COUNTRY OF ORIGIN:
Germany.
SPECIAL SKILLS:
Family pet but also a hunting dog for above and below ground.
SIZE: Dachunds are divided into two main size groups. The
largest are the Standard, which should have a maximum weight of 20lbs. The Minature Dachshund should
have a maximum weight of 10 pounds.
COAT:
The coat consists of short smooth-hairs and is most frequently reddish-brown or black and tan. Some dogs, however,
are chocolate brown and there are dogs with almost tiger-like markings.
CARE REQUIRED: The coat of the Smooth-haired Dachshund needs little attention.
Remove dead and loose hairs with a rubber brush from time to time. Keep the ear passages clean and
the claws short. Most Dachshunds are dainty feeders. Be careful not to give them too
much to eat because a fat Dachshund is an unhealthy one.
CHARACTER: The Dachshund is brave, dominant, has a mind of its own, is cunning, vigilant,
resourceful, lively, tenacious, and curious. It has a sense of humor. The Smooth-haired almost
literally attaches itself to its own people, except when the hunting instinct rears its head. A Dachshund needs to be
introduced when it is young to many different situations for it to develop properly as an adult.
TRAINING: The Smooth-haired likes to dominate other
dogs and has a mind of its own so it has to be consistently trained. With the right approach and much patience
it is possible to teach this dog quite a lot but it will never slavisly follow your commands. Dachshunds can sulk terribly
if they feel they have been unfairly punished and they are very determined when they want something. Puppy
training courses can be very good for young Dachshunds.
SOCIAL BEHAVIOR: The family comes first with Dachshunds and they have little time for strangers
which they will show by a rather reserved manner to people they don't know. If they are introduced
early to children so they they have positive experiences with them, the Smooth will not cause any problems. They usually
get on reasonably well with other dogs, although some of them can be over-courageous in their approach to larger dogs.
Because of their passion for hunting, these dogs are definitely not suitable playmates for other small household animals.
Introduce to cats when young to prevent later problems when it's older.
Source: American Canine Association, Inc.
