GENERAL APPEARANCE

Naturally dachshunds seem to be bursting with energy at times, especially when they're just kids. At other times they would rather be doing nothing more than just curling up with you. As dachshunds mature those crazy antics slow down a bit but they always have that edge that makes them different from most other dog breeds.

Dachshunds are low to the ground with very short legs and very muscular bodies and a barrel-like chest. Their skin is very elastic, but not wrinkly. They are very well balanced in spite of their long bodies and they hold their heads high. Over time, breeders selected dogs so that those features would appear in puppies. Another feature is a long tail.

Eyes are oval, dark red or brown-black with an energetic and friendly expression and ears are hanging long on its cheeks. Its tail is carried in line with its back. It has an elongated head and a slight convex skull. Its skin is elastic and pliable without excessive wrinkling.

The Dachshund's head taper uniformly to the tip of the nose. Their eyes are medium sized, dark and almond shaped, with dark rims. Their ears are set near the top of their heads, are rounded and moderately long. The flopping down of the ears was intentionally bred into the dog to prevent their ears from getting filled with dirt and other debris while they were hunting under the ground. Their lips are tightly stretched and they have strongly developed teeth that fit closely together in a scissors bite. Their teeth are exceptionally strong for a dog of their size.

The Dachshund has a long muscular neck that flows gracefully into their shoulders. Their trunks are exceptionally long and very muscular. Their bodies hang low to the ground, but should not be loose.