Dachshund: Difference between revisions
imported>Nancy Sculerati (if you like Dachshunds-add something to this article to keep it off the endangered list, please) |
imported>Kelly Patterson No edit summary |
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The 'hund" in the word Dachshund is derived from the original German, and does not signify that this breed is a hound. Instead, dachshunds are sometimes considered terriers, specifically, an [[earthdog]] that is willing to "go to ground" and hunt its quarry in tunnels. Hound or terrier, the dachshund makes a good hunting dog, in or out of a tunnel, and will bay while it follow's the tracks of the hunter's prey. | The 'hund" in the word Dachshund is derived from the original German, and does not signify that this breed is a hound. Instead, dachshunds are sometimes considered terriers, specifically, an [[earthdog]] that is willing to "go to ground" and hunt its quarry in tunnels. Hound or terrier, the dachshund makes a good hunting dog, in or out of a tunnel, and will bay while it follow's the tracks of the hunter's prey. | ||
==Breed standards== | ==Breed standards== | ||
===UK === | ====UK ==== | ||
Kennel Club | Kennel Club | ||
===USA=== | ====USA==== | ||
====AKC==== | ====AKC==== | ||
| Line 17: | Line 15: | ||
====UKC==== | ====UKC==== | ||
===Germany=== | ====Germany==== | ||
== | ==Appearance== | ||
Dachshunds are very muscular dogs. No matter which variety of dachshund, their shapes are relatively the same: short legs on a long body with a long nose. Thier chests protrude slightly and in specimens of a healthy weight, thier stomachs are somewhat defined and tucked up. Most have black rimmed eyes and black noses, but thier noses can sometimes be brown or a shade closer to thier coats. | |||
===Sizes=== | |||
There are two sizes that all dachshunds can be catergorized into: miniature (or toy) and standard. A miniature dachshund is considered to be 16 lbs and above in weight and 8"-9" in height. A miniature would weigh 11 lbs and under and be 5"-6" tall. Both males and females are sized similarily. | |||
===Coat=== | |||
There are three coat types, all of which can be found on standard and miniature dachshunds. | |||
*Smooth: This is the most common in the US- short, shiny and smooth | |||
*Long hair: The long hair variety is also shiny and soft. It is often wavy. | |||
*Wire hair: The hair is typically rough, short and tight on top with a softer undercoat. | |||
[[Image:PuddyRug.jpg|thumb|A short hair dachshund]] | [[Image:PuddyRug.jpg|thumb|A short hair dachshund]] | ||
===Colors and color patterns=== | |||
All six varieties of dachshunds come in a wide variety of colors and color patterns. The colors vary from black, dark brown, light brown, tan, red, grey, cream. The color patterns can either be a solid of one of these colors or a mixture of many of them with two-colored and dappled patterns. | |||
==Known health problems with this breed== | ==Known health problems with this breed== | ||
Obesity is a failing of the breed, said to occur because this relatively small dog has a relatively voracious appetite. | Obesity is a failing of the breed, said to occur because this relatively small dog has a relatively voracious appetite. It is a well known fear of dachshund owners that allowing thier dogs to gain too much weight can mean paralysis due to the dogs natural form. | ||
==References== | ==References== | ||
Revision as of 19:27, 7 April 2007
The dachshund is a long dog with very short legs. A small dog with a big bark, it was originally bred as a hunter of badgers. Its name means "badger dog" in German. Badgers are a formidible opponent for their size, and the dachshund, perhaps accordingly, has earned a reputation for "extraordinary courage and endurance as a hunter". (reference The Reader's Digest Illustrated Book of Dogs page 120)
Hound or terrier?
The 'hund" in the word Dachshund is derived from the original German, and does not signify that this breed is a hound. Instead, dachshunds are sometimes considered terriers, specifically, an earthdog that is willing to "go to ground" and hunt its quarry in tunnels. Hound or terrier, the dachshund makes a good hunting dog, in or out of a tunnel, and will bay while it follow's the tracks of the hunter's prey.
Breed standards
UK
Kennel Club
USA
AKC
UKC
Germany
Appearance
Dachshunds are very muscular dogs. No matter which variety of dachshund, their shapes are relatively the same: short legs on a long body with a long nose. Thier chests protrude slightly and in specimens of a healthy weight, thier stomachs are somewhat defined and tucked up. Most have black rimmed eyes and black noses, but thier noses can sometimes be brown or a shade closer to thier coats.
Sizes
There are two sizes that all dachshunds can be catergorized into: miniature (or toy) and standard. A miniature dachshund is considered to be 16 lbs and above in weight and 8"-9" in height. A miniature would weigh 11 lbs and under and be 5"-6" tall. Both males and females are sized similarily.
Coat
There are three coat types, all of which can be found on standard and miniature dachshunds.
- Smooth: This is the most common in the US- short, shiny and smooth
- Long hair: The long hair variety is also shiny and soft. It is often wavy.
- Wire hair: The hair is typically rough, short and tight on top with a softer undercoat.
Colors and color patterns
All six varieties of dachshunds come in a wide variety of colors and color patterns. The colors vary from black, dark brown, light brown, tan, red, grey, cream. The color patterns can either be a solid of one of these colors or a mixture of many of them with two-colored and dappled patterns.
Known health problems with this breed
Obesity is a failing of the breed, said to occur because this relatively small dog has a relatively voracious appetite. It is a well known fear of dachshund owners that allowing thier dogs to gain too much weight can mean paralysis due to the dogs natural form.