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Dachshund - The Little Hot Dog
Averaging
only about 12 to 24lbs at maturity, it is fair to say that the Dachshund
(or Deckel as it is more commonly called in its native Germany) is a
small dog.
Fortunately, nobody told the Dachshund that and for such
a small canine he certainly packs a lot of power and character into that
little body.
Considering that these dogs were originally bred to hunt
badgers who are not known for their tractability, it is not surprising
that Dachshunds are strong-willed. With deep chests, powerful hind
quarters and even a long tail with which their owner could yank them
back to the surface and at an original weight of up to 40lbs, Doxies
were bred to go to ground. They were also used in packs to hunt wild
boar - another adversary known for its ferociousness.
In a very dilute form, some of the original Doxie character
can be seen in our modern sausage dogs. They are known for their independance
for example - certainly a trait that was required of them when they were
hunting. They can be stubborn too and resistant to training. That is
not to say that you can't train your Dachshund, just that you may have
to work a little harder at it.
For most family Doxies, their hunting days may be well
in the past, but the breed retains a fondness for burrowing. Making sure
they have their own blanket for this purpose might just save your favourite
sweater one day.
Their barrel chest gives the Daschund a deep voice, oftern
surprising guests who were expecting the Hound of Zoltan before you opened
the door. Unfortunately their physical conformation has other effects
too. The extra long spine can lead to disc and back problems.
If you are interested in adding a Daschund to your family
you might just find the perfect companion at your local pure breed, dachshund
rescue.
Dachshund Rescue of North America
Dachshund Rescue UK
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