The dachshund: in the American Kennel Club's Top 10 Most Popular Breeds, it was originally bred to ferret out and fight badgers, hence the meaning of its name, "badger dog." Though this short-legged hound is still well-suited to life on the farm and can still be trained to hunt out burrow-dwelling critters such as rats, prairie dogs, and rabbits, it has since become more popular as a household companion.
But is it the right one for you? Only you can decide that, but you can make a more educated choice once you have the facts about this beloved canine. So listen up!
First off, the dachshund has been bred into two distinct sizes: the miniature and the standard. The fully grown miniature usually reaches between 10 and 11 pounds, while the standard size typically weighs in around 16 pounds in adulthood. Though these varieties can easily be told apart on the street, their temperaments are very similar.
In terms of appearance, the dachshund comes in a wide array of combinations of colors and coat types. They are usually easy to groom--especially the smooth-coated variety--and shed twice yearly. To learn more about the myriad colors, you should talk to a breeder or simply research popular images on the internet, though you can probably recognize from popular culture that red dachshunds are among the most popular available.
Any type of dachshund is best adopted as a pup, as they are known to be very stubborn and averse to strangers, so an early adoption can help ensure proper compliance with training and loyalty to all family members. Professional obedience training is encouraged for all dachshunds, as they tend to bark excessively and demonstrate aggression even toward their owners.
This little pup needs to be surrounded by attentive and loving people, as it craves constant interaction and may be prone to whining when it feels neglected. The dachshund requires an energetic family or individual owner, especially because the dog is so playful, enjoying games of fetch and chase. Be sure to supervise it in the yard, though--it loves to dig!
Because of its aversion to strangers and potential for aggression, it should only be introduced to well-mannered children. If raised from puppyhood in a family full of youngsters, it should do well with them, but be careful with guests.
This beautiful little animal does require patience and dedication, but it will certainly reward you with love and loyalty beyond your wildest dreams. So be prepared!