The Teckel, also known as Dachshund or dashond, originated in Germany in the sixteenth century.
They were bred and trained to chase prey such as badgers or foxes, enter their burrows, kill them, and bring them back. Due to their short legs, they can easily enter badger dens.
The breed is still used for hunting, mainly in Europe, but nowadays this dog is primarily a family dog.
The Teckel was officially recognized as a breed by the American Kennel Club in 1885.
The advantages
- An ideal dog for apartments and city living
- Requires only moderate exercise
- Is a good watchdog
- Good with other pets, especially other teckels
- Available in various small sizes, coats, and colors
- Funny, entertaining, and loyal to its family
- Usually lives a long life
The disadvantages
- Hunting instincts sometimes surface
- Prone to separation anxiety
- Can be stubborn and strong-willed
- Potential to dig
- Notorious house-training issues
- Possibility of excessive barking
- Withdrawn around strangers if not properly socialized
- Physical traits may contribute to back problems
Fun facts
- A Dachshund named Waldi was the first official mascot of the 1972 Munich Olympic Games.
- Andy Warhol and Pablo Picasso were proud owners of dachshunds.
- The first British dog successfully cloned was a dachshund named Winnie.
- A dachshund named “Chanel” held the Guinness World Record for the oldest living dog until 2009, when she died at 21 years old.
- There is a competition known as the “Wienerschnitzel Wiener Nationals” held every year, where hundreds of dachshunds race against each other.
- Hotdogs were named after these quirky-looking dogs and were originally called Dachshund sausages.
- In German, “Dachs” means badger and “hund” means dog.
Appearance of a Dachshund
A dachshund has an elongated head, floppy ears, a large chest, a long muscular body, short legs, and a long tail.
They come in three different sizes: standard, the miniature dachshund and kaninchen (translated as rabbit):
- Standard (chest circumference over 35 cm with a weight up to 9 kg) were used for hunting badgers and wild boars.
- Miniature (chest circumference between 30 and 35 cm with a weight ranging between 6 and 7 kg)
- Kaninchen (chest circumference up to 30 cm with a weight ranging between 4 and 5 kg)
Dachshunds can have a short-haired, wire-haired or long-haired coat:
- Wire-haired dachshunds are usually the most energetic, mischievous, and stubborn.
- Long-haired dachshunds are usually the calmest and most affectionate.
- Short-haired dachshunds tend to bond most closely with one person and are more reserved with strangers.
Common colors include black, Chocolate & Tan, Black & Tan, Chocolate & Cream, Blue & tan, Cream, Tan, and red. They can also have coat patterns such as dapple, brindle, sable, and piebald.
Dachshunds have a fairly long lifespan of about 12-16 years.
Care and Shedding in Dachshunds
Dachshunds require little to moderate grooming:
- During the shedding period of the short-haired dachshund, you can use a towel or a soft brush to remove loose hairs.
- The wire-haired dachshund can be trimmed twice a year, but otherwise does not need any coat care.
- The long-haired dachshund can be brushed once a week to prevent tangles.
You don’t need to wash a dog frequently. A few times a year is more than enough to stay clean.
Their nails only need to be clipped when necessary.
Dachshunds shed very little and only occasionally. They are not hypoallergenic dogs.
How much does a dachshund cost?
On average, a dachshund puppy costs between 1500 and 2000 euros.
The price can vary depending on the sex, quality of the animal, size, bloodline, color and markings, coat type, location, etc.
Exercise and trainability
Dachshunds have fairly moderate exercise needs. Regular walks in a park or garden are good for them. Regular lively play sessions are also necessary for their mental well-being and happiness.
Training a dachshund is not very difficult, but it can be challenging from time to time. They are a bit stubborn by nature and have an independent personality.
Once they fix their eyes on prey, they probably won’t listen to commands.
Teckels are quite intelligent dogs and have a considerable capacity for learning and thinking. Their problem-solving and decision-making abilities are also good. According to “The Intelligence of Dogs” by Stanley Coren, the teckel ranks 49th.
Reward-based training methods have also proven to be quite effective during training.
Do dachshunds bark a lot?
Teckels love to express their feelings through their voices. These dogs can sometimes be a bit noisy for their family members.
If someone wants to control their habit of excessive barking, it is important to start training from a young age.
Which climate is best for dachshunds?
Teckels are not known to tolerate cold and chilly weather conditions very well. These dogs need to be kept warm and cozy when the temperature drops below 10 degrees. They are best kept indoors during extremely harsh and colder months of the year.
Teckels have an above-average tolerance for heat and high temperatures. They can comfortably survive in a moderately warm environment.
If weather conditions become too hot and uncomfortable, they require a lot of care and protection from their owners.
Their friendliness
A teckel can be a one-person dog. Teckels are not very warm towards strangers and are cautious around new people if they find them suspicious. If you want your dog to become friendlier and more social by nature, good training and early socialization are a must.
They are known to be friendlier and kinder to the feline family than to other dogs. These dogs generally get along well with other pets such as cats. This breed is suitable for people who want to raise both a dog and a cat simultaneously.
In general, dachshunds are not considered to be a very dog-friendly breed. But with training and socialization from a young age, your dachshund will get along well with other dogs.
Dachshunds can be quite friendly with small children if they are well trained and socialized.
Their adaptability
Dachshunds are great apartment dogs and very adaptable by nature. These dogs easily adjust to apartment lifestyles and do not require much exercise or work.
They are known to remain rather inactive and relaxed in their home.
Dachshunds can be left alone, but if these dogs are left alone constantly, it can negatively affect their health and mental state. These dogs can gradually become very sad and frustrated due to prolonged loneliness. This may lead to various bad habits, such as chewing on furniture, incessant barking, and so on.
Is a dachshund a good guard dog?
Technically, dachshunds are fairly good guard dogs.
These dogs can effectively guard or protect their homes and properties by alerting their owners in case of an intruder or burglar, making them excellent watchdogs.
Do they drool a lot?
Dachshunds do not drool much.
They usually drool before or after eating, but most dogs do that.
Health Issues
Dachshunds are generally quite healthy and fine, provided they are well fed and well cared for.
Common health issues in dachshunds include:
- Intervertebral disc disease is a terrible condition that causes extreme pain and even paralysis.
- They can be prone to a form of hereditary blindness (PRA) that is common in many pedigree dogs.
- They love to eat and gain weight easily (which negatively affects back health)
