If you are ready to welcome a Dachshund into your family, you have probably come across the breed’s different coat types. The term “wirehaired” does not refer to a separate breed of Dachshunds, but rather to a coat variant. The Wirehaired Dachshund has all the popular characteristics of the breed with a unique wiry coat.
They make loyal family dogs and energetic canine companions who love to play and explore. Keep reading to find out more about this popular dog breed.
Breed Overview
Height:
8 – 9 inches
Weight:
16 – 32 pounds
Lifespan:
12 – 16 years
Colors:
Black, tan, chocolate, cream, red, wild boar, wheaten, fawn, and blue
Suitable for:
Families with older children, apartment-dwellers, or people looking for an intelligent breed
Temperament:
Loyal, playful, mischievous, stubborn, adaptable
Dachshunds are available in three coat variants, namely shorthaired, longhaired, or wirehaired. Wirehaired Dachshunds have a coarse, rough coat that differs from the breed’s typical smooth coat.
They are available in standard and miniature sizes. Standard-sized Wirehaired Dachshunds are about 8 to 9 inches tall and can weigh up to 32 pounds. Miniature Wirehaired Dachshunds only stand at 6 inches tall and weigh under 11 pounds.
Despite their unusual coat, Wirehaired Dachshunds still have the classic elongated bodies with small legs the breed is widely known for. Their comical mustache and low-shedding wiry coats set them apart from other Dachshund variants.
Wirehaired Dachshund Characteristics
The Earliest Records of Wirehaired Dachshunds in History
To understand the earliest records of Wirehaired Dachshunds in history, you need to understand the history of the Dachshund breed itself.
Dachshunds originated as hunting dogs in Germany during the 17th century. However, it is believed that they have been around since the 15th century. Dachshunds looked very different back then than they do now, mainly because of what they were bred to do.
Dachshunds were developed to do the dangerous and noble task of hunting badgers. They were bred to have short legs to fit into small burrows. Their back legs were curved to kick up dirt while digging, while their ribcage was well-developed for protection and endurance. Plus, Dachshunds needed to be combative and fearless to take on a badger in a small tunnel.
The original Dachshunds were thought to have short, smooth coats. Longhaired Dachshunds were later produced from selective breeding. It wasn’t until the 1800s that rough-coated dog breeds were introduced to create the Wirehaired Dachshund.
How Wirehaired Dachshunds Gained Popularity
Wirehaired Dachshunds gained popularity in Germany shortly after their development. Although the original Dachshunds needed short, smooth coats that didn’t dirty easily or compromise their hunting abilities, this wasn’t the case for Wirehaired Dachshunds.
It was more common to keep Dachshunds for companionship rather than working purposes by the time the Wirehaired Dachshund was developed. However, Dachshunds were still being used for working purposes to hunt burrowing animals. Everyone was accustomed to the Dachshund’s usual short or long-haired coats, so the new wiry coat texture was intriguing.
Compared to other Dachshund coat variants, Wirehaired Dachshunds aren’t very popular in the United States. Dachshunds lost popularity during WWI but regained their popularity in the 1930s. Most of the breed’s popularity remains in Germany where they are kept as pets or occasionally used for working purposes.
Formal Recognition of Wirehaired Dachshunds
Wirehaired Dachshunds are formally recognized by most clubs that recognize the Dachshund breed. A wiry coat is widely accepted as a breed standard for Dachshunds. It is considered a coat variation, much like the short or long hair.
The American Kennel Club (AKC) recognized Dachshunds in 1885. About 10 years later, The Dachshund Club of America was founded because of the love for the breed. The AKC currently recognizes two sizes of Dachshunds followed by three coat variants in numerous colors and patterns. All three coat variants (short, long, and wirehaired) are accepted for both miniature and standard-sized Dachshunds.
Top 3 Unique Facts About Wirehaired Dachshunds
1. Wirehaired Dachshunds Get Their Wiry Coat from Rough-coated Dog Breeds.
Wirehaired Dachshunds are named after their harsh, wiry coats that were developed after the short and longhaired variants. Their wiry coat texture is the result of interbreeding rough-coated dog breeds, perhaps a German Pinscher or a Wire-coated Terrier, with Dachshunds.
Since part of their bloodline contains terriers or pinschers, Wirehaired Dachshunds are sometimes believed to have a softer temperament than other Dachshunds.
2. Wirehaired Dachshunds Are Available in Various Coat Colors.
You can find Wirehaired Dachshunds in numerous different coat colors. Dachshunds are typically a solid or bicolor and can have striking patterns. Piebald, dapple, and brindle are common coat patterns for Wirehaired Dachshunds. The most common coat colors for Wirehaired Dachshunds seem to be red, wild boar, black, and tan. However, they are available in most of the AKC breed standard colors and patterns for Dachshunds.
3. There Are Different Types of Wirehaired Dachshund Coats
It’s no surprise that Dachshunds are the most diverse purebred dogs, considering Wirehaired Dachshunds can have different coat types. Wirehaired dachshunds can have long, silky, and wiry coats when they are bred with longhaired Dachshunds. Although the Silky Wirehaired Dachshund is not recognized by most kennel clubs, they are still popular amongst Dachshund lovers.
Do Wirehaired Dachshunds Make Good Pets?
There is more to Wirehaired Dachshunds than a sausage-shaped body and mustached face. Wirehaired Dachshunds have unique personalities that don’t make them the right pet for just anyone. They are known to be stubborn and independent, yet equally loving towards their family members.
The Wirehaired Dachshund’s temperament is relatively sociable and they get along with other friendly dogs. However, Wirehaired Dachshunds are not as comfortable around cats and may bark at them if they have not been socialized together from a young age.
Training and proper socialization are essential for Wirehaired Dachshund puppies and help them become well-mannered adults. Their grooming requirements are not as demanding as Longhaired Dachshunds, but they still require regular grooming to keep their coat in good condition.
As with other Dachshunds, Wirehaired Dachshunds enjoy digging and burrowing under blankets or dog beds. Some Wirehaired Dachshunds might chew through these items as well. These destructive behaviors can be controlled with proper training, although it is instinctive for the breed.
Conclusion
Wirehaired Dachshunds are a coat-variant of the popular Dachshund breed. They originate from Germany as hunting dogs but are now primarily kept for companionship purposes around the world. Wirehaired Dachshunds stand out from the other coat variants with a mustached snout and coarse, wiry coats from rough-coated Terriers or Pinschers in their bloodline.
They have all the loveable characteristics of other dachshunds, although their temperaments are usually softer.
See also:
- Norwegian Elkhound: Dog Breed Info, Pictures, Traits & Care
- English Setter: Dog Breed Info, Pictures, Care, Traits & More
Featured Image Credit: Anakumka, Shutterstock
