Half a dog high, a dog and a half long, and three dogs in the matter of brains - that is the dachshund. From the tip of his rat tail to the point of his long, strong muzzle he is a most likable little fellow, and the seeker after a small, smooth-coated dog that will be thoroughly companionable and able to "stand the racket" may seek a long time before he will, discover a breed that will better meet all his requirements.
On the part of perhaps a large majority of the people of this country there is a seemingly irresistible impulse to consider the dachshund as a sort of freak a grotesque caricature of a dog whose chief use in life is to serve as the butt of time-honored and worn-out jokes concerning his resemblance to sausages, stovepipes and various other inanimate objects which are endowed with the maximum of length combined with the minimum of height. True" the small chap of the satiny coat and the bowed legs is not designed on the graceful lines of a greyhound, for example, but that in no wise affects the sterling qualities which are his and which have endeared him to all who are fortunate enough to have come to know him well. Indeed, I am not sure but that this same curious conformation, this apparent lack of harmony between the dachshund's component parts, constitutes one of his strong assets; for it makes all the more attractive-and often amusing-his bright, “all dog" ways.
But setting aside the general appearance of the breed, which should be, after all, a. comparatively unimportant factor in the choice of a dog, let us consider a typical specimen more in detail. Examine him closely as he stands before you, firmly planted on those short, heavily muscled legs and powerful feet which serve him so well in his natural work, that of "going to earth" after vermin of various sorts. Did you ever see a finer head on any dog' Notice the abundance of brain space in the well-domed skull see how strong and clean-cut the jaws are, how well the long, silky ears are set on. Speak quietly to him and he will turn to you a pair of large, dark hazel eyes full of intelligence and gentlemanly inquiry, talking as plainly as if their owner could speak and were asking what you required of him. Then, as he half turns away and takes a step or two, look at the wonderful depth of chest, the column-like neck and the smooth, graceful curves of the back and tail. Surely here is a dog to tie to, and one whose possession will yield the keenest satisfaction.
You can teach a dachshund anything that a dog of his size can reasonably be expected to do and some things that those who are unfamiliar with the breed would consider quite impossible. For example, one would scarcely expect one of these short-legged fellows to develop into a first class coach dog, and yet I know of one which, without apparent fatigue, will follow his master's carriage for miles, running between the front wheels at the horse's very heels in the most approved coach dog style and thoroughly enjoying the experience. The person who desires a trick dog will :find in the dachshund a very apt pupil, for besides being naturally bright the majority of them are very tractable and willing to learn.
Another quality which makes these dogs especially well suited to the country place is their ability as vermin destroyers. This has already been alluded to, but it will bear amplification. If there are rats or mice about your place-and few homes are entirely free from these pests-a dachshund will make their lives exceedingly hazardous and exciting, to put it mildly. One finely bred dog which came under my notice would crouch sometimes for fifteen or twenty minutes at a time beside a mouse or rat hole, perfectly motionless save for a slight quivering of his muscles. When the rodent tentatively thrust his nose out from his retreat the dog, instead of making a futile dash and digging madly at the hole into which his intended victim had of course disappeared again at the first hostile motion would hold his position until the mouse was well away from its refuge; then a sudden bound with nose and fore paws together generally resulted in another death in the rodent family.
And finally, let us consider the dachshund from the standpoint of the man, woman or child who wants a bright, cheerful companion and playfellow about the house or grounds or on walks or drives. Here, if anywhere, the breed can be strongly recommended, though, of course, there are individual exceptions the same as with any other kind of dog. It makes no difference whether you want a romp in the evening or prefer merely to sit before the open wood fire; you may go for a long tramp or simply visit the Bower garden to see how it is progressing; the weather may be hot or cold, wet or dry; whatever may be the requirements of the moment, your dachshund will be always there and always ready.
A few points to be looked for in a well-bred dachshund may be of some value to the intending purchaser who is unfamiliar with the breed. Avoid the dog which shows any tendency toward coarseness of appearance, such as heavy, short ears, badly curved tail, thick hair without gloss, etc. As regards size, there is considerable latitude of choice, from the light-weight dog of sixteen pounds to the heavy-weight of perhaps twenty-five. The color may be red or yellowish red in the single-colored specimens, and brown, deep black or gray, each with tan spots over eyes on sides of jaws and lower lips, breast, insides of legs and under tail, in the two-colored.
Dachshund Standards Buying A Dachshund Cleanliness And Grooming