Wire-Haired Dachshund Dog Breed Information 101

What is a Wire-haired Dachshund, and are they different than other Dachshunds?

First off, a wire-haired Dachshund is a small, short-legged, long-bodied dog with a rough or coarse wiry coat, thick bushy eyebrows, and a beard that makes them look a little gruff.

Similar to all other Dachshunds is their barrel chest, long muzzle, and large floppy ears. All Dachshunds were initially bred to hunt badgers (Dachshund means badger dog in German).

Dachshunds are tenacious, brave little dogs, sometimes feisty but endlessly entertaining.
Dachshund Origin

The Dachshund's origins can be traced back over 600 years ago in Germany. As the name suggests, they were specifically bred for digging into badger's lairs to kill them.

Badgers are not to be dismissed lightly, weighing up to 40lbs and possessing fearsome claws and teeth. The animal would be especially dangerous if it were cornered in its den.

A robust, powerful bark would be beneficial for the hunter to discern the dog's exact position underground.

The Dachshund breed standard was first agreed upon in 1879, and the breed's popularity soared in the UK and American all through the 19th century. The AKC welcomed the Dachshund into their registry in 1885.

Wire-Haired Dachshund Temperament

Wire-haired Dachshunds can be stubborn and with a mind of their own. They might be small dogs and look as though butter wouldn't melt in their mouths, but their history has endowed them with unyielding willpower.

Anyone thinking of adopting a Wire-haired Dachshund puppy will have their work cut out training them.

First-time owners can cope with training a Dachshund as long as they are patient, kind, and more than anything consistent because Dachshunds do like to test you and see if they can push you into letting them do what they want.

Training needs to begin as early as possible before any bad habits have developed—the same with socialization. A poorly socialized Dachshund isn't particularly friendly to people or other animals.

Dachshunds love their family and want to be as close to them as possible; they don't do well being left alone for long periods. Dachshunds are typically wary around strangers.

Wire-Haired Dachshund Health

Because of their elongated body shape, Dachshunds suffer horrendously from back conditions, notably spinal disorders. It's crucial owners never let their Dachshunds jump down from any height.

A back injury always seems to be waiting just around the corner. All Dachshunds varieties suffer from these back conditions; they’re not specific to only wire-haired.

Those breeders hundreds of years ago have a lot to answer for when it comes to a Dachshund's back-related diseases.

Dachshunds seem to inherit various eye disorders, but genetic testing could reduce the instances by not breeding dogs with faulty genes. Heart disease is also a reasonably common complaint seen by vets in America.

Wire-Haired Dachshund Exercise

While relatively placid in the home and a bit of a lazy bone, unless someone comes calling, then a Dachshund is likely to disturb the whole neighborhood with their deep booming bark; Dachshunds do like their exercise.

Dachshunds still haven't entirely lost their instinct for prey, witness their attempts to get at any squirrel that comes into your garden, and unless your dog is perfect on the recall training, it's best not to let them off the leash.

You should exercise your Dachshund for at least 40 to 45 minutes each day; of course, it doesn't need doing all at once.

You can go for three fifteen-minute walks spread out through the day. If it's very wet or snowing, they'll need a good toweling when they return, especially their legs, paws, and underbody.

Wire-Haired Dachshund Grooming

Wire-haired Dachshunds need brushing once every week, and their beards and eyebrows probably a couple of times per week. You'll have to strip their coat at least three times e year. If you don't fancy attempting to strip the coat yourself, then it's off to a professional groomer.

Don't clip a wire-haired Dachshund's coat; you’ll ruin the texture, and it will never grow back the same.

Trim the hairs that grow between the paws pads regularly and pluck the hairs growing in the ear canal. Dogs with large floppy ears always seem to have issues with bacterial and fungal infections.

Final Thoughts

Wire-haired Dachshunds make fantastic family dogs and are exceptionally loyal and loving dogs. Don’t make the mistake of not training or socializing a Dachshund. They make much better and friendlier family pets if you do; who wants an unfriendly grouse of a dog every time you bump into someone in the street.

You can read more about Wire-Haired Dachshund here https://chihulife.com/wire-haired-dachshunds/

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