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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.)
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