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Dog Breed Directory – Miniature Dachshund

Monday, September 26th, 2011

History of the Miniature Dachshund

The history of these Miniature Dachshunds mirrors that of their larger relatives; Dachshunds can be traced back to Germany for many years, back to around the 15th Century, athough many believe that ancient Egyptian art depicts images of dogs similar to Dachshunds; perhaps their ancestors.

Dachshunds were bred to hunt badgers (“Dachs” means Badger). Badgers were a formidable prey and Dachshunds were bred to have courage and bravery bordering on the reckless! Their size and shape makes them perfect for hunting both above and below ground.

The breed club was set up in 1888 to standardise the breed characteristics and to ensure that these dogs had beauty to match their intelligence.

Miniature Dachshunds were used instead of ferrets to drive rabbits out of their warrens.

Appearance of the Miniature Dachshund

In appearance, the Miniature Dachshund really is just like a dwarf version of the standard Dachshund. They are found in the same coat varieties; long haired, smooth haired and wire haired.

With their long, low bodies Dachshunds are one of the most instantly recognisable breeds. Often called “Sausage dogs” by children, it is easy to see why!

Despite their miniature proportions, Dachshunds are strong and muscular dogs with broad shoulders and hindquarters.

The Dachshund has beautiful almond shaped eyes that are set into a perfectly proportioned, long face.

Dachshunds come in an enormous variety of colours; tan and black are perhaps the most widely seen colours although many variations exist.

Temperament of the Miniature Dachshund

Dachshunds are faithful and good tempered though they can be wary of strangers.

Dachshunds are extremely intelligent, though are not necessarily easy to train as they have a real mind of their own! Early training and socialisation is of real benefit to these dogs; their hunting instinct is deeply ingrained so good control of these dogs off lead is essential.
Socialised early with children, these dogs make good family pets. Children must be taught to handle these dogs with respect, as they will sulk if they are treated unfairly. Dachshunds have a tendency to bond particularly strongly with one member of the family.

Grooming a Miniature Dachshund

Miniature Dachshunds come in a variety of coat types; long haired, wire haired and smooth haired. A moderate amount of grooming is necessary, particularly in the long haired Miniature Dachshund.

Miniature Dachshund Exercise Requirements

Although they are small, Miniature Dachshunds were bred as hunting dogs and as such, they enjoy their exercise! Miniature Dachshunds require a moderate amount of exercise; perhaps 20 – 40 minutes a day.

Care must be taken when allowing these dogs off lead because of their natural hunting instincts. If they detect a scent, they may well try to go to ground, to dig out they ‘prey’!

A well fenced, secure garden is a must for Miniature Dachshunds – they are world class diggers and may well dig themselves to freedom given the opportunity!

As a result of their elongated spine, Miniature Dachshunds should be limited in their access to stairs to prevent spinal damage.

Miniature Dachshund Health Problems

The main health concern with Miniature Dachshunds relates to their elongated spines. Ruptured discs are a common problem. Care must be taken to avoid these dogs using stairs or jumping on and off furniture, to minimise the risk of damage.

Miniature Dachshunds must not be allowed to become overweight as this places extra stress on their spines. It is essential that their weight is carefully monitored.

Some Dachshunds suffer from skin problems, such as baldness or lack of pigmentation in their skin.

Stephanie has written many articles on dog breeds and dog training. Visit Kennel Corner for more Dog Breed Profiles and other interesting dog resources, including a Dog Obedience Schools Directory.

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Get a Bark Collar to Stop Nuisance Barking

Monday, August 29th, 2011

Before we discuss the benefits of bark collars, it is only fitting that we define what these devices are in the first place. Bark collars are worn around the dog’s neck to prevent it from barking constantly. Of course, the times when barking becomes excessive or inappropriate or both depends on many conditions including the type of neighborhood, the time of day, and the circumstances surrounding the behavior.

Electronic bark collars work through the principles of aversive training. When your dog barks continuously for at least 30 seconds, the bark collars produces a beep sound to let your dog know it should stop barking; if the dog does not stop, then it is administered a mild shock which will grow in intensity if the behavior continues. In time, the dog will associate this sound with an uncomfortable feeling and avoid the incoming shock by stopping the barking.

A %LNK1% is extremely beneficial to both the master and his dog. Here are some of the most notable advantages of purchasing such an item:

•Bark collars help you train the dog not to bark so often, especially during night, when the problem of loud, excessive barking is extremely delicate for both you and your neighbors. You and your neighbors will be able to sleep restfully for the rest of the night instead of being waken up at odd hours to the annoying sound of your dog barking at the moon.

• The electric shocks can be adjusted based on the training needs, discipline level and size of the dog. For instance, very large dogs can be easily trained with shocks at maximum intensity, as these won’t hurt them, but merely annoy them instead, while small dogs can’t receive the same treatment; they will quiet down at less intense signals. Of course, no one can tell which level of intensity is best for their dog without testing the device first.

•Using a bark collar does not mean that your dog won’t be able to bark to let you know whether there’s someone breaking into your house. One popular method is when the collar automatically shuts off when the dog barks for at least 15 successive times in 30 seconds. If you hear your dog barking often and very loud even f the dog collar should have inhibited this behavor, then it’s clear something is not right and you must search for the reason why your dog is that nervous.

• Bark collars are comfortable regardless of the size of the dog’s neck because of the adjustable collar. Most of the bark collars are made of leather.

If your dog is agitated and barks all the time, the a Bark Collar is the best solution you could find.

The Bark Collar is a type of dog collar used to stop your dog’s barking. It is safe and comfortable to use and does not hurt the animal. For more details on the Bark Collar, click here.

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Solutions for Dog Barking

Tuesday, May 3rd, 2011

Having a dog that barks all the time may cause all people in your house and even in your neighborhood a lot of trouble. One such problem is excessive barking from the dog. It is normal for a dog to bark when it senses imminent danger, enemies or other serious situation. But there are times where a dog, due to a lack of training, obsession, or boredom, might bark. This type of barking in a dog can be akin to a person that talks aimlessly, or that talks too much for no reason. When it comes to people, children can be taught where to talk and when to shut up even when they’re very young. When it comes to dogs, they must be trained into being more silent even if they already reached maturity.

There are more alternatives to teaching your dog to bark less, including the anti-bark collars. Some people dislike the bark collar because they imagine it hurts the animal. The reason why people might think that these bark collars might be harmful, is because they give the dog a shock when they bark. This might sound inhumane, but the fact is that these bark collars give the dog a mild shock. Moreover, some models feature an audio system that goes on when the dog starts to bark, as a warning. The bark collar isn’t uncomfortable to wear either. It is made from a material similar to those from which regular collars are made. Of course, dogs come in different sizes, and so a bark collar is going to come in a variety of sizes as well. They are also designed so that the dog is unable to chew them.

The dog will in time learn that when it gets a mild shock to stop barking. Such a device can be a wonderful instrument of correcting your dog’s behavior and bring peace into your house. Large dogs have more needs than the smaller ones; they need space to play and it is best that you keep them in a large courtyard, at least during the day. However, if your dog is also noisy, keeping it outside might be a real problem for your neighbors. In these situations, a bark collar is more than welcome; it will make the annoying noise stop and your neighbors won’t be stressed out anymore.

The next time one of your neighbors complains that your dog is barking too much, and if you buy one of these bark collars, you can tell them that you apologize, and that you are training the dog out of this habit. The great thing these collars can do is that they also teach the dog when to bark. These collars are designed to shut down of the dog is barking rapidly. This happens because such barking usually announces a dangerous situation in which the dog must react. Then again, when the dog barks slowly, it means that it got bored or requires extra attention.

A dog that barks all the time can be a serious problem for both your family and your neighbors. The bark collar is programmed to react to the dog’s barking. If you want to purchase a bark collar click this link.

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