Nieuwe pagina 3

Dachshunds

A breed which comes in six varieties: they differ both in size and coat. Since the 15oo's this breed has slowly evolved into an Holland favorite. In Europe they were used for hunting badgers and fox. It comes in a variety of coats; smooth, wire, and longhaired. The Dachshund is short legged, alert and they make a loving friend. Dachshunds can weigh up to 18 pounds and comes in two sizes: miniature and standard. This breed has been seen in a variety of colors. The dapple color are fewer but black with tan markings and solid red is the most common color.

The low slung nature of the breed is, of course, partly achieved by a relatively excessive angulation of the shoulder and elbow joints in front and the hip and stifle joints behind. The forearm is permitted to incline slightly outward to enable the dog to dig freely,but thismust not be exaggerated to such an extent that the legs become bowed inward. The length of the back and the character of the discs between the vertebrae of the spine have a tendency to allow a weakening in the area, and it is therefore important that the loin should be short and strong, and that individuals should not be allowed to become obese. The breed's ability to eat anything placed in front of it should never be pandered to.

Temperamentally all six varietties are very good at giving a good account of themselves as guards of property and their relatively low stature should never give anyone the idea that they will be easy meat for the criminally intended. With their families and friends they make wonderful companions, but firmness is needed in their early training as they can be notably independent.

General Appearance Long and low, but with compact, well muscled body, bold, defiant carriage of head and intelligent expression.

Characteristics Intelligent, lively, courageous to the point of rashness, obedient.. Especially suited to going to ground because of low build, very strong forequarters and forelegs, long strong jaw, and immense power of bite and hold. Excellent nose, persevering hunter and tracker.

Temperament Faithful, versatile and good tempered.

Head and skull Long, appearing conical when seen from above; from side tapering uniformly to tip of nose. Skull only slightly arched. Neither too broad nor too narrow, sloping gradually without prominent stop into slightly arched muzzle. Length from tip of nose to eyes equal to length from eyes to occiput. In Wire - haired, particularly, ridges overeyes strongly prominent, giving. appearance of slightly broader skull. Lips well stretched, neatly vovering lower jaw. Strong jaw bones not too square or snipy, but opening wide.

Eyes Medium size, almond - shaped, set obliquely. Dark except in chocolates, where they can be linghter, In dapples one or both * wall * eyes permissible.

Ears set high, and not to far forward. Broad, of moderate length, and well rounded not pointed or folded. Forward edge touching cheek. Mobile, and when at attention back of ear directed forward and outward.

Mouth Teeth strongly developed, powerful canine teeth fitting closely. Jaws strong, with a perfect, regular and complete scissor bite, i.e. upper teeth closely overlapping lower teeth and set square to jaws. Complete dentition important.

Neck Long muscular, clean with no dewlap, slightly arched, running in graceful lines into shoulders, carried proudly forward.

ForeQuarters Shoulders blades long, broad, and placed firmly and obliquely 45 degrees to the horizotal upon very robust ribcage. Upper arm the same length as shoulders blade, set at 90 degrees to it, very strong, and covered with hard, supple muscles. Upper arm lies close to ribs, but able to move freely. Forearm short and strong in bone, inclining slightly inwards; when seen in profile moderately straight, must not bend forward or knuckle over, which indicates unsoundness. Correctly placed foreleg should cover the lowest point of the keel.

Body Long and full muscled. Bacl level, with sloping shoulders, lying in straightest possible line between withers and slightly arshed loin. Loin short and strong. Breast bone strong, and so prominent that a depression appears on iether side of it in front. When viewed from front, thorax full and oval; when viewed from side or above, full volumed, so allowing by its ample capacity complete development of heart and lungs. Well ribbed up, underline gradually merging into line of abdomen. Body sufficiently clear og ground to allow free movement.

HindQuarters Rump full, broad and strong, pliant muscles. Croup long, full, robustly muscled, only slightly sloping towards tail. Pelvis strong, set obliquely and not too short . Upper thigh set at right angles to pelvis, strong and of good length. Lower thigh short, set at right angles to upper thigh and well muscled. Legs when seen behind set well apart, straight,and parallel. Hind dewclaws undesirable.

Feet Fronr feet full broad, deep, close - knit, straight or very slightly turned out. Hindfeet smaller and narrower. Toes close together, with a decided arch to each toe, strong regularly placed nails, thick and firm pads. Dog must stand true, i.e. equally on all parts of the foot.

Tail Continues line of spine, but slightly curved, without kinks ot twists, not carried too high, or touching ground when at rest.

Gait / Movement Should be free and flowing. Stride should be long, with the drive coming from the hindquarters when viewed from the side. Viewed from the front or behind, the legs and feet should move parallel to each other with the distance apart being the width of the shoulder and hip joints respectively.

Coat Smooth - haired: Dense, short and smooth. Hair on underside of tail coarse in texture. Skin loose and supple, but fitting closely all over without dewlap and little or no wrinkle. Lonf - haired: soft and straight, or only slightly waved; longest under neck, on underparts of body, and behind legs, where it forms abundant feathering, on tail where it forms a flag. Outside of ears well feathered. Coat flat, and not obscuring outline. Too much hair on feet undesirable. Wire - haired: With exception of jaw, eyebrows, chin and ears, the whole body should be covered with a short, straight, harsh coat withdense undercoat, beard on the chin, eyebrows bushy, but hair on ears almost smooth. Legs and feet well but neatly furnished with harsh coat.

Colour All colours allowed but except in dapples which should be evenly marked all over no white permissible, save for a small patch on chest which is permitted but not desirable. Nose and nails black in all colours except chocolate / tan and chocolate / dapple, where brown permitted.

Size Ideal in weight : 9 - 12 kgs ( 20 - 26 lbs ).

Miniatures Ideal weight : 4.5 kgs ( 10 lbs ). It is of the utmost importance that judges should not award prizes to animals over 5.o kgs ( 11 lbs ).

Faults Any departure from the foregoing points should be considered a fault and the seriousness with which the fault should be regarded should be in exact proportion to its degree.

Note Male animals should have two apperently normal testicles fully descended into the scrotum.