My Pet Pail Breed Spotlight – The Dachshund

Dachshunds are one of the most popular small breed dogs, and for good reason. Ask any Dachshund owner and they’ll tell you how much joy these dogs bring to their lives. These little guys are extremely charming, full of energy, and have a great personality. Let’s take a minute to explore a little bit about this little dog and discover why Dachshund owners love their pet so much.

Standard Dachshunds range in weight between 15 and 30 pounds, while miniature Dachshund are generally under 11 pounds. The height of a standard Dachshund is 8 to 9 inches and the miniature ranges from 5 to 6 inches tall. Because this small breed has short stubby legs and a long round body, Dachshunds are one of the most easily recognizable dog breeds. Dachshunds are sometimes referred to as Dotson’s and have been given nicknames such as wiener dog or sausage dog.

There are three types of Dachshunds; shorthaired, longhaired, and wirehaired. Shorthaired (or smooth coat) are the most prevalent type in the United States. As the name suggests, shorthaired breeds have short hair; in addition, their coat is shiny and easy to maintain. Shorthaired Dachshunds do tend to get cold easily, and may need to be adorned in warm clothes or blankets when heading outside in chilly weather. Longhaired Dachshunds have long, wavy hair. It’s important to brush your longhaired dog every day when possible as they tend to get matted fur. Wirehaired Dachshunds have a thick coat, short hair, and a soft undercoat. The wirehaired breed is distinguishable because of the breeds bushy eyebrows and beard.

Don’t let their size fool you, these dogs are big on sound and personality. The Dachshund has a big chest for his overall size which creates a booming bark. The Dachshund is also known for their stubbornness or strong-will. It is said that Dachshunds are very motivated and seldom give up on a problem; as a hunting breed, this served them well. In the home you may find it a bit more challenging. It’s important to provide puzzles and games for your dog so they stay engaged.

Dachshunds are described as loyal family dogs. As with any dog, its particularly important with this breed to integrate them into family life as young as possible. Developing these social skills with help them understand and react to your expectations. This breed is a great watchdog and protector. Dachshunds are very intelligent, but can be difficult to train because of their stubbornness. You will need to practice patience in training but it will pay off.

The Dachshund is an energetic dog and will need daily walks or exercise. Most experts recommend giving your dog between 30-60 minutes of exercise a day, depending on age and health. Dachshunds are very portable dogs due to their small size. They’ll love traveling with you and going on new adventures. When leaving the house with your Dachshund, don’t forget to bring your My Pet Pail along. My Pet Pail comes with two removable dog dishes, two stationary dog dishes, two spill proof sealable containers for extra food and water, doggy bags and doggy bag dispenser, a utensil for wet or raw foods, and even an extra leash and collar. With My Pet Pail you’ll have everything your dog needs in one spill proof, easy to carry, lunchbox style pail.