Dachshund Breed Magazine - Showsight

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add piebald as an acceptable pattern—a pattern that is not included in any stan- dards worldwide. Th e standard men- tions three times that a small amount of white on the chest while not desirable is acceptable. Dapple Dachshunds may have a larger amount of white on the chest. White elsewhere is not acceptable and is an eliminating fault in all FCI countries. Th e Board of DCA recommends excusing a dog that does not display an acceptable color or pattern. !""#$" Dachshunds come in two sizes: stan- dard and miniature. Th e miniature is 11 pounds or under at 12 months of age or older. Th e only class where miniatures

do not compete with standards is in the open miniature class, in which they may be weighed. Th e miniature Dachshund is very much a Dachshund and should con- form to the standard. It is not to be con- sidered as less than or di ff erent from the standard Dachshund. Remember they are bold hunters of rabbit and badger. “Cute” is not in the standard. As a hunter running gear is very impor- tant and dogs with weak pasterns should not be rewarded. Th e Dachshund’s temperament is described as “clever, lively and courageous to the point of rashness”. Th e standard describes shyness as a serious fault. Please give consideration to puppies or dogs that are spooked by a loud noise while on the

table. I will often either have them do a down and back to settle them and then put them back on the table. Sometimes I will tell the handler to hold the dog and I will go to the handler’s side of the table to do the examination. I give the exhibits every opportunity to perform. However, shyness is a serious fault. Proper movement is flowing and smooth with no extraneous lift in front; rear drive shows full extension of the rear legs. We refer to dogs that have little rear extension as “tummy tappers”, as the rear legs reach forward and upward, but do not extend back. Th is is due in large part to steep croups, or long hocks and short sec- ond thighs. Lift in front, rather than proper forward extension, is often caused by steep fronts or short upper arms, a fault seen all too frequently in the breed. Dachshunds should cover ground with e ffi cient, smooth movement. Fast movement of front and back that does not cover ground is faulty. Bouncing, lift in front, eggbeater rears or sidewinding are all symptoms of a lack of balance between front and rear angulation and are not acceptable movement. %&'%(#"!&' Th e Dachshund is a great companion, a fierce competitor in obedience and agility and an avid hunter that excels in the field, tracking and in earth dog trials. I hope that this has helped you to appreciate this wonderful, versatile breed and will serve as an aid to judges in their approach to assessing the Dachshund.

238 • S HOW S IGHT M AGAZINE , J UNE 2014

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