Dachshunds as pets – what are they like?
Are you looking for a loyal and playful pet? If so, you should consider a dachshund!
Native to Germany and affectionately referred to as sausage dogs, these cute pooches come in a range of colours and have three distinct varieties. Unique in looks with their long bodies and short legs – it’s those large soulful eyes which will melt your heart.
Where do dachshunds come from?
Dachshunds (a.k.a wieners) originated from Germany around 600 years ago where they were bred to hunt badgers. They were trained to dig into the badger’s den and chase its hiding prey towards the awaiting hunters.
They are also a national symbol of Germany and were originally named ‘Badger Dogs’.
How many varieties of dachshunds are there?
There are three main varieties of Dachshunds – smooth, long-haired, and wirehaired and available in standard or miniature.
What colours do Dachshunds come in?
Dachshunds coats come in a large range of shades:
- Black & Cream
- Black & Tan
- Blue & Tan
- Cream
- Chocolate & Tan
- Red
- Blue & Cream
- Fawn & tan
- Fawn & Cream
- Chocolate & Cream
- Wild Boar (a rare mix of rough grey, black & brown)
- Wheaten (a very rare mix of white and light golden brown)
How much do dachshunds coats shed?
Dachshunds as a breed don’t shed too badly, the wire-haired variety have an extra later of coat and shed the most. Long-haired are next in the shedding stakes with the short-haired faring the best.
Are dachshunds good with children?
These hounds are naturally affectionate and playful, making them good pets for children. They should be trained and socialised – regularly but love human attention and company. If they are trained early on, they can also be good with other family pets.
Do dachshunds need a lot of exercise?
Dachshunds may be small but as a hunting breed they still need a fair amount of exercise! A good 30-60 minutes a day split into a few walks should keep them happy and healthy.
Exercise also helps keep their core muscles strong as they do tend to have problems with their backs. Their weight should be kept at an optimum level to avoid strain on their discs – lots of healthy snacks will help.
How long do dachshunds live?
They generally are a healthy breed and their lifespan should be around 12-16 years. The oldest dachshund recorded Rocky, was a massive 26 years old. He lived in Shingle Springs, California from March 1987-April 18, 2012. That’s some innings for a little fella!
Roundup
If you have plenty of time to exercise them, dachshunds as pets can be a great idea. They are good around children and animals – have a lovely temperament and aren’t shedders. A great all-rounder.
If you’ve been considering dachshunds as pets, I hope this has given you some insight into the breed.