Breed Info Summary
Breed Suits: Apartment living, companionship
Shedding/Non-Shedding: Moderate
Size: Small/ Medium
Origin
The dachshund was bred in Germany hundreds of years ago, where it was first intended to "go to ground" to hunt badgers (digging and squeezing itself into underground dens in pursuit of its prey). In addition, the Dachshund's German name means "badger dog," and the canine's loud and persistent bark could be heard above ground, allowing human hunters to track its progress. Miniature Dachshunds, commonly known as Mini Dachshunds or Mini Doxies, are the smaller of the two Dachshund breed sizes (the larger being the Standard Dachshund). The Dachshund is also available in three coat types, resulting in six different size and hair coat combinations: Miniature Longhaired Dachshunds, Miniature Smooth Dachshunds, Miniature Wirehaired Dachshunds, Standard Longhaired Dachshunds, Standard Smooth Dachshunds, and Standard Wirehaired Dachshunds.
Personality
Despite their small size, dachshunds are noted for their bravery and courageous nature. Dachshunds are excellent watchdogs and devoted companions at home. If properly trained, they can be good with youngsters, however, they can be a little challenging to train. Some dachshund owners claim that the breed's different variants have distinct personalities. The long-coat dachshund, for example, is said to be calmer than the smooth-coat kind, while the wire-coat dachshund is said to be more outgoing and clown-like.
Pros and cons to consider
Pros
- They are very Loyal
- Playful
- Their size makes them a great small house companion
- Brave and protective
Cons
- They dig, dig, dig!
- High tendency to bark a lot