In recent times those points are somewhat modified, but the desire for "houndlike type " seems to prevail still. In the Field of January 13,1877,1 find published a short scheme of points on dachshunds, from which I beg to quote the following points: "Head thoroughly houndlike, occiput very decided, ears of good length and full of fold, lips 'lippy,' nose large with open nostrils, much throatiness, and chest round without much breadth (like the bloodhound)." I suggest that the author of this scheme has not at all the intention to create a new breed, but that he really is desirous to find out the true type of the German dachshund. If so, I am very sorry to say that those points will certainly turn out to be untenable, and to be quite opposite to the opinions of most of our sportsmen and breeders. Dogs of that kind are no longer " dachshunds," but "dachsbracken " J (in English perhaps dachs-talbots).

It is much to be regretted that the advocates of the hound-like type in dachshunds, who have evidently so much sympathy for these little courageous dogs, are endeavouring still to support an imaginary beau ideal of the breed, which neither is derived from the antecedents of the breed, nor accords in any respect with the points of our present high-bred dachshunds and their chief employment-" underground work".

The German dachshund is perhaps one of the most ancient forms of the domesticated dog. The fact is that he has for centuries represented an isolated class between the hound and the terrier, without being more nearly connected with the one than the other. His obstinate, independent character, and his incapacity to be trained or broken to anything beyond his inborn, game-like disposition, are quite unrivalled among all other races of the dog. Regarding his frame, he differs from the hound, not only by his crooked fore legs and small size, but by the most refined modification of all parts of his body according to his chief task - to work underprobably imported from Germany into Flanders, and from there to France (compare Jacques du Fouilloax, "Venerie," Paris, 1573, p. 89, et Verrier de la Conterie, "Ecole de Chasse,"Bouen, torn, ii., p. 172). Bat, as the dachshund has been employed in France chiefly to hunt above ground, and is crossed with most races of the French hound (ohien courant), he has lost his original frame and character, and has become completely a hound in course of time. - Herr L. Beckmann.

* In the Live Stock Journal, 1875, vol. ii., No. 87.

† May 27, 1876, and following numbers, signed " S".

‡ Bracke or Braken is the old German hound (from Braoco); the German word Hund is equivalent to dog in English.

ground. It is not possible to imagine a more favourable frame for an "earth dog" than the real dachshund type, which I shall describe afterwards. I beg to say that Borne of our high-bred dachshunds are near perfection, according to German points; they do not want much improvement, but propagation, for they are seldom met with even in northern Germany. If I had to choose a likeness or model for these active little dogs, it would certainly not be the bloodhound, but the weasel!

The desire for " hound-like type" in dachshunds would never have originated if the natural vocation of this breed (underground work) had not been overlooked. The consequence of this erroneous idea will be that well-bred dachshunds will be regarded as a "terrier cross," and that it will be next to impossible for many dog fanciers to get a clear idea of the real type of the dachshund.

Having concentrated all varieties of the badger dog to one single class - the crook-legged, short-haired dog, with head neither hound nor terrier like, weight from 81b. to 201b., colour black-tan and its variations - we shall still meet here many varying forms. With some attention we shall soon distinguish the common breed {Landschlag) and the well or high-bred dachshund. The first is a stout, strong boned, muscularly built dog, with large head and strong teeth; the back not much arched, sometimes even straight; tail long and heavy; forelegs strong and regularly formed; the head and tail often appear to be too large in the dog; the hair is rather coarse, thick set, short, and wiry, lengthened at the underside of the tail, without forming a brush or feather, and covering a good deal of the belly. These dogs are good workmen, and are less affected by weather than high-bred ones; but they are very apt to exceed 181b. and even 201b. weight, and soon get fat if not worked frequently. Prom this common breed originates the well and high-bred dog, which may at any time be produced again from it by careful selection and inbreeding without any cross.

The well and high-bred dog is smaller in size, finer in bone, more elegantly built, and seldom exceeds 161b. to 171b. weight; the thin slight tapering tail is only of medium length; the hair is very short, glossy like silk, but not soft; the under part of the body is very thin-haired, rendering these nervous and high-spirited dogs, rather sensitive to wet ground and rain. These two breeds are seldom met with in their purity, the vast majority of dachshunds in Germany ranging between the two, and differing in shape very much, as they are more or less well bred or neglected. In this third large group we still meet with many good and useful dogs, but also all those aberrant forms, with pig snouts and short under jaws, apple-headed skulls, deep set or staring eyes, short necks, wheel backs, ring tails, fore legs joining at the knees, and long hind legs bent too much in the stifles and hocks.

The following points of the dachshund are fixed by the author, in strict conjunction with one of our best connoisseurs, Mr. Gustav Lang, of Stuttgart, and in agreement with some of our first breeders, with the judges on dachshunds at the dog shows in Hamburgh and Cologne in 1876, and with the editor of the periodical Der Hund. As these points are taken from the best existing specimens of the breed, and with regard to the employment, anatomy, and history of this dog, they may give a true picture of the real dachshund type as far as this is possible at present.