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A Brief History of Dachshunds
A Brief History of Dachshunds
By Alex De La Cruz
Dachshunds got their name from the German word "dachshund" which means badger. Primarily this breed was used to hunt badgers which cause great troubles to the farmer. But some shade of history tells us that ancient Egyptians have engravings showing a short legged dog which they used for hunting. One thing that supports this theory can be found in their burial urns. So there is a possibility that this breed came from there. However there are those who believed that the history of dachshunds can be traced from Europe. They believed that this breed has some French, German, and English roots particularly from a combination of hounds and terriers.
But why is its body somewhat different in shape? Well, Mother Nature has the best explanation for that. You would recall from your biology classes that living things developed the way they are today due to their usage. It applies to the dachshund this way. They were primarily used in farms and poultry for chasing destructive badgers. When you used dogs that have longer legs as guard dogs they might be able to chase this badgers but once this creature gets into their holes dogs could no longer reach them except for dachshunds. Unlike dachshunds which are able to get through the holes the other dogs could only watch at the entrance.
Because of their short legs they are able to get through the hole and bring out the badger within their mouths. Now isn't that excellent? The history of dachshunds has also some explanation for its flap-down ears. Normally when they enter those badger holes expect them to be dirty. Their ears act as protection so no dirt can get into their ear canal. Another thing with regard to their curved tail is for easy hauling them out when they are stuck and spotting them easily in the fields. So if ever you still find this breed funny looking like a fat hotdog with four short legs sticking in the corners, you already have the nature's explanation.
The amazing history of dachshunds can be further expounded by the royal courts in Europe particularly Queen Victoria who has developed fascination for them along with E.B. White, Pablo Picasso, Kaiser Wilhelm II and Andy Warhol. The popularity of dachshunds therefore is not only in the Unites States but in other parts of the world too such as Germany, Japan, France, Switzerland, Poland, Hungary, and Czech Republic. The history of dachshunds as previously mentioned shows that they were excellent farm companions but today they are popular pet in the city. This is attributed to their body size and odorless coat.
Plus getting their daily dog walking exercises are easy and fun because the distance is typically short just about one block. Their also no need for a wide lawn to accommodate some sporty type exercises. Just a small space is already sufficient. Just as the world evolves to modern times who could ever tell that the history of dachshunds would never keep up to date? This breed might be short but it definitely has a lot to tell.
The author of this article, Alex De La Cruz, is a Dog Expert who has been successful for many years. Because most people think that Arthritis is a humans-only disease Alex now informs dog owners with his http://www.doggybooks.info Ebook on how to discover this disease and let their dogs live as pain-free as possible.
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Earth Dog Trials Versus Wiener Dog Racing
Earth Dog Trials Versus Wiener Dog Racing
By John P Jackson
Dachshunds, like all modern breeds of dog we are used to seeing today, were initially bred for a specific task. Breeders and breed enthusiasts work with breeds to bring out desirable traits that will benefit their breed's respective duties and skills, and to quell those that are undesirable or non-beneficial. The Dachshund in particular was bred to hunt small mammals on the ground and in burrows, which becomes obvious when taking into consideration their size and body structure.
Dachshund clubs in America and worldwide support something called Earth Dog Trials, sponsored by the AKC. These trials have been very popular with terrier enthusiasts for years. The trials cover various tasks that are similar to agility trials, but are more natural and based on instincts the dogs are born with, such as navigating labyrinth-like burrows to uncover a caged rodent. Dachshunds excel at these trials and have even been banned from certain Terrier Association trials because they beat out their terrier competition so easily.
The Dachshund Club of America once hosted a "Wiener Dog Race" for nothing more than a gag. These races pitted Dachshunds against each other on a track not unlike Greyhound races, and was intended as funny piece of entertainment. However, since this first race, the act of racing Dachshunds actually caught on and began to spread.
Concerned with the terrible fate of racing dogs like Greyhounds, such as abandonment after their prime, confined housing, a lack of socialization, or just general poor quality of life, the Dachshund Club of America has since renounced the act of Dachshund Racing and strongly discourages any owner from participating in it.
Dachshund enthusiasts support Earth Dog Trials in lieu of the Dachshund Races because it accentuates the Dachshund's natural instincts and skills, whereas racing does not. Dedicated breeders and enthusiasts alike are concerned that with the success and rise of Dachshund racing, new breeders will work to breed the dogs for speed instead of what they are born to do, which can damage desirable traits in the breed.
True Dachshund enthusiasts are devoted to preserving the breed and the skills at which the Dachshund already excels. Earth Dog Trials, along with being more ethically operated than dog races, are a wonderful way to exercise your Dachshund's talents and intellect, as opposed to placing undue stress on a dog performing an activity he or she was not bred to perform.
Was this article helpful for you? There are plenty more articles on Dachshunds, as well as many other breeds of dog at GreatDogSite!
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Grooming Your Long Haired Dachshund Properly
Grooming Your Long Haired Dachshund Properly
By John P Jackson
Dachshund's coats come in a variety of colors and lengths, with the long-haired Dachshund requiring the most intensive grooming process. This is not to say that one should be put off from owning a long-haired Dachshund, only that it requires a little more effort than the other, shorter coat varieties. It is not a difficult process, but it is important to regularly brush, trim, and clean the coat of the long-hair.
Many people mistakenly believe that long-haired Dachshunds shed more than their short- and wiry-haired counterparts. This is not true! All three versions of the breed shed equally, but the long-haired Dachshund's shedding can be slightly more obvious because their hair is in fact so long. The long-haired variety of Dachshund also has an undercoat, which is thinner and lighter. This undercoat may become a nuisance during shedding seasons, as it can pile up in the carpeting and upholstery pretty quickly!
Frequent brushing of the undercoat and topcoat will help to minimize shedding. In the summers, when the shedding season is upon us, your Dachshund may need to be groomed daily. In the winter, when the breed retains its coat and undercoat for warmth, brushing can be less frequent. Different regions can result in different grooming needs for these dogs. They are very adaptable, but if you live in an area where it is warm year round, you will have to groom accordingly.
Brushing is not an arduous process. In fact, it can be an enjoyable bonding experience for both you and your dog. Combing and brushing the fur will help clear out dead hair and stimulate the skin. The long-haired Dachshund has the standard short and smooth fur on their faces and heads, which will not require brushing. Regular petting for these areas will have the same benefits as brushing for the long coat on the rest of their bodies.
When brushing your long-haired Dachshund, it is very important to pay attention to the trouble spots - areas that are prone to matting and collecting debris. The "skirt" (the hair that hangs down from your Dachshund's torso), the underarms, and the tail are all likely to collect dust, dirt, and other junk found on walks or inside the house, and are most prone to matting. Regular, even daily brushing of these areas is absolutely essential, especially if your dog is exposed to nature regularly. Twigs and stickers can become very painful nuisances if not removed right away!
As with most breeds, it is also important to keep the hair between the digits of their paws trimmed and clean. This hair can grow very long on Dachshunds and can make it difficult for them to walk if they accidentally pick up some debris.
Dachshunds have been known to get into some terrible messes and roll around in whatever smells bad, but one must be sure not to over-bathe the long-haired variety, as they can be very prone to dry skin. Finding an unscented, natural dog shampoo for sensitive skin will help alleviate this problem, especially if your pup has a penchant for finding the mud.
Of course, the best method of discerning how often and intensively any long-haired Dachshund needs to be groomed is careful observation. If you spend lots of time with your dog and pay careful attention to his or her coat, you will know when he or she needs to be brushed.
There is plenty more information on Dachshunds on GreatDogSite, as well as tips and facts about many other dog breeds.
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