This section is from the book "All About Dogs - A Book For Doggy People", by Charles Henry Lane. Also available from Amazon: All About Dogs: A Book For Doggy People.
Another of the breeds I have seen kept as pets, is the Dachshund, or Badger Dog, as the name implies. I think they are rarely, or ever, used for Badgers in this country, and for the safety of the greater part of those I have seen here, I think it is much better that is so, as any one familiar with the Badger, or the "old Gentleman in Grey," as he is frequently called, will know that he is a formidable opponent to tackle, muscular, active, low to the ground, with a very tough, harsh coat, and long, powerful jaws, and weighing from over twenty to over thirty pounds, so that it requires activity, strength and indomitable pluck for a small dog to attempt to overcome such an animal, possessing so many natural advantages. I think Dachshunds are not so generally kept as pets as they were some years since, but my experience of them is favourable, having found them amiable and docile in disposition, cleanly in habits, and bright and lively in temperament. They are very long, and low, in build, head and ears hound shaped, forelegs curved with an outward turn, to facilitate digging operations, tail carried rather gaily, coat fine in texture, skin loose, colours most in favour, rich chestnut red, black and tan, chocolate, and other shades of brown, and of late, what is called "dappled," which seems to be a ground of one shade of brown, splashed with irregular blotches of another darker shade of same colour.
Of course there are constantly springing up new patrons and patronesses for all kinds of dogs, but I have noticed that almost every one of the persons who were the most enthusiastic supporters, and breeders of Dachshunds, when they were first brought forward, many years since, have now ceased to keep them, although they nearly all keep some other breeds, so that, as in my own case, 1 think it is not one of the varieties which takes a lasting hold on its votaries, whether from the fact that it is essentially one of the foreign made breeds, and the effect of the strong preference, which now prevails for the encouragement of everything of British and Colonial origin and manufacture, I do not know, but I can call to mind at least ten of the largest breeders of Dachshunds in this country, who, I believe, have not at present one specimen amongst the lot.
DACHSHUND CH.'WISEACRE? E.S. WOODIWISS OWNER.
The following are set down by my friend, Mr. A. O. Mudie, so well-known as a successful breeder, exhibitor and judge of this quaint-looking breed, and who has had a long experience amongst them: - Head, long and narrow, peak well developed. Jaw, strong, and level. Ears, set on low, long, broad, and soft. Chest, deep, and narrow; breastbone prominent. Forelegs, very short, and strong in bone, well-crooked, but standing equally on all parts of the foot. Skin, thick, and supple. Coat, short and strong. Loins, well arched, strong and muscular. Any colour. Long, low, and graceful, and not cloddy".
 
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