INTERESTING HISTORY AND FACTS ABOUT DACHSHUNDS:

The current Dachshunds (also known as Teckels, Dachels, or Dachsels) originated in Germany. In fact, the name Dachshund is German for “badger dog,” indicating why these dogs were originally bred - to hunt badgers. German foresters, in the 18th and 19th centuries, mixed a variety of breeds together, aiming for a fearless, elongated dog that could dig the earth from a badger burrow, and fight to the death with the vicious badgers who were unlucky enough to inhabit that burrow. Dachshunds have also been used to hunt foxes, and believe it or not, wild boar! Our dachshunds don’t have badger and wild boar to hunt, but they love to chase squirrels and rabbits and do sometimes come home with one proudly hanging from their mouths! They still love to burrow and hole up inside tiny places such as under the covers of a bed or behind the cushions of your couch. So, even though hunting badgers, foxes and wild boar are in the past, their ancestory still presents itself in the Dachshunds hilarious behaviour and antics!

The first Dachshunds were brought into the United States in 1887, where they grew in popularity over the next few decades. By 1914, they were among the 10 most popular entries in the Westminster Kennel Club Show. During World War I, there was much disdain over anything considered German and unfortunately the Dachshund was a victim of much hostility. In fact, they were sometimes the victims of stonings, and Dachshund owners were often called traitors. As a result, the number of Dachshunds in the United States and Britain dwindled. After the war, a few U.S. breeders slowly rebuilt the gene pool by importing German stock, and the breed began to increase in popularity again. The advent of World War II did not yield the same effects as World War I, because by then American breeders were well established and Dachshunds were very popular. I read recently that Dachshunds are the 7th most popular dog in the United States. It’s no wonder to me because we sure love them!

In the United States, there are, in total, six types of Dachshund. They come in two sizes: miniature (less than 10-11 pounds) and standard (all the rest, but usually above 18-20 pounds). In other countries, there’s wider variance in the sizes. In fact, in Germany, the dogs are identified as either Standard, Miniature, or Kaninchenteckel, based on a chest measurement taken at the age of fifteen months. For each size, there are three coats: smoothcoated, longhaired, and wirehaired. Dachshunds are no longer limited to the black and tan and red that we have seen for so many years. Now, Dachshunds come dappled, piebald, brindle and in a staggering array of colors which make this breed fun because you never know what you are going to get in a litter!

THE NATURE OF DACHSHUNDS:

Dachshunds are lively, bright and inquisitive natured dogs. They are smart and can be mischievious but they are very much a companion pet and love to give and recieve affection from their owner. They are very much a big dog in a small body. They seem to do well in either the city or the country. They are very trainable and smart. My kids have done well training ours in 4H and the dogs really enjoy it. Dachshunds seem to get along well with all other dogs. We haven’t had any trouble socializing ours with other people or other dogs-they seem to get along with everyone 2 legged or 4 legged. Dachshunds are an all around loveable and funny dog. There is a reason why dachshund owners seem to always be dachshund owners and no dachshund owner owns just one! These dogs are truly addictive and are a great addition to any family!

HOW WE GOT OUR DACHSHUNDS:

We were first introduced to Dachshunds by my sister who had a hilarious little miniature red Dachshund named Lucy. My daughter was 5 and she fell in love with Lucy. So, we got her Heidi, a spayed older standard female Dachshund. Heidi is about 11 and she is still with us. My kids got older and wanted to join 4H dog obedience, so we bought Tootsie and Millie. That hooked us and soon after we bought our others! I don’t think my life will ever be without a dachshund. They are a part of our lives now.

We have miniature and standard sized Dachshunds in both smooth and wirehair. We will have an array of possible colors and patterns of puppies in both standard and mini. We love the dilutes and the “odd” colors and coats. We are a small hobby kennel so our puppies are in very limited supply, but we’ll have interesting colors, patterns and coats to choose from as well as the standard black and tans and reds. There will be something for everyone! There are pictures posted on our website of each of our parents, the puppies we have for sale, and info about litters we are expecting.