THE DACHSHUNDS

THE DACHSHUNDS

Judges Training 2016Judy OliverPlease do not copy without my permissionOrigins in Germany where they are known as Teckels, or badger hunting dogsOrigins relatively obscure, but woodcuts show this type of dog in 1600sThe smooth coat was the most recognizedImported to England in 1800s and shown 1880s. First standard written in England, very shortly before the German one, and breed clubs established at that time.Long coats have historically always popped up in smooth breeding, and are a recessive of same lines. Separate standard written 1930 and separated classes offered soon after.Miniatures were developed through the 30s both by breeding the runts of standards and by crossing with other dogs, namely wire haired Pinschers and Dandie Dinmont TerriersCrufts winner 1922 was first win of longcoat2

FUNCTION

Earthdog. Used on badger, fox, otterLand hunterTrackerCompanionLong hairs were valued for work in water and also used to retrieveWires were used in dense thicket type countryMiniatures had similar functions but were used on smaller game.

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FUNCTIONThe Dachshund was scientifically designed to dig and bring out animals from a burrowThis required special adaptation of feet and legs for digging and a head and neck for fighting

STRUCTURE

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GENERAL APPEARANCEModerately long and low, no exaggeration, compact well muscled body with enough ground clearance to allow free movement. Height at wither half length from breastbone to rear of thigh. Bold, defiant carriage of head and intelligent expression

LONG, LOW, LEVEL with SUBSTANCE, SYMMETRY and SOUNDNESSNEVER CLUMSY, CLODDY OR CRIPPLED

3 coat varietiesSmooth hair, Long hair, Wire hair

2 sizesStandard up to 12 Kg (26lb)Miniature up to 5Kg (11lb)Hair not coatMiniature less bulky in front

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THE STANDARD SMOOTH

THE MINI SMOOTH

THE STANDARD LONG

THE MINI LONG

THE STANDARD WIRE

THE MINI WIRE

THE HEADlong, appearing conical when seen from abovefrom side tapering uniformly to tip of noseskull only slightly archedNeither too broad nor too narrow, sloping gradually without prominent stop into slightly arched muzzlelength from tip of nose to eyes equal to length from eyes to occiputlips well stretched, neatly covering lower jawstrong jaw bones not too square or snipey, but opening wide.

THE HEADin Wire haired, particularly, ridges over eyes strongly prominent, giving appearance of slightly broader skull

EYESMedium sizeAlmond, obliqueDark, but may be wall in dapples

EARSSet highNot too far forwardBroad, of moderate lengthRounded, no foldForward edge on cheekAttention is flared shape

THE FRONT AND FOREQUARTER

Figure 11: shows the ideal profile view of the forequarters. The point of the breastbone should be prominent and high upFigure 12: shows the correct shape and length of the breastbone. It should form a graceful curve down through the forelegs and well back towards the abdomenFigure 13: shows the ideal front view of the forequarters. The chest should be very oval and comparatively broad. The legs are close fitting to the ribcage down to the wrists. Below the wrists, the legs are straight and well apart. The feet may be turned slightly outwards or quite straightFigure 14: shows a chest that is too narrow. The forelegs are too close together at the wrists and the feet are splayedFigure 15: shows a breastbone that starts too low and is not prominent. It is short and comes down to a point behind the legsFigure 16: is an even more exaggerated example of a faulty breastbone and forechest

Note that a very deep chest is a fault as insufficient ground clearance will restrict the dog's movement and ability to do a day's work. At its lowest point (between the forelegs) it should be no lower than the wrist (knee). Low to ground means lowness from the withers, not lack of ground clearance.27FRONTS

Figure 17: shows the correct angulation of the shoulders and upper arm (set at 90 degrees). The correct form can be gauged by the width between the point of the breastbone and the back of the shoulder (as shown by the dotted lines).Figure 18: shows the shoulder blade too steep and the upper arm joined at an angle greater than 90 degrees. Note also the less prominent forechest ("flat front") which often accompanies upright shoulders; and the forelegs that are placed too far forward. The dotted lines also highlight the lack of width between the point of the breastbone and the top of the shoulder.Figure 19: shows further exaggeration, leading to knuckling over of the forelegs.Figure 20: seen from the front, upright shoulders may, in bad cases, also cause the elbows to stand out from the ribs. The body should not hang loosely between the legs.

GOOD FRONTS

BODY

Fig 23 shows correct outline with length through the body, not the back. About 1/3 of the dog in front of the elbow.Well ribbed back, short loinReasonably level topline, some tuckup.Fig 24 is a sway backFig 25 is unbalanced, down in frontFig 26 is roach backed31HINDQUARTERS

Rump full, broad, strong. Well muscled. Long well set pelvis.Hocks just behind rump, not too high

Fig 27 and fig 28 show correct rear structureFig 29 is open angled and short in thighFig 30 is open angled with correct length thigh Fig 31 is close behindFig 32 is sicklehocked and steep croopedFig 33 is cowhockedFif 34 is barrel hocked32

33FEET

Figures 21, 21a and 21b: show the correct form of the feet. Forefeet should be large, round and close-knit, with firm pads and a distinct arch to each toe. There are 5 toes, but only four in use. The skin on the forelegs should not be wrinkled. The feet may be turned slightly outwards or quite straight

Figures 22 and 22a: show an incorrect, long, narrow foot ("hare foot"). A small, round "terrier foot" is also incorrectCOLOURAll colours permitted but no white permissible, save for a small patch on chest which is permitted but not desirable. The dapple pattern is expressed as lighter coloured areas contrasting with the darker base. Neither the light nor the dark colour should predominate. Double dapple (where varying amounts of white occurs all over the body in addition to the dapple pattern) is unacceptable. Nose and nails black in all colours except chocolate/tan and chocolate/dapple where they are brown.

COLOURS

COATSSmoothDense, short, smooth. Underside of tail coarse. Skin loose and supple, fitting closely all over, no dewlap, no or little wrinkle

LongSoft and straight or only slightly waved; longest under neck, on underparts of body, and behind leg swhere it forms abundant feathering, on tail where it forms flag. Outside of ears well feathered. Coat flat, not obscuring outline. Too much hair on feet undesirable.

WireWith exception of jaw, eyebrow, chin and ears, the who;e body should be covered with a short, straight, harsh coat with dense undercoat, beard on the chin, eyebrows bushy, but ears almost smooth. Legs and feet well but neatly furnished with harsh hair.WIRE COATSLeft is the most often seen wire coat a harsh jacket with some length and furnishings. Right is a sought after pin wire coat which is shorter, very harsh, and with less furnishing as the harsh hair is quite brittle. All wire coats must be harsh and have a good undercoat. They should fall back into place after being disturbed.

Wire puppies with excellent coats can look like smooths til juniors40MOVEMENT

Free and flowingLong stride, rear driveParallelMOVEMENT

SUMMARYWHAT HE DOES: Ground hound, earth dog, badgers and bunnies, burrows, often dug outSIZE: 9-12K, mini is 4.5 to max 5KModerately long and low and level, no exaggeration, bold and defiant head carriageTwice as long as highLong, conical head, without prominent stopVery well angledOval ribcage, slight wrap in front, feet may turn out slightlyKeel and dimples, Full and broad bumTail is continuation of toplineSufficient ground clearanceFree and flowingSmooth, or short straight harsh with dense undercoat with eyebrows and beard, or soft and straight with abundant feathering

INTERNATIONALBe aware that the Standard differs around the world. We follow the English one, but the AKC and the FCI have other versions.These other versions have significant differences in some areas, particularly in the size of the Standard Variety, and the FCI have a third size division called the Kaminchen, or rabbit dachshund. Also in FCI Dachshunds are a separate group (Group 4).Many countries weigh the miniatures.

PRACTICE

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