Dachshund Breed Guide: Temperament, Grooming & Training
22 January 2024Fresh Dog Food
Become obsessed with Dachshunds: From their cute looks to their wonderful personality, our breed guide has everything you need to become a Dachshund supporter!
Our food is formulated by our expert canine nutritionist and approved by our in-house team of vet and behaviourist.
What is one of the most common dog breeds obsessed with Different Dog's freshly cooked food? Drumroll, please…
IT’S DACHSHUNDS!
That’s right, these little sausage-shaped pups have a top-five spot in the most popular breed we feed. Now, I’m sure you’re thinking “Why are they so popular?”, so read on to learn more about Dachshunds and the unique qualities that make them so special. We’ll also chat about nutrition and why many of their owners choose a freshly cooked dog food diet.
History of Dachshunds
Dachshunds otherwise known as Sausage Dogs or Daxies have captured the hearts and minds of many dog lovers, shooting to stardom as one of the most popular breeds around. They are instantly recognisable purebred dogs thanks to their iconic short legs, long bodies and adorable floppy ears.
Unbeknown to many dog lovers, is that Dachshunds were originally bred as ‘hunting dogs’ making them perfect for hunting small animals such as rabbits & badgers. In German, “Dachs” means badger & “Hund” means Dog, and with thus, the Dachshund was born. Pssst, feel free to reveal this fun fact at your next dinner party or pub quiz - we promise we won’t take the credit.
Don’t be fooled by their cute exterior; these dogs are intelligent, commanding and brave. They are also strong-minded and extremely loyal, making them the perfect companion and addition to any family.
Dachshund Key Facts
Below, you will find some loveable facts about Dachshunds:
Life expectancy = 12 - 15 years
Average size = 20 - 23cm
Average weight = 7 - 10kgs (males tend to be heavier than females)
Coat: Smooth, Wire Haired or Long Haired
Coat Colour: Black, Black & Tan, Chocolate & Tan, Blue & Tan, Chocolate & Cream
Temperament: Devoted, Lively, Playful, Active, Stubborn
Hypoallergenic: No
Origin: German
Both breeds make the perfect choice for a pet and it’s difficult to set them apart, and either would be a great choice for a first-time dog owner.
Types of Dachshund Dogs, Coats & Colours
Your family may be already fully invested in getting a Dachshund dog (who wouldn’t want one of these loyal little sausages?), so the real question is what type suits you best?
The three most common Dachshund breeds are Smooth, Wire Haired & Long Haired. Let us delve into the different types below!
Smooth Dachshund
The Smooth Dachshund is an adorable, friendly dog and the most popular variety; you’ll often see them in popular films, TV series and generally walking out & about in your town. They have a short and obvious smooth coat which distinguishes them from their Wire & Long Haired counterparts.
These dogs are lively and fun-natured, known for being loyal and forming strong bonds with their owners. They have a playful demeanour, benefiting from regular exercise, so be warned, once you start throwing a ball, be prepared for the game to continue for quite some time!
In addition, these dogs are very independent and can often be quite shy with strangers. Don’t take it too personally, they’re just besties with their owner! You may also see different behaviour whilst meeting new people, such as barking, but rest assured, they can be won over very quickly with some tasty treats.
The Smooth Dachshund is a brilliant choice for many owners and is often ideal for owners with children as they love to be part of the family. They also thrive as a furry child to DINK (double-income-no-kids) families as it means they can be the centre of attention!
Long-Haired Dachshund
This type of Dachshund is well known for its soft, beautiful & luxurious coat which covers its entire body from its ears to its tail. Having such a wavy & long coat enables this type of Dachshund to be comfortable in colder weather conditions, particularly on long walks!
The physical appearance and characteristics of these dogs are similar to that of Smooth and Wire Haired Dachshunds, where they have a long body and short legs. However, the main difference stands to be their coat which comes in various colours such as Black & Tan and Chocolate & Tan.
The personality of a Long Haired Dachshund is extremely likeable as they’re affectionate, caring and strong-minded dogs. Despite being small, many have a very large personality and need no excuse to strut their stuff with confidence.
These dogs are very curious, so can be prone to chewing things that they shouldn’t, so it’s important to keep them stimulated with plenty of exercise and training. The more time you spend with them creating memories, the happier they will be.
Wire Haired Dachshund
The Wire-Haired Dachshund has very distinctive physical characteristics where they have somewhat of a mini beard that makes their appearance very unique. In addition, they have short legs with a small frame and their coat is very thick which is one of the biggest differences between other Dachshunds.
Due to the thickness of their coat, they’re less likely to shed making them ideal for people with allergies or asthma. Just like other Dachshunds, these dogs come in various colours such as Black, or Chocolate & Tan.
The wire-haired Dachshund is less common in comparison to Long Haired & Smooth Dachshunds, which can make them harder to come by and, often, a little more expensive if buying from a breeder. At Different Dog, we are huge advocates for rescue dogs so rescuing is always an option if you have the means to do so.
Similar to their short and long-haired cousins, they are very loyal and loving dogs, but they can have a stubborn streak which makes the training process important from an early age. This breed can also be quite vocal and tend to bark, and potentially howl, so it’s important to manage this behaviour to ensure it doesn’t become an unnecessary or regular habit.
But don’t let their tiny but mighty voices put you off; they’re a joy to own and will become an integral member of the family, providing lots of warm cuddles and joyful moments.
Dachshund Temperament & Personality
Dachshunds are truly a one-of-a-kind breed, they’re incredibly confident and can certainly hold their own when playing with slightly bigger dog breeds, despite their small stature.
As mentioned, they were bred to be hunting dogs which explains their never-back-down confidence. This also means their natural instinct is to chase small, furry animals and birds, so always best to make sure you teach solid recall before letting them off-lead.
Dachshunds are intelligent dogs and always seek to help their owner out. For example, if your quest is to venture into the garden to hang the washing out, you can bet your bottom dollar that your little sausage sidekick will accompany you, to protect you from any potential garden foes!
Dachshunds are a real example of “man’s best friend”.
Are Dachshunds Hypoallergenic?
Sadly, they’re not considered a hypoallergenic breed as they do shed, but not nearly as much as your average dog. The Long Haired Dachshund has a double coat which will shed the least and is the closest Dachshund breed to being hypoallergenic.
If you’re still considering adopting a Dachshund then we recommend visiting a friend for a cuddle with their dachshund to see how your allergies are impacted as this will give you the best indication if they can become your friend for life!
Are Dachshunds Easy to Train?
Dachshunds are generally fast learners; their strong intelligence makes them confident and a joy to teach. Positive reinforcement is recommended at all times which will help them to learn and understand your instructions.
They are often food motivated so we also recommend stocking up on our Tear & Train treats for successful training sessions. Like any dog, patience and consistency are integral to their learning & development.
These little guys can have a short attention span so short, regular training sessions can be more beneficial than longer, intense sessions. It can also be a good idea to encourage positive socialisation with other dogs at an early age to reduce the chance of reactivity or nervousness around others.
Dachshund Health Issues
Unfortunately, like any other dog, Dachshunds are susceptible to certain health issues. Below, you will find some the common health problems:
Back Problems: One of the most common issues amongst Dachshunds because of the pressure put on their long back. It is often advised to avoid strenuous exercise (including jumping on and off the furniture), and to lift them very carefully while supporting their bodies. If they take any sort of limping, consult a veterinarian who will be able to assist you.
Hip Dysplasia: Also common in breeds such as labradors, this is where the hip ball and socket have not developed properly and can cause issues with movement. Symptoms may not be so obvious to owners but the common ones are stiffness & limping.
Obesity: This can impact any breed, that’s why it’s important to have a feeding schedule to avoid overeating. Our Keep Me Trim Turkey recipe is a favourite amongst sausage dog owners. Obesity can lead to other issues such as back problems as they can’t support the weight of their body.
Dachshund Nutrition
For Dachshunds, good nutrition is very important to ensure they live their lives to the absolute fullest. As mentioned, they are very energetic and lively dogs which require a balanced, nutritious diet to support their growth.
Their diet should ideally consist of a combination of high-quality proteins, healthy fats and solid fibre sources from fruit and vegetables. Your dog’s diet isn’t just reflected in their energy levels but also directly affects their digestive health, along with heart, eye, skin and coat condition.
There is a reason why Dachshunds are one of our most popular breeds to feed; they thrive on our healthy, high-quality, freshly cooked meals. We understand that every dog is different and that’s why we provide a range of different recipes to improve every aspect of your dog’s health; all hand-cooked with love right here in our kitchen in Shropshire.
Turkey Fricassee is a favourite of our Daschund customers, just like Winston, learn more here.
For specific dietary advice, contact us at [email protected], and we can put you in touch with our veterinarian, Alison, who will be able to answer any questions that you may have and recommend the perfect diet for your Dachshund.
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