Dachshund

Dachshund, dog breed of hound and terrier ancestry developed in Germany to pursue badgers into their burrows.

The Dachshund is a long-bodied, characteristically lively dog with a deep chest, short legs, tapering muzzle, and long ears. Usually reddish brown or black-and-tan, it is bred in two sizes—standard and miniature—and in three coat types—smooth, longhaired, and wirehaired. The standard Dachshund stands about 20 to 23 cm tall at the withers and weighs 7to 14.5 kg. The miniature is shorter and weighs no more than 5 kg.

Longhaired Dachshunds require regular combing. The Dachshund requires a chance to run, sniff, and investigate daily, preferably in a fenced yard supplemented with leash walks. A miniature longhair variety is perhaps better suited for apartment living—as long as daily walks are included—but other miniature varieties might also do well in that environment. Because of its independent nature and tendency to follow scent trails, a Dachshund should not be let off leash in unfenced areas. Dachshunds enjoy a variety of games, including chasing (but not necessarily returning) balls. They especially love sports that test a dog’s hunting abilities, such as the barn hunt. In addition, many enjoy racing events such as “wiener dog” competitions.