What Is the General Appearance of a Dachshund?

Originally bred for underground badger hunting, the modern dachshund retains the same fearless tenacity and hound instinct of its ancestors in the 1600s. The dachshund comes in two sizes, standard and miniature, and three varieties of coat, including wire-haired, smooth and long. It has numerous marking patterns. The comically disproportionate appearance of the dachshund makes it physically capable of championing an underground fight against an animal twice its size.

  1. Legs

    • A well-bred dachshund has a swift, confident gait. Its rear legs boast well-developed thigh muscles that push the animal deeper into the ground. The dachshund's front legs extend a few inches under its chest, allowing it to properly support its elongated body. The dachshund's front legs contain flexible joints that curve inward, then extend outward with webbed feet forming a bow shape that resembles a backward C.

    Head

    • The dachshund's muzzle narrows to a rounded point. Its lips are taut and even with its bite instead of hanging over its teeth like those of a bulldog. Its rounded ears hang flat against the sides of its head and turn outward like an elephant when its particularly attuned to something or someone. A number of poorly bred dachshunds bear "helicopter" ears that stick out and away from the head -- not a desirable trait.

    Torso

    • The elongated dachshund torso is advantageous for accessing ground holes. Its spine runs flat between the pelvic bones and shoulder blades, making its back sturdy and muscular. Its belly dips down below the chest and runs parallel to its spine, giving its trunk a cylinderlike appearance. The sturdy dachshund torso shows little motion while the animal walks or runs on its powerful, stumpy legs.

    Tail

    • The dachshund's tail extends directly from its rear in a thick, straight line before narrowing to a point. Originally, this sturdy tail served as a built-in handle for hunters needing to pull their dachshunds from a burrow hole. When relaxed, the dachshund lowers its tail a few inches below the pelvic bone line. If the dachshund is angry or agitated, its tail whips back and forth in a straight line.