Dachshunds

THE BADGER DOG

TEXT: COURTENEY MEYER

Legendary literary critic and humourous journalist H.L Mencken described the Dachshund well, "half a dog high and a dog and a half long." Yet these comical dogs with long droopy ears are hunters second to none! Their name literally means Badger (dachs) Dog (hund) in German. These little scent hounds were bred to hunt ferocious badgers and other small game. Their short legs meant they were great diggers and able to manoeuvre through the tunnels to corner and catch the badger, rabbit or fox they were after.

SUITABILITY

Whether you know them as a Sausage Dog, Doxie or Dashie, the Dachshund makes an excellent family companion with loads of character.

Regardless of their variety, colour or size, they have been a popular choice of dog for many years.

They are clever, lively dogs who do not lack 'heart' or bravery. Perhaps their only downside is that their independent spirit can make them somewhat stubborn little dogs!

VARIETIES

They come in three varieties, namely smooth, wirehaired and long-haired; are either miniature or standard-sized; and come in a variety of colours too.

Smooth-coated Dachshunds are by far the most popular variety, and their short coats require minimal grooming.

Wirehaired Dachshunds have short, wiry and rough coats with bushy eyebrows and a beard. They require weekly brushing, and two or three times a year, your groomer will 'strip' their coat, which removes the dead undercoat.

Long-haired Dachshunds have a silky, wavy coat that requires regular brushing to avoid knots and mats and are believed to have a far more docile personality when compared to the other two varieties.

COLOURS

Common colours include black and tan, cream, chocolate and red. Dachshunds can also have patterns in their coats, namely dapple, brindle and sable. Whichever variety and colour you choose, always be sure to do your research and purchase from a reputable breeder.

HEALTH RISKS

This breed's most notable health concern is Intervertebral Disc Disease (IVDD). In the UK, up to 1 in 4 dachshunds will be affected by this in their lifetime. It is the Dachshunds' short-legged genetics (called chondrodystrophia) that predispose them to IVDD. All dogs' intervertebral discs degenerate with age, but this degeneration happens much younger in Dachshunds than in non-chondrodystrophic breeds.

Other health concerns include PRA (Progressive Retinal Atrophy), a degenerative eye disease that may cause blindness.

TAKE-HOME MESSAGE

This versatile breed, with their variety of coat types, colours and personalities means that there is a Dachshund to suit almost everyone.