Dachshund

The Dachshund, also known as Dachshund or Teckel, is a German dog breed recognized by the FCI.
Variants:
Dachshund - Shorthair - Longhair - Wirehaired
Miniature Dachshund: -Shorthair -Longhair -Wirehaired
Rabbit dachshund: -shorthair -longhair -wirehair
Breed names according to the FCI: Dachshund
Other names: teckel, dachshund
Chest circumference: three size classes
Weight depending on size: between 3 and 10 kg

The dachshund is characterized by its low, short-legged, elongated but compact build.

He is very muscular, with the alert expression on his face and the head held upright. The malformation of the shortened legs of the dachshund is a result of the targeted selection achondroplasia.

Dachshunds come in different sizes (depending on size, between 3 and 10 kg without being overweight) and coat variations: wire-haired, long-haired and short-haired in many color variations, also multi-colored or brindle. The hanging ears are long but not exaggerated and rounded, they are not set too far forward.

Dachshunds have a fairly high level of self-confidence. The pronounced self-confidence is very helpful when hunting for well-fortified game, especially the badger (hence the name dachshund). In the badger's den, the dog is a lone fighter and must make its own decisions, as the handler cannot direct it here. A dachshund's willingness to bond is less pronounced. The training should start as early as puppy age and requires loving consistency and a knowledgeable dog handler.

This also applies to influencing the dachshund when dealing with people and other dogs: the strong self-confidence of the dachshund can sometimes lead to the fact that he has too little respect for larger dogs and confrontations could arise here.

The dachshund was bred specifically for hunting foxes and dachshunds. Due to its short legs and comparatively small chest circumference, the dachshund is able to penetrate the underground burrows of these wild animals.

When hunting, the dog should "blow" the fox, i.e. H. chase him out of his burrow, but if possible don't catch him and don't get involved in a fight. While the badger often turns itself in and has to be dug up if necessary, the fox quickly flees from its den. Sometimes the badger piles up a mound of earth between itself and the dog, so the dog cannot reach it and has to dig it out itself if necessary. Dachshunds are ideal for browsing. On driven hunts, the dachshund-fed game flees more familiarly and more slowly, often stopping. This makes it possible to reliably recognize and address the game, and difficult shots at fleeing animals can fail. The dachshund does an excellent job on wound tracks of sick game.

Despite its limitations due to its size, it is ideal for safe dead-hunting. In addition to being a hunting dog, the dachshund is also used as a companion and show dog. According to statistics, there are over a quarter million dachshunds in Germany alone, the vast majority of which are not used as working dogs.

Due to their length in relation to their legs, they have an extremely long spine and are susceptible to a special form of herniated disc (so-called dachshund paralysis). When this happens, the nerves are pinched off by the vertebrae in the spine and the dachshund loses control over parts of their body, most commonly the hind legs. Dachshund paralysis can be prevented by avoiding obesity and by exercising enough to build strong back muscles.Once dachshund paralysis has set in, it cannot be completely reversed. However, it can be alleviated with a lot of care and the right medication.