December 18, 2023 – John Hartley

I have both owned, and occasionally bred dachshunds since the late 1960s. In those early times, Dachies were a popular breed of dog in Australia, but over time, public interest in the breed has declined sharply. Dachies are said to have weak spines and thus are highly susceptible to spinal damage. During the many years I have been associated with dachshunds I have never owned a dog that has had back problems, except for my bitch Bridget who fell over a steep embankment onto her back and injured herself. This injury was quickly repaired with two sessions of acupuncture.

I am suggesting that over the years the dachshund became a much maligned breed, and I feel that this is a great pity. Dachshunds are very outgoing and, if appropriately bred and trained, are fearless hounds. For example, Dachies are quite prepared to follow rabbits, snakes and other vermin down burrows with total disregard for their own safety. The characteristic can be traced back more than three hundred years.

Dachshunds are intelligent and clean dogs, and they normally get along well with children and older people. They can also be very stubborn dogs when they put their minds to it. It now seems that a resurgence of the popularity of the dachshund breed is now occurring in Australia. I recently read that dachshunds are now the second most sought after breed of dogs in Australia [after French bulldogs].

I hope that you enjoy the range of Dachie material that I have provided for you to enjoy that follows.

I introduce you to my miniature dachshund Max. Max was born in Wagga Wagga in 2014. The following three photographs were taken when Max was nearly three years of age. He is now nine

The following three photographs are of Max’s son Nicco and others. These others range over different times, including up to December 2022

Max out for his walk