Rabbit dachshund: types and rules of keeping

Rabbit dachshund belongs to representatives of hunting breeds of dogs and is the smallest among them. The animal was specially bred for hunting rabbits in order to crawl into their narrow burrows. The dog then replaced the popular albino ferrets. A variety of rabbit dachshunds was formed and fixed closer to the beginning of the 20th century. Now dachshunds have the status of decorative dogs and are rarely used in hunting for game. However, if you engage in training, then the dog will not be difficult to develop their predatory instincts necessary for hunting.

Before you know the breed standards and its differences from dwarf dachshunds, you should study its history. Dachshunds, like cats, are animals with a rich ancient history. The first images of dogs were found on the walls of the tomb of Pharaoh Thutmose III. The painting showed an uncharted creature with shortened legs and an elongated muzzle, standing next to ordinary hunting dogs. The image dates from around the 2nd century BC. In Assyrian sculpture there are also exhibits of short-legged dogs.

But these creatures cannot be called the ancestors of modern dachshunds. It is believed that dachshunds began their pedigree from marriage. Animals are close on the exterior, similar in character. German breeders put a lot of effort into raising rabbit dachshunds. The task was to obtain dogs of small sizes, but fast, able to penetrate narrow holes, while maneuvering them for prey.

The blood of the dwarf pinscher allowed the dachshunds to acquire their tiny size, but the character of the animal or the exterior suffered. As a result, breeders decided to move away from the idea of ​​obtaining puppies by the method of interbreeding and chose the selection route. Representatives of the mini-breed crossed among themselves, producing us the light of miniature puppies, which were selected by the breeders according to the necessary parameters, repeating this chain until the desired result is achieved.

At the beginning of the XX century, the breed was put on stream.

Exterior options.

• The head is elongated, gradually tapering to the nose. The superciliary arches are pronounced, the nose is narrow, straight. The skull is flattened, the stopper does not protrude. Its absence indicates the presence in the blood family of borzoi dogs, which is not allowed.
• Jaw strong, scissor bite, teeth tightly closed. Lips tight, dry. Dark dogs have black or brown lip pigmentation.
• The eyes are medium, oval, not convex. The iris is brown in any saturation. Marble dachshunds may have blue eyes. Eyelids tightly fit the eyeballs.
• The ears of the mini-dachshund hang freely from the head, set high. The tip of the ear is semicircular. The level of the inflection of the ear falls on the crown zone or lower.
• The neck of an adult dog is long, with prominent muscles, a scruff is visible, which passes into the withers. The skin does not hang down, does not form folds.
• The body is elongated. The back closes to the croup. The sternum is oval, the keel is traced, forming depressions on the sides. The belly of dachshunds should be taut, but not too sunken.
• The tail is visually in line with the back. Acceptable saber shape of the tail, a slight bend of the tip.
• The limbs are shortened, strong, parallel located. Joint angles are pronounced. The elbows are pointing back. Paws are oval, fingers tightly pressed. Paw pads are chubby. The nails are stiff, short. Hips are muscular, stand out.

A well-developed animal moves easily, moving with a sweeping step. Elastic, free jumps.

The rabbit dachshund is a calm animal, does not show sudden aggression, the dog’s nervous system is stable. The dachshund is vigilant, dignified, courageous. These features allow the animal to easily get along in the house with its other inhabitants, people. Dachshund is considered an excellent companion.

Breeders also note the manifestation of the independence of the animal, signs of the mind, the speed of reactions and decision-making. Dachshunds are sensitive to pressure, rudeness, physical punishment. Friendliness, softness are pronounced in this breed.

The minuses of the character include jealousy. The dog shows a sense of ownership in relation to the owner, to personal toys, things. However, it treats other family members well and quickly gets used to them. Rabbit dachshunds need constant games, entertainments, with pleasure run for objects.

Dachshunds also exhibit such character traits as stubbornness, cunning. This is part of the hunting instincts, they allow the dog to stay in rabbit holes for a long time, not allowing the prey to get out of the shelter.

Courage is another trait prescribed for this animal. Brave dachshunds easily rush to big game, such as wild boars. The boldness of the dachshund is not a shade of recklessness, the animal weighs all its decisions. In relation to production, the dog shows aggressiveness, perseverance.

On average, rabbit fees live 12 years. Signs of aging begin to show in the eighth year of life. The animal becomes less dynamic, problems with joints arise, appetite decreases, the coat loses its shine, white hairs appear.

The aging of the animal occurs at different times, some individuals begin to show its signs at the age of 7 or 10 years. Factors affecting the onset of old age: weight and height of the animal, breed, state of health. Small dogs, as a rule, live longer than their tall brothers. Cases were recorded when dachshunds lived to be 20 years old.

When the animal enters the period of aging, the owner needs to adjust the pet’s diet, change the rules of keeping. Be sure to take the pet twice a year for examination to the veterinarian, and take blood and urine tests. More attention should be paid to the dog’s teeth. Regularly clean the oral cavity, remove tartar, treat gums.

In the process of combing the hair of the animal, it is necessary to feel the body of the dog for the presence of tumors. Inspect ears, eyes, paws.

The main difference between a rabbit dachshund and a dwarf dachshund is size. Dwarf dachshunds with a height of not more than 21 cm. The girth of the chest in an animal is 30–35 cm, weight about 4.5 kg. Dwarf individuals are also long-haired and short-haired. When choosing a dachshund, the emphasis should be on the external characteristics of the animal. Buying a small pet, you can slip and the usual rate. Therefore, it is better to take animals in nurseries, where each individual has its own documents, in which the entire pedigree of the dog is recorded. Or acquire an adult and navigate by its size.

In rabbit dachshunds, three types of coat are distinguished.

• Shorthair individuals, or in other ways smooth-haired - the coat is smooth, the hairs fit snugly against each other, to the body of the dog. The fur coat is thick.

• Longhair - the hair is soft, shiny, about 5 cm long. The hair falls down. Long hairs form an expressive comb in the limb area, on the neck and body in the abdomen. The undercoat is developed.

• Wire-haired - the coat is coarse, forms a beard in the muzzle area, the superciliary arches look like shaggy eyebrows. On the remaining surface of the dog’s body, the coat is short, the undercoat is pronounced.

The colors of the breed are diverse, divided into plain, two-tone and with a pattern.

• Solid colors. The red color is a light or yellowish undertones color. This is the standard color of rabbit dachshunds.

• Two-tone. Represented by a combination of two shades.

1. Black and tan. The entire body of the animal, with the exception of the area on the muzzle, limbs, sternum, neck, is painted black. The selected zones are formed by light brown hairs.
2. Chocolate tan. It differs from black only in a shade of the main color. In this color he has a rich warm brown tone. Light areas in contrast are not very prominent.

• Marble dachshunds. The main color in marble individuals is black, gray or brown. Animals look unusual and very attractive. A pattern of medium-sized chaotic spots forms on the dog's body. Spots can be gray on a black background, wheat and dark brown on a grayish background.

• Tiger. The color is represented by a fawn or red version with dark vertical narrow stripes. As a rule, spots are clearly visible on the sides of the pet, ears.The drawing is attractive, unique. Wire-haired subspecies can be painted in the so-called boar color, expressed in light and dark colors. Each hair on the body of the dog is two-tone. The back, sides, neck and abdomen of the animal are colored with light gray-black hair, while the head, paws and tail of the pet will be monochromatic, black and light brown.

The home mini-dachshund is unpretentious in leaving. Pet coat must be cleaned weekly with a brush with natural hair. For long-haired dachshunds, a furminator is used - a special brush that avoids the formation of tangles, accelerating the molting process. During the molting period, the dog’s hair is combed every day.

Water treatments are performed once a season. The animal itself is clean, avoids dirt. Dogs love water, they enjoy swimming on their own in open water.

Dental care comes down to periodic cleaning of the oral cavity using tooth powders or pastes. This procedure is mandatory, in rabbit dachshunds easily formed tartar. Dry food, hard treats made from animal veins can also remove plaque.

The claws of the dog are clipped with a clipper if necessary. Typically, the claws naturally grind while walking on rocky surfaces. If the animal is old or rarely walks, the claws are treated once every two weeks. The cut should be done carefully, performed in the light, so as not to touch the capillary vessels.

The ears and eyes of the pet require special care. They are regularly examined for dirt, mucus or insects. Daily cleaning after walking will reduce the risk of infections, pedigree diseases. Care is carried out using special lotions applied to a cotton pad or cotton swab. Movement should be soaking, ears are allowed to wipe with a product.

As babies, pets are protected from access to the stairs. It would be better to bear the dog in his arms. Puppies are not taken for scruff, as this method of transferring the baby can provoke a displacement of the vertebral discs.

Also, at a young age, a dog can easily be trained to walk to relieve the need for a tray or diapers. It is recommended to buy a favorite soft bed with low sides. The dog house should be placed in a place protected from drafts and high noise.

The animal needs toys, it is advisable to purchase many different models for it. The place for eating should be equipped with bowls placed on the stand - so it will be easier for the pet to absorb food, drink water.

Rabbit dachshunds are prone to obesity, in order to avoid this, it is necessary to maintain the correct diet of the pet. It is forbidden to give your favorite handouts from the table. Eat food should not contain a high percentage of fat.

The diet includes fish and meat. These products occupy 2/3 of the amount of food consumed. The rest falls on fermented milk products, vegetables, and cereals.

The addition of vitamins and minerals to food is due to the tendency of the breed to pathologies of the skeletal system. Products must contain calcium. The amount of minerals must be balanced, otherwise an excess of one substance can have a negative effect on the animal's body in the form of deposition of salts in the joints and bones of the spine.

The food is served finely chopped, boiled, without adding salt, spices.You can’t feed the animal with products that have passed the smoking process, canned, pickled.

When feeding "drying" is allowed the introduction of wet food into the diet. Clean drinking water should always be freely available. It is advisable to place the bowl slightly away from the food bowl so that the water does not become contaminated.

An animal, like all relatives, requires socialization, education, so that the pet grows into an attentive, affectionate, patient creature that can properly behave with a person. A sharp mind, the ability to make decisions independently can aggravate the situation in the dog’s behavior if it is not trained from infancy.

During classes with the pet, it is forbidden to use physical punishment, shout and anger the dog. All correctly executed teams must be supported by positive reinforcement - a treat. The vindictive dog is almost impossible to train; it is better to give such individuals to work for dog handlers.

The training process should take place in a playful way. You should not expect that the dog will immediately understand what is required of him. Do not push the dog, show and accustom it to your commands with voice, action. Teams are given clearly, without screaming.

Good memory allows rabbit dachshunds to remember a large number of teams. The most important age for training is 2-6 months. During this period, the animal is the most curious. At the same age, the puppy is taught to walk with a leash. Hunting instinct can make an animal chase cats, squirrels. Until the pet has fully mastered all the commands and rules, control should constantly follow him, including during walking. The fenced area does not guarantee that the pet will not dig a hole and will not run away.

More information on rabbit dachshunds can be found in the video.