Dachshund
Breed Profile
The ancestry of the Dachshund can be traced to its to early 17th century Germany. This dog was originally bred for hunting badgers and other burrowing animals, thanks to its short legs enabled it to squeeze below ground. The dachshund was given life by German breeders and includes elements of German, French, and English hounds and terriers. Dachshunds have been flaunted by royal courts all throughout Europe, including that of Queen Victoria, who was particularly bewitched by the breed.
Temperament
Dachshunds are curious, smart, feisty, and affectionate with their folks. Dachshunds are playful, but as hunting dogs can be quite obstinate. They are known for their penchant for hunting small animals, birds, and tennis balls with great determination and ferocity. Many Dachshunds are stubborn, therefore not so amenable to training.
Color & Coat
Coat: Three recognized varieties of Dachshunds include the short-haired, long-haired, and wire-haired.
Color: Dachshunds have a wide variety of colors and patterns, the most prevalent one being red. Their base coloration can be single-colored (either red or cream), tan pointed (black and tan, chocolate and tan, blue and tan, or isabella and tan), and in wirehaired dogs, a color referred to as wild boar. Patterns such as dapple (merle), sable, brindle and piebald also can occur on any of the base colors.
Health
The breed is prone to spinal problems, especially intervertebral disk disease (IVDD), which can partly be attributed to an extremely long spinal column and short rib cage. The risk of injury may be aggravated by obesity, jumping, rough handling, or intense exercise, which place greater strain on the vertebrae.