This Hound with its short legs that easily fold backwards or can claw sideways in confined spaces with a long slender body that has plenty breathing capacity and loose elastic skin were useful to hunt rabbits, foxes and badgers in their narrow and twisting burrows.  This tenacious and strong little hunter has a very keen sense of smell that makes them the perfect little tracking machine.  Don’t forget that handy long strong tail to pull your hunter from a dead-end burrow when stuck. The Dachshund has a big bark for a little dog making an excellent watchdog and sometimes forgets its small stature.

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This small hardy hunter has lots of courage and determination with an independent and stubborn streak in them that gives them lots of character and personality.  They are very clever and quick learners when properly trained.  Dachshunds are very faithful and loyal to their family that makes them the ideal attention loving companion. They are very protective of their family and good with children as long as they are brought up the right way with them.   Dachshunds are very good at showing their emotions with facial expressions and their body language as they are highly intelligent with a mind of their own.

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Dachshunds are very clean and have no doggy odor so only the occasional bath is needed to freshen them up.  Only the odd brushing now and then is needed to remove loose hair in the smooth coat varieties. 

The Dachshunds sweet nature and convenient size makes them the perfect breed for a “City lifestyle”. They don’t need a large yard to run around in will love as much exercise as you can give them as they were once a hunting dog they can go for miles without tiring.  They can also swim but don’t like their ears getting wet.  They like their cuddles and want to be with you everywhere you go.

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Because of their longer back their owners need to be mindful of how they pick their dogs up, supporting the whole body not just picking up by the front end and letting the back end dangle and twist.  Dachshund should never be overweight as it puts pressure on the legs joints and spine that can cause problems later on.  Don’t allow your dachshund on the furniture or up and down stairways as the continuous jarring motion of jumping up and down is not good for them either.

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It is essential to have a securely fenced area around your home or their exercise area because remembering they are a keen scent hunting breed and are very inquisitive they love to follow their noses if allowed to do so.  If something takes their interest they become oblivious to the dangers around them and can run onto the road, get stuck in a hole or go that far they can get themselves lost.

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