Wire Haired Dachshund

When rejected by his father he became industrious and motivated; when rejected by his mother he became proudly independent; when rejected by his siblings he became deeply compassionate; but when rejected by the family dachshund he became a complete nut case - from a case history of Sigmund Freud

The dachshund is a canine breed noted for its long, brawny body, and short, stubby legs. The word Dachshund has been derived from two German words - Dachs which means Badger, and Hund which means Dog. One of the interesting dachshund facts is that they have a weird habit of digging holes in the ground like badgers, and also used for tracking hunted deer. They are very affectionate and intelligent, and highly suitable as pets because of their manageable size and convivial nature. The wire haired dachshund is a subtype of this breed, which shares a strong resemblance with other terrier dog breeds. They were created around the late 19th century by cross-breeding German Wirehaired Pinschers and Dandi Dinmont Terriers. Its short, long and slender body does make it an unusual looking breed, but it exhibits similar qualities like its peers. This particular sub-breed has a distinguishable hard outer coat with a softer coat below. It comes in various colors, from black & gray, to different shades of red. It has a furry tail and a rigid body-frame.

Grooming
These breeds are ideal for aesthetic grooming, and their mild temperament and inexpensive maintenance make dog care for this breed relatively easy. The coat can be washed with any good-quality canine shampoo and brushed to avoid tangles. It also needs to have its coat plucked at least twice a year, the hair on the top of the head kept short, and the excessive hair between the pads of the feet trimmed. These breeds are pretty susceptible to shedding, and should be taken proper care of, so that they don't suffer from a patchy coat later. Back problems in dachshunds are the most common dog health problem these breeds face because of their unusually long back, and pet owners need to be vigilant and prevent its access to elevated places in order to curb this problem. Its ears are also prone to accumulation of damaging bacteria and fungi, and should be cleaned and checked regularly to avoid any sort of infection. Visiting a local veterinary regularly is also highly advisable. Firm and consistent dog training should be imparted from a very early age, because this breed is known to wander astray.

Temperament
The wire haired dachshund personality is slightly different from its peers. It is brave, curious, and dominant. Sometimes, its energetic and feisty spirit becomes a problem for the owner to handle. But otherwise, it is quite an affectionate dog, which likes to socialize with humans, given that it has been brought up in a healthy environment. It is also referred to as the 'comic dog', because of its antics, namely digging holes in the ground. Owing to its inherent hunter instincts and stubborn nature, the wirehaired dachshund is slightly difficult to train. These breeds are also known to snap at strange children and adults, but are otherwise amiable in nature and can surely win everyone's hearts, young and old alike.

Diet and Exercise
With the proper diet and exercise, dogs of this breed live comparatively longer than other breeds with a lifespan of anything between 14-16 years. So longevity is something one doesn't have to worry about. But apart from that, it has a propensity to gain a couple of pounds, which is not recommended, not only for health reasons, but also for their elongated spinal cord. Any high-quality dog food is acceptable in terms of nutrition, vitamins, and minerals. Its food habits should be closely monitored, because like all young and growing dogs, the wire-haired dachshunds too tend to consume unadvisedly enormous amounts of food. Their active disposition should be catered to by providing them ample amounts of exercise. One should always keep a check on their activities, because they tend to wander off, if let loose. Wire haired dachshunds do not have any road sense, and hence need to be monitored closely if not on a leash.

Among the different types of dogs, wire haired dachshunds are suitable for those who wish to own a cheerful dog with high aesthetic value, and also serve the purpose of a good watchdog.