Dwarf dachshund

In the modern world, there is a trend of growing popularity of small-sized dogs and there are many decorative breeds. However, dwarf, or otherwise, miniature dachshunds, although they have a small size, are still hunting dogs. Representatives of the breed are very cute, but at the same time wayward pets that require a special approach and training. But such nuances do not frighten the owners, according to most of them, the dwarf dachshund in the house is a great joy and a sea of positive.

Breed origin

The selection work was carried out in Germany under the leadership of F. Engelmann, and at the beginning of the process specialists expected failure. As it turned out later, the choice of breeds was a mistake - they reduced the standard-sized dachshund and miniature pinscher, the offspring turned out to be small, but they lost the hunting qualities.

Then the breeders used a different tactic: the selection and crossing of the smallest representatives of the breed. Such activities are more laborious and lengthy. Complicating matters is that in litters of small dachshunds puppies was much less.

But, in spite of everything, the desired result was achieved - small dogs appeared, which possessed the qualities and temperament of a real hunter. The complete formation of the breed took place at the end of the 19th century, in addition to the dwarf, at the same time the rabbit variety was bred. The resulting dogs showed themselves excellently in the hunt for a hare and other small game.

Description breed dwarf dachshund

The miniature dachshund has the same exterior as representatives of the "standard" type. These are small dogs with an elongated body and short, strong limbs. The standard includes the following description:

Head The shape is triangular, elongated, but without points. The skull is convex, of medium width, with a well palpable occiput. The jaws are strong, well developed, the lips are tight - the saggy lips of a dwarf dachshund are considered a serious breed defect. Complete set of teeth, correct bite. Nose black, marble dachshunds brightened, oval-shaped. Eyes are proportional, with close fitting eyelids, oval, interested look, there is shine. The shade of the iris varies from dark brown to light amber. Again, dogs with marble wool stand out, their eyes may be blue. Auricles are large, triangular, dense, hanging down on the sides of the head, they have a wide base and rounded tips. When the dog is interested, the ears rise at the base and turn forward.
Torso . As with other species of the breed, the body of a dwarf dachshund has a rectangular, elongated format. The back is strong, with powerful withers, the neck is gracefully bent, the suspension is absent. The loin is elongated, the croup has a bevel. The chest falls below the elbows, wide, long. The belly line is tucked up.
Limbs . Possess strong bones and large joints, placed under the body. The front legs have a slight curvature, as the pasterns are too close. As for the hind limbs, they are placed wider than the front, they have better musculature.
Tail It has a saber shape or bend closer to the end, medium size, set low.

Wool and allowable colors

There are several types of coat in dachshunds: sleek, long-haired and wire-haired. In the first two types, the standard allows the following colors:

Monochrome. This category includes individuals with dark-red, red, sandy hair, as well as dogs with similar colors, but having an admixture of black hair. The most preferred is a pure color without impurities, and auburn color is valued above the rest. Even with a strong black impurity, the dog still belongs to this type.
Two-tone (with burns). Here there are dogs with a coat of rich black or brown tint with tan points - rusty brown or sandy tone.
Marble. The main color is dark shade, wool can be black, auburn or gray. It is desirable that the spots are located without symmetry, were gray or beige.
Tiger. There are two types - dark-red or sand wool with stripes of a darker tone.

In wire-haired dachshunds, all the above-mentioned colors are allowed, but the fluctuations of all tones - from light to dark, including the color of “withered foliage” - prevail.

Characteristics of the breed

Dwarf dachshund - an animal full of contradictions. Having a small size, it is still not inferior in militancy and courage to her, more overall, fellow. Such a pet without hesitation will rush to the defense of its owner, if he feels that he is in danger. In addition, such a baby is an excellent guard and will surely repel an attacker who has penetrated the territory protected by him.

Miniature dachshund is very clever, but, like other representatives of hunting breeds, is not devoid of stubbornness. Therefore, when training it is important not to forget that in front of you, though small, is a hunter. Dachshunds are cunning and able to sabotage the educational process, the pet is able to find the owner's weak spot and will make an attempt to manipulate. The master must not forget for a moment that in his “pack” he is in charge, otherwise the dog will quickly seize the initiative.

Dachshunds are very active, inquisitive and contacty. They do not tolerate loneliness and can “do things the wrong way.” Therefore, before leaving, the owner should pay maximum attention to “fidget”, play or bring out the pet.

Representatives of this breed are by no means “silent”, which is not difficult to predict, given their hunting orientation. This little dog is able to bark very loudly, expressing various emotions - joy, anxiety, indignation, etc.

Without receiving due attention, the animal can become aggressive, the owner must often spend time with the pet and not deprive him of the pleasure to watch and even participate in family matters. Dachshunds love children, are ready to rush around and play with them for days, however, they are not without their own dignity and will not allow themselves to be offended.

It is almost impossible to get along with other pets. If a dachshund can accept such people, the smaller animal will always remain a desirable prey for her.

How to train dwarf dachshund?

Many owners make the mistake of thinking that such a little training is not needed, and as a result, the dog grows up ill-mannered and self-willed, capable of tampering and revenge. To correct his behavior, to make it more appeasable, it is necessary from an early age to bring up the dog.

Teaching basic teams will save the dachshund from its inherent negative qualities, and if you train closely, the pet can become an excellent hunter or guard. Representatives of this breed are very touchy and vindictive, so during training it is not recommended to use physical punishment or to raise your voice. Rudeness will cause the dog aggression, it can become nervous or fearful.

Among the most effective punishments, experts note ignoring - the dog will immediately understand that he made a mistake and will try to correct it. Any success must be encouraged by a kind word, affection, a delicacy.

Care and health nuances

Given that there are several varieties of miniature dachshunds, care for them will depend on the type of coat. Shorthair individuals do not need to be combed, their surface is wiped 1-2 times a week with a fabric with a suede surface to remove dead hair, dirt and dust.

Wire-haired dachshunds require regular trimming - removal of dead hair with forceps. The procedure can be learned to carry out independently or to entrust it to a professional. Spend it every 4-6 months, the dogs of the show class happens more often.

Dogs with long hair 1-2 times a week are combed using a special brush, so that the pet looks well-groomed and prevents the formation of tangles. Particular attention should be paid to the ear and abdomen. The rest of the procedures are standard:

regular examination of the ears for inflammation and parasites, cleaning from dirt;
eye examination and rinsing as necessary;
clipping claws when not grinding them naturally.

Breed diseases

Taxes, including miniature ones, can be called prosperous dogs in terms of health. Among the hereditary ailments can be noted only two pathologies:

“Swimmer syndrome” is a disease that develops on the background of osteoporosis. Puppies born with this pathology are not able to climb their paws at 3-4 weeks, they move, crawling on the abdomen. In some cases, they can recover and begin to walk, and sometimes this does not happen.
An intervertebral disc defect is a more severe developmental abnormality in which the spinal cord is strangled and the dog is paralyzed. Most often, a similar disease occurs in dogs older than 5 years, however, there is a tendency to "rejuvenate" the pathology.

Mode and diet

The owners of a miniature dachshund have a choice - to feed their pet with natural food or dry rations. But in both cases it is necessary to take into account a number of nuances. First of all, the products that make up the dog's diet should be natural, not contain artificial additives. It is important to create a menu that includes useful components:

fermented milk products - cottage cheese, kefir, yogurt;
cereals - buckwheat, rice;
meat - the basis of the diet, lean beef is best suited, you can give chicken, but only if it does not cause an allergy to the pet.

Mixed feeding is allowed, but not welcome. As in the case of natural feeding, the pet will need additional vitamin and mineral supplements. It is advisable that they be prescribed by a veterinarian when necessary.

Adult dachshund is recommended to feed twice a day, if we are talking about a healthy animal that has no problems with digestion. Representatives of this breed are prone to obesity, so you need to strictly control how much food your pet gets.

In the case of feeding dachshund production feed, you should choose a high-end product - premium or holistic. When introducing a new diet, it is worth looking at the pet - whether the food causes allergies, whether the dog has digestive upset or other signs that the food is not suitable.

You should not deviate from the recommendations of the manufacturer - it indicates what the daily rate of food for a dog, depending on its weight. Most dachshunds adore fruit and you can treat your pet with slices of apples, pears and bananas as a treat. But it is better to refuse a dog from confectionary snacks, as they negatively affect the work of the digestive tract, the condition of the teeth and the “figure”.

After the dog has eaten, the bowl needs to be cleaned, even if there is food left in it. Leftovers are discarded, and the dishes are washed thoroughly. An animal must have round-the-clock access to a container with clean drinking water. It is recommended to give food to a dachshund after walking, and not before it, as a well-fed dog should not move actively at first.

Conditions for keeping small dachshunds

Miniature dachshund is an excellent option for small housing, such a pet does not require a lot of space. Naturally, the representatives of this breed, even with long hair, are not suitable for keeping on the street - this is exclusively a residential animal.

Shorter-haired dogs need more simple care, their wool coat is 1-2 times a week wiped with a suede cloth and combed with a stiff brush. A pet with long hair requires frequent procedures - so that the dog looks neat and well-groomed, it is combed out every day using a comb, the bristles of which are made of natural material.

Bathing short-haired dachshund rarely, and the dog with a rich head of hair more often, but in any case using detergents suitable for dogs. More problems arise for owners of a rare miniature dachshund. This dog needs regular trimming - plucking off dead hair, as the little dogs themselves are not able to fully wipe out.

It is necessary to walk the dachshund daily, and the runs must be long and active. Pets with short hair during cold temperatures freeze, so the pet should be dressed in warm clothes and shoes. A dog with a long coat will not be superfluous to wear a jumpsuit and boots that protect from moisture.

Photo dwarf dachshund

Video about dwarf dachshund

Where is better to get a puppy?

The dwarf dachshund is a pedigree species that is not as common as the standard one, however, you can’t call it rare. Usually, with the acquisition of such a four-legged friend, there is no difficulty, except that the future owner wants to buy a puppy from a large kennel that breeds exclusively dachshunds. In this situation, you may have to go to another city.

Today, miniature dachshunds are mainly brought up as a companion and family dog, so its hunting abilities, in most cases, are not evaluated. However, if you need a dog who can participate in breeding and exhibitions, he must not only have all the documents, but also meet the standard requirements.

The best nurseries specializing in breeding various types of dachshunds, including dwarfs:

"The gift of the gem", Moscow http://darsamocveta.ru/
"Emerald Tale", Moscow https://izumrudnayaskazka.jimdo.com/
"Country limony", Kiev https://stranalimonia.jimdo.com/

People who purchase a miniature dachshund puppy are worth remembering - this tiny pet is inferior to larger individuals only in size, otherwise it is a serious dog with well-developed hunter instincts.