Dachshund: Your Happy Healthy Pet (Happy Healthy Pet (24))

The authoritative information and advice you need, illustrated throughout with full-color photographs--now revised and redesigned to be even more reader-friendly! Originally bred as badger hunters, Dachshunds today are among the world's favorite family pets--clever, inquisitive, fun-loving dogs who are a joy to own. This updated guide gives you all the information you need to understand, select, train, and care for a Dachshund, including: * An in-depth look at the Dachshund temperament * The fascinating history of the breed * Tips for selecting a Dachshund puppy or adult dog * Pointers on feeding, grooming, and health * Savvy advice on housebreaking and basic training * Bonus chapter available on companion web site Your Happy Healthy Pet Dachshund, 2nd Edition 3 About the Author 5 Contents 6 Shopping List 8 Pet Sitter’s Guide 9 The Dachshund 12 Chapter 1: What Is a Dachshund? 13 Built for Hunting 14 That Elegant Head 17 Sizes 18 Coat Types 18 Colors and Patterns 20 Chapter 2: The Dachshund’s History 22 The Dachshund’s Roots 22 Developing the Modern Dachshund 23 History of the Smooth Variety 27 Longhair Dachshund History 28 Wirehair Dachshund History 29 The Miniature Emerges 30 Chapter 3: Why Choose a Dachshund? 32 A Hunting Hound 33 Quick, Playful, Hungry! 34 Dachshunds and Families 36 A Faithful Companion 39 Chapter 4: Choosing Your Dachshund 41 Deciding on the Basics 41 Gathering Information 43 Finding a Good Dachshund Breeder 44 Meeting a Responsible Breeder 46 Examining the Puppies 48 What About an Adult Dachshund? 50 Rescue Dachshunds 51 Your Life with Your Dachshund Begins 51 Chapter 5: Bringing Your Dachshund Home 54 Where to Keep Your Puppy 54 Using a Crate 57 Your Dachshund’s First Days 60 Leaving Your Puppy Home Alone 62 Chapter 6: Feeding Your Dachshund 64 Finding the Right Food 64 A Sensible Feeding Schedule 67 What About Treats? 70 Chapter 7: Grooming Your Dachshund 72 Caring for the Smooth Coat 72 Caring for the Longhair Coat 73 Caring for the Wirehair Coat 76 Bathing 78 Ears, Eyes, and Teeth 80 Nail Trimming 81 Using a Professional Groomer 84 Fleas and Ticks 85 Chapter 8: Keeping Your Dachshund Healthy 88 Choosing Your Dog’s Veterinarian 88 Health Concerns for Dachshunds 90 Health Concerns for All Dogs 94 Chapter 9: Training Your Dachshund 108 Understanding Builds the Bond 109 Practical Commands for Family Pets 115 Training for Attention 124 Teaching Cooperation 127 Chapter 10: Housetraining Your Dachshund 128 Your Housetraining Shopping List 128 The First Day 130 Confine Your Pup 132 Watch Your Pup 135 Accidents Happen 136 Scheduling Basics 138 Appendix: Learning More About Your Dachshund 141 Some Good Books 141 Periodicals 142 Index 143

The authoritative information and advice you need, illustrated throughout with full-color photographs—now revised and redesigned to be even more reader-friendly!

Originally bred as badger hunters, Dachshunds today are among the world's favorite family pets—clever, inquisitive, fun-loving dogs who are a joy to own. This updated guide gives you all the information you need to understand, select, train, and care for a Dachshund, including:

• An in-depth look at the Dachshund temperament
• The fascinating history of the breed
• Tips for selecting a Dachshund puppy or adult dog
• Pointers on feeding, grooming, and health
• Savvy advice on housebreaking and basic training
• Bonus chapter available on companion web site

Originally bred as badger hunters, Dachshunds today are among the world's favorite family pets-- clever, inquisitive, fun-loving dogs who are a joy to own. This guide gives you all the information you need to understand, select, train, and care for a Dachshund, including: an in-depth look at the Dachshund temperament, the fascinating history of the breed, tips for selecting a Dachshund puppy or adult dog, pointers on feeding, grooming, and health, with savvy advice on housebreaking and basic training Dachshunds remain tremendously popular pets because of their humorous personality and good nature, ranking fifth in number of AKC registrations in 2003 Throughout the world there are more than 300 breeds of dogs, but few are more distinctive or more easily recognized than the Dachshund.