Dachshund
(Smooth-Haired, Wire-Haired, Long-Haired)
Origin
Germany
Purpose
The Dachshund is a versatile hunting dog, used for work above and below ground. Its build and temperament are suited for tracking, flushing, and pursuing wounded game.
Sizes
Chest circumference measured at 15 months or older.
Standard Dachshund:
Males: 37–47 cm
Females: 35–45 cm
Miniature Dachshund:
Males: 32–37 cm
Females: 30–35 cm
Rabbit Dachshund:
Males: 27–32 cm
Females: 25–30 cm
General Appearance
Low to the ground, elongated, and compact. Muscular with strong bone and a confident posture. Shows agility and endurance. Males and females should be visibly different in build (sexual dimorphism).
Proportions
Body length should be about 1.7 to 1.8 times the height at the withers. Ground clearance should be one-third of the height at the withers.
Temperament
Stable and friendly. Confident, courageous, and alert. Not aggressive or fearful. Shows drive and persistence in the field.
Head
Elongated skull, tapering evenly toward the nose. Superciliary ridges visible. Long nasal bridge.
Skull: Flat, not too broad, blends into the nasal bridge.
Stop: Slightly marked.
Muzzle: Strong and long, with a wide mouth opening aligned with the eye.
Teeth: Full dentition (42 teeth preferred), scissor bite.
Eyes: Almond-shaped, medium size, dark reddish to blackish brown. Wall eyes only tolerated in dapple dogs.
Ears: Set high, long enough to reach the lips, rounded tips, mobile and close to cheeks.
Neck
Muscular and slightly arched. Skin tight with no dewlap. Carried freely and high.
Body
Topline: Smooth transition from neck to croup.
Withers: Defined.
Back: Strong and straight or slightly sloping.
Loins: Broad, well-muscled.
Croup: Broad, slightly sloped.
Chest: Deep and oval with prominent sternum. Allows room for heart and lungs.
Underline: Slight tuck-up, smooth transition from chest to belly.
Tail: In line with the topline, slightly curved at the tip, not carried above the back.
Forequarters
Strong and clean, front legs straight.
Shoulders: Muscular, long and sloped at approx. 90° angle to upper arm.
Upper Arm: Equal length to shoulder blade.
Elbows: Straight, close to ribs.
Forearm: Short but maintains correct ground clearance.
Pasterns: Slightly sloped.
Feet: Compact, arched toes with strong pads. Fifth toe has no function.
Hindquarters
Muscular with strong angulation.
Thighs: Broad and well-muscled.
Stifle and Hock: Well-angulated, parallel when viewed from rear.
Feet: Like front, with strong pads and tight toes.
Movement
Smooth and ground-covering. Reaches well in the front with strong drive from the rear. Legs move parallel. Tail follows backline naturally.
Skin
Tight and well pigmented.
Coat Varieties:
Smooth-Haired:
Texture: Short, dense, shiny. Tight to the body.
Tail: Fine, coated but not bushy.
Color:
Solid: Red (interspersed black hair allowed).
Bicolor: Black & tan or brown & tan.
Dapple: Dark base (black or brown) with irregular light spots.
Brindle: Red with dark striping.
Wire-Haired:
Texture: Dense wiry coat with undercoat. Harsh to the touch. Beard and bushy eyebrows required.
Tail: Fully coated, close-fitting.
Color:
Solid: Red
Multi-color: Wild boar, black & tan, brown & tan
Dapple: As above
Brindle: Red with dark brindle
Long-Haired:
Texture: Smooth and glossy, with undercoat. Longer on neck, underside, ears, rear of legs, and tail (flag).
Color: Same as above for smooth- and wire-haired.
Faults:
The seriousness of faults depends on how they affect the dog’s function, health, and type.
Minor Faults:
Missing up to two PM1 or one PM2
Slight bite irregularities (not scissor bite)
Mild eye color or pigment deviations (non-dapple)
Serious Faults:
Body too low or too leggy
Weak or narrow loins
Back problems (roach, sway)
Poor angulation or structure
Cow hocks, bowed legs
Faulty movement or poor muscle tone
Ears too folded or pointed
Wall eye in non-dapple
Waddling, clumsy gait
Bald patches (Smooth), soft/wavy coat (Wire), lack of feathering or flag (Long-Haired)
Disqualifying Faults:
Aggressive or fearful behavior
Underbite, overbite, wry mouth
Missing incisors or canines
More than one missing premolar (except allowed PM1/PM2)
Severely faulty bite
Deformed or missing sternum
Serious tail faults
Extreme structural issues
Black or brown without tan; white with or without tan
Any unlisted coat color or pattern
Lack of pigmentation
Note: Males must have two fully descended testicles. Only dogs in sound health and with breed-typical structure should be used for breeding.
