Table of Contents
FOREWORD
K9 EXPERT
Welcome to the wonderful world of Dachsies. Whether youre just learning about this versatile breed or already have one in your life, youre in for a good time.
A Dachshund will enjoy outings with you, challenge you a bit, and snuggle up to you at night. This breed is a perfect take-along dog. Not as small as many companion breeds, your low-to-the-ground dog is a sturdy fellow who may have a smooth, wirehaired, or long coat. You also have the choice of a miniature or standard size, as well as a variety of colors. Thats a lot of options for a single breed.
While some small dogs are quite submissive to their owners, youll find your Dachsie to be a bit independent. Balancing this is his absolute, unquestionable love for treats. Your smart dog will quickly learn that when he can figure out what you want him to do, he gets a yummy goody.
As you train your new dog, youll see that hes a sensitive fellow as well. He cant understand why you would ever raise your voice to him. And he insists that you greet him when you come homewhether youve been away all day or just for an hour. In turn, he will welcome you with his energetic, wildly wagging tail, and a look in his eyes that can only be interpreted as true love.
Do nothing to disappoint him, and he will try his very best to do the same. When he makes mistakes, ignore them, move on, and work on your training techniques. When your Dachsie fails, its because you havent quite gotten him to understand yet. But he will.
EDUCATION
Using treats to train your pal is great. But buy healthy ones that you can break into tiny bits, or use pieces of vegetables or fruit. One of the Dachsies downfalls is his tendency to gain weight. If you feed him healthy meals, watch the treats, and dont give in when his eyes plead for fatty people food, youll be fulfilling one of your most important responsibilities.
Diet alone wont keep this wonderful breed in good health. He also needs exercise. Not as much as other breeds, but enough to get his heart racing and his little legs pumping, and to spread that crazy grin that Dachsies get when they run full out. Two 15-minute walks a day, plus a run at the dog park, a game of fetch, or a few dashes up and down the hall chasing a ball a few times a week will keep him lean and muscular.
Dachshunds were designed to go after small animals, and they still have that urge to chase. If your cat doesnt like a good run, you will need to teach your new pup thats not OK. Keep him on a leash whenever you go outside. Otherwise, hell take off after the first squirrel, cat, or bird he sees. The upside of this trait is that hell love playing with a small stuffed animal that he thinks of as prey. Chasing this critter and tearing into it will use up some of his energy before bedtime.
Theres one other thing you must do for your Dachsie. Give him a step to get up onto your couch and bedif hes allowed. Lift him in and out of your car. His long back makes him susceptible to back injuries. But with these simple preventive steps and regular exercise, you can help keep his back healthy.
This sounds like a lot of work, but once you get your Dachshund home, hell quickly worm his way into your heart. Everything you do with him will be fun: training, walks, trips to the pet-supply store, baths, car rides, and just relaxing together on the couch.
With this Smart Owners Guide, you are well on your way to getting your Dachsie diploma.
But your Dachshund education doesnt end here. Youre invited to join Club Dachsie (
DogChannel.com/Club-Dachsie), a FREE online site with lots of fun and instructive online features like:
forums, blogs, and profiles where you can connect with other Dachsie owners
downloadable charts and checklists to help you be a smart and loving Dachsie owner
access to e-cards, wallpapers, and screensavers
interactive games
Dachsie-specific quizzes
The Smart Owners Guide series and Club Dachsie are backed by the experts at DOG FANCY magazine and DogChannel.comwho have been providing trusted and up-to-date information about dogs and dog people for forty years. Log on and join the club today!
Hes already devoted to you. All you have to do is lap it up, and enjoy every minute!
Susan Chaney
Editor, DOG FANCY
CHAPTER 1
THE DACHSIEDEFINED
Saying you want a Dachshund is similar to going into a candy store and saying you want some chocolate. There are many kinds of chocolates, and many kinds of Dachshunds. They come in two different sizes and three coat types, each with its own characteristics and group of devoted owners and admirers.
Standard Dachshunds tip the scales at 16 to 32 pounds, while miniature Dachshunds weigh in at just 11 pounds or less. The three coat types are smooth (the coat is smooth and shining), wirehaired (body is covered with a short, thick, uniform outer coat with a finer, softer undercoat), and longhaired (long, wavy hair).
Dachshunds come in a variety of colors, too. Common colors are red, black and tan, gray and fawn. They also come in some coat patterns like dappled and brindle.
This versatile breed is often described as being extroverted with the ability to act the fool on occasion. He is clever, lively, and courageous. Because he is small in size, he is easy to maintain in good physical condition and doesnt require long runs. Possessing a friendly, companionable personality, the Dachshund charms his way into the hearts of all who get to know him.
There are six varieties of Dachshunds:standard smooth
standard longhaired
standard wirehaired
miniature smooth
miniature longhaired
miniature wirehaired
This breed comes in three coat types: smooth, longhaired and wirehaired
However, the Dachshund is a hound and hunter at heart and is naturally curious. He will investigate everything he finds, which means he likes to chew on thingsa lot. Make sure to keep your dog occupied with a variety of interesting and interactive chew toys. He has badger hunting instincts, so dont be surprised by his proclivity for diggingin the yard and in your home. Make sure your Dachshund cannot escape your yard by digging under fences; hes small and low and can get under almost anything!
