Dachshund
Group: Hound
Lifespan: 12-15 Years
Pups per Litter: 3-4
Average Weight:Standard 20Lbs Mini 9Lbs
Average Height: 15-17 inches
Exercise/Actvity Level: Moderate
Temperment with:
Children 
Other Dogs Other Animals
History
The Dachshund originated in Germany. The name Dachs, is German for “badger” which is exactly what these little guys were bred to flush out and hunt. Their small body was bred this way purely for the fact that they could fit into badger holes to flush them out! They are also known for hunting down hare, otter, fox, and stoat.
Traits
The Dachshund is a cheeky and goofy little clown. They are entertaining both to watch and interact with as this inquisitive little guy is a ball of energy. They love people and would make great family pets as they get along well with other dogs and other pets, but can become jealous if too much attention is paid to these. These dogs will do much better if the children in the family are not young as they don’t like to be man handled. The Dachshund can be stubborn and enjoy hearing themselves bark! There are 3 types of Dachshund, the long haired, short haired, and wire haired and they can be either Standard or Miniature(dwarf) sized.
Appearance
Weighing in at up to 20 lbs (9 kgs) for Standards and up to 9 lbs (4 kgs) for Mini’s, and averaging 14-18 inches high for Standards, and up to 14 inches high for Mini’s, the Dachshund is known for being the “wiener dog”. They have short little legs and a stretched out long body. Their muzzle is long and pointed and their ears are large and floppy. The coat is either long haired, short haired or wire haired and all come in a tan, brown, black, gray or harlequin colours. The tail is thin yet long and their eyes are medium sized and can be either a brown, or dark red and have a curious look to them.
Health
The Dachshund due to their long bodies, might suffer from spinal problems, such as slipped discs or paralysis. They are genetically prone to urinary problems, heart disease, and may become diabetic. This breed should defiantly not be over fed as if they become obese, this will not only affect their heart, but also put added strain on their spine.
Training
The Dachshund is a stubborn breed and will need very firm and consistent training. It should be done in a gentle manner as they will not respond well to harsh training. They will need to be socialized as pups to ensure they can interact well with other dogs and people. This breed is also quite protective of its owners so extra oversight to ensure that this does not get out of control is necessary as the Dachshund is sometimes known to bite and ask questions later.
Care
The wire haired Dachshund will need to be brushed a few times a week and bathed upon request of the owner as they are a moderate maintenance breed. The short haired Dachshund is a very low maintenance breed as they only need to be bathed about once a month and brushed about every week or two. The long haired Dachshund is a moderate maintenance breed as they will need to be brushed daily to ensure no tangles or mats develop. Bathing is up to the owners discretion as to how often. All 3 types will shed an average amount of fur.
Breed
This breed is categorized in the Hound Group. They will do very well in an apartment as they are a small breed and don’t need the extra room of a house to run around in. Daily walks or even access to a park would be perfect as these little guys will enjoy the off leash running time. The average lifespan of the Dachshund is 12-15 years. They have around 3-4 pups per litter. When obtaining a puppy Dachshund, keep in mind that every puppy is different and to research your breed before bringing the baby home!
Reference pages for Information:
http://puppydogweb.com/caninebreeds/dachshun.htm Dachshund Information
http://www.dogbreedinfo.com/dachshund.htm Dachshund Breed Information
http://www.dachshund-dca.org/ Dachshund Club
http://www.drna.org/ Dachshund Rescue
http://www.akc.org/breeds/dachshund/index.cfm Dachshund AKC Standards
