Teckel
The Teckel, also known as the Dachshund or sausage dog, stands out for its brave nature, intelligence, and elongated body, which makes it unique. It is a loyal companion, full of energy and personality.
The Sausage Dog
History of the Teckel Breed
The Dachshund, also known as the sausage dog or Teckel, is a dog breed originating from Germany. Its peculiar physique is due to a genetic mutation known as bassetism, which gives the breed short legs in proportion to the body size.
The standard-sized Dachshund was developed to sniff, chase, and flush out badgers (hence its name, which in German means “badger dog”) and other burrowing animals, while the miniature Dachshund was bred to hunt smaller animals like rabbits and mice.
There are various sizes of Schnauzers, each with its own characteristics and personality. In Europe, there are Mini, Standard, and Giant Schnauzers. In America, they additionally include Toy and Teacup Schnauzers. At Valles Pasiegos, we breed Mini and Toy Schnauzers.
For a long time, Bolonkas were companions to Russian high society, and their owners appreciated their loving company and compact size. The Russian Revolution and the turbulent times that followed almost led to the extinction of the breed, but dedicated dog lovers worked to preserve it. Although the breed is not as globally known as others like the French Bulldog or the Pomeranian, Bolonkas have gained popularity in recent years due to their charm and friendly personality.
Distinctive Physical Characteristics of Teckels
- Depending on their size and weight, Teckels can be classified as Standard (9-15 kg), Miniature (5-9 kg), and Kaninchen (3-5 kg). The Kaninchen not only differs in size and weight but also exhibits slightly different physical features.
- Additionally, Dachshunds are categorized by their coat type, which can be wire-haired, short-haired, or long-haired.
- Their bodies are elongated and low, with a long tail, extended snout, long drooping ears, short legs, and black nails.
- These short legs are perhaps the breed's most recognizable feature and facilitate hunting in burrows, which was its primary hunting role. In this role, it exhibits excellent tracking skills and great bravery, unafraid to face challenges.
Varieties Within the Breed
Types of Teckel
As mentioned, this breed comes in three coat types: short-haired, long-haired, and wire-haired. Each type requires different care.
Wire-haired Dachshunds can come in various shades, from very dark boar (resembling black and tan) to lighter boar, which hardly contains black. Individual hairs may feature different color zones, and in some cases, the coat shows no black areas.
The most sought-after boar coat is relatively dark without being completely black/tan. The proportions of black, gray, and brown create an especially appealing color. When black is entirely absent, and the dog also has a mask (common in lighter boar coats), some judges might confuse them with red or dried-leaf-colored Dachshunds.
The colors described in this section are those recognized by the Dachshund standard (FCI-148).
Short-Haired Teckel
Red (in all shades), black/tan, and chocolate/tan.
Long-Haired Teckel
Red (in all shades), black/tan, and chocolate/tan.
Wire-Haired Teckel
Red (dried leaf), black/tan, chocolate/tan, and boar.
Merle Teckel
Basic colors accepted by the standard can include modifier genes that combine with any base color. While the FCI (Federation Cynologique Internationale) only recognizes white, black, salt and pepper, and black and silver colors, we breed American varieties with a focus on unique colors, especially chocolates, which are an obsession of our founder.
Temperament of the Teckel
Miniature Dachshunds are known for their huge personality and energy in a small body. They are intelligent, stubborn, affectionate, loyal, brave, curious, and a little mischievous.
It is important to remember that they are hunting dogs in a small size but still hunting dogs. It is crucial to socialize them well to prevent aggression or excessive barking towards strangers or even familiar people. They need exercise and should avoid stairs, jumping off sofas or beds to prevent future back problems or hernias.
