9781422279342

• Friendly: With his outgoing temperament, the Dachshund is ready to greet everyone as his friend. • Faithful: He is a most devoted companion. • Versatile: This is a dog who will adapt to a variety of life- styles. • Passionate: An unusual adjective to describe a dog, but it sums up the Dachshund’s wholehearted attitude to life. • Good-tempered: Every day is a good day for the Dachshund. Companion dog The Dachshund is happy in most situations—urban or rural, apartment or ranch, families with children or older owners. His adaptability is his greatest asset. As long as he gets enough exercise and mental stimulation, and is not left on his own for long periods, he will be content. If you have very small children, it may be better to wait until they are a little older before you get a Dachshund, because he can’t with- stand a child sitting on his back or really serious roughhousing. But generally the Dachshund will be a lively playmate, as long as mutual respect is established on both sides. A Dachshund will lead a fulfilling life as a single dog, but he is very sociable and enjoys the company of other dogs. As working dogs, Dachshunds were kept in packs; they have a natural way of relating to their own kind, and can often form strong attachments. Life expectancy The Dachshund was developed to be a hardy hunting dog, and if he is bred without exaggeration and given the right care, he will enjoy a good life expectancy. Most dogs reach their early teens, and some do even better. Dachshunds 15 years and older are not un- usual. On average, miniatures tend to live a few years longer than standards.

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