Today's daily puppy is Brutus the Dachshund. In my opinion, I do not match "Brutus" with "Dachshund" - his sweet eyes and small, cuddly body do not seem intimidating enough for such a tough name as Brutus.
The Dachshund is a friendly breed dating to early 17th Century Germany. At that time, breeders were looking for a fearless, small, and long dog to dig through ground to attack and kill nuisance badgers. The Dachshund name - pronounced "dak sund" - translates to "badger dog." Dachshunds found popularity in the United States in the early 1900s, but lost interest after World War I for unknown reasons. American breeders brought the Dachshund breed back into popularity some years later when importing German dogs. For a further history, visit the American Kennel Club.
True to their hunting instincts, the Dachshund is curious, intelligent, and brave. The Dachshund is likewise known for affection and devotion. This breed requires strong lead by its human owner. Lack of authority will lead to separation anxiety, biting, obsessive barking, and other poor acts of behavior. This breed can also become unpredictable around strangers and owners if gone without lead. An owner with experience with smaller dogs is ideal for the Dachshund. If a Dachshund is adopted into a family with other pets and there comes to be a lack of authority, this dog can become jealous and irritable. Dog Breed Info describes such negative traits as that of small dog syndrome and not in any way that of the loveable Dachshund breed.
In the United States, the American Kennel Club classifies the Dachshund in two sizes - standard and miniature. Standard height stands at 8 to 11 inches. Standard weight is over 11 pounds by one year of age (12 months). Miniature height stands at 5 to 7 inches. Miniature weight is 11 pounds or less by one year of age (12 months). In Europe, the Dachshund is classified as Toy size - 12 inches in height and 8 pounds in weight by one year of age (12 months). Nicknames such as "Wiener Dog," "Hotdog Dog," "Tweenie," "Dwarf," and others are not official American Kennel Club titles. For further information on the description of the Dachshund, visit Dog Breed Info.
Dachshunds come with serious health concerns. This breed is prone to spinal disc problems leading to paralysis, urinary tract problems, heart disease, and diabetes. Dachshunds tend to become overweight, causing further back ailments. However, life expectancy is quite long at 12 to 15 years.
Apartment settings for urban adopters are fine as the Dachshund is active indoors. Daily walks and outdoor play are still requisite.
As described by the American Kennel Club and Dog Breed Info, the Dachshund is an ideal dog to own for its temperament and familial companionship. If the Dachshund sounds like the right fit for you, look to your local animal shelter or Petfinder.com for possible adoption availabilities.
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