General Information about the Dachshund Breed

Having been interested in this breed for some time now I have collated here some information which you may also find interesting and perhaps helpful

Looking for information on my favourite breed of dog and I found an interesting article about the history of these little dogs. Just an extract below (please note this is from an American publication).

History

Some writers and dachshund experts have theorized that the early roots of the dachshund go back to ancient Egypt, where engravings were made featuring short-legged hunting dogs. Recent discoveries by the American University in Cairo of mummified dachshund-like dogs from ancient Egyptian burial urns may lend credibility to this theory. In its modern incarnation, the dachshund is a creation of German breeders and includes elements of German, French, and English hounds and terriers. Dachshunds have been kept by royal courts all over Europe, including that of Queen Victoria, who was particularly enamoured of the breed. They were originally bred for hunting badgers by trailing scent. The first verifiable references to the dachshund, originally named the "Dachs Kriecher" ("badger crawler") or "Dachs Krieger" ("badger warrior"), came from books written in the early 18th century. Prior to that, there exist references to "badger dogs" and "hole dogs", but these likely refer to purposes rather than to specific breeds. The original German dachshunds were larger than the modern full-size variety, weighing between 30 and 40 lb (14 and 18 kg), and originally came in straight-legged and crook-legged varieties (the modern dachshund is descended from the latter). Though the breed is famous for its use in exterminating badgers and badger-baiting, dachshunds were also commonly used for rabbit and fox hunting, for locating wounded deer, and in packs were known to hunt game as large as wild boar and as fierce as the wolverine.

The old fashioned dachshund

There are huge differences of opinion as to when dachshunds were specifically bred for their purpose of badger hunting, as the American Kennel Club states the dachshund was bred in the 15th century, while the Dachshund Club of America states that foresters bred the dogs in the 18th or 19th century. Double-dapple dachshunds, which are prone to eye disease, blindness, or hearing problems, are generally believed to have been introduced to the United States between 1879 and 1885. The flap-down ears and famous curved tail of the dachshund have deliberately been bred into the dog. In the case of the ears, this is so that grass seeds, dirt, and other matter do not enter the ear canal. The curved tail is dual-purposed: to be seen more easily in long grass and, in the case of burrowing dachshunds, to help haul the dog out if it becomes stuck in a burrow. The smooth-haired dachshund, the oldest style, may be a cross between the German Shorthaired Pointer, a Pinscher, and a Bracke (a type of bloodhound), or to have been produced by crossing a short Bruno Jura Hound with a pinscher. Others believe it was a cross from a miniature French pointer and a pinscher; others claim that is was developed from the St. Hubert Hound, also a bloodhound, in the 18th century, and still others believe that they were descended from Basset Hounds, based upon their scent abilities and general appearance. The exact origins of the dachshund, then, are unknown. According to William Loeffler, from The American Book of the Dog (1891), in the chapter on Dachshunds:"The origin of the Dachshund is in doubt, our best authorities disagreeing as to the beginning of the breed." What can be agreed on, however, is that the short-haired dachshund gave rise to both the long-haired and the wire-haired varieties. There are two theories regarding how the standard longhair dachshund came about. One theory is that smooth Dachshunds would occasionally produce puppies which had slightly longer hair than their parents. By selectively breeding these animals, breeders eventually produced a dog which consistently produced longhair offspring, and the longhair dachshund was born. Another theory is that the standard longhair dachshund was developed by breeding smooth dachshunds with various land and water spaniels. The long-haired dachshund may be a cross among any of the small dog breeds in the spaniel group, including the German Stoberhund, and the smooth-haired dachshund. The wire-haired dachshund, the last to develop, was created in late 19th century. There is a possibility the wire-haired dachshund was a cross between the smooth dachshund and various hard-coated terriers and wire-haired pinschers, such as the Schnauzer, the Dandie Dinmont Terrier, the German Wirehaired Pointer, or perhaps the Scottish Terrier.

Dachshund and badger

Dachshunds have traditionally been viewed as a symbol of Germany. Political cartoonists commonly used the image of the dachshund to ridicule Germany. During World War I the dachshunds' popularity in the United States plummeted because of this association and there are even anecdotes such as a Dachshund being stoned to death on the high street of Berkhamsted, England at this time because of its association with the enemy . As a result they were often called "liberty hounds" by their owners similar to "liberty cabbage" becoming a term for sauerkraut. The stigma of the association was revived to a lesser extent during World War II, though it was comparatively short-lived. Kaiser Wilhelm II and German Field Marshal Erwin Rommel were known for keeping dachshunds. Due to the association of the breed with Germany, the dachshund was chosen to be the first official mascot for the 1972 Summer Olympics in Munich, with the name Waldi.

Sports

Some people train and enter their dachshund to compete in dachshund racing, such as the Wiener Nationals. Several races across the United States routinely draw several thousand attendees, including races in Buda, Texas; Davis, California; Phoenix, Arizona; Los Alamitos, California; Findlay, Ohio; Milwaukee, Wisconsin; Oklahoma City, Oklahoma; Kansas City, Kansas; Palo Alto, California; and Shakopee, Minnesota. There is also an annual dachshund run in Kennywood, located in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, called the Wiener 100, and in Huntington, West Virginia called the Dachshund Dash. Despite the popularity of these events, the Dachshund Club of America opposes "wiener racing", as many greyhound tracks use the events to draw large crowds to their facilities. The DCA is also worried about potential injuries to dogs, due to their predisposition to back injuries. Another favorite sport is earthdog trials, in which dachshunds enter tunnels with dead ends and obstacles attempting to locate an artificial bait or live but caged and protected rats.

Wire haired dachshund racing

Dackel versus Teckel In Germany, dachshunds are widely called Dackel (both singular and plural). To be classified as a full Teckel, these dogs must undergo blood tracking tests. Classically, any dog of Dackel heritage is given an official tattoo upon one ear. After suitable training, the dog must then follow a blood trail that is at least 48 hours old successfully to its conclusion. Once this is completed, another tattoo is marked on the other ear to denote full Teckel rank. Teckel, whether tattooed or not, are bred for hunting purposes, and they tend to be visibly larger in their chests than their Dackel counterparts, though marginally shorter in length.

Popularity Dachshunds are one of the most popular pets in the United States, ranking seventh in the 2008 AKC registration statistics. They are popular with urban and apartment dwellers, ranking among the top ten most popular breeds in 76 of 190 major US cities surveyed by the AKC. One will find varying degrees of organized local dachshund clubs in most major American cities, including New York, New Orleans, Los Angeles, and Chicago. The breed is popular in Europe, America and Japan.

Notable dogs and owners

• John F. Kennedy bought a dachshund puppy while touring Europe in 1937 for his then girlfriend Olivia. The puppy, named Dunker, never left Germany after Kennedy started to get terrible allergies.

• Grover Cleveland, the 22nd and 24th President, had a dachshund in the White House.[68] • William Randolph Hearst was an avid lover of dachshunds. When his own dachshund Helena died, he eulogized her in his "In The News" column.

• Fred, E.B. White's dachshund, appeared in many of his famous essays.

• Lump, the pet of Pablo Picasso, who was thought to have inspired some of his artwork. (Pronounced: loomp; German for "Rascal") Picasso & Lump: A Dachshund's Odyssey tells the story of Picasso and Lump.

• Jack Ruby, the killer of Lee Harvey Oswald, had a dachshund named Sheba, which he often referred to as his wife. At the time he committed his infamous murder, he had four of them—although he once had as many as ten.

• Andy Warhol had a pair of dachshunds, Archie and Amos, whom he depicted in his paintings and mentioned frequently in his diaries.

• Stanley and Boodgie, immortalized on canvas by owner David Hockney, and published in the book David Hockney's Dog Days.

• Wadl and Hexl, Kaiser Wilhelm II's famous ferocious pair. Upon arriving at Archduke Franz Ferdinand's country seat, château Konopiště, on a semi-official visit, they promptly proceeded to do away with one of the Austro-Hungarian heir presumptive's priceless golden pheasants, thereby almost causing an international incident.

• Queen Margrethe II of Denmark and her husband own and have owned a large array of dachshunds, both smooth and wirehaired.

• Former Secretary of Defense Donald Rumsfeld was asked, in 2003, whether he has duct tape, plastic sheeting, and a three-day supply of bottled water at home. He replied, "I would like to say I did. I don't believe we do. But I do have a miniature dachshund named Reggie who looks out for us."

• In Zelenogorsk, Russia, is a Dachshund monument near which passes a parade of Dachshunds on City Day, July 25.

• Joe was the dachshund of General Claire Lee Chennault, commander of the Flying Tigers and then the China Air Task Force of the US Army Air Forces, and became the mascot of those organizations.

• Maxie, a dachshund owned by actress Marie Prevost, tried to awaken his dead mistress, who was found with small bites on her legs. Maxie's barking eventually summoned neighbors to the scene.

The following is an excellent article I found in the magazine the Field issue 8th April 2015.

Teckels: the wire-haired dachshund is a sporting sausage dog

These small but sporting dachshunds will find a place in every working household. We champion the teckel.

They are wonderful trackers and will never give up. Short on legs, long on stamina.

Teckels are small with a big personality. Their mischievous and charming nature makes them one of the best country house dogs. In contempt of all their cuteness and hair-raising energy, they make reliable stalking dogs too.

If you fancy the idea of a full-on sporting dog for everything from stalking to ratting but would prefer not to fight for space on the sofa or spend a fortune on food, a teckel could be just the ticket. A teckel? What the heck’s that, you may be wondering. Actually, it’s a hunting powerhouse that comes in a pint-sized package. Strictly speaking, a teckel is any dachshund but in Britain it usually means the working wirehaired variety. “In their native Germany, all dachshunds are called teckels, and dogs of all coat-type and size are used for hunting – flushing and retrieving game, tracking wounded animals and for finding, bolting and despatching vermin,” says Bernd Kügow of Waldmeister Dachshunds. Say “dachshund” and what springs to mind is probably a comical sausage dog capable of nothing more athletic than lifting its leg but Bernd, who lives in the north west, believes this is because in Britain a show type prevails that is almost unrecognisable from the original breed. “In Europe there’s no real division between animals for working and showing, they’re all purpose,” he says. “A wire coat is what we’re striving for but smooth and longhaired dogs can also work; they tend to be used more for trailing,” he says. “Working dachshunds are less hefty and higher on the leg, so even a long coat doesn’t dangle on the ground. They also lack the massive front often seen with show dogs. Teckels need to have good mobility. None of my dogs waddles,” he insists. “They clamber over 4ft walls like monkeys.”

TECKELS ARE ADRENALIN JUNKIES

“Teckels are wonderful trackers and never give up. I believe they have a higher adrenalin level than most other dogs: they appear to have a higher pain threshold and unbelievable stamina. The tank never seems to run dry,” claims Bernd.

Which size teckel is this? The hole defines the dog.

In Germany, these game dogs are split into three sizes according to the holes they are expected to go down, kaninchen (rabbit) the smallest, zwerg (fox) and normal (badger). “In Britain teckels are registered with The Kennel Club as dachshunds and are divided by coat type and into two sizes, miniature and standard,” he explains.

Tom Marshall, a deerkeeper, uses his miniature bitch, Freya, to follow up wounded game but says she’s an all-round asset. “We do some dogging-in and she never misses a thing. She’s better than most of the spaniels when it comes to finding birds. I think it’s because teckels are that bit slower and calmer. Also, it must help having a nose so close to the ground,” he says. “They are little dogs with huge hearts but with more brain than a terrier,” says Tom. “Teckels are boxers rather than brawlers and although they’ll stand their ground, and in Europe will hold something as big as a boar or bear, they’ll never go looking for a fight. They have a big bark for a little dog, so make brilliant guard dogs. ”

SMALL DOG, BIG PERSONALITY

Teckels are super stalking dogs

David Logan used to train spaniels but was led into teckels through stalking – and a client who had wirehaired dachshunds. “They are super sporting dogs. In Germany they are required to carry out tests covering a variety of skills, from following a 40-hour-old blood trail to retrieving a duck from water,” he says. “Although they might appear unlikely sporting dogs because of their size, physically they are a proper little package. They have a protective coat that keeps them warm and dries quickly, floppy ears like a spaniel to protect the eyes and a nose virtually at ground level.”

One of David’s dogs, Otto, regularly went beating: “A particularly proud moment was when he picked-up a duck and brought it back to me under the keeper’s eye. And that’s nothing compared to a smooth-haired miniature I used to see that would drag birds bigger than itself back to its owner.” David acquired Birke, an imported bitch, at the same time as Otto. “She had highly tuned instincts and a great brain. She’d dig moles out of the garden for fun; following the run and then laying in wait,” he says. “Birke would take herself off on hunting trips, however, and once came back skin and bone after two weeks. Another time, Otto found her and I dug her out of a hole 4ft down.”

For Lucy Meager, dashing dachshunds are a family tradition. “My grandmother had them, as does my mother, who always takes hers beating and expects them to cover as much ground as a spaniel,” she says. “One of our own dogs, a smooth-haired called Zinzi, loved to come shooting and was good at putting up the ‘right’ sort of birds.

Pups with a brush

“With a dachshund you’re getting a big personality that will go beating, rough-shooting or stand on the peg but in a very small and easily transported body. If a naughty springer runs in, it might ruin that drive and the next two whereas a teckel is so much smaller and slower it can’t do half as much damage,” she chuckles.
Given their stature, not to mention hugely expressive faces, teckels don’t usually stay in the doghouse for long. This could also be because most working dogs double as pets and live indoors. Amy Cope, whose husband Olly is a keeper on a Cotswold estate, acquired her teckel, Porridge, two years ago. “She is a mad keen hunter and when she’s not out with Olly she’ll be hunting wagtails in the paddock but as soon as she walks through the door she is 100% pet,” says Amy. “She’s the first dog we’ve had living inside and there’s no doubt she’s aware of this status: Porridge’s favourite pew is on top of the sofa in the bay window, in view of the other dogs outside in the kennels.”

The following is the Kennel Clubs description of the breed.

Description (Kennel Club)

The origins of the Dachshund can be traced back to working dogs that could go to ground after game such as badgers and rabbits, or to track fallen/wounded deer. Today, Dachshunds are very popular as intelligent and faithful pets, both for town and country dwellers. In the UK the Dachshund comes in six varieties, two sizes – Standards weighing up to 12 kg (26 lbs) and Miniatures ideally weighing 4.5 kg (10 lbs) and no more than 5 kg (11 lbs) - and three coats – Smooth-haired, Long-haired & Wire-haired. Germany is the breed’s home country where sizes are separated not by weight but by chest circumference, with three sizes being based on what size of hole they could enter when going to ground. All in all, a marvellous selection of attractive and sporting dogs.

Dachshunds are active dogs and, once fully mature, will take as much exercise as you can give them and you are likely to want to go home before they do. They are, however, just as happy curled up on your lap, snoozing. They are loyal companions and generally make good family pets. They are not noted for their obedience but, with patience and persistence by the owner, they can be trained. However, they are Hounds and when they are off the lead, if they get a scent, they can “go deaf” when it suits them.

Temperamentally all six varieties are very good at giving a good account of themselves and, as such, are excellent house-dogs who will guard your property from any unwelcome guests. His bark can be deep, especially in the Standards, and people are often surprised to hear such a deep noise coming from a dog the size of a Dachshund.

The breed is characterised as moderately long and low with no exaggerations, and should have a well-muscled body with enough ground clearance to allow free movement. The front feet are used for digging and should be big, broad and well-arched, point forward, or only slightly turned outwards. As befits his working origins, the Dachshund should have strong teeth and a powerful jaw.

The Dachshund is a short-legged dog, not a long-backed one. Excessive length can lead to problems with back disease. It is important that the ribbing should extend well back and the loin should be short and strong

The Wires should have short, straight, harsh hair with a dense undercoat. There is a beard on the chin, the eyebrows are bushy, but the hair on ears is almost smooth. Coat texture can vary but most Wire coats will need to be hand-stripped a couple of times each year. Weekly grooming with a comb and stiff brush is also essential. Most common colours are Brindle (also known as Wild Boar) and Red. Chocolate and Tan also occurs. As a generalisation, the Wires are the most extrovert and active of the varieties and really love the great outdoors.

Breed Group

Hound

Vulnerable Native Breed

Size

Medium

How much exercise?

Up to 1 hour per day

Length of coat

Medium

How much grooming?

More than once a week

Supposedly sheds? *

Yes

Town or Country

Either

Type of home

Small or Large House

Minimum Garden Size

Small/Medium

Lifespan

Over 10 Years

* If you are asthmatic or have an allergy, you should consult your medical advisor before considering obtaining a dog. More information can also be found on the Kennel Club website.

The Hound Breed Group

Breeds originally used for hunting either by scent or by sight. The scent hounds include the Beagle and Bloodhound and the sight hounds such breeds as the Whippet and Greyhound. Many of them enjoy a significant amount of exercise and can be described as dignified, aloof but trustworthy companions.

There is a group called the UK Teckel Society and this is an extract from them

UK Teckel History: (UK Teckel Society)

Teckels were first founded in this country by Mr Richard Brydges-Price in the 1970's when Xitty Vom Heiligenkopf and Rastus worked alongside him at Petworth. Then came Jaro Vom Lehrschen Forst (Flint) and Kosi V.L.F. (Anna). They had their last litter in 1998.Mr Garrick Hawkes came next, with a German import, Birke Von Der Magnetbahn who came into the country in 1990, in whelp to Gaunner Vom Gesselnerfeld and she gave birth to 8 pups while in quarantine. We have now introduced a new bloodline into the stock. He is one of the Icelandic dogs (Chocolate & Tan) that were born in quarantine in 1998 and his progeny are looking very nice.To these people, we the Teckel owners are most grateful. These Teckels and their progeny are the foundation stock in the UK Teckel Stud Book Society.After many months of tracing pedigrees and discussions, Nick Valentine, Trevor and Brenda Humphries decided it was time to found a Teckel Society to be able to register all Teckels. We have also produced a Society Handbook called "The Teckel" which is on sale

Society Founders:

Nick Valentine is a Master and huntsman of Ryeford Chase in Hereford. He has 10 couples of Teckels and 30 couples of Petit Griffon Vendeen Basset Hounds. Trevor Humphrey is a professional deerstalker for Hearne Woodland and Wildlife Ltd. He stalks in East Anglia, Dorset and Devon. Brenda Humphrey is the Kennel Maid, Secretary, Telephonist and General Dogsbody, as well as being a keen flyfisher-woman.

Teckel Information:

Teckels will not be turned away while the Stud Book is open. They all have a category to go in. Confirmation of pedigrees will be required and the onus falls upon the applicant to provide this, with the name and address of the breeder. At the present time, we hold the pedigrees of all imported Teckels and most dogs can be traced, even when no pedigree exists, once the breeder is known.CATEGORY A: Full pedigree Teckel One Grandparent Dachshund = 25%, or One Great-Grandparent of unknown breeding, or any other = 12.5% allowed.CATEGORY B: First cross Teckel and Dachshund, and pure Teckels with one parent of unregistered or unknown breeding. Category "B" dogs' progeny can be upgraded to full status when bred to a fully registered category "A" dog.CATEGORY C: Teckels with no pedigree, show-bred Dachshunds and first crosses of a Teckel with any other breed of dog. All progeny of category "C" dogs can be upgraded to category "B" when bred to a fully registered"A" Teckel.Note: All registrations are accepted at the discretion of the Registrar, who reserves the right to refuse an entry if it is thought to contravene Society rules. Authenticity of pedigrees is the responsibility of people registering dogs and the Society cannot accept liability for any inaccuracy.

Recognised Colour Variations:Black & TanChocolate & TanSolid RedBrindleDapple

This is an excellent extract of a book

THE TECKELS
by David Hancock

The Badger Dog and the Badger Hound

I have written that terriers as earth-dogs are very much a British creation, although pinschers and schnauzers, and especially the German Hunt Terrier, are terrier-type. But the Dachshund, classified by the Kennel Club as a hound, (perhaps mistakenly believing 'hund' to be our word 'hound' whereas it means dog; the German word for hound is bracke), in its working role or Teckel use, is very terrier in function. Much is made in show dog histories of the Dachshund of clandestine terrier blood infusions, especially the Dandie Dinmont contribution, but I can find no proven use of terrier blood in the creation of the Dachshund. The development of the wire-hair was aided in 1925 from Dandie blood by Lt Klaus Graf Hahn of Potsdam. But the centre of working use was the Harz mountains, where Dachswurgers (badger-destroyers) were treasured and reference to a Lockhundlein or little decoy dog intriguingly made.

What is far more compelling is a descent from German foothounds, like the Dachsbracke. In the early 1800s, a Prussian forester called von Daacke was increasing the Dachshund's scenting ability by outcrossing to his Hanoverian Schweisshunds, producing red dogs with black masks and an eel stripe along their backs. Small foothounds were favourite sporting dogs in western and central Europe in past centuries: the Drever in Sweden, the Steenbrak in Holland, the Sauerland Hound or Steinbracke, as well as the Dachsbracke, in Germany and the Jura Niederlaufhund in Switzerland. There is a variety called the Alpine Dachsbracke, found in the Erzgebirge Mountains near the Czech border, known locally as the 'Erzgebirgler', usually in a rich tan. Most of the Swiss hound breeds have a smaller shorter-legged niederlaufhund variety, illustrating the genetic tendency in these foothounds. Our English Basset, bred by the packs and the result of a Harrier outcross, is our equivalent hunting hound.

As the Basset Hound demonstrates, these small hounds can throw crooked-legged dwarf offspring, with the show ring favouring the latter and sportsmen going for the straight-legged variety. The Dachsbracke, or Badger Hound, represents the latter, the Dachshund or Badger Dog representing the former. Crooked-legged dwarfism is a genetic freak, an abnormality called achondroplasia, inherited recessively. As breed depictions indicate down the years, such a genetic sidetrack in time exaggerates itself, leading to the harmful elongated backs and the disabling legs of the show ring specimens. In the Dachshund front, the whole forehand structure is reduced in length of bones; the elbow action arc being actually above the brisket line. Not surprisingly, Dachshunds and say a sighthound breed such as the Saluki move very differently from each other. Dachshunds are the only breed with the shoulders positioned so high above the brisket or keel, as breed fanciers like to term it. The Dachshund is predisposed to intervertebral disc disease because of its conformation, with disc disease occurring in young dogs as well as a geriatric condition.

Size Matters

Described in its sporting past as a Dachskrieger or Badger-warrior, with the lower to ground specimens called Dachskriecher or Badger-creeper, any Dachshund would have to be some dog, physically and in spirit to tackle a badger. Every earth-dog needs remarkable agility to work underground, both to manoeuvre and to dig. The anatomy of the show ring specimens would preclude such activity alone. Hunt terriers tend to be 12 to 14 inches at the shoulder and weigh around 14lbs, because that is what enables their function. The ideal weight for a Dachshund is 20-26lbs, with the miniature varieties being 10lbs; not much for badgers to fear there! For a 10lb dog, practically legless and with an exaggerated weakened spine, to be called a 'badger-dog' is absurd. 'Badger-breakfast' would be more accurate!

Need for Soundness

In one of his invaluable books, RH Smythe, himself a vet and exhibitor, wrote, in The Dog - Structure and Movement (Foulsham, 1970), "So far as their spines are concerned the most unfortunate are the long-backed dogs, especially the Dachshunds. The abnormal length of spine between the wither and the croup is unsupported at its centre so that undue strain falls upon the intervertebral articulations and the intervening cartilaginous discs. It has been said that the normal life of dogs of this breed is fourteen years, but the spine is good only for five years. Although Dachshunds tend to suffer at intervals from disc trouble with temporary recoveries, the tendency is for ultimate paralysis to develop at a comparatively early age." Dog breeders shouldn’t need veterinary advice to breed soundly-constructed animals, just affection for their breed and simple humanity.

My concern over long-backed short-legged dogs, the exaggerated show specimens rather than the Teckels, relates to the strain on their spines on the move. Unlike longer-legged shorter-backed breeds, the dog's weight is not supported continuously by the legs. The hind legs are just not long enough to place the hind feet close to the fore feet, as locomotion proceeds. The spine therefore bears the weight unsupported and the consequent strain must be appreciable. Vets complain of seeing Dachshunds in their surgeries only a year old but with 'five year old' spines. 'Sausage dogs' can be endearing to many, but back pain to all is best avoided, and could so easily be, in this breed - by breeding for a shorter back and lengthier legs. It's called animal welfare!

Sporting Dachshunds

Encouragement comes in the form of the Teckel, the sporting Dachshund, so like a shorter-legged Basset Fauve de Bretagne, or chestnut Basset of Brittany, a most engaging little hound. Teckels have been used extensively for deer work, both in stalking and tracking. They were introduced to the UK in the 1970s, with the UK Teckel Stud Book Society founded in 1999. There are over 580 Teckels registered with the society to date. The Ryeford Chase is a private pack of 30 couple Griffon Vendeen Bassets and uniquely 10 couple Teckels, started in 1974 and willing to hunt all over the country. I have heard the smaller Teckels described as Dachsels or Kaninchen, used as rabbit dogs, on the continent, where nine distinct tests are conducted to test hunting skills, including a water trial. The wire-haired variety is favoured by hunters from Poland to Slovenia. Colours recognised by the Stud Book Society are black and tan, chocolate and tan, red, brindle and dapple.

The vast majority of the UK Teckels are used for deer work and so most of the nine working tests don't apply but their existence displays a commendable genuine desire to perpetuate a working breed. The German working tests include ones for gun-shyness, underground work (hold at bay not kill), tracking a 1000 metre boar blood trail and specific tests to bay boar, deer and fox. Earth-dog tests are conducted both in France and North America, designed to test terriers and Teckels under the ground using tunnels, pipes and artificial burrows. Earth-dog tests in the US involve a junior (instinct) test, where the dog has to traverse a 30 foot-long, wood-lined, underground tunnel with three 90 degree turns and 'work' the prey (caged rats) for at least 60 seconds. There are more realistic tests for the Senior and Master Earth-dog titles. I understand that the Irish Kennel Club has now formulated a working test for Dachshunds, consisting of four parts, all to be taken on the same day. 25 points are available for each part, with a pass mark of 50 out of 100, even if no marks are scored in one part. The first part consists of tracking, following a 300 to 400 metres trail, which is two to three hours old, with points allotted for searching ability, accuracy, obedience and endurance. The second part is going to ground, through a tunnel, with points for willingness to enter and speed. The third part is for obedience, with points for staying with the handler in sight, recall and lead-training; the fourth part involves a gun test, although a temperament test may be substituted to appease the anti-gun lobby.

Could we not copy this sort of test for all our earth-dogs?

“The kind of dog used for hunting the boar is quite different to what I had expected to meet with…in the country though which I have travelled the hunters never make use of any other than a kind of hound, of a cross breed between the yellow bloodhound and a small dog called a dachshund or dachslein – badger hound – which is, in fact, a terrier with very crooked legs, but possessing in a very great degree both the appearance and fine nose of the beagle…He is a small dog, but varying in size, as do our terriers…There are some also with straight legs, but they are not considered of so high courage as the crooked-legged ones, and are chiefly used for unearthing the fox and badger.”

Leading article in The Kennel Gazette of February, 1884.

(It is of interest that the straight-legged ones did the digging; a great deal is made in the United States of the advantage of bent legs for Dachshunds when digging.)

“Duckmanton Winkle (vhc) was in wretched condition. Jack Twopence (hc) has a good skull and set on of ear, but his long thin legs, and sharply pointed muzzle, put him out of any keen competition. The others need no comment; they were nearly all cripples.”

From the Dachshund judge’s critique from the Kennel Club’s 35th Show, April, 1891.

“I think we should guard against lapsing into any feeling of satisfaction as to the very long, very loinless, and very jointless type of which there are now too many, a type too painfully like those clever Chinese toys for children, made of jointed pieces of wood in the semblance of a crocodile. Moreover, we ought also to guard against those many weak-jawed Dachshunds who could hardly hope to compete with a sparrow, and would probably be unequal to the task of carrying a straw for twenty yards in their poor little pinched and beak-like jaws.”

From The Kennel Gazette, February, 1893.

ORIGIN TECKEL

The Dachshund wirehaired originated by crossing the Dandie Dinmont terrier very popular in England and valuable for hunting on the ground, with short-haired Dachshunds. The genetic control of certain characteristics played an important role in this, as hard-hair terrier that English has in the highest degree-is dominant over the short or long hair. Therefore, the genetically haired dominates the short and long hairs, which represent a recessive trait that although is hidden, you can not eliminate completely. This is the reason that there are still Teckels showing a pompadour or quiff more or less conspicuous.

But not only the Dandie Dinmont terrier has participated in the development of wire-haired Dachshund by crossing them with short hair, but also the Skye and Yorkshire terrier, who came to Europe to transport horses and participated in some babies . Since these two races, like the Dandie Dinmont terrier, predominantly have soft fur, presumably the ancestor of the Wirehaired Dachshund Wirehaired other races are. Tables painters of animals you can see the wirehaired dachshund as it appeared early in the century. These dogs often had a previous leg something too short, which entailed a certain position too straight forequarters. This feature came from the terrier, and even today you can see Teckels of its kind in the exhibits.

This small "gamberrete" is in many family trees of TeckeIs haired: Klausners Mentor. He was born on January 10, 1923 and comes from an incestuous union. Its spectacular hunting and performance tests gave ampliafama successes. He and his numerous descendants obtained the best results in exhibitions and competitions. A judge at the time of Mentor wrote: "For me, Mentor is the ideal of TeckeIs hard, small hair, but nevertheless strong bones, beautiful coat, great expression; unsurpassed regarding their forequarters and hindquarters frontal view, and presenting a dorsal line from the neck to the tip of the tail, as one can not imagine the most beautiful. " This male has conveyed its genetic forces many family trees worldwide. In breeding haired TeckeIs is considered one of the transmitters of the racial characteristics that have been more successful.

The further development of the wire-haired Dachshunds have contributed Schnauzer, especially in southern Germany. With them went into the different strains the desire to hunt predators, but also some straight front and hindquarters position. Due to the diversity of their ancestors, it is clear that the wirehaired Dachshund at first provided a unitary form. It was later, when he turned to give importance to the crossing with the Dachshund coital hair, the coveted type haired developed, which, seen from a distance, it looks remarkably like a Dachshund short hair but, unlike it possesses a hard coat with a woolly undercoat coat. The beard, bushy eyebrows and as much hair on the legs are unmistakable characteristics of a wire-haired Dachshunds.

With the constant crossing with short hair specimens some of the problems presented equally hard hair fixed. At first he had hoped that by crossbreeding with English terriers, the Dachshund get a waterproof coat, which, however, proved to be a mistake. The coat of the terrier was so soft that the wirehaired Dachshund even appeared curly pompadour. However, this soft fur was undesirable due to its sensitivity to dirt and water. Only the "add" feature shorthaired could eliminate these unpleasant consequences of crossbreeding with terriers.

Today it is especially critical as regards the development of the coat.The TeckeIs who have soft hair too are no longer accepted for breeding.

The need for these strict rules of breeding due to the fact that the wire-haired Dachshund is the largest among all Teckels representative; at about 2/3 of the nomination of Dachshund puppies is haired Dachshunds, and this great potential breeding and selection can bear.

The following is the American Kennel Clubs standard for the dachshund

STANDARD TECKEL

Standard Dachshund

FCI Standard Edition of 03.07.1998 No. 148 / A

Using Hound above ground and underground.

Classification FCI Group 4 - Dachshund - With proof of working

INTRODUCTION: Some European countries are trying for some time to confer the title of International Beauty Champion FCI working without proof. The Dachshund is and should remain, a dog of suitable work. They are not mutually exclusive beauty qualification "Excellent" and excellent hunting skills. The purpose of breeding Dachshunds must be beauty and work. Brief historical introduction:

Sample excellent work on earth as persecution beating, hunting and lifting on the blood trail. Oldest Club for raising the Dachshund is Teckelklub eV Deutsche founded in 1888. To maintain genetically healthy breed, they must fight birth defects of sight and hearing as well as seizures. The Dachshund is bred in three sizes (Standard, Miniature and Dwarf) and three different varieties of hair (short hair, long hair and wire-haired).

GENERAL APPEARANCE 7.1 Short, short legged, elongated but compact and very muscular body. The head is tall, challenging and thoughtful expression of face taken.Despite the short limbs relative to body length should not look or maimed or awkward or limited in their ability to move or have a thin look of weasel. Must have the typical overall look of your sex.

8.1 Important Proportions With a distance from the chest to the ground about a third of the height of the body to the cross, the total length of the body should have a harmonious relationship with the height of the cross, that is about 1: 1.8 .

Behavior, character (temperament): It has a 9.1 or fearful or aggressive, friendly character with a balanced temperament. A dog passionate, tough fighter with exceptional smell and agility.

Head: Elongated, both top view and in profile, decreasing proportionally to the nose of the nose, but not pointed. The brow ridges are clearly defined. . Of nose and nasal cartilage are long and narrow.

Cranial Region: Skull . Rather flat, declining gently to the back of the nose. Naso-frontal depression (Stop): Only slightly marked.

Facial Region: Nose . Well developed. Muzzle. Wide opening, party to eye level.

Jaws : Upper and lower jaw strongly developed.

Teeth: Complete dentition (42 teeth according to the dentition formula) with strong tusks, fitting the upper to the lower. Preference is given the scissors bite the teeth with pliers closure.

Lips: Tight, well covering the jaw.

Eyes. Middle oval size and well separated, with clear and forceful expression, but also friendly and not penetrating. The color should be dark red-brown and shiny black until brown in all coat colors Dogs. The eyes called "glass", "pearl" or "fish" are not desirable, but must be tolerated.

Ears. Inserted are high, not too far forward, pretty, but not too long, rounded, not narrow, or pointed or bent. Phones with good close to cheek leading edge.

Neck long enough, the skin firmly attached, with slightly rounded neck, carried freely and upright

Higher. Line Harmonious, extending from the neck to slightly sloping croup. Cruz.Pronunciation

Back. since the cross back should appear straight. It should be firm on the move (trot) The dorsal line may have slight to severe defects. It can make a slit just behind the withers too steep (the vertebra to the diaphragm height sunken), along with the saddle or roached back. Depending on the severity of this defect, the rating can range from "very good" and "good".

Lomo. Strongly muscled, quite long.

Grupa . Fall Slightly

Chest : Sternum well developed and so projection dimples on each side to form. The thorax, seen from the front, is oval; seen from above and side is wide and spacious to ensure excellent development of the heart and lungs. The ribs extend far backwards. If the length and angle of the scapula and arm are correct, the forelegs, viewed in profile, should cover the lowest point of the breast line

Underline and belly : Slight tuck up.

Cola: Implanted not too high and led to the extension of the topline. A slight curve in the last third of the tail is permitted.

E XTREMIDADES

LIMBS

Overall : The forelegs are well muscled and angulated. Viewed from the front buckets, straight and with good bone strength, feet pointing forward.

Shoulder : Muscles in relief. The scapula is long and sloping well attached to the chest.

Arm: From the same length as the shoulder blade should form approximately a right angle with it. Well muscled and strong bones, is attached to the ribs but free in his movements.

Elbows : Turning neither was outside or inside -.

Forearm : Short, straight as possible and fairly long distance to chest down about one third of the height at the withers.

Carpal Joint: The carpal joints are somewhat closer together than the scapular-humeral joint

Pastern: Seen in profile, is not steep nor noticeably inclined forward.

Front feet : The five fingers close together and well arched; strong pads and short strong nails. Four fingers rest on the ground, the inner finger is shorter.

Hindquarters

Overall: Strongly muscled, in correct proportion to forequarters. Well angulated in the joints of the knee and hock, parallel and not too close position or separate.

Upper thigh: Good length and heavily muscled

Knee: Broad and strong with pronounced angulation.

Foot: Walking, approximately at right angles to the thigh well muscled.

Hock: Strong and well angulated.

Hock: Relatively long, movable relative to the leg, slightly bent forward.

Hind feet: Four well closed and arched toes completely lie in resistant pads.

MOVEMENT

The movement must include ample land and should be loose and energetic, with a long range and not very up of the forelimbs, with a strong push from the hind limbs, resulting in a slightly elastic action of the dorsal line. The tail should be carried in harmonious continuation of backline, slightly sloping. The movement of the fore and hind legs are parallel. Viewed from the front, the forelegs should not be together or bracear, fingers are not diverted or inward or outward. Seen from behind, the hind legs are not closed or too far apart, as you open cow or barrel-shaped.

SKIN Close fitting

COAT SHORT HAIR

Hair: Short, thick, shiny, smooth, close to the body with sub, not presenting plaques anywhere. Tail: fine hair and thick, but not too hairy. Some longer and thicker at the bottom of the tail hairs do not constitute a foul.

a) One Color: Red, red-yellow, yellow, all colors with or without black mottling. He always prefers clean color and red is appreciated more than the red-yellow or yellow.Also very dotted black dogs are included in this category and not between dogs of other colors. White is not desired but single small spots do not disqualify. Nose and nails black; Red is also permitted, but not desirable.

b) Two Color: Dark brown or Black, all with tan markings rusty red to yellow on black nails black truffle dogs dogs truffle brown and nails are brown or black color. White is not desired but single small spots do not disqualify overextended fire brands are undesirable.

c) Dogs stained (harlequin, brindle): The basic color harlequin dachshund is always the dark color (black, red or gray). White spots are desirable

d) dogs of other colors: All colors not listed.

HAIR HARD

Hair : With exception of muzzle, eyebrows and ears, the whole body is mixed with the binder, an outer layer bonded well throughout the body, thick and hard. In a well-beard snout is formed. The eyebrows are bushy. On the ears the hair is shorter than on the body, almost smooth. The tail hair well developed, uniform and very stuck.

Color : The color is dominant boar. Except this, all of the above in relation to the other colors is valid.

LONG HAIR

Hair : Hair provided with a binder, is smooth, bright and close to the body; elongates below the neck and lower body, protruding ears and has on the back of the limbs clearly longer hair in the form of feathers. Longer hair is on the bottom where it forms a tail flag.

Color : As in the short-haired Dachshund.

SIZE AND WEIGHT

Standard Dachshund: Chest above 35 cm

Dwarf Dachshund: Chest over 30 cm and 35 cm, measured at the age of at least 15 months.

Miniature Dachshund: Chest up to 30 cm, measured at the age of at least 15 months.

Weight : Dachshund: Maximum weight about 9 kg

FAULTS: Any departure from the foregoing points should be considered a fault and the seriousness of it is considered the degree of deviation from the standard.

SERIOUS DEFECTS

- Weak constitution, with long limbs and so short that the dog seems to crawl along the ground.

- No other teeth to those described in qualifying defects or flaws.

- Blue eyes in any other color in dogs stained

- Body suspended between the shoulders.

- Back Saddleback or carp.

- Weak Lomo

- Croup higher than the cross

- Thorax very weak.

- Flanks excessive tuck up.

- Before and after bad angled Members.

- Narrow hindquarters, lack of muscles.

- Cow hocks or barrel-shaped.

- Feet turned inward or outward too.

- Separate fingers.

- Move heavy, awkward, clumsy.

FAULTY COAT (wirehaired dachshund)

- Soft coat, whether long or short.

- Long hair, separated in all directions.

- Wavy or curly hair.

- Soft coat on head.

- Flag on the tail.

- No beard.

- Absence of sublayer

- Short Hair

EXCLUSIVE DEFECTS

- Upper or lower prognathism, incisor arcade diverted (cross teeth).

- Incorrect position of the tusks in the lower jaw. (Are stuck on the palate)

- Absence of one or more teeth or one or more incisors.

- Absence of any tooth (premolar or molar) in addition to those described in defects (two PM1 and M3, and M3 or two Pm1).

- Reduced chest.

- Any defect tail.

- Shoulders very loose.

- Carpo target forward.

- Fogueadas black color without markings; white with or without fogueadas marks.

- Very shy or aggressive behavior.

IF THESE DESERVE THE POOR RATING (Here is mentioned all the "Exclusionary defects" of this Standard).

Under this paragraph shall also mention the following serious shortcomings:

Other defects discovered by veterinary examination that can be transmitted genetically, for example: - Defects of view and innate ear - Seizures - "Dislocation Patella" (Stifle) - Dachshund paralysis.

Testicles: The males should have two testicles fully descended into the scrotum appear normal

There are now many clubs and associations in the UK for the dachshund the following is the main one for the wirehaired.

The Wirehaired Dachshund Club

Founded 1927

President: Mrs Jane Naylor.

Patron: Rt. Hon. Lord Carrington. KG. KCMG. CH.MC.

The Wirehaired Dachshund Club was founded in 1927 with Sir Charles Lambe as Chairman, originally for owners and intending owners of Wire Haired Dachshunds only.

They sponsored two classes, Open dog and Open Bitch at the Veterinary College Show for members only in 1927.

The first club show was held in 1931.

In 1932 the Southern and Long Haired Dachsland Clubs were invited to join the Wirehaired Dachshund Club and the Great Joint Dachshund Club was formed.

The first show was in 1933 with a entry fee of 5/6, and prize money of 20/-, 10/-, and 5/-.

The Committee

Vice Presidents:

Miss Elizabeth Harrap, Mrs Anne Kennedy.

Chairman:

Mr Arnold Derry.

Secretary:

Mr Phil Rollinson.

205 Southway Drive, Southway, Plymouth. PL6 6QG

Treasurer:

Mrs Sue Johnson.

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