As you know we have been joined by a new apprentice at Dogs Dogs Dogs HQ called Hula. She has settled in well to her new role and instantly asked why there isn’t more about Dachshunds on the Dogs Dogs Dogs website. As a result of her demanding ways and a few wees in the wrong places (wet socks for us), we have acquiesced and decided to let her have her way. Which is why February will now be known as Dachbruary. Quite weak we know but she did insist that we didn’t wait until Dachember which would have sounded a little better.

For those of you not familiar with the little breed of badger hunters we have pulled together some Dachshund facts and figures for you.

What is a Dachshund?

A Dachshund is also known affectionately as a Sausage dog and can be found around the ankle area of your legs. Size however has never been a problem for Dachhunds as they bark as well as any other breed and have an amazing habit of taking over the house of their owners very quickly becoming the leader of the pack. Not ones to be trusted much off the lead when they are young because in built is a desire to tunnel and hunt out food that tends to lurk in below ground burrows. This is where their tiny size comes in useful. Initially bred as Badger hunters in Germany, they became the must have pet or Royal Families across Europe int he 19th Century. This following soon grew to include themselves int he list of popular breeds in the US. 

Small enough to cuddle with a big enough heart and mind to keep you on your toes, they make a great pet. 

What types of Dachshund are there?

There are 6 types of Dachshund, as defined by their size and coat. The miniature Dachshunds were originally bred for rabbit hunting allowing them to get down into rabbit holes. The larger Dachshunds were used more for badger hunting. You then have three types of Dachshund coat to choose from:

• Wire Haired
• Long Haired
• Short Haired.

The colouring can vary between all one colour through to beautiful pattern colouring like Hula. Who has a black and tan face with tan legs and paws. She also has outstanding whiskers for which the wire haired Dachshund is most famous.  

If you were ever in doubt as to the exceptional breeding and performance of Dachshunds, then you need look no further than Crufts 2020. Maisie a Wire Haired Dachshund won Best in Show. The two year old was the first ever Dachshund to win the coveted award. Competing against almost 20,000 pedigree dogs is no mean feat to come out on top, especially for one so small.

What are Dachshunds like as a pet?

Dachshunds are a lovely breed and great fun alongside being quite stubborn. If not trained properly when young they can become quite barky and stubborn. But treated well and trained with rewards, your Dachshund should become a leading role in the family. Expect lots of playtime followed by lovely cuddles on the sofa.

They love to curl up into a ball and fall asleep like most dogs. However they are also fond of being under tables and chairs or buried into a blanket to keep warm.

Looking after your Dachshund.

Things to look out for with Dachshunds is their urge to leap on and off furniture. This can be very damaging for their backs, for although they are low and slow they have very long backs. So please take care of your puppy and help them on and off high objects. Hula has developed a habit of jumping right up onto our kitchen table via the bench when she smalls food. Possibly down to the fact she is mixed up with quite a few other dogs, including at least a terrier and other yet unknown breeds.

If you are looking for a Dachshund as a pet, we couldn’t recommend them warmly enough. I personally grew up with a lovely hound called Rosie of whom I have very fond memories. Especially as she used to push my father out of the bed on a nightly basis by wriggling into the warm patch he left whenever he rolled over. My mother used to drive with Rosie on her lap beneath the steering wheel. Thank god the police never stopped her.