovingly at you with those wonderful, affectionate eyes, or to the joy that is reflected in his whole demeanor as he eagerly greets when you return after being away from him. He is so amiable and loves to go places and do things with you, and you can do so many things with him. His small size makes it easy for him to be comfortable in almost any setting and makes him a suitable traveling companion. With his intelligence, cleverness, curiosity, and hunting instincts, he is able to learn to do many things and can successfully participate in many activities. Once you have shared your life and your home with a Dachshund, your devotion to and love of this remarkable breed endures forever.

In writing this book, it is not my intention to present a detailed analysis or an in-depth study of the breed, but rather to submit a general portrait of the Dachshund. Even though he has been around for a long time and is a popular breed, the Dachshund is still perceived by many as just a little, long dog with short legs who makes a nice house pet. These people often picture him as a kind of brown-colored dog with short, smooth hair. Few people realize that a Dachshund can be much more. Through this book, I have sought to capture the true essence of the Dachshund.

(Sidney Stafford)

CHAPTER 1

A Profile of the Dachshund—Is It the Right Breed for You?

Would you like to have a dog that makes you laugh, is a faithful companion, and protects your home, but who can also hunt, track, and follow obedience commands? Would you like to have three choices of coat varieties, two sizes, and many colors? Then perhaps the Dachshund is the dog for you.

Throughout the world, there are more than 300 distinct breeds of dogs, but of this impressive variety of breed types, few are more easily recognized than the Dachshund. Anyone who has once seen a Dachshund is unlikely to confuse it with any other breed. What’s more, the character, temperament, and behavior of the Dachshund are as unique as the shape of his body. People who have owned—or more likely been owned by—one of these adorable creatures probably will not want to choose any other kind of dog for canine companionship.

As this stamp collection demonstrates, Dachshunds are a favorite breed around the world. (Shawn Gordon)

The Dachshund has ranked in the top 10 of the most popular breeds in AKC registration for many years and is beloved in many countries the world over. What is it that makes the Dachshund a favorite of so many? Why has its popularity endured? A dozen Dachshund owners probably would give a dozen different answers to these questions—and therein lies the Dachshund’s appeal. In comparison to most other breeds, this is one of the most diverse, versatile, and adaptable.

The Dachshund was bred to hunt badgers, a most formidable adversary. Courage and determination were essential in the dogs’ performance of this task. These qualities are still strongly characteristic of the modern descendant of the old badger hunter, for the Dachshund of today has lost none of the determination, fire, and pluck of his ancestors. To put it bluntly, in spite of his relatively small size, the Dachshund is not a wimp.

Although the breed still possesses those qualities that made it so successful in the field, the modern Dachshund is essentially a housedog—and to this end, he is equally well suited. His size enables him to fit comfortably in a house or an apartment. This is a vivacious little dog whose every act and movement exude an endearing charm and an overwhelmingly authentic joy of living. He is clever, clean, adaptable, versatile, good-tempered, loyal, inquisitive, fun-loving, playful, alert, intelligent, and endowed with a dignity not often found in any other dog of his dimensions. All these virtues combined with his intensely affectionate nature make the Dachshund an ideal companion.

The Dachshund is a tough little hunter. (Trudy Karvami)

A DOG OF MANY DESIGNS

In addition to possessing all these wonderful temperament characteristics, the Dachshund offers choices in the areas of coat variety, size, and color. Unlike many dog breeds, the Dachshund can be found in three varieties of coat, two sizes, and many colors.

The coat variety that most people associate with the Dachshund is the smooth-haired coat; a dog possessing this coat usually is referred to as a Smooth. This coat is shiny, short, flat, and the type most often seen in portrayals of the dog. In fact, many people are under the impression that this is the only type of coat that Dachshunds have.

However, Dachshunds can be found in longhaired varieties as well. The Longhair has the same body configuration as the Smooth, but instead of being covered with smooth, flat hair, it has a coat of medium length, which lies close to the body and has longer hair on the ears, on the back of the legs, on the underside of the tail and body, and on the front of the chest. This longer hair is called feathering. The overall appearance (of the coat, at least) is much like that of an Irish Setter. This difference in the coat gives the Longhaired Dachshund a softer, gentler look.

Like the Longhaired variety, the Wirehaired Dachshund has a body type comparable to that of the Smooth, but it is covered with a coarse, wiry coat like those of wire-coated terriers, complete with similar head furnishings. This tough covering gives the Wirehair a sturdy, rugged look that seems to impart the message that this Dachshund is not afraid of anything.

Underneath all three coats is still a Dachshund who possesses all the aforementioned characteristics. However, some slight differences exist in each dog variety’s outlook and demeanor, as well as the amount of care required to maintain each coat.

Coat Type Quirks

Any generalization about the typical temperament of each coat type is bound to be controversial. Be that as it may, I’m going to go ahead and give you my perspective. Your viewpoint, or that of people you know, may differ.

Smooth Dachshunds

In general, Smooths can be independent little critters who often have a mind of their own. They can be downright stubborn. However, although at times this can really try one’s patience, this trait actually adds to the dogs’ charm. (After all, a perpetual yes man can become rather boring.) Be prepared to face the occasional challenge with a Smooth. In most instances, after they have made it clear that they do have their own way of doing things, these dogs will respond to your wishes. Historically, the Smooth was most likely the original variety, so it would seem to follow that these dogs often reflect the typical Dachshund traits (including a stubborn streak).

The Smooth’s coat is the easiest to maintain, requiring only occasional bathing. Just wiping the coat down with a damp cloth is usually sufficient to keep the coat clean. Shedding is minimal, and Smooths have been found to be a good choice for people who are allergic to dogs.

Smooth Dachshunds have a reputation for lovable willfulness. (Marci Forrester)

They particularly dislike going out in wet weather, and understandably so: Their smooth coats make them quite susceptible to the cold and rain. The underside of a Smooth’s body is almost bare, and it is quite close to the ground. As the dogs walk, the wetness of the pavement or the grass bounces up to their rather unprotected underside. Smooths will try to ignore you or show absolutely no desire to go outside when it is wet or raining, but you must be firm and not allow them to manipulate you with the many ways they have of doing so. By the same token, their smooth coat does not afford them much protection from the cold, so they should not stay outdoors for very long in cold weather. When it is extremely cold, the Smooth might be more comfortable wearing a simple knit sweater designed specifically for a Dachshund’s body type. Surprisingly enough, much like most children, they love to play in the snow. This has always been a mystery to me.

Longhaired Dachshunds

The demeanor of the Longhaired Dachshund seems to reflect their overall softer appearance. These dogs seem to be the somewhat more laid-back variety, but don’t let this kinder, gentler manner fool you. Longhairs are often the most avid hunters and are quite effective in field work.

Although the Longhair’s coat gives this type of Dachshund a very dramatic appearance, particularly in the show ring, it also requires more grooming than the Smooth’s coat. A Longhair needs to be bathed frequently and, ideally, should be brushed every day. If allowed to run in fields, woods, or grass, the Longhair’s coat can pick up leaves, burrs, and other items. All Dachshunds love to roll in things that they find on their excursions. Whatever these things may be, they will most likely end up in the Longhair’s coat. Longhairs do shed quite a bit when growing a new coat. During this time, daily brushing will help minimize the amount of hair you find all over the house. You will find a more detailed discussion of hair care in chapter 6, Grooming Your Dachshund.

Are Longhairs gentler than other Dachshunds, or do they just look that way? (Kevin and Jan Schirmer)

Wirehaired Dachshunds

The Wirehaired Dachshund is probably the least well known of the three varieties of Dachshund. Its rough, wiry, double coat definitely imparts the look of a terrier. Just as the Longhair’s appearance seems to characterize its deportment, the Wirehair displays many traits usually attributed to terriers. Wirehairs can be characterized as brash and even hot-tempered; they seem to enjoy creating a conflict. Don’t be put off by this bold, impertinent facade, however: Beneath all the bluster, there still lies a Dachshund with all his endearing charms.

Wirehaired members of the breed are known for their terrier-like tenacity. (Pam Fleming)

The tough, wiry coat enables the Wirehair to manage the roughest of elements and terrain, making it an excellent dog in the field. Like the Longhair, the Wirehair requires more grooming than the Smooth. However, a Wirehair with a correct, short wire coat will require less grooming than a Longhair. The correct coat does a minimal amount of shedding, making it a prudent choice for those who have allergy problems.

Packaging: Petite and Extra Petite

Officially, there are two sizes of Dachshunds: the standard and the smaller, miniature size. In the description of the breed, which is called the Official Standard for the Dachshund, as approved by the American Kennel Club, the weight of the standard-sized dog is usually between 16 and 32 pounds. At maturity, males are usually larger than females, but this is not without exception. Generally, an adult male will weigh somewhere between 26 and 30 pounds, whereas the female usually weighs between 19 and 24 pounds. Overall, Longhairs appear to be the largest of the three varieties, with some males weighing as much as 35 pounds. In general, Smooths seem to be the lightest variety, and the Wirehairs appear to fall in the middle range.

Although the standard Dachshund is not a large dog, he is a compact, muscular dog, which makes him heavy for his size, especially if his weight is near the top of the weight range. Having a spirited and rambunctious nature, he does require a fair amount of indoor space. Enter the miniature. The miniature is considerably easier to lift and certainly is easier to manage than the standard, which makes this a good choice for small or elderly dog owners. The miniature also is ideal for those who have a very small living area because this variety requires much less space to comfortably accommodate him. In light of these desirable qualities, the miniature has become quite popular.

A miniature Dachshund should look like a smaller version of a standard. This miniature Longhair exemplifies this quality perfectly. (Phyllis Rosinsky)

The definition of a miniature as it appears in the American Kennel Club’s Official Standard for the Dachshund states that it must weigh 11 pounds and under at 12 months of age and older. Thus, a true miniature may not weigh more than 11 pounds once it attains 1 year of age. However, this criterion is established only for competition in the confirmation show ring. When showing Dachshunds, a competition class is reserved specifically for miniatures. For a Dachshund to compete in this class, it must meet the weight limits as stated previously.

Because of the popularity of the miniature and the fact that the general public lacks the knowledge of what a true miniature is, many people are breeding Dachshunds that they claim are miniatures. At maturity, these dogs may weigh anywhere from 13 to 18 pounds or more. I remember many occasions when people told me that they had a miniature Dachshund. When asked how much their miniature weighed, most of the responses indicated weights in the high teens, to a few that were in the low 20s. Of course, this strict adherence to the weight specification is of the utmost importance only if you wish to show your miniature, or if you plan to breed it. Recommendations and advice on where to acquire a Dachshund, whether it be a standard or a miniature, will be presented in Chapter 4, Finding the Right Dachshund—Puppy, Adult or Rescue.

The Colorful Dachshund

To say that Dachshunds are available in many colors is not an exaggeration. Because there is such a profusion of colors, this is an area that can be confusing as well as controversial. The colors most common in Dachshunds are red and a combination of black and tan. I have been surprised to learn that many people are unaware of the latter coloration in the breed.

The term red includes a wide variety of hues, ranging from a very light shade (much like a reddish blonde) to a deep, russet red. Many reds have black hairs interspersed among the red. Another single color found in Dachshunds is cream. This is a very light color, and the term cream is an apt description of this coloration. Cream is not a common color and thus is not a color that many people are aware of or have seen.

Dachshunds displaying their colors: (from left) red, black and tan, and chocolate and tan, usually referred to as chocolate. (Kaye Ladd)

Black-and-tans are referred to as two-colored Dachshunds. A black-and-tan is a dog that is basically all black, with tan markings on various parts of his body, most noticeably on the head, the chest, and the paws. These tan points, as they are often called, have the same range of shading as the reds. Other two-colored Dachshunds have a base color of chocolate; gray, which is usually referred to as blue; and fawn, which is often called Isabella. All these colors have the same distinguishing tan markings as the black-and-tans. A color called wild boar mixes light hairs with black ones and many shades in between throughout the dog’s coat; this gives a salt-and-pepper look. Wild boar is a color that is most commonly found in the Wirehairs.

Particular Patterns

In addition to a variety of colors, Dachshund coats also can have patterns. These patterns include dapple, double dapple, and brindle. The dapple pattern is characterized by spots of color and markings over the dog’s body, much like that of a blue merle Collie. In a double dapple coat, spots of white coloring are found over the dog in conjunction with the dapple pattern. Brindle is distinguished by dark stripes all over the dog’s body. Relatively recently, a pattern called piebald has appeared. A piebald is basically a white dog, usually with large patches of one or two colors on his body. At present, there is considerable controversy over whether the piebald coloration is correct. You won’t find this coloring in the Official Standard, but perhaps one day you will.

This dapple puppy shows his spots. (Sidney Stafford)

A miniature Dachshund sporting a piebald pattern. (Sandy Russell)

To the great majority of readers, a complete understanding of the Dachshund’s colors and patterns would be of importance only for breeding purposes. If you are interested in breeding Dachshunds, however, you would need to consult other references, resources, and certainly Dachshund breeders to guide you in this endeavor.

So there you have it: a dog that offers you a multitude of choices of coat, size, and color, in addition to all those endearing charms and wonderful traits. It sounds too good to be true. Well, of course, it is—Dachshunds are not perfect.

GREAT (AND NOT-SO-GREAT) DACHSHUND TRAITS

I wouldn’t be writing this book if I didn’t love Dachshunds. But I wouldn’t be doing a service to the breed I adore (or to you), if I wasn’t honest about both the joys and trials of owning a Dachshund.

Sounding Off

Dachshunds make excellent watchdogs. They are ever vigilant to outdoor noises, strangers that come to the door or that they see in proximity of the house, and to other animals that may stray onto the premises. Naturally, they bark on these occasions. The standards have a particularly loud and rather menacing bark that makes them sound like a much bigger dog. This, coupled with the aggressiveness that they project in their bark, can give standards a formidable appearance.

A small standard female of mine always charged the door when the doorbell rang with such ferocity that anyone on the outside of the door thought for certain that they were in grave danger of being assaulted. This was evident by the expression on their face when I opened the door. My assurance that she was not going to inflict wounds on them appeared to be of no comfort to my visitors, for they still appeared to be ready to make a fast retreat. However, as soon as I permitted them to enter the house, my faithful guardian would stop barking, try to make friends with them, and most likely roll over so they could pat her tummy.

Of course, there is a downside to all this barking. If not properly trained, some Dachshunds will bark almost incessantly. This can be quite taxing to one’s nerves, not to mention the ire it can provoke from the neighbors. Often, miniatures will bark even more than standards. For such a small dog, the Dachshund appears to have been endowed with strong vocal chords that never seem to suffer from fatigue. The high-pitched, yapping bark that these dogs emit can be trying on even the most patient individual. As is the case with most problems, there are usually solutions. Proper training will generally resolve the issue of over-zealous barking. I’ll discuss how to train your dog in chapter 5, The Care and Training of Your Dachshund.

A Hearty Appetite

Dachshunds love to eat, and they will eat almost anything. This is a good quality, you think. Who wants to have a finicky eater?

On the other hand, many Dachshunds seem to have no sense of how much food they can reasonably consume. As long as there is food around, they will eat it. Therefore, it is always wise to keep all— and I mean all—food out of their reach. Fortunately, this is somewhat easier to do than with taller breeds. Because the Dachshund is low to ground and thus cannot reach too high, food put on counters and tables is usually safe. Of course, I say usually because, if you remember, Dachshunds are clever and intelligent. If there is a way to get to the food, they will find it. For example, someone forgot to push a chair under the table one night when our family got up after dinner. Dessert, which was to be eaten later, was left in the center of the table. This particular dessert was an Easter cake shaped like a lamb, complete with coconut coating and a tiny bell on a ribbon tied around the neck. We all left the house for a while to visit a friend. Upon returning, we found that the entire cake had disappeared. Not even a crumb could be found. Fortunately, the little bell and ribbon were on the kitchen floor. Can you believe that a dog could jump up on a chair, then get on the table, take the cake down by the same route, and carry it to the kitchen where it was totally consumed? It happened.

As you can see, Dachshunds will help themselves to between-meal treats, so garbage cans are not safe when you have a Dachshund. Generally, they will not bother them while you are in the house, but if you leave for a time and don’t put your dog in his crate, don’t be surprised if you come home to find the garbage can overturned and its contents strewn all over the house. I believe that the primary reason for this behavior is not particularly to obtain food, but to show displeasure at being left alone. Finding something good to eat is a secondary reward. Nonetheless, a house covered with garbage is not a situation that you’ll enjoy coming home to.

The Dachshund in the Great Outdoors

Dachshunds are avid hunters. After all, they were bred to hunt badgers. Mice, chipmunks, rabbits, squirrels, and anything