The Dachshund is known for its unique appearance: long body, short legs, floppy ears, and muscular chest. Also called “Sausage Dog,” “Wiener Dog,” and “Doxie,” it was originally bred in Germany to hunt badgers and other burrowing animals like foxes and rabbits. Today, it is a popular family companion because of its wonderful temperament and versatility. So if you are considering adopting a Dachshund, you are making a great choice. But first, you must learn that there are three types of this dog.
That’s right. There are three types of Dachshund: smooth-haired, long-haired, and wire-haired. Believe it or not, each has different personalities and grooming needs that you must know in order to choose the best one that suits your lifestyle.
Smooth-Haired Dachshunds
This type of Sausage Dog has a short and neat coat that is smooth in texture and comes in a range of colours. Common coat colours include cream, black and tan, red, blue and tan, fawn, and chocolate. It can have patterns like dapple, sable, brindle, and piebald.
With an independent and stubborn nature, the Smooth-Haired Dachshund requires consistent training and early socialisation to do well with children and other household pets. This breed can be quite attached to its owner but reserved with strangers.
When it comes to maintenance, this dog does not require much grooming. It only needs to be groomed with a rubber glove once a week to remove dead fur. Brushing and bathing can be done every couple of months to keep the dog’s coat healthy and shiny.
Unfortunately, the Smooth-Haired Dachshund sheds throughout the year. In addition, it is not hypoallergenic, which makes it unsuitable for allergy sufferers. However, brushing can help minimise the amount of fur it sheds, and regular washing of its bedding can help reduce symptoms of allergies.
Long-Haired Dachshunds
This type of Wiener Dog has a beautiful, flowing coat that is soft and straight or slightly wavy. Its coat colour varieties are similar to that of a Smooth-Haired Dachshund.
Unlike its short-haired counterpart, this dog is calm, loyal, and even-tempered. While it still retains its independent nature, it is more docile, affectionate, and people-friendly. It has a lively personality with a courageous streak.
The Long-Haired Dachshund’s coat is usually longer on its chest, tummy, back of the legs, and tail. This is why daily brushing is required to prevent mats from forming. Extra care should be given when lifting this long-bodied breed into the bath. Furthermore, its ears and paw pads should be checked regularly for dirt.
Wire-Haired Dachshund
This type of Doxie has a hard, rough, and wiry coat with bushy eyebrows and a moustache. It has a short outer coat and a soft undercoat and comes in a wide range of colours including various shades of red, black and tan, and dark grey.
The Wire-Haired Dachshund is energetic, intelligent, and determined. It loves to socialise, romp outdoors, and play with family members. It is friendly with new people but can still be protective of its owner. This breed tends to bark, making it an excellent watchdog.
The coat of this Sausage Dog is hard-wearing and weatherproof. However, it will still need regular hand stripping or plucking to keep its coat maintained and ensure that its ears, eyebrows, and beard remain smooth and neat. Its paw pads should also be checked once in a while for dirt or debris.