Dachshund means “badger dog” in German, and it is in Germany that they were originally bred in the early 1600s to hunt (you guessed it) badgers. Their long and low bodies made them ideal for entering badger burrows and their tenacity allowed them to fight the badgers ruthlessly to the death.
You would never guess at their previous ferocity, and today this popular breed is loyal, lovable and playful with its companions. Properly socialized Dachshunds interact well with children, but these activities should always be appropriately supervised (as is the case with all
dog breeds). Dachshunds are known for their stubborn streak and can be a challenge to train. They do best with a moderate amount of
exercise each day, and depending on their coat length, require little to moderate grooming.
Despite their loyal nature, Dachshunds are still prone to a number of
hereditary and congenital conditions that can adversely affect their health – not to mention your
budget. Some of the conditions and illnesses Dachshunds are prone to include skin diseases such as acanthosis nigricans; eye conditions such as
glaucoma and
keratoconjunctivitis sicca (dry eye); skeletal diseases such as invertebral disc disease (IVDD); and neurological diseases such as
epilepsy.
Thankfully,
Petplan pet insurance covers all hereditary and congenital conditions
for the life of your pet as standard. Which means if your Dachshund inherits more than just his dad’s bad back or mom’s bad eyes, you’re
covered.
