Dachsador

The Dachsador is an unusual looking dog, somewhat resembling a Labrador that shrunk in the wash! They have the long back and stumpy limbs of the Dachshund, though their bodies are more robust and their heads bear a much closer resemblance to their Labrador parent.

A mellow dog with a cheerful disposition and a loving nature, the Dachsador enjoys socialising with its family and always seems to have a smile on its face. Loyal dogs, they form close bonds with their immediate family but tend to get along well with just about anyone they come across.

About & History

Also known as the Doxador or Weinerdor, the Dachsador is a charming mix of the happy-go-lucky Labrador Retriever and the cheeky little chap that is the Dachshund. Two entirely different dogs when it comes to their physical appearance, the creation of the Dachsador proves that there really are no limits when it comes to developing new hybrid breeds!

The Dachshund

The Dachshund is one of the most recognisable pure breeds out there with its long hound ears, imploring eyes, elongated back and stubby legs. This ‘sausage dog’, as it is also known, has delighted owners with its cute appearance and sparky personality since the early 18th century.

Not everyone realises that these odd-shaped dogs were actually intentionally bred as working dogs. They would hunt prey, such as foxes and wild boar, and were always fearless in their pursuit. Though originally from Germany, these dogs are now popular pets worldwide. Owners enjoy the fact that they exist in smooth-coated, wire-coated and long-coated variants.

The Labrador Retriever

Labrador Retrievers frequently come top of the list when it comes to determining the most popular dog breed, a phenomenon that holds true around the world. This is largely due to their easy-going personalities and a tail that never seems to stop wagging! Labradors are a Canadian breed and originate from Newfoundlands and other water dogs.

Hunters have always liked them for their superior sense of smell, soft mouths and ability to retrieve prey whether in or out of the water. They also made wonderful companions when travelling on boats and were biddable workers that never complained, always eager to please. Nowadays, three colours are recognised by the Kennel Club: Black, Chocolate and Yellow. They are regularly used as service dogs (particularly guide dogs) as they are easily-trained and highly food motivated.

Appearance

The Dachsador seems to defy physics and has a rather abnormal body shape with a back that is overly long and limbs that are strangely short. Their head can sometimes seem out of proportion with their body, especially if they inherit the larger skull of the Lab. Dogs will often have the longer muzzle of the Dachshund, ending in a shiny black nose. Their eyes are a dark brown, portraying a kind and gentle expression. Their ears drop down and forwards, framing the outside of their face. They have a long and slim tail that may end in a small tuft of fur.

Most individuals are larger and stockier than the Dachshund but nowhere near as tall as the Labrador. Typical heights range from about 30cm to 50cm. When fully developed, adults will weigh around 13kg to 18kg. The coat of the Dachsador can be a number of colours, including fawn and golden but tends to be either black or dark brown. Fur is short and wiry with slight feathering often visible on the tail.

Character & Temperament

A fun dog to interact with, the Dachsador is a pleasure to be around and is content with very little. They enjoy social interaction and are cuddly and affectionate. As long as the Dachsador is introduced to small children and any other pets in their first few months of life they should make great friends with any two or four-legged members of the family and tend to be extremely tolerant of even young kids.

Outgoing and interested in their surroundings, the Dachsador is not a shy individual and will eagerly explore the world around it when out and about. As they seem to like everyone they come across, they make astonishingly poor watch and/or guard dogs.

While real people lovers, Dachsadors are well-balanced and rarely prone to separation anxiety. They do not, as a rule of thumb, develop the behavioural problems that plague many other breeds as they are usually mild-mannered and just like to go with the flow.

Trainability

While a dog that enjoys making others happy, some Dachsadors like to demonstrate their independence and are not always as obedient as their Labrador parents. They are, however, very smart and do have the ability to learn a great deal in the right hands. Food-motivated, trainers will get the best results when training sessions always include plenty of delicious bribes.

Sensitive and attentive to their owner, the Dachsador works hard to perform well and is happiest when they feel that their owner is pleased with their behaviour. Some individuals will struggle with recall outdoors, especially if there are lots of tempting animal smells about. This issue can ordinarily be overcome as the dog matures and learns to ignore any surrounding temptation.

Health

Some breed experts claim that the Dachsador was created specifically to reduce the health issues seen in each parent breed, although this is difficult to prove. Realistically, any breed (including cross-breeds) will have a list of conditions that they are more likely than others to develop.

Hip Dysplasia

As the Labrador is one of the poster children for this debilitating orthopaedic disorder, it is no surprise that their offspring would be affected to some degree. Smaller dogs tend to cope better with a diagnosis of hip dysplasia, as there is less pressure put on their joints and many will have an acceptable quality of life if managed well.

Management typically consists of maintaining a lean body condition, using joint supplements and anti-inflammatory medicine and adapting the home environment to make it more accessible. Adjunctive therapies, such as acupuncture, massage and hydrotherapy also play an important role in the management of this life-long condition.

Mitral Valve Disease

The mitral valve separates the left atrium from the left ventricle and keeps the blood flowing in one direction. When the valve is ‘faulty’ blood is able to flow back in the same direction it came from, resulting in ‘turbulent’ blood flow within the heart and an audible heart murmur.

Initial signs may include a quiet cough, reluctance to exercise and a faster breathing rate. Prompt diagnosis is crucial as we now know that certain medications can help to prolong survival when started early on in the course of the disease.

Obesity

Although obesity is avoidable, genetic studies have proven that Labradors and their crosses can inherit a gene that makes them more likely to pack on the pounds. Luckily, a strict diet and exercise plan can prevent this from ever happening to your Dachsador. As obesity can lead to heart disease, joint disease, diabetes and certain cancers, it is vital that it is avoided at all costs.

Epilepsy

Epileptic dogs will have fits, though how frequently this will happen and how much it affects a dog’s life is highly variable. Those that require anti-seizure medicine will need to be closely monitored and will need regular blood checks. For the majority, medication keeps their disease well-controlled and is continued for the duration of their lifetime.

Exercise and Activity Levels

We shouldn’t forget that both parent breeds were kept purely as working dogs not too long ago, so it makes sense that the Dachsador has plenty of energy and enjoys being on the go. For most, an hour of exercise each day will be enough. They enjoy running and swimming and are always up for a game of fetch or Frisbee in the backyard.

Without proper exercise, many Dachsadors will become over-weight. The seriousness of this cannot be overemphasised as obese dogs not only live shorter lives, their lives are generally of a reduced quality as they struggle with their breathing and mobility.

Grooming

A low maintenance breed with short fur, a good brush down every few days should keep the Dachsador’s coat glossy and in good condition. As their ears flop down, they have poor airflow and can be prone to smelly, waxy build-ups. Cleaning them as often as necessary (usually weekly or fortnightly) with a good dog ear cleaner will go a long way towards preventing ear infection.