Having a Dachshund in Your Family

More commonly known as a wiener dog for their long skinny bodies, a dachshund has an interesting history, and one that will explain their silly habits as a domestic pet. The dachshund breed is known to be a German breed, but can also be traced back to ancient Egypt times as well. As a working dog, dachshunds were primarily used as hunting dogs for badgers and other small animals that live in holes. They were also know to hunt such animals as rabbits and foxes, and have been a part of royalty families including that of Queen Victoria. Having a dachshund as a family pet can be both rewarding and challenging as with all dogs, dachshunds have specific needs to be happy and healthy.

Dachshunds come in two different sizes. Standard and miniature. A standard sized dachshund can typically weigh anywhere from 15-30lbs while a miniature can weigh roughly 10lbs. But the funny thing is with this breed, they really don't know how small they are! A typical dachshund has a long slender body and short stubby legs with a thick chest that will be finely toned. Because of their short legs, most dachshunds have found resourceful ways to use their feet more like hands than any other dog, and will not let their size defeat their ability to move around. Dachshunds come in a variety of colors and markings with three distinct hair types; Smooth haired, long haired or wire haired.

Some of the personality traits to keep in mind when deciding to get a dachshund are that they would rather be socially involved than left alone for any length of time. Dachshunds are very loyal to their owners and can become destructive and aggressive if not properly socialized and cared for. Because of their size and need for attention, dachshunds make great traveling dogs. They are sweet lovers, and make great lap dogs but they also like to climb under blankets and sleep in spaces that resemble dark holes. The energy level of a dachshund can vary from dog to dog, some are more playful and some are more laid back, but either way these dogs are fun loving and full of personality.