The Basics of the Toy Dachshund
The toy Dachshund is the smallest of all the wiener dogs, weighing in at eight pounds or less when full grown. While the toy dachshund is not officially recognized as a breed in its own right, many Dachshund lovers have found the pint-sized pups to be big on personality and energy. The toy Dachshund can make an excellent watch dog and family pet as long as you know what you are getting into. If you are considering a Dachshund for your next family pet, read on for information about the breed and what it takes to train a doxie to be a happy member of your clan.
Bred for Hunting
The Dachshund was originally bred in Germany in the Middle Ages as a hunting dog. While it may be hard to believe that this tiny creature could be terribly useful in this sport, the pup is actually perfectly formed for a certain type of hunting. With short, powerful legs and a ferocious courage, the Dachshund will follow a badger, hare or fox fearlessly into his home, where he will either kill the animal himself or route him out for his hunting owner. Because badgers are considered big and mean, it takes a particularly fierce animal to handle these creatures. As the Dachshund continued to gain popularity as a hunting dog, they were bred in different sizes to accommodate different sizes of prey. The miniature and toy dachshund were particularly adept and routing out hares for their owners.
The Long and Lean Canine Machine
The appearance of the toy Dachshund is unique, and writer H.L. Mencken described him as “a half-dog high and a dog-and-a-half long.” This is an apt description of a pooch that has also been called a wiener or sausage dog by many dog lovers. The long, lean physique of this animal makes him an effective hunter, but it can also make him prone to back injuries if he is not cared for properly. It is important to handle a toy Dachshund with care to ensure a herniated disc does not occur. Regular exercise and weight maintenance is also essential to keeping these dogs strong and healthy.
Doxies come with a variety of coats and colors. A toy Dachshund can have a smooth coat, like the classic dogs that are often seen in advertising or on television. However, long-haired Dachshunds are also quite popular, with a longer coat on the ears, flanks and tail. These dogs require considerably more grooming, but are quite elegant in appearance. The most uncommon type of toy Dachshund is the wire-haired coat, which sports a thick, coarse hair and distinctive eyebrows and whiskers. This type of Dachshund is often the most playful and good natured of the breed.
A Coat of Many Colors
In addition to a variety of coat types, people interested in a toy Dachshund may also have a broad range of colors to choose from. The most common shade for the smooth coat ranges from a copper color to a deep rust hue. However, smooth coats can also come in chocolate, black, cream and a mix of shades. Long-haired Dachshunds are often seen in a black and tan mix, but can also be found in the rust color. Wire-haired doxies may be seen in a black and white or grey mix, or a blue and tan. Dapple, brindle and pie-bald patterns in all of the above shades are also commonly seen in the toy Dachshund. The variety offers many choices to a prospective Dachshund owner, although not all color combinations are officially recognized in the breed standard.
Friendly, Loyal and Fierce?
A toy Dachshund can incorporate all of these characteristics and throw in others like tenacious, affectionate and playful. The size of a toy Dachshund inspires many owners to approach training with a more laid back approach, but lack of boundaries and consistency can result in a tiny dog that runs the house. Despite their size, Dachshunds can be challenging to train because they tend to have a stubborn streak. It is important to establish pack order as soon as possible, and maintain consistency throughout the training process. A well-trained toy Dachshund will be a pet that is a joy to family and visitors alike, making the time spent in training well worth the effort.
