What is a Dachshund / Teckel / German Dachshund?

The German Dachshund, commonly known as the Dachshund, is one of the oldest dog breeds in Germany. They have been bred for hunting (especially burrowing) since time immemorial and were initially reserved for the nobility. The famous British Queen Elizabeth II also expressed her love for Dachshunds, just like Napoleon Bonaparte did in the past.

After the class system in Europe collapsed, the Dachshund became increasingly popular among the bourgeoisie and is now one of the most commonly kept dogs in Europe due to its high popularity.

Dachshund Profile:

What is the nature & character of the Dachshund?

The Dachshund is considered a very alert dog with a pronounced self-confidence. Dachshunds are known as natural respect deniers. Anyone wanting to train a Dachshund should therefore have experience and a lot of patience. The dogs are extremely willful and do not forgive mistakes in training. They work independently and prefer to determine things for themselves. They love new tasks and are considered the perfect companions, especially for hunters and foresters.

What does a Dachshund look like?

The Dachshund is particularly known for its peculiar body shape. It has a distinctive elongated body that sits on short, small legs. It has drooping ears that frame a mostly pointed head.

The Dachshund comes in three different types:

• Short-haired Dachshund
• Long-haired Dachshund
• Wire-haired Dachshund

Additionally, there are Dachshunds in each of these types in various sizes.

The color palette of Dachshunds is extremely large, ranging from "brindle" in short-haired Dachshunds to "wild boar" in wire-haired Dachshunds.

How do you train a Dachshund?

Dachshunds are known for their stubbornness, sometimes even obstinacy. Therefore, their training requires great consistency and also some patience.
Training must still be done lovingly, and the dog must always be given some freedom.

What diet is suitable for a Dachshund?

Like all hunting dogs, the diet of the Dachshund should be designed to provide it with the proteins and vitamins its body needs to meet hunting and leisure challenges.
It should also be fed as naturally as possible, meaning meat-rich and balanced, to maintain its athletic build.
A good method to provide the dog with large portions of meat is raw feeding (BARF). This food consists of raw meat from cattle, sheep, horses, and other slaughter animals, excluding pigs. Raw pork poses health risks for dogs, e.g., due to the Aujeszky's disease.

Regarding a varied balanced diet, it is also advisable to offer the dog cooked vegetables along with fresh meat, etc.

A healthy balanced diet is particularly important because Dachshunds love to eat and tend to gain weight quickly.

Grains like wheat, corn, etc., are simply not needed by hunting dogs, and when feeding dry food, it should always be ensured that such grains are processed in very small amounts at most.

Some cooked rice is fine from time to time, and rice porridge can work wonders for gastrointestinal diseases.

In general, an adult Dachshund should receive 2-3 meals a day, preferably at regular times, to provide a framework for a structured daily routine.

Puppies need three to four meals a day. Small treats or pieces of sausage are suitable as rewards during training. Rewards and snacks in between should be considered in the total food amount. It is also important to ensure a constant availability of water for the dog. Practical water bottles with integrated bowls are available for on the go.

How do you care for a Dachshund?

The care of the Dachshund depends on its coat type. Short-haired Dachshunds are probably the easiest to care for. In the rough and firm coat of wire-haired Dachshunds and the long, soft coat of long-haired Dachshunds, dirt and grass tend to stick more. Therefore, they require regular coat care.

In this regard, owners should use a dog comb several times a week to avoid matting and to make the coat shine. Due to their pronounced hunting instinct, some underbrush can get stuck in their fur. Therefore, the dogs should be carefully checked after each walk to avoid pests.

What are the disadvantages of a Dachshund?

Dachshunds have many positive traits as hunting and family companion dogs.
However, their absolute willpower, often bordering on stubbornness, can become a problem for both them and their owner if behavioral issues are not addressed early and consistently. Because: Dachshunds naturally have little respect for people or other four-legged friends.

Many Dachshunds also tend to bark and yelp. Here too, the dog handler must address unwanted behavior early and consistently to prevent unpleasant consequences.

Does a Dachshund fit me?

The question of whether a dog breed fits someone cannot be definitively and generally answered for the Dachshund either. However, it is clear: The Dachshund has many positive traits that make it a good hunting and family companion dog. Some representatives can keep the dog handler and their family quite busy with their pronounced hunting instinct and can cause all sorts of mischief if not sufficiently exercised.

If you are considering acquiring a Dachshund, you should seriously familiarize yourself with the breed profile beforehand and carefully consider whether you can meet the dog's needs and training requirements and whether you have enough time and patience for this. The family circumstances of the coming years should also be taken into account.

The most important question to answer is: Does a Dachshund fit my life circumstances?