Dachshund

The Dachshund — Dackel or Teckel in German — is a German hound with a short-legged, long-bodied shape that is a working tool, not a novelty. It comes smooth-, wire- and long-haired, in a wide range of colours.

History

It was bred in Germany to follow badgers and other quarry to ground, the long body and short legs letting it work inside a burrow. The name says as much: Dachs is badger, Hund is dog.

Temperament

The breed is known for being bold, lively and stubborn, with more courage than its size suggests and a big bark for a small dog. That independence is what earthwork selected for, and it shows in training.

Care and training

It needs moderate exercise and patient, consistent training that works with the stubborn streak. Stairs, jumping and excess weight all strain the long back, so those are worth managing from the start.

Health

The signature build brings a real risk of intervertebral disc disease, and weight gain makes it worse. This is a known tendency for the breed rather than a verdict on one dog; the measured facts are in the panel.