Dachshunds 101

Name: Dachshund

Personality: Originally bred to hunt badgers and other small animals out of tight burrows, the Dachshund loves nothing more than to chase things (from birds to tennis balls) with fierce determination. This single-mindedness also results in a very stubborn breed of dog, a trait that can be at times charming or infuriating. Anything but shy, a Dachshund is thought to have no sense of its relatively small size compared to many other breeds and may challenge a larger dog -- or a foreign dog, as Dachshunds prefer the company of their owners -- with utmost bravery.

Grooming: Grooming needs vary depending on whether you have a short-haired, wire-haired or long-haired Dachshund. Shorthairs require only an occasional brushing with a soft-bristled brush. Wirehairs should be brushed regularly throughout the week with a wire-bristled brush, and will shed more in the spring and fall. Longhairs need to be both brushed and combed; the former helps with shedding, while the latter will prevent tangling and matting. Bathing frequently is not necessary, as doing so might remove a fatty substance produced by the dog's coat that helps insulate it against the elements. The coat of a long-haired Dachshund will need to be blow-dried rather than air-dried after bathing.

Common Health Issues: The elongated back, short rib cage and stout legs of a Dachshund may all combine to cause spinal problems due to strain on the vertebrae. (Which is why you sometimes see Dachshund walking with a set of wheels affixed to its hindquarters, although medication can sometimes clear up the problem, too.)

Training Tips: The Dachshund may be the toughest dog to train above all breeds. A Dachshund will try to manipulate and outsmart its trainer, while most people attempting to train a one will find it requires so much time and patience that they wind up just letting the dog have its way. If you are a novice to dog training, you should strongly consider group obedience classes and/or hiring a professional trainer to help. Training sessions that incorporate problem-solving games (as well as plenty of positive reinforcement) are sometimes shown to work best for Dachshunds, since it speaks to their hunting-dog instincts.

Best For: People whose lifestyles allow them to spend most of their time with the dog, as Dachshunds want lots of attention, and experience intense separation anxiety when they don't get it. Retired? Work at home? Then the Dachshund and you might live happily ever after. There is some debate as to whether a Dachshund is a good family dog. If a Dachshund is unfamiliar with a new member of the family, its discomfort could affect all members of the household. Also, toddlers that might tease the dog or think of it as an equal playmate might not make a good match, as the dog might interpret that playfulness as aggression.

What Dachshund Owners Say: Though quick to confirm that a Dachshund's stubborn personality and potential spinal problems can prove a handful, owners still find themselves very attached this peculiar breed of pooch. "They are very opinionated and have bold personalities." "If you live in a house with a lot of steep stairs I would not recommend a Dachshund." "She doesn't know she's a mini Doxie and thinks she's a Rottweiler!"

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