Dachshunds are enjoyed by many families and most of the 6 varieties have been quite popular. However, choosing a Dachshund entails knowing a little about them. They originated in Germany and were used to hunt above and below ground, working closely with their masters as a team. Bred to be long and low, and a powerful digger - they specialised in hunting Badger, which their breed name reflects - "Dachs" is German for Badger and "Hund" is dog (Badger Dog). They are a versatile hunter, used also to hunt wild boar, fox, rabbit, rats and other vermin and blood-track wounded deer. To face these tasks, a Dachshund needed to be tough, courageous, persistent, and clever. Today, most Dachshunds do not work in the field, but they still display most of the traits of their working relatives.

What does this mean to you? It means you should have some of these traits yourself and appreciate these virtues in the Dachshund and understand they need to have an outlet and quality time for their energy and intelligence. If you work all day, this is not a breed for you. A bored Dachshund leads to nuisance barking, excessive digging and chewing, and many other undesirable habits. A Dachshund should be part of the family and be able to "hang out" with his owner. When you take the puppy home, start training and molding it from day one. They are smart and clever, so you need to be one step ahead or else the puppy will train you! Be firm and consistent. Dachshunds are versatile and can participate in many activities, don't let their size fool you.

New owners need to be fair to their Dachshund. Do not allow them to climb stairs excessively every day, as that is hard on their backs. Keep them at a healthy weight, they enjoy food but do not let them get overweight. That will surely cause many health problems just as it does in people.

We breed the Wirehaired Dachshund variety which is considered the Clown of the bunch with its sense of humour. The coats can vary a great deal, from softer, more hairy individuals, to short and very wiry coats. The latter does not have much beard. The coat should be combed weekly with a medium-fine metal comb. The longer hairs should be hand-stripped approximately twice a year. Any dogs to be shown must be hand-stripped to maintain the wiry texture. Softer coats can be clipped every few months to keep them looking smart and free of tangles. The Wirehairs have very minimal shedding and allergy sufferers usually don't have a problem with this variety.

If you think one of these bright, clever (and sometimes strong willed!) dogs is for you, then contact us for more information on how to find one. RETURN