All about dachshunds

The dog is a friend of man. This expression is known to everyone since early childhood, and it is truly correct. As well as the fact that the nature of the animal is often very similar to the character of the owner, even if they themselves do not notice. That's because when choosing a pet, people pay special attention to both the first contact with the dog and the preliminary study of the breed.

Let us take a closer look at all the information about such a breed of dogs, such as taxes, and get acquainted with the origin and main characteristics of the species, as well as all the features of education and maintenance of this animal.

Dachshund dog breed is very unusual, because it is quite agile for its small size and short legs. And before you get a puppy, everyone wants to know not only his pedigree, but also the history of the origin of the breed as a whole.

The time frame for the birth of this species has not yet been determined, since according to some data, the dachshund is considered to be one of the oldest hunting burrowing breeds of dogs.

The modern breed, the way it is to this day, began to form in the far 16th century, in the south of Germany. In those days, dogs of this breed were called very originally - “badger warrior” or “crawling behind a badger”. This was due to the fact that the animal deftly penetrated burrows during the hunt and pursued its prey, bringing it to its owner.

By the end of the 18th century, the breed became so popular and famous that dogs began to be bred not only in Germany, but also in other countries. Hunters around the world wanted to get a four-legged pet, who will be not only a loyal friend, but also a reliable soul mate in the hunting business.

After some time, the animal began to breed for ornamental purposes - as pets. It was due to such wide distribution that in 1870 the breed standard was established and adopted, which later, in 2001, was confirmed by the International Kennel Federation. It was believed that, in comparison with other dogs, the breed of dachshund was not so popular, but despite this, in 1900 even a society of dachshund lovers was founded. This society had Russian roots and specialized in organizing exhibitions and maintaining tribal books of this breed.

Undoubtedly, the breed has a very interesting history of origin, but this is not enough to make a complete impression of this animal.In order to fully understand all the characteristics of a pet, it is necessary to study how it looks, and the characteristics of the breed, and even standard colors and sizes, as well as deviations from standards.

Externally, the dog looks somewhat unusual: has a long oblong body shape, short legs and a thick tail at the base, but a thin tail at the end. In addition, the dachshunds are famous for their strong skeleton and physique, and thanks to such a powerful skeleton, the dog stands firmly on its feet and moves briskly, despite the small size of its paws.

The dachshund has a well-developed nasal lobe, a massive muzzle and jaws capable of wide opening. Lips tightly abut, closing the jaw, which is well developed, filled with strong rather big teeth and steadily closed. The eyes of the dachshund are small and oval, as well as brown, black-brown and reddish. The ears are set high and the front edges lie against the cheekbones.

The dachshund has a rather high and strong neck, a slight bulge on the back of the neck and tight skin at the throat. Standard representatives of the breed are large and rather belong to the category of breeds of medium size, rather than small ones. The average weight of an adult dachshund is 9 kilograms, while miniature animals weigh from 2 to 5.5 kilograms per minute.

The growth of the average dachshund reaches 28 centimeters, and the breast volume is 36. The parameters of a small animal of this breed are much smaller, about 5-10 centimeters.

The nature of the animal also plays an important role, especially since animals of each breed have their own characteristics. For example, dachshunds are friendly, and in a calm, comfortable environment, they will not show aggression.

A good dog's instinct allows it to easily detect the presence of an animal at a fairly long distance, and it either starts its pursuit or gives a signal to its owner. A dachshund can cope with badgers, raccoons, and sometimes even foxes. It can bring a wounded duck, and also inform the owner that there is a boar or even a big brown bear nearby. In addition to all the positive qualities that have already been described, the taxes are very loyal, so they will follow the owner to the last and protect him.

There are also negative aspects in the nature of the dachshund relating to her courage. The fact is that often the courage of the dachshund is excessive, and at the peak of the manifestation of their emotions, the pet may not calculate its strength and start a fight with another animal, which will be much larger and stronger than the tax.

That is why the owners of dogs of this breed must pay special attention to education, directing all emotions in a peaceful course and helping the animal to throw them out as part of the training process. Disrespectful attitude of the owner, screaming and beatings can leave a serious imprint on the nature of the tax. These animals are famous for high pride and pride, so any rough treatment in their direction can cause a painful reaction, and even the blues. When dealing with a dachshund, it is worth clearly separating the brink of rudeness and educational rigor.

Dogs of this breed with proper education will be excellent companions and family members. They will not only share their love between all adults, but will also be best friends and advocates for children.

It is worth mentioning another feature of this animal - a sonorous and rather loud voice. This feature can cause irritation to the neighbors, since the dachshunds are very fond of not just bark without a reason, but sometimes even hoar. Therefore, you need to take care that the dog had toys and good leisure, which will not allow her to be bored and create noise on level ground.

Undoubtedly, any breed of dogs has its pros and cons, but it is not necessary to form an opinion on the breed as a whole by similar criteria, since, besides the general characteristics, each animal has a number of individual characteristics.

In this case, we consider the general positive and negative aspects of representatives of this breed.

Among the advantages note the following points.

• The dog perfectly understands the owner. Due to the high level of intellectual abilities, the animal is well trained, understands the command and picks up the intonation of the voice.
• Dachshunds have a high degree of endurance. They are very energetic, able to walk for a long time, run, jump, and with joy join in outdoor games. It is recommended to walk with them twice a day, which will be beneficial for the owner himself.
• Although it may seem to some that the dachshund is outwardly rather absurd and ridiculous, it still belongs to the most beautiful representatives of hunting breeds. In addition to catching burrowed animals, the dachshund is able to hunt in the water, since the dogs of this breed swim very well.
• A dog of this breed is very sociable and funny, thanks to which it quickly fascinates others and conquers the love of its owners.
• Besides the fact that the dachshund is a good hunter and a faithful companion, it also acts as an excellent guard. On the Internet, you can find many stories telling how a small dog rescued its owner from enraged predators.
• Such dogs are famous for their charisma and artistry. For delicacy, the dachshund will give you a whole idea.

Along with the pros, there are several drawbacks.

• Because of the long spine, the dog can have considerable health problems, and to avoid them, you will have to regularly load the animal and wear it out with exercise.
• It is necessary to take care of the dog's ears, because of their unusual structure, they are prone to frequent occurrence of various kinds of diseases.
• Dachshunds tend to be overweight and even obese. That is why it is necessary to monitor the nutrition of the dog and carefully make up its diet.
• Hunting instincts will not remain without a trace even in a city apartment. Dachshunds love to dig the ground, and at home they can switch to flooring or furniture.
• Outside while walking, dachshunds can bark at other dogs, thereby provoking conflicts.
• With improper upbringing, the animal can become not just aggressive, but even dangerous.

Dachshund life expectancy is 14-16 years. And although by human standards it is quite a bit, yet dogs of this breed are referred to as long-livers. Often, the life expectancy of an animal depends on the state of health, nutrition, training and other factors. Let us learn more about the most popular factors that negatively affect the life expectancy of the dachshund.

• Excessive feeding with inappropriate food, fatty or spicy foods and other prohibited foods. This not only causes obesity in the animal, but also seriously disrupts the gastrointestinal tract.
• Jumping from a high altitude can damage the limbs of the dachshund, which subsequently will affect its lifespan.
• If climbing the stairs upwards is useful for the joints, then the animal should be lowered down in the hands, since with independent descent the dachshund is at risk to earn problems with the joints.
• Frequent and undertreated ear inflammation can cause a decrease in longevity.
• Prevent or beat the disease can be with the help of prevention. To do this, it is necessary to study the weaknesses of your pet's body and act accordingly. It will also be useful to choose the right vitamin complex.
• Earlier it was mentioned that the dog can spoil things. It is worth saying that in the process of playing with your things, the dachshund can break them and absorb inedible particles. This, in turn, affects the health of the pet and adversely affects the life of the pet.
• The duration of life is also affected by the gender of the dog. During hormonal outbursts, males may have problems with the system of the genital organs, and in the absence of the necessary treatment, the situation can become very deplorable, even fatal.
• However, if you decide to castrate or sterilize, you will need to bother with the question of changing the diet, since improper diet after these operations can adversely affect the life of your pet.

Many are accustomed to the standard look of smooth-haired dachshunds, and any other species of the breed are surprising to people. But it is worth knowing that animals of this breed vary in size, color and texture of the wool cover.

The size of the taxes are divided into large, dwarf and royal, which is also called rabbit. The standard height of a large dachshund can reach 30 cm at the withers, the minimum chest girth is 35 cm, and the weight reaches 9-10 kilograms.

Dwarf dachshund has a more modest size. The girth of her chest varies between 30-35 cm, while the height of the withers is only 15-20 cm. The weight of a healthy animal can be within 4-5.5 kilograms.

Rabbit or royal dachshund - the smallest of all species. The weight of this dog will be no more than 4 kilograms. The height of the animal is 15 cm, and the chest volume should be no more than 30 cm.

The most common species are red and brown dachshunds. Usually they have one shade in coloring, but sometimes two-colored animals come across, for example, with a white breast, specks on the muzzle and paws. Very nice looks chocolate dachshund. The shade of her wool resembles delicate milk chocolate. This tone of the fur coat gives the animal a more noble look, and with proper care, the wool shines, attracting rapt views.

The so-called tiger dachshund is not at all like its tiger coloring. The name of this color is similar to a dangerous predator only by the fact that the spots on the body of the animal are placed in stripes, but they are not pronounced, but rather scattered. Colors with this color are most often light brown and dark chocolate.

Spotted dachshund is also called marble. And all because of the characteristics of its color, which resembles the color and texture of the stone. This dog looks very nice and unusual. Most often in a marble color there is a combination of black, gray-white and brown colors.

As for the coat, here and there, this breed is subdivided into several varieties.

• Smooth-haired dachshunds - the most common and unpretentious care. The smooth short hair of an animal is well cleaned, does not get confused and does not require combing. The only important nuance of this type is sensitive skin that requires careful care. In addition, the smooth-haired dachshund is hypoallergenic and practically does not shed.

• Wire Dachshunds look very interesting and unusual. The hair of an animal can be up to 2 centimeters long, while it will be hard, and in some places even barbed. It is a little more difficult to care for such wool, it needs to be regularly combed and washed as needed.But such a coat is an advantage - it protects the animal's body from damage and bites of small animals.

• Long-haired dachshunds - the very elegance and grace. The long, soft, flowing hair spreads over the body, forming a neat, even and shiny coat. Long hair care is more difficult, since it must be carefully combed and untangled, cleaned daily from dust and dirt, and ensure that no particles of plants remain in the wool. If necessary, this cover can be trimmed and cut.

Every animal needs proper care and organization of the necessary conditions of housing. Dachshund is not an exception, on the contrary, when its content it is necessary to take into account many important nuances.

For example, in the period from 1 to 2 months of puppy life, it is necessary to carry out the first treatment for parasites in his life, as well as to become puzzled with vaccinations. This must be done before you can take the dog outside, because it is important to protect it from all possible infections and diseases.

If the animal will live in an apartment, it is necessary to begin to teach him to the toilet from small months. Until you went outside, you can mark the toilet with a special tray or a simple disposable absorbent diaper. It is necessary to show the child a place where he can relieve himself, and gradually he will get used to it. Similarly, it will be necessary to act after going out.

In order for a pet to be comfortable, it is necessary to protect it from strong stresses. Of course, it is impossible to foresee all factors on the street, but to provide a calm atmosphere at home is the responsibility of each owner. Otherwise, the dog may become nervous and aggressive.

You will need to regularly carry out hygiene procedures: cut the claws, take care of the ears and wash the paws. Let us consider in more detail how to do it correctly.

• To care for the ears, you can use a slightly damp cotton pad and cotton swabs. There are also special wipes for the care of animals. Ear space must be cleaned and cleaned of dirt gently and without pressure, so as not to injure the animal.

• To cut the claws of the dog, you need to get a special clippers, use ordinary household scissors is strictly prohibited. Do not cut the claws too deeply, as there is a risk of damage to the blood vessels. It is necessary to cut only the regrown ends, after which they will need to be carefully filed and smoothed out any irregularities.

• It is often impossible to wash an animal, because even from the most expensive means a tax may develop an allergy. But with rare washing you need to organize everything correctly. It is necessary to adjust the temperature of the water (it should be moderately warm), put a towel or a special mat on the bottom of the bath - so that the dog does not slip and fall, and in the process of washing, make sure that water does not get into the ears.

• Despite the fact that you can not completely wash the dog too often, it is necessary to clean the paws after each walk. This can be done with the help of washing or special napkins.

• Long-haired species of this breed need regular brushing, since the formation of tangles can give a dog great discomfort.

• It is necessary to monitor the condition of the teeth and periodically contact the veterinary clinic for cleaning the oral cavity.

If your dog likes to pick up food or other items on the street, it is important to ensure that she does not have this opportunity. To do this, use a collar with a leash or a muzzle. A muzzle can also be useful when going to the veterinarian so that the animal does not injure others from fear and stress.

During walks you need to take care that the animal does not get wet in cold weather and does not freeze. To do this, it is recommended to get a jumpsuit.Best of all, if there will be two: a lightweight version of waterproof fabric - for rainy weather, warmed overalls with fleece or artificial fur - for a cold winter.

In order for an animal to feel comfortable in your home, you need to arrange a private bed for him. This may be a cozy house or just bedding. It is necessary to place the sleeper of the animal so that the dog can observe the rest of the space, but at the same time is not in a draft.

As for the animal's health, it is necessary to be extremely careful here, because even a wrong workout can injure the dachshund - with excessive and incorrect loads, the animal can damage the intervertebral discs, which in the future will lead to paralysis.

It is no secret that proper nutrition is the key to the health of not only humans, but also dogs. Especially dogs. The digestive system of these animals is designed in such a way that many of the harmful goodies that are allowed to humans will be deadly to the organism of the dachshund.

If you want to accustom your animal to natural nutrition, you better explore this topic carefully, because there are many important nuances in it. First of all, let's define the list of allowed products:

• lean meats: chicken breast, veal, turkey breast, horse meat and some parts of lamb;
• offal;
• some varieties of fish;
• buckwheat, rolled oats and rice;
• among vegetables, carrot, cabbage, tomatoes, apples and zucchini are most preferable;
• eggs, cottage cheese, ryazhenka, yogurt and low-fat varieties of cheese.

The greatest attention should be paid to the nutrition of the dog in the first few months of its life, and especially during the weaning period of the puppy. It was then that the animal is completely transferred to an independent diet, which should be not only tasty, but also balanced, nutritious and useful.

Puppies eat food often, but in small portions, and best of all, so that each meal is different from the previous one. Consider the example of a one-day menu for a dachshund puppy aged from 3 to 7 months.

Menu:

• 8:00 - cottage cheese with the addition of a small amount of vegetable oil;
• 12:00 - yogurt or ryazhenka;
• 15:00 - buckwheat porridge, boiled in broth with meat and carrots, you can also add a little vegetable oil to the porridge;
• 19: 00 - sea fish with rice and boiled pumpkin, you can add a meal with a small piece of apple;
• 22: 00 - boiled rolled oats with kefir, greens and a drop of vegetable oil.

With age, the dog begins to eat less, but the portion for one meal increases significantly. Adult dachshunds are fed twice a day, while it is necessary to ensure that the dog has constant access to a bowl of clean water.

As for the diet itself, it is usually cereal with meat and vegetables. Allowed daytime snacks in the form of eggs or dairy products: cottage cheese, ryazhenka and yogurt. In addition, special minerals and nutrients must be added to the food of both the puppy and the adult animal, which will ensure the normal functioning of the body.

In addition to the allowed products and rules for the preparation of a diet, every owner should know that absolutely any breed of dogs is strictly prohibited to use:

• chocolate and sugar-containing sweets, as sugar is not absorbed in the body and damages the internal organs;
• pork, as this meat is too fat for dogs and is rather hard to digest, causing indigestion;
• smoked meat and sausages;
• spicy, fried, fatty and salty foods;
• various spices, as well as garlic and onions in any form.

Of course, natural nutrition has its advantages, but cooking for a varied diet still requires some time-consuming, which not everyone can afford. In this regard, the lives of dog owners greatly facilitate dry and wet ready-made food, most of which are not only tasty, but also very useful, because they contain a certain balance and contain vitamins.

Do not pay attention to low-grade feed, which contains a lot of harmful substances. So you will save money not on the cost of feed, but on the health of your pet. The preferred feed premium and super premium, as well as compounds with low cholesterol.

Among premium feeds, dachshund owners give the highest preference to brands such as ProPlan, Royal Canin, Probalance, Advance, Brit Premium, Hill ”s. These feeds, although not composed of the purest meat, still contain meat by-products, which are many times more beneficial than the various flavors contained in cheaper feeds.

Super premium feeds are better and more suitable for feeding. In addition to the fact that the composition of the feed contains only natural meat, it also includes many useful trace elements. The most popular brands are manufacturers: Brit Care, Pronature Original, 1st Choice, Josera, Fitmin, Monge, Duke`s Farm.

The best option for feeding your pet is holistic feed. They are not only healthy, but also tasty, as well as nutritious. In addition to a large amount of meat, the composition also contains berries, vegetables, fruits, regular carbohydrates and fiber. The most famous representatives are: Orijen, Savarra, Canidae, Grandorf, Now Fresh, Acana.

Many people, having got a dachshund, unwittingly begin to think about the commercial side of its content - breeding puppies for sale. Some just want to get a few more pets. The reasons are different for everyone, but one problem arises: proper reproduction of the animal, care during pregnancy and subsequent care of the puppies.

Dog breeding is possible only during estrus in females, while males are almost always ready for this process, with the exception of disease states. The dog lasts about three weeks in a dog and practically all this time they have been paying special attention to males.

The current is accompanied by secretions that may have a specific smell, so at home you can put on special diapers to keep the dog clean. If you are not going to breed your dog, you should take care of its safety during this period and get special pants for walks, which will not prevent the animal to defecate, but will not allow the stud to produce mating.

During pregnancy, it is important to provide the dog with everything necessary. Dachshund can be traced increased appetite and some anxiety due to changes in hormonal levels.In addition to increasing the portions, it is also worth adding special vitamins and trace elements to the food that support the physical condition of the puppy dog ​​and help the formation of healthy future puppies.

It is very important not to miss the prenatal period and the childbirth itself. Often there are cases when the owners miss the term of childbirth, and the dog for some reason can not give birth itself, and then the puppies die inside it. If the deadlines come, but nothing happens, you need to urgently seek medical help. If you had to take your own childbirth from a dog, you need to do it very carefully.

Puppies are born in biological shells, from which the dachshund is able to release them itself. She self-gnaws the umbilical cord and frees the airways of babies from mucus. After completing these processes, she can proceed to the first feeding of puppies, pushing them to the nipples with her nose. Newborn puppies do not need any special care, because the dachshund itself fully provides them with everything they need. In the postpartum period, you need to carefully monitor the nutrition and condition of the dog itself, as well as how it feeds its babies.

Puppies can be weighed to determine if they are developing well and if they have enough maternal nutrition. At the age of about 3-4 weeks, you will need to treat puppies from internal parasites.

Having started a dachshund, everyone wants to give her an original and unusual nickname. You should not invent a complicated and long name, as it will be difficult for a dog to remember it and get used to it, and it may happen that it will not react to it. Usually dogs are called nicknames, consisting of two, a maximum of three syllables. Some even call their pets human names. Mostly the nickname depends on the owner's fantasy, but there are cases when the nickname is chosen for any particular appearance or character of the pet.

For example, a red-haired mischievous dog can be called Ryzhik, and a sullen kid who loves to bark will get the nickname Grumbling. In addition, such options as Chernysh, Veselchak or Tikhonya, Kashtanka or Chestnut, Fluffy or Fluff are common, and a wire haired dachshund can even get the nickname Hedgehog. Spotted baby will be named simply - Spotless.

Among other nicknames that do not concern the habits and appearance of the pet, for boys the most common names are Richie, Charlie, Rocky, Tosh, Mickey, Santa, Marx, Max. Unfortunately, such nicknames as Sharik and Druzhok are rarely used in our time, but they definitely also take place. Among the nicknames for girls, such as Oliva, Bun, Bela, Lexi, Lessi, Juhl, Juci, Lisa and many others sound very original and fervently.

Among the reviews of the owners is very difficult to find negative, since almost all are engaged in raising their pets. The owners note the sharp mind of the animal, and agility, and ingenuity. And many are even surprised at the ability of the dachshund and its constant desires to hunt anything, as well as heightened attention to details and trifles.

Negative reviews can be met only from people who have not had experience working closely with dogs of this breed and have met with an animal that may have been under stress, protected its owner or offspring.

How to take care of dachshund, see the following video.