Dog's Help

If you are looking for a dog that is one of the most playful kinds then the Dachshund is the best option for you. The Dachshund belongs to dog breed called ‘Hound’. This short legged; dog breed is the perfect thing to have around if you have kids at home. Being a playful, fun loving dog this one is sure to have a gala time with your kids. Not only does the dachshund know how to have fun but it can also keep your gate really well owing to its barking nature. So if you want a watchdog head for this one.

Size
The Dachshund is usually available in three standard sizes-standard, miniature and kanichen. However, out of the three it is only the first two that are recognized universally. A standard Dachshund on an average weighs anywhere between 7.3 kg to 13 kg. If you are opting for the miniature variety, then expect the dog to be anything less than 5kg.

Color and coat
Dachshunds come in a multitude of colors. They can be in a solid red color, sable or even cream. These dogs could even be in a dual color combination like black and tan, wild boar and tan, chocolate and tan, or fawn and tan.

Typically, Dachshunds exhibit three different kinds of coats- Smooth Haired, Wirehaired and the Longhaired. The smooth haired coat usually has long, smooth hair and has a glossy coat. If you were going in for the wirehaired then your dog would have a coat with a broken appearance along with wiry and harsh hair. The longhaired has a long and smooth coat and the hair might be slightly feathery.

Temperament
The dachshund is generally a playful, vivacious dog. These dogs love to play, chase balls, small birds and animals. However these dogs may not be too friendly with strangers. Growling or barking in response to any friendliness exhibited from a stranger is common behavior. This makes the Dachshund perfect as a watchdog.

However, the Dachshund can be quite stubborn at times. Most of these dogs cannot be left alone as they suffer from serious separation anxiety. So if you stay put most of the time, this dog may not be the best option for you.

Health
This breed is prone to several spinal problems. Many Dachshunds are susceptible to the intervertebral disk diseases or the IVDD. This is because of the long structure of these dogs with a long spinal cord and a smaller rib cage.

Obesity is another problem witnessed with these dogs. They can easily become overweight. Thus it becomes important to take these dogs for regular walks and inculcate a daily exercising routine.

Training
Since dachshund can be stubborn, firm and consistent training is required. However, you must not be too harsh with this breed.