Dachshund (Miniature Long Haired)
Hound

Group:

Hound

Size:

medium

Lifespan:

12-14 years

Exercise:

low

Grooming:

low

Trainability:

medium

Watchdog ability:

very high

Protection ability:

low

Area of Origin:

Germany

Date of Origin:

1500’s

Other Names:

Teckel

Original Function:

flushing badgers

History

The Dachshund has a strong mix of both Hound and Terrier characteristics: he has a strong sense of smell, a loud voice and he also has the built-in instinct to search out vermin and rodents. In Germany, where the breed has existed since the early 1600's, the dog was named Dachshund which means "badger dog" and historians believe the original smooth variety evolved from the French Basset. Later on, crosses with field Spaniels created the longhaired type and crosses with terriers created the wirehaired types. Miniature versions of all three coat varieties were then developed by breeding only the smallest specimens from subsequent litters. The Dachshund enjoys family life in the country or the city. The combination of excellent tracking abilities and short, compact yet muscular body made the Dachshund an obvious choice for game which liked to burrow or hide in dense thickets.

Temperament

The Dachshund is intelligent, energetic and brave beyond his means. They make lively, friendly, loyal family pets.

Upkeep

Although Dachshunds are active, their exercise requirements can be met with moderate walks on leash and games in the yard. The Dachshund is amenable to city life or apartment living, but it is still a hunter at heart and enjoys forays into the wilds. Although it can live outdoors in warm weather, it does best when sleeping inside. The long coat requires brushing or combing once or twice weekly and occasional trimming of stray hairs.

Official Breed Standard

General Appearance
Long and low, but with compact, well muscled body, bold, defiant carriage of head and intelligent expression.

Characteristics
Intelligent, lively, courageous to the point of rashness, obedient. Especially suited to going to ground because of low build, very strong forequarters and forelegs. Long, strong jaw, and immense power of bite and hold. Excellent nose, persevering hunter and tracker.

Temperament
Faithful, versatile and good tempered.

Head and Skull
Long, appearing conical when seen from above; from side tapering uniformly to tip of nose. Skull only slightly arched. Neither too broad nor too narrow, sloping gradually without prominent stop into slightly arched muzzle. Length from tip of nose to eyes equal to length from eyes to occiput. In Wire haired, particularly, ridges over eyes strongly prominent, giving appearance of slightly broader skull. Lips well stretched, neatly covering lower jaw. Strong jaw bones not too square or snipy, but opening wide.

Eyes
Medium size, almond-shaped, set obliquely. Dark except in chocolates, where they can be lighter. In dapples one or both 'wall' eyes permissible.
Ears Set high, and not too far forward. Broad, of moderate length, and well rounded (not pointed or folded). Forward edge touching cheek. Mobile, and when at attention back of ear directed forward and outward.

Mouth
Teeth strongly developed, powerful canine teeth fitting closely. Jaws strong, with a perfect, regular and complete scissor bite, i.e. upper teeth closely overlapping lower teeth and set square to the jaws. Complete dentition important.

Neck
Long, muscular, clean with no dewlap, slightly arched, running in graceful lines into shoulders, carried proudly forward.

Forequarters
Shoulder blades long, broad, and placed firmly and obliquely (45 degrees to the horizontal) upon very robust rib cage. Upper arm the same length as shoulder blade, set at 90 degrees to it, very strong, and covered with hard, supple muscles. Upper arm lies close to ribs, but able to move freely. Forearm short and strong in bone, inclining slightly inwards; when seen in profile moderately straight, must not bend forward or knuckle over, which indicates unsoundness. Correctly placed foreleg should cover the lowest point of the keel.

Body
Long and full muscled. Back level, with sloping shoulders, lying in straightest possible line between withers and slightly arched loin. Loin short and strong. Breast bone strong, and so prominent that a depression appears on either side of it in front. When viewed from front, thorax full and oval; when viewed from side or above, full volumed, so allowing by its ample capacity complete development of heart and lungs. Well ribbed up, underline gradually merging into line of abdomen. Body sufficiently clear of ground to allow free movement.

Hindquarters
Rump full, broad and strong, pliant muscles. Croup long, full, robustly muscled, only slightly sloping towards tail. Pelvis strong, set obliquely and not too short. Upper thigh set at right angles to pelvis, strong and of good length. Lower thigh short, set at right angles to upper thigh and well muscled. Legs when seen behind set well apart, straight, and parallel. Hind dewclaws undesirable.

Feet
Front feet full, broad, deep, close knit, straight or very slightly turned out. Hindfeet smaller and narrower. Toes close together, with a decided arch to each toe, strong regularly placed nails, thick and firm pads. Dog must stand true, i.e. equally on all parts of the foot.

Tail
Continues line of spine, but slightly curved, without kinks or twists, not carried too high, or touching ground when at rest.

Gait/Movement
Should be free and flowing. Stride should be long, with the drive coming from the hindquarters when viewed from the side. Viewed from in front or behind, the legs and feet should move parallel to each other with the distance apart being the width of the shoulder and hip joints respectively.

Coat

Smooth-Haired:
Dense, short and smooth. Hair on underside of tail coarse in texture. Skin loose and supple, but fitting closely all over without dewlap and little or no wrinkle.

Long-Haired:
Soft and straight, or only slightly waved; longest under neck, on underparts of body, and behind legs, where it forms abundant feathering, on tail where it forms a flag. Outside of ears well feathered. Coat flat, and not obscuring outline. Too much hair on feet undesirable.

Wire-Haired:
With exception of jaw, eyebrows, chin and ears, the whole body should be covered with a short, straight, harsh coat with dense undercoat, beard on the chin, eyebrows bushy, but hair on ears almost smooth. Legs and feet well but neatly furnished with harsh coat.

Colour
All colours allowed but (except in dapples which should be evenly marked all over) no white permissible, save for a small patch on chest which is permitted but not desirable. Nose and nails black in all colours except chocolate/tan and chocolate/dapple, where brown permitted.

Size
Ideal weight: 9-12 kgs (20-26 lbs). Miniatures Ideal weight: 4.5 kgs (10 lbs ). It is of the utmost importance that judges should not award prizes to animals over 5.0 kgs (11 lbs).

Faults
Any departure from the foregoing points should be considered a fault and the seriousness with which the fault should be regarded should be in exact proportion to its degree and its effect upon the health and welfare of the dog.

Note
Male animals should have two apparently normal testicles fully descended into the scrotum.