03 Physical Characteristics and Temperament of Dachshunds
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This article is from the Dachshund Breed FAQ, by njchillie@REMOVE_TO-REPLY.yahoo.com (Steven Michelson) with numerous contributions by others.
03 Physical Characteristics and Temperament of Dachshunds
Dachshunds are recognized by their long bodies and short legs. Their
design is the epitome of form following function. They are low to the
ground, which allows them to enter and maneuver through tunnels. Their
senses are all well developed. They are very brave. And they are very
independent. Being the smallest breed used for hunting, they need to
be independent to do their job. Remember this. Their independence, in
my opinion, has a lot to do with some other characteristics, which
I'll mention a little later. (By the way, if you're into low-riding,
comical looking dogs, you might also consider the Basset Hound. In
fact, in French, bas-set means simply low-set, and at one point, the
French name for the Dachshund was Bassets de Race Allemande. According
to literature from the Dachshund Club of America, it is even likely
that Dachshunds are descended from Basset Hounds.)
Dachshunds like to enter into the spirit of everything you do, which
isn't always the greatest help. When Chillie sees me putting on my
shoes to take her o-u-t for a w-a-l-k, she often tries to expedite the
process by helping me tie my laces. Needless to say, as
well-intentioned as she is when she presses her nose against my
shoelaces, this has never, in the four years we've been together,
sped up the process. This is akin to a three year old "helping" you
bake a cake, and insisting that (s)he break the eggs. They are playful
animals, but they insist on you following their rules of play, which
may or may not coincide with the rules commonly used by their other
canine cousins. I know a Champion standard wire-haired named Matthew
who I'm convinced has retriever in his bloodline somewhere - he lives
to chase and retrieve balls. This is very unusual for a Dachshund. The
retrieving part, that is. Although they often like to chase balls,
they don't necessarily see the need to bring them back to you. This is
an example of a Dachshund rule of play.
Anyone who meets a Dachshund has no doubt about who's dog it is. They
are often one-person dogs, meaning they bond very closely with their
master. A Dachshund's master is never alone in the house - they have a
long, low shadow following them everywhere around the house. This is
not to suggest that Dachshunds dislike other humans - quite the
contrary. But they definitely know which human is theirs.
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