Dog Daze Ranch

We admit it. Standardizing breed standards? We're not fans. As convenient and time efficient as it is for a judge evaluating a dog, we can't help but feel that much would be lost by altering or removing the words and phrases that breeders and fanciers use to describe their breed. We think the Dachshund is a fine example.

The AKC breed standard for the Dachshund calls for a well-balanced dog with a bold and confident head carriage, and intelligent, alert facial expression. It goes on to say that the Dachshund is clever, lively and courageous to the point of rashness. We don’t think there’s another word that can adequately replace, “rashness.”

Another American registry, the United Kennel Club, details the Dachshund as “hardy, vigorous, tireless, alert and responsive. It adds that the dog is often described as “half-a-dog high and a dog-and-a-half long.”

The FCI describes this confident attitude as a dog with a “cheeky, challenging head carriage and alert facial expression.” Cheeky. How wonderful!

Leave it to the French, however, for making everything sound classy. The French call the important characteristic of exuding confidence, “de l’allure,” which essentially means zest, and a striking presence.

The Dachshund is fits every description above, and then some!

Photo by Kojirou Sasaki

Have a very Merry Christmas!