Dachshunds always have a bold, fun-loving and gregarious nature, which explains their popularity. However, there are many interesting things that ardent fans are not even aware of, so we’re going to discuss some interesting facts.
We Are Hunting Dogs
When most people think of hunting dogs, they are thinking of Short-haired Pointers, Labrador Retrievers and Coonhounds. However, it is worth mentioning that many smaller dogs have also been bred for hunting. The standard sized Dachshund has a well developed scent so they can easily flush out badgers and the other burrow dwelling small animals, while the miniature Dachshund has been bred for hunting small prey like rabbits. They have also been used for hunting prairie dogs and tracking wounded deer in the United States. The literal meaning of the name Dachshund is “Badger dog” as Dachs (Badger) and Hund (hound dog) in German, where this breed originated. If you want to pronounce it properly with a German accent, it should be DAKS- huunt.
There Are More Than 500 "Flavors"
In the United States, there are two official sizes of Dachshund, miniature or standard. The miniature Dachshund has been defined by the experts as being11 lbs or less at the age of one year. A standard Dachshund will be 16 lbs or more (generally the maximum is around 40 lbs.)
However, there are many Dachshunds that do not fit neatly into the above-mentioned size categories. For instance, certain Dachshunds vary between 12 and 15 lbs., according to some breed registries, though anything 12 lbs and more is considered be a standard Dachshund.
Generally, average owners call dogs falling in the middle range “tweenies”. Therefore, anything 11 lbs or less is considered a miniature. There is no such thing as a toy; the variety is miniature.
Dachshunds HaveI Come In Three Types Of Coats
These are smooth, long-haired and wirehaired. There are also 15 color combinations, including black and tan, black and cream, chocolate and cream, red, wild boar, fawn, black, chocolate, etc. There are at least six combinations of markings: brindle, brindle piebald, dapple, dapple piebald, sable and piebald. That means there are 540 possibilities of color, coat or pattern combinations. However these possibilities are controlled by genetics, therefore, in reality, there are fewer combinations, but it is still astonishing that such a large variety of Dachshund appearances.
Though there are three different sizes, people generally have a preference for the smaller breed for companionship. Many # will be surprised to know that the larger Dachshund may weigh nearly 14 kg.
There are also generally three types of coat. Today the large majority of Dachshunds are short-haired and longer coated, while wire-haired Dachshunds are not commonly seen. Still, all three coat varieties are permitted to take part in dog shows.
They Have More Than 10 Different Names
The official, breed-specific names used for this long and narrow dog include Dachshund (the United States and Germany), Dackle (Germany) and Teckel (Germany). In the United States, there are more than 15 different names derived from shortening # or misspelling it and also the “cute” name references. Some of my names are Wiener dog, sausage dog, doxie, weens, weenie and many others.
Dachshunds Are Athletes, Not Lapdogs
Generally, it is assumed that small dogs do not need much exercise or that they are incapable of it. However, this assumption is totally incorrect for Dachshunds. It is worth mentioning that the athleticism of a dog is the product of its nature as well as nurture. As already stated, these are hunting dogs and so have much stamina and energy. However, if an owner lives a sedentary life and does not take walk their dog, they will lose fitness, while an active owner can boost their dog’s fitness. Dachshunds are very good hikers and can go up to 10 miles on steep and rough terrain before tiring. Many people compete in agility with their Dachshunds, including TruMan, the Doxie, that had run a whole marathon (more than 26 miles) with his ultrarunner mom.
First Olympic Mascot
The first Olympic mascot in the Olympic Games of 1972 held in Munich was Waldi, a Dachshund. In this event, the course of the marathon incorporated the Waldi design. During the phase of construction of the public stadium in 1972 and the Olympic Village, Waldi was used in unofficial satirical posters.
Dachshunds Live A Long Life
Generally, this breed lives for 15 or 16 years, and some even longer. On the basis of the experience and observations of dog lovers, it appears that there are three main categories. There are many that live for only 11 or 12 years, the average that live up to 15 or 16 years, and others that live to be 18 years or even more.
The oldest Dachshund could be Rocky, at more than 25 years of age.
Dachshunds Are Prone To Back Issues
This breed is particularly prone to a hereditary condition known as intervertebral disk disease (IVDD), which can cause the discs in the neck or back to rupture. Less frequently, they can also have back problems that are the result of an acute injury, such as being hit by a car or as a result of the degeneration due to old age. One out of four Dachshunds will have issues related to their back between the ages of 4 to 7 because of IVDD. A spinal disc crack or bulge will result in a wide range of issues including paralysis to severe pain.
The treatment options available range from medication to strict crate rest for 6 to 10 weeks or surgery followed by rest in the crate. There are also complementary treatment options like cold laser therapy, acupuncture, supplements, dog conditioning exercises and hydrotherapy that can help in the recovery process and prevent any future flare-ups. The best option for owners is to learn as much as they can regarding the symptoms and signs of back pain related to IVDD so that it can be captured at an early stage.
DachshundsI Will Steal Your Heart
Most Dachshund owners claim that we they like potato chips; you simply cannot stop atone. Many others who claim that they do not like Dachshunds change their minds after spending quality time with one.
Their clownish antics, spunky little spirits, and silly looks are sure to steal your heart. Many persons have at least two Dachshunds, and it is also said that “once a Dachshund owner, always a Dachshund owner”.
I Will Steal Your Heart
Most of the Dachshund owners claim that we are like potato chips; they simply just cannot have one. In the same way, there are many other persons who claim that they did not like Dachshund, but they also changed their mind after they have spent some quality time with me.
My clownish antics, spunky little spirits, and silly looks are sure to steal your heart. There are many persons who have at least two Dachshunds. It is also said that “once a Dachshund owner, always a Dachshund owner”. This mentality results in the people getting several dogs, particularly Dachshunds in their lifetime.
The Hot Dog Was Named After Dachshunds
Although it may not be 100% proven, it is a fun thought. Certain historians believe this breed was known as Dachshund sausages because the long round dogs were considered the favorite companions of butchers in Germany. At the same time, it has been suggested by some other historians that the name was changed to Wiener dog as one cartoonist had problems spellings the word Dachshund and so he shortened it. Unfortunately, no one has found this comic, so the truthfulness of this theory remains to be seen.
Artists Love Dachshunds
A number of famous artists are drawn to this breed, like Andy Warhol who frequently brought his Doxie to interviews and allowed his dog to answer questions he didn’t like. When Picasso saw the David Donald Duncan’s Dachshund, named Lump in 1957, he fell in love with the dog at first sight. This relationship is mentioned in Picasso and Lump: A Dachshund’s Odyssey written by Duncan.
Another Dachshund lover was David Hockney. He had two dogs, Boogie, and Stanley. They featured in nearly 45 oil paintings and also in a complete book. The creator of Far Side, Gary Larson even used them for a parody book named Weiner Dog Art. This was a complete collection of classic art pieces and Dachshunds have been added for comic effect.
The Dachshund is the UK's First Cloned Dog
After winning a contest, Rebecca Smith, the owner of the 12 year old Dachshund, allowed her dog to be cloned. The experts in South Korea took care of the cloned puppy for five months before it was sent home to Smith. There was a striking resemblance. Both parent and pup had a crooked tail and similar markings. The cloned dog hit it off and he slept in the same bed every night. It is also remarkable that the new puppy, called Mini Winnie, is in excellent health and is expected to live a long life.
Dachshunds Were Favored by an English Queen
It is a known fact that Queen Victoria was partial to this breed. She said that nothing could turn someone’s home into a castle more quickly and effectively than a Dachshund. The popularity of this breed in Britain is attributed to the love of the Queen for my breed.
Dachshunds Have A Small Stomach But Eat A Lot
This little breed loves to eat practically anything, but this can shorten their lives if overeating occurs as this will cause issues related to the back and joints.
Tweenie
Generally, this term is often used for Doxies that fall between the size of mini and standard. They weigh roughly 12 to 18 lbs. As already stated, in Britain, this is another size allocation. Sometimes, they are also known as “rabbit Dachshunds” because that size was used for hunting rabbits and hares.
Dachshunds Are The Smallest Hunting Breed
The Dachshund breed is the smallest breed in the AKC hound group. However, their small size should not fool people. They are tenacious and have been bred not to follow prey, but also kill it.
Dachshunds Are Jumpers
These dogs often suddenly jump at people, which can result in back injuries. Therefore it is recommended that the owner should keep them safe by tucking one hand around the hind end and the other should hold the chest from underneath up through my front legs. This will restrain your dog and keep them safe.
Dachshunds Were Used In War Propaganda
During the Second World War, their popularity in the United States suffered a serious dent. This breed was used in anti-German propaganda for children. Here, the Kaiser was portrayed as a ‘rabid hound’.
Dachshunds Are The Ultimate Watchdog
Because they were bred to hunt and kill, they can chase anything. In fact, in a study published in the Applied Animal Behavior Science Journal in 2008, Dachshunds were ranked as the most aggressive towards humans as well as towards other dogs.
Dachshunds Are One Of The Most Popular Breeds
Even if there was a downfall in popularity during the post-war years, this breed has rebounded well and risen from 26th to 6th position. Since then, Dachshunds have retained their popularity. In recent times, these dogs are ranked 13 among the most popular breeds.
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