Dachshund (Wirehaired)

Quirky, lovable, and nosey, the wirehaired Dachshund makes a fantastic pet. They are full of energy and love to stick their nose into business that isn’t theirs. If you want to have a dog that is inquisitive and makes its presence known, the Dachshund may be your best bet.

Behavior

Dachshunds, as a breed, are extraordinarily stubborn and persistent when chasing something. Though they are wonderful pets for both single people and for families, they are notoriously known for being difficult to train, and may actually do the opposite of what the owner wants them to do, simply because they feel like it.

However, in spite of their disobedience, they have strong loyalties to their owner, whimpering and whining if their alpha is not around to keep them company. If this is something that keeps happening, they may develop an anxiety separation disorder and chew on various objects and furniture to relieve their tension.

They take awhile to warm up to strangers, and have a lot of bark contained in them.

Appearance

The wire-haired Dachshund is the least common found in the US, while it is found to be the most popular in Germany. Their fur comes in a variety of colors, including brown, tan, red, black, and other combinations which include splotches and spots around on their body and distinguishing points, such at their ears or feet.

As for their actual body shape, their body is long, muscular, with large paddle-like feet. Depending on the breed, their feet will either turn outwards or stick straight out. Their skin is loose, developed initially in case of if another animal grabbed onto it while it was burrowing. The loose skin means that the Dachshund feels less pain when pinched or grabbed, though it is strongly recommended not to tease or potentially harm the dog.

The average size of a wirehaired Dachshund is about 25 pounds, depending on the actual sizing and breed, whether if they are standard or miniature.

Grooming

Aside from the general care expected of any dog, such as gentle, general brushing of the entire body, feet, and face, the Dachshund requires special attention to their health.

Due to the length of their body, with a heavy front chest and a narrower waist, the Dachshund is prone to more back problems than the average dog. These issues can be avoided by not indulging the dog and making it become overweight, or not supporting the dog properly by its front and end when carrying it around.

Because of their unique structure, especially with their short legs and wide feet, they are also prone to “patellar luxation,” which is essentially where the dog suffers extreme pain because their kneecap becomes dislodged. This is more prominent with the wirehaired Dachshund more than any other breed, and seems to be hereditary.

If the Dachshund is not exposed to a proper diet, they may also develop extremely brittle bones. As an additional precautionary measure, it is tempting for some owners to keep this breed in a cage or kennel. Only do this if it is an adequate size for them to move around in, otherwise they will cramp and develop health issues.

History

Originally bred to smell, find, and hunt burrowing animals, they are theorized to stem further back than Germany. They are thought to come from Egypt, were hieroglyphics featured small, long dogs with short legs and stubby tails, matching in their appearance. Historians and explorers have actually found mummified remains of dachshund-like dogs, aiding in the speculation of their origin.