Often affectionately called “sausage dogs”, Dachshunds come in three varieties: long haired, short haired or wire haired. They are characterised by their long bodies, short muscular legs, floppy ears and long snout, and are part of the hound family of dogs. They originated in Germany in the 1600s, where they were bred to hunt badgers.
Measurements
Dachshunds come in two sizes: standard and miniature.
Standard measurements: Height – 20cm – 27cm; weight – 5kg when fully grown
Miniature measurements: Height – 13cm – 18cm; weight – 5kg or less when fully grown
Personality
Dachshunds are quite curious little dogs and have an instinct to dig. They are also clever, affectionate, brave and can be amusing at times. They get along well with other dogs, however they do need an owner with a strong will to keep them in line as they can sometimes be difficult.
At home
Although quite active dogs Dachshunds do adapt well to apartment living and can do without a yard. Just make sure that they get their daily walk. Be sure to dissuade them from jumping as they can develop spinal injuries.
Health
Dachshunds are prone to spinal problems, which is not surprising considering their body shape. They are also at risk of urinary tract infections and heart disease. It is also easy for them to gain weight and become lazy, which makes diabetes a real risk too.
In terms of life expectancy, your Dachshund will be around for about 12 – 15 years.
