Dachshunds as Family Dogs! - Family - Pets

Traits That Make The Dachshund Hound a Good Family Dog...

Dachshunds are playful and enjoying chasing birds and tennis ball for the thrill of the hunt! Dachshunds make good family dogs, but are best with children when they have been brought up with children. Otherwise the Dachshund may be fearful of young children and prone to act out aggressively. A well trained Dachshund and well behaved children will get along well.

The dog should notbe handled roughly by young hands because of their elongated backs they are prone to injury if picked up and accidentally dropped, or treated too roughly.

For families with more gown child, this dog can be perfect. Dachshunds are tolerant and loyal to children within their family. This dogs are known to be stubborn to train, and most families find extra time is needed for training. The dog is smart, just stubborn, and requires lots of patience from the owner. The dog ranks as average working and obedience intelligence on Stanley Corens Dog Intelligence Scale. However, Dachshund Hounds have a personality all of their own. They may whine or wale when left alone because they miss human companionship.

Dachshunds are not fond of strangers and may growl or bark at them. They also require an owner who is sensitive to their needs for entertainment and exercise. They like long walks on a daily basis.

Breed History

The Dachshund is uniquely elongated-shaped dog developed by the Germans. The earliest documentation of the Dachshunds ancestry can be traced back to ancient Egypt. The Dachshund hound as we know it today is thought to consist of German, French, and English hounds and terriers that were bred together over time to create the unique dog we see today.

The dogs were used for hunting badgers because they were great at tracking scents. This hound was also used to for hunting rabbits and foxes and finding wounded deer. However, in packs these dogs were capable of hunting larger game such as wild boars. The dogs interesting shape allowed them to burrow down into the underground dens of their prey during hunts. Their owners sometimes would have to pull them out of the animals dens by their tails if they got stuck. Although, this wound hurt the dog. The Dachshunds long tails were also easier to follow through long grass while on a hunt. The dogs ears are long a floppy to protect the ear canal from debris such as grass seeds, and dirt.

During World War I, the Dachshunds popularity in the United States decreased dramatically because of their association to Germany. There are even accounts on the dogs being stoned to death on city streets. The Dachshund gained the nickname Liberty Hound after World War I, but still experienced stigma during World War II. German Field Marshal, Erwin Rommel owned Dachshund Hounds.

The hate for the Dachshund hound did not last long. The Dachshund easily gained back its popularity and became the topic of comic strips and cartoons because of its funny body shape. When German hosted their first official Summer Olympic Games in 1972, the mascot was a cartoon dachshund named, Waldi. In German translation the Dachshund means Badger Dog. But the dog also has other nicknames today such as hot dog, wiener dog and sausage dog.

Health Issues Common to The Breed...

Although most Dachshunds will be healthy when they are taken home, the breed is susceptible to certain conditions.

The most common health issue unique to the Dachshund Hound is Intervetebral Disk Disease (IVDD) because of their long back and short rib cage. Dogs that are obese, jump too much, get handled roughly, or get exercised too intensely are at increased risk for this painful disease.

Like other small dog breeds Dachshunds are at risk of luxating patella, or sliding knee cap which often needs surgery.

The double dapple color choice dogs are more susceptible to blindness and deafness as a result of over breeding to achieve the amazing coat color contrasts.

The Dachshund may also have hereditary problems, such as epilepsy, granulomatous meningoencephalitis (inflammation of the central nervous system). Treatable with lifetime medication and sometimes even chemotherapy.

These dogs also can inherit Cushings syndrome which is a prolonged exposure to the stress hormone cortisol; treatment is aimed at maintenance therapy trough medication, surgery, chemotherapy or radiation.

This breed is also at risk of thyroid problems, and developing various allergies, as well as eye conditions such as cataracts, glaucoma, and progressive retinal atrophy. That's why I always recommend regular veterinarian visits to keep your dog healthy regardless of their breed.

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