DACHSHUND INFO
Did you know?

The Dachshund was developed in Germany more than 300 years ago to hunt badgers.

From 1930 to 1940, Dachshunds advanced from 28th to sixth rank among American registrations, and maintained this average rank through World War II by constructive public relations.

So you want to own a Dachshund?

Dachshunds require minimal routine brushing to keep their coats healthy and in good condition. The longhaired and wirehaired Dachshunds may require extra grooming or help from a professional.

The Dachshund is naturally free from "doggy" odor.

The Dachshund makes a good companion whether you live in a small city apartment or the country. Dachshunds are loyal .

Dachshunds are generally easy to train for the show ring, and many of them really enjoy showing.

Sizes - The miniature dachshund weighs 11 pounds or less at maturity; a standard dachshund weighs 16 to 32 pounds - and, for the wires and long-hairs, maybe even more. So what is the dog that weighs something between 11 and 16 pounds? While not officially recognized as an official size, such dachshunds are referred to as "tweenies."

Coats - Both dachshund sizes come in three coat types - smooth, long-haired, and wirehaired.

The smooth is the original dachshund. Long-haired dachshunds were developed by crossing the smooth dachshund with spaniels; the standard long-hairs tend to be somewhat larger than the smooths, and their temperaments may be calmer and more focused on their humans. Wirehairs were developed by crossing smooth dachshunds with the Dandie Dinmont terrier, and probably other terriers as well.

Colors and Patterns - The "classic" dachshund colors are red (actually a reddish-brown) and the same black-and-tan that is characteristic of Doberman pinschers and Rottweilers. The most common wirehair color is a grayish-brown called wild boar. However, breeding programs have created numerous other coat colors - including chocolate, blue, blue-and-tan, cream, and Isabella (a fawn shade).

The word "color" refers to the solid color of the coat. A dachshund may have only a coat color, or it may have a pattern superimposed on the color. Patterns in dachshund coats include dapple (silver swirls over the color), brindle (black streaks over the color), and piebald (large areas of white over the color).