The Teckel, Also Known As The Sausage Dog

The famous sausage dog gets  many smiles wherever he goes,  but few people know that his real name is Teckel or Dachshund, and that his personality can be even more charming than his appearance.

In fact, it’s very hard not to like a Techel.  They are conquerors, with their short legs, elongated bodies and pendulous ears. His grace is clearly reflected in the number of sausage dogs that parade through the streets around the world.

The peculiarity of the temperament and the ability to learn from these little dogs is very important. Therefore, in  order to decide or consider owning a Techel, you will have to get to know it better.

What is Techel’s story?

Sausage dogs have many names around the world.  Two of them are considered official to name the breed: Teckel or  Dachshund.

Currently, there is a wide variety of colors, coats, sizes and appearance for this dog. They still have a type of fan club formed by the breed’s owners and worshipers.

Thanks to the powerful sense of smell of these dogs, they have accompanied German hunters since the 15th century. They  performed tasks such as tracking and chasing prey. At that time, they were called badger dogs or diggers and descended from the Deutsche Bracken (the first German bloodhounds). They were later bred with small-sized terrier dogs.

And from that experience, Techel evolved as we identify it today. They inherited the terrier’s hunting ability and drive, and owe their elongated and swift morphology to the hounds.

This is the most accepted theory for the emergence of sausage dogs. However, it is not the only one that exists. They were also carved into sculptures of an ancient Egyptian pharaoh, beside him.  At least it’s an animal very similar to a Techel.

Regardless of the century and the  language,  these  small animals  are always represented thanks to their courage and faithfulness.

What are the main characteristics of a Techel?

Its morphology causes a lot of sympathy. But  a Dachshund’s physique  has much more detail than its sausage body. Like all breeds, the Techel has an aesthetic standard.

A normal Teckel female is between 20 and 22 cm tall and  weighs between 5 and 14 kg.  The male follows the same specifications.

When it comes to a miniature Teckel, the average size of females and males varies from 12 to 15 cm in height and from 0.5 to 5 kg in weight.

The breed is characterized by its elongated body and short legs  .  These dogs are small in size, have pendulous ears and their noses almost touch the ground due to their short stature. His personality is active, with a lot of initiative and curiosity. They are hardly quiet when they are young.

Their nose is so close to the ground that almost no smell escapes them.  The powerful sense of smell combined with the pendulous (“dropped”) ears and the ability to acquire speed in different types of terrain.

The most common Techel to find

The standard, short-haired Dachshund is the most popular type of the breed.  His personality is that of an authentic terrier. It is a brave, curious and active dog. They love to go out and play outdoors, run and exercise, dig and hunt on the ground, sniff and look for toys and bones.

A Techel usually gets lots of pampering at home.  They adore their master’s caresses, continually claiming them. But they are very independent and intelligent dogs that shouldn’t be subjected to a sedentary lifestyle.

Its small size and playful behavior make it an excellent choice to accompany children and be the ideal family pet.

Long-haired teckels tend to look less like a  terrier.  They are quieter, bark very little and don’t have much hunting instinct. In the case of miniatures, they are more timid and more independent.

What specific care should I take with a Techel?

The short-haired Teckel version is extremely sociable, learns very fast and is obedient.  Your coat does not need more care than normal hygiene.

Long  –  the long- haired version   needs to be brushed 2-3 times a week, in addition to regular hygiene. 

All Teckels need a lot of exercise to expend their energy and to avoid the problems of being overweight.