| |
Some Important Facts About Dachsund Dogs.Dachsund dogs are instantly recognizable. Their short legs and long bodies have caused them to be nicknamed "weiner dogs," "hot dogs," and "sausage dogs." The reason that this breed looks so odd is that they were originally bred to help hunt down and destroy badgers. These animals were a danger to farmland, and the dachsund was able to fit into their burrows. Now, however, few dachsund dogs are working animals. Most are cherished
family pets.
Although we generally perceive dachsund dogs to have a very elongated body, when compared to head size and other factors, the body length is in proportion. It is only the legs of dachsund dogs that are out of proportion, by being so short. Full grown dachsund dogs stand about eighteen inches at the shoulders. However, there has been a lot of crossbreeding dachsunds, so height is less standardized than weight. The average for dachsund dogs is about sixteen to twenty eight pounds. To comply with the dachsund standard, the legs must make up thirty percent of their height or less. The rest is made up of the dog's body. Dachsunds tend to appear in a wide variety of colors, again due to widespread crossbreeding. Dachsund dogs are available in cream, blue chocolate, light red, and ochre. Most dachsunds, however, are red and black or brown and black.
Dachsunds were bred to hunt by scent. This means that they are equipped with large lungs for their size, and contributes to a loud, deep bark for such a small dog. This breed's original function, hunting down small burrowing animals, was aided by dachsund dogs' loudness and superior sense of smell. They were able to enter badger excavations, due to their short stature, and their loud bark permitted their owners to easily follow them, even underground.
Modern dachsunds don't have to hunt anymore, but they will still feel the need to run in areas where they can smell everything and explore narrow spaces. Dachsunds don't need as much exercise as many larger breeds, which makes them easier for apartment dwellers to keep. However, they should still be walked regularly, preferably in an area that allows them to be stimulated by various interesting scents. |
|
|
|
|