by Judy Evans

Created on: March 26, 2008   Last Updated: June 08, 2011

The adorable Dachshund was bred to hunt badgers. 'Dachshund' in German translates as 'badger dog'.

Dachshunds can be found in historical accounts dating back to the 15th, 16th and 17th centuries when drawings showed badgers being pursued by long, low dogs with hound type ears. The dogs had the tracking ability of hounds and proportions and temperament of terriers; an ideal combination to pursue their quarry. Their task was to dig the prey out, going inside the burrows and forcing the badgers to leave their dens.

Early in the 17th Century, the breed became established with smooth and long coated varieties and two different sizes: standard weighing 30-35 lb for wild boar and badger and miniatures weighing 16-22 lb for foxes and hare. The American Kennel Club (AKC) stud book has importations going back to 1885. In 1890 a wirehaired strain was added. The Dachshund Club of America promoted the breed from 1895 and in 1935 the Dachshunds was added to AKC field trials to encourage retention of their hunting characteristics. From 1930 to 1940, dachshunds went from 28th to 6th ranking in registrations. In post war years, dachshunds were sometimes known by other names (Weiner dog, sausage dog, badger dog) because of the unpopularity of all things German.

Dachshunds are more commonly seen as companion animals nowadays. They love people, are friendly, outgoing and clownish.

The standard Dachshund is 14-18 inches (35-45cm) and weighs around 20lbs (9kg). The miniature is up to 14 inches (35cms) and weighs 8 lbs (3.5kg). Life expectancy is 12-15 years and they are average shedders. In recent years, as well as the standard and miniature sizes, a toy size has evolved but is not a recognised size variation.

Dachshunds are intuitive, courageous and tenacious as well as being vigorous and affectionate. They have an energetic, pleasing expression with arched, protruding eyebrows and almond shaped, dark rimmed, very dark eyes. The moderate length ears, when alert, seem to frame the face. The elongated skull is slightly arched as is the muzzle giving a Roman appearance. He has strong bones and teeth and wide opening jaws as he needs if he is to bite a badger! The neck and trunk are both long and muscular. He has a short, very slightly arched loin.

The front is strong and deep, clearly muscled, allowing effective underground work and with ample room for heart and lungs. His front legs are strong and muscled with no knuckling over. His whole front end gives the appearance of hard muscular

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