Dachshunds stand out as they are a long bodied dog breed with short legs, they were originally bred to chase out animal such as; badgers as they have a good sense of smell. Their personalities have meant that there are a number of arguments as to what group they are linked with, some believe due to their heightened sense of smell they are Hounds, whereas some argue they are more like Terrier dogs due to their love for digging. You can also get Miniature Dachshunds that have the same qualities and nature as the standard size Dachshunds but are just that bit smaller.

Either way Dachshunds are very playful dogs that enjoying chasing other smaller animals, they are very loyal and loving to their owners, although they are known for beings stubborn. Their stubbornness can often mean that they are particularly difficult to train.

In the terms of health problems, the mean issues for the breed are the result of their long bodies; due to the length of them they are prone to suffering from spinal problems such as Intervertebral disk disease, this causes pain in their disc’s which is also the result of having a small rib cage and can cause much discomfort, both surgical and none surgical treatment is available to help the inflammation of the disc’s go down. Due to their long spinal code it is also not good for them to have an intensive exercise programme or to become overweight.

The breed is linked to a number genetic problems that include; epilepsy, thyroid problems, allergies as well as a number of eye problems such as; cataracts, corneal problems etc, these can all be treated through medication but in some cases they can result in loss of vision. Making sure that your dog comes from a good breeder and looking after them properly will ensure that they stay fit and healthy.