The Dachshund
is a short-legged, elongated dog breed of the hound family.
The breed's name is German and literally means "badger
dog" (der Dachs - badger; der Hund - dog). The breed
was developed to scent, chase, hunt, and kill badgers and
other hole-dwelling animals. Due to their long, narrow build,
they are sometimes referred to in the United States and
elsewhere as 
"wiener
dogs" or "sausage dogs".
Low
to ground, long in body and short of leg with robust muscular
development, the skin is elastic and pliable without excessive
wrinkling. Appearing neither crippled, awkward, nor cramped
in his capacity for movement, the Dachshund is well-balanced
with bold and confident head carriage and intelligent, alert
facial expression. His hunting spirit, good nose, loud tongue
and distinctive build make him well-suited for below-ground
work and for beating the bush. His keen nose gives him an
advantage over most other breeds for trailing. Note: Inasmuch
as the Dachshund is a hunting dog, scars from honorable
wounds shall not be considered a fault.
Miniature
(or Zwergteckel) dachshunds have a typical chest measurement
of 12-14 inches (31-35 cm) and weight of 11 to 13 lb (4-5
kg). Their height range is 5-10 inches (13-25 cm), about
that of the Standard dachshund.
Miniature Dachshunds come in all three coats: Smooth, Long
hair, and Wire hair they come in many colors including Chocolate,
chocolate Cream, Piebald, Dapple, and English Cream!
They
are nicknamed "weiner dogs" or "hot dogs"
and are sometimes described as being
"two
dogs long and a half dog high".
General
Appearance
A full-sized Dachshund
averages 12 to 24 lb (5 to 10 kg), while the Miniature variety
typically weighs less than 12 lb (5 kg). Modern Dachshunds
are characterized by their crooked legs, loose skin and
barrel-like chest, attributes that were deliberately added
to the breed to increase their ability to burrow into tight
spaces. They come in three coat varieties: Smooth, Longhaired
and Wirehaired; the Wirehaired variety is generally shorter
in spine length than the other two. H. L. Mencken said that
"A dachshund
is a half-dog high and a dog-and-a-half long," which
is their main claim to fame.
Bred and
shown in two sizes, standard and miniature, miniatures are
not a separate classification but compete in a class division
for "11 pounds and under at 12 months of age and older."
Weight of the standard size is usually between 16 and 32
pounds.
Viewed
from above or from the side, the head tapers uniformly to
the tip of the nose. The eyes are of medium size, almond-shaped
and dark-rimmed, with an energetic, pleasant expression;
not piercing; very dark in color. The bridge bones over
the eyes are strongly prominent. Wall eyes, except in the
case of dappled dogs, are a serious fault. The ears are
set near the top of the head, not too far forward, of moderate
length, rounded, not narrow, pointed, or folded. Their carriage,
when animated, is with the forward edge just touching the
cheek so that the ears frame the face. The skull is slightly
arched, neither too broad nor too narrow, and slopes gradually
with little perceptible stop into the finely-formed, slightly
arched muzzle. Black is the preferred color of the nose.
Lips are tightly stretched, well covering the lower jaw.
Nostrils well open. Jaws opening wide and hinged well back
of the eyes, with strongly developed bones and teeth. Teeth--Powerful
canine teeth; teeth fit closely together in a scissors bite.
An even bite is a minor fault. Any other deviation is a
serious fault.
Long, muscular,
clean-cut, without dewlap, slightly arched in the nape,
flowing gracefully into the shoulders.
The trunk
is long and fully muscled. When viewed in profile, the back
lies in the straightest possible line between the withers
and the short very slightly arched loin. A body that hangs
loosely between the shoulders is a serious fault. Abdomen--Slightly
drawn up.
For effective
underground work, the front must be strong, deep, long and
cleanly muscled. Forequarters in detail: Chest-- The breastbone
is strongly prominent in front so that on either side a
depression or dimple appears. When viewed from the front,
the thorax appears oval and extends downward to the mid-point
of the forearm. The enclosing structure of well-sprung ribs
appears full and oval to allow, by its ample capacity, complete
development of heart and lungs. The keel merges gradually
into the line of the abdomen and extends well beyond the
front legs. Viewed in profile, the lowest point of the breast
line is covered by the front leg. Shoulder Blades--Long,
broad, well-laid back and firmly placed upon the fully developed
thorax, closely fitted at the withers, furnished with hard
yet pliable muscles. Upper Arm--Ideally the same length
as the shoulder blade and at right angles to the
latter, strong of bone and hard of muscle, lying close to
the ribs, with elbows close to the body, yet capable of
free movement. Forearm--Short; supplied with hard yet pliable
muscles on the front and outside, with tightly stretched
tendons on the inside and at the back, slightly curved inwards.
The joints between the forearms and the feet (wrists) are
closer together than the shoulder joints, so that the front
does not appear absolutely straight. Knuckling over is a
disqualifying fault. Feet--Front paws are full, tight, compact,
with well-arched toes and tough, thick pads. They may be
equally inclined a trifle outward. There are five toes,
four in use, close together with a pronounced arch and strong,
short nails. Front dewclaws may be removed.
Strong and
cleanly muscled. The pelvis, the thigh, the second thigh,
and the metatarsus are ideally the same length and form
a series of right angles. From the rear, the thighs are
strong and powerful. The legs turn neither in nor out. Metatarsus--
Short and strong, perpendicular to the second thigh bone.
When viewed from behind, they are upright and parallel.
Feet--Hind Paws--Smaller than the front paws with four compactly
closed and arched toes with tough, thick pads. The entire
foot points straight ahead and is balanced equally on the
ball and not merely on the toes. Rear dewclaws should be
removed. Croup--Long, rounded and full, sinking slightly
toward the tail. Tail-- Set in continuation of the spine,
extending without kinks, twists, or pronounced
curvature, and not carried too gaily.
Fluid and
smooth. Forelegs reach well forward, without much lift,
in unison with the driving action of hind legs. The correct
shoulder assembly and well-fitted elbows allow the long,
free stride in front. Viewed from the front, the legs do
not move in exact parallel planes, but incline slightly
inward to compensate for shortness of leg and width of chest.
Hind legs drive on a line with the forelegs, with hocks
(metatarsus) turning neither in nor out. The propulsion
of the hind leg depends on the dog's ability to carry the
hind leg to complete extension. Viewed in profile, the forward
reach of the hind leg equals the rear extension. The thrust
of correct movement is seen when the rear pads are clearly
exposed during rear extension. Feet must travel parallel
to the line of motion with no tendency to swing out, cross
over, or interfere with each other. Short, choppy movement,
rolling or high-stepping gait, close or overly wide coming
or going are incorrect. The Dachshund must have agility,
freedom of movement, and endurance
to do the work for which he was developed.
Temperament
Dachshunds are loyal,
playful dogs, known for their propensity to chase small
animals and birds. According to the American Kennel Club's
breed standards, "the Dachshund is clever, lively and
courageous to the point of rashness, persevering in above
and below ground
work, with all the senses well-developed. Any display of
shyness is a serious fault." Coat type is often considered
to be associated with characteristic temperaments; the long-haired
variety, for instance, is considered to be less excitable
than the other types because it was cross-bred with the
Spaniel to obtain its characteristic long coat. Some who
own long-haired Dachshunds might disagree with this statement,
however. Because of the breed's characteristic barrel-like
chest, the dachshund's lungs are unusually large, making
for a sonorous bark.
The Dachshund
is clever, lively and courageous to the point of rashness,
persevering in above and below ground work, with all the
senses well-developed. Any display of shyness is a serious
fault.
Health
The breed is known
to have spinal problems, due in part to an extremely long
spinal column and short rib cage. The risk of injury can
be worsened by obesity, which places greater strain on the
vertebrae. In order to prevent injury, it is recommended
that Dachshunds be discouraged from jumping and taking stairs.
It has become increasingly apparent that the occurrence
and severity
of these problems is largely hereditary, and responsible
breeders are working to eliminate this characteristic in
the breed.
History
Some have theorized that the early roots of the Dachshund
go back to Ancient Egypt, where engravings were made featuring
short-legged hunting dogs. But in its modern incarnation,
the Dachshund is a creation of European breeders, and includes
elements of German, French and English hounds and terriers.
Dachshunds have been kept by royal courts all over Europe,
including that of Queen Victoria, who was particularly enamored
of the breed.
The first
verifiable references to the Dachshund, originally named
the "Tachs Kriecher" (badger crawler) or "Tachs
Krieger" (badger catcher), come from books written
in the early 1700s. Prior to that, there exist references
to "badger dogs" and "hole dogs",
but these likely refer to purposes rather than to specific
breeds. The original German Dachshunds were larger than
the modern full-size variety, weighing between 30 and 40
lb (14 to 18 kg), and originally came in straight-legged
and crook-legged varieties (the modern Dachshund is descended
from the latter). Though the breed is famous for its use
in exterminating badgers, Dachshunds were also commonly
used for rabbit and fox hunting, for locating wounded deer,
and in packs were known to hunt game as large as wild boar.
Dominant
colors and patterns include Red and Black & Tan. Older
traditional patterns such as piebald and sable are recently
gaining in popularity. Recently, other color and pattern
combinations have been developed; it is not uncommon to
see Dachshunds with Brown & Tan, Chocolate & Tan,
dapple, double dapple, and even white coats. Unfortunately,
some of these colors require extensive inbreeding to obtain;
double dapples are often born eyeless or with severely underdeveloped
eyes. For this reason, the double dapple coat is extremely
disfavored among responsible breeders and owners.
According
to kennel club standards, the Miniature variety differs
from the full-size only by size and weight.
Miscellaneous
Dachshunds
have traditionally been viewed as a symbol of Germany, despite
their pan-European heritage. During World War I the animals
fell so far out of favor in England and the United States
that dachshunds were stoned to death on the street. Many
Americans began referring to Dachshunds as "liberty
pups", and political cartoonists commonly used the
image of the Dachshund to ridicule Germany. The stigma of
the association was revived to a much reduced extent during
World War II, and it quickly faded away following the war's
end. German Field Marshal Erwin Rommel was also known for
keeping Dachshunds.
One of the
odder controversies that has recently arisen in North America
is the presence of Dachshund racing events.
This sport has its origins from a 1993 Miller Lite television
commercial that listed odd possibilities for sports including
luge bowling,
has grown immensely in popularity since, including a half-time
show for the San Francisco 49ers.
While some
compare the sport to that of English and later American
Greyhound racing, others see it having the possibility of
harming the breed from strain placed on its spinal column.
Others also see the possibility for abuse of racing Dachshunds,
as evidenced by the large number of Greyhounds put to sleep
every year once they have proven unsuitable for racing,
and by those given
up for adoption.
Special
Characteristics of the Three Coat Varieties
The Dachshund
is bred with three varieties of coat: (1) Smooth; (2) Wirehaired;
(3) Longhaired and is shown in two sizes, standard and miniature.
All three varieties and both sizes must conform to the characteristics
already specified. The following features are applicable
for each variety:
Smooth
Dachshund
Coat--Short, smooth and shining. Should be neither too long
nor too thick. Ears not leathery. Tail--Gradually tapered
to a point, well but not too richly haired. Long sleek bristles
on the underside are considered a patch of strong-growing
hair, not a fault. A brush tail is a fault, as is also a
partly or wholly hairless tail.
Color of
Hair--Although base color is immaterial, certain patterns
and basic colors predominate. One-colored Dachshunds include
red (with or without a shading of interspersed dark hairs
or sable) and cream. A small amount of white on the chest
is acceptable, but not desirable. Nose and nails--black.
Two-colored
Dachshunds include black, chocolate, wild boar, gray (blue)
and fawn (Isabella), each with tan markings over the eyes,
on the sides of the jaw and underlip, on the inner edge
of the ear, front, breast, inside and behind the front legs,
on the paws and
around the anus, and from there to about one-third to one-half
of the length of the tail on the underside. Undue prominence
or extreme lightness of tan markings is undesirable. A small
amount of white on the chest is acceptable but not desirable.
Nose and nails--in the case of black dogs, black; for chocolate
and all other colors, dark brown, but self-colored is acceptable.
Dappled Dachshunds--The
"single" dapple pattern is expressed as lighter-colored
areas contrasting with the darker base color, which may
be any acceptable color. Neither the light nor the dark
color should predominate. Nose and nails are the same as
for one and two-colored Dachshunds. Partial or wholly blue
(wall) eyes are as acceptable as dark eyes. A large area
of white on the chest of a dapple is permissible.
A "double"
dapple is one in which varying amounts of white coloring
occur over the body in addition to the dapple pattern. Nose
and nails: as for one and two-color Dachshunds; partial
or wholly self-colored is permissible.
Brindle is
a pattern (as opposed to a color) in which black or dark
stripes occur over the entire body although in some specimens
the pattern may be visible only in the tan points.
Wirehaired
Dachshund
Coat-- With the exception of jaw, eyebrows, and ears, the
whole body is covered with a uniform tight, short, thick,
rough, hard, outer coat but with finer, somewhat softer,
shorter hairs (undercoat) everywhere distributed between
the coarser hairs. The absence of an undercoat is a fault.
The distinctive facial furnishings include a beard and eyebrows.
On the ears the hair is shorter than on the body, almost
smooth. The general arrangement of the hair is such that
the wirehaired Dachshund, when viewed from a distance, resembles
the smooth. Any sort of soft hair in the outercoat, wherever
found on the body, especially on the top of the head, is
a fault. The same is true of long, curly, or wavy hair,
or hair that sticks out irregularly in all directions. Tail--
Robust, thickly haired, gradually tapering to a point. A
flag tail is a fault. Color of Hair--While the most common
colors are wild boar, black and tan, and various shades
of red, all colors are admissible. A small amount of white
on the chest, although acceptable, is not
desirable. Nose and nails--same as for the smooth variety.
Longhaired
Dachshund
Coat--The sleek, glistening, often slightly wavy hair is
longer under the neck and on the forechest, the underside
of the body, the ears, and behind the legs. The coat gives
the dog an elegant appearance. Short hair on the ear is
not desirable. Too profuse a coat which masks type, equally
long hair over the whole body, a curly coat, or a pronounced
parting on the back are faults. Tail--Carried gracefully
in prolongation of the spine; the hair attains its greatest
length here and forms a veritable flag. Color of Hair--Same
as for the smooth Dachshund. Nose and nails--same as for
the smooth.
The foregoing
description is that of the ideal Dachshund. Any deviation
from the above described dog must be penalized to the extent
of the deviation keeping in mind the importance of the contribution
of the various features toward the basic original purpose
of the breed.
Disqualification
Knuckling
over of front legs.
