Dachshund

 
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By James Leung

James - Managing Director

COUNTRY OF ORIGIN. Germany


History


A popular pet in Hong Kong, the Dachshund or Sausage Dog was developed in the early 1500s. Some experts believe this breed’s roots may go as far back as ancient Egypt. The name in German literally means "badger dog". It comes in three varieties including the long-haired, wire-haired and the short-haired. There are 3 sizes, Toy, Miniature and Standard recognized in Europe. The Standard and Miniature were originally developed to scent, chase and flush out burrowing animals such as badgers and rabbits from their burrows. Today they are mostly bred as pets or for conformations shows.

Hong Kong Canine

Characteristics


In terms of temperament the Dachshund in an interesting breed as it exhibits many characteristics displayed by hounds and terriers. This breed is often describes as lively, affectionate, curious, attention seeking, stubborn, devoted, loyal and amusing. They make great house pets and are generally good with children, however they can also get a little feisty when introduced to small kids they do not know. Statistically they tend to be more aggressive to both strangers and other dogs than many breeds. They can be prone to barking and therefore make excellent watchdogs. This breed is very fond of digging.

Due to their somewhat sometimes feisty and stubborn nature, Dachshunds can be a challenge to house-train. Given their size they don’t require much outdoor exercise as, if necessary, this can be accomplished indoors. Nevertheless a good long walk now and again works wonders. Engaging in mental games is an excellent way to both physically and mentally drain energy from this breed.

Hong Kong Canine

Appearance


Dachshunds are known for their long muscular bodies accompanied with short, stubby legs. The large front paws are shaped and designed for digging. The muzzle is also long and better allows it to pick up odors. The deep chest of the Dachshund gives it a greater lung capacity providing more stamina when chasing prey underground.

They come in a variety of patterns and colours including bicolours and tricolours. Dachshunds in the same litter may be born in different coat colors. The smooth coat of the Dachshund is low maintenance with the short-haired version only needing a quick brushing once a week. For long-haired Dachshunds a comprehensive brushing twice per week should suffice.

Hong Kong Canine

The following information is based on dogs 1 year old.

Standard: Height 8 - 11 inches (20 - 27cm); Weight - over 11 pounds (4.9 kg)

Miniature: Height up to 5 - 7 inches (13 - 18 cm); Weight 11 pounds (4.9 kg)

Toy: Height up to 12 inches (30 cm); Weight 8 pounds (3.5 kg)

Health


Spinal disc problems (Dachshund paralysis) can be a major issue for this breed. Sometimes this is exacerbated as they can easily become overweight placing additional strain on the back. Other known issues include: urinary tract problems, heart disease and diabetes. They are also susceptible to mast cell tumors.

The average life expectancy is 12-15 years.

At Hong Kong Canine we offer a specialized training programmes for small breed dogs like the Dachshund that provide ample physical, mental and emotional exercise. We work with all breeds, ages and sizes. More information on our services is available here.

https://www.dogtraininghongkong.com/services/