The Dachshund was first introduced to this country in sufficient numbers to merit notice in the early ’sixties, and, speedily attracting notice by his quaint formation and undoubted sporting instincts, soon became a favourite.  At first appearing at shows in the “Foreign Dog” class, he quickly received a recognition of his claims to more favoured treatment, and was promoted by the Kennel Club to a special classification as a sporting dog.  Since then his rise has been rapid, and he now is reckoned as one of the numerically largest breeds exhibited.  Unfortunately, however, he has been little, if ever, used for sport in the sense that applies in Germany, and this fact, coupled with years of breeding from too small a stock (or stock too nearly related) and the insane striving after the fanciful and exaggerated points demanded by judges at dog shows, many of whom never saw a Dachshund at his legitimate work, has seriously affected his usefulness.  He has deteriorated in type, lost grit and sense, too, and is often a parody of the true type of Dachshund that is to be found in his native land.

To the reader who contemplates possessing one or more Dachshunds a word of advice may be offered.  Whether you want a dog for sport, for show, or as a companion, endeavour to get a good one—­a well-bred one.  To arrive at this do not buy from an advertisement on your own knowledge of the breed, but seek out an expert amateur breeder and exhibitor, and get his advice and assistance.  If you intend to start a kennel for show purposes, do not buy a high-priced dog at a show, but start with a well-bred bitch, and breed your own puppies, under the guidance of the aforementioned expert.  In this way, and by rearing and keeping your puppies till they are of an age to be exhibited, and at the same time carefully noting the awards at the best shows, you will speedily learn which to retain and the right type of dog to keep and breed for, and in future operations you will be able to discard inferior puppies at an earlier age.  But it is a great mistake, if you intend to form a kennel for show purposes, to sell or part with your puppies too early.  It is notorious with all breeds that puppies change very much as they grow.  The best looking in the nest often go wrong later, and the ugly duckling turns out the best of the litter.  This is especially true of Dachshunds, and it requires an expert to pick the best puppy of a litter at a month or two old, and even he may be at fault unless the puppy is exceptionally well reared.

To rear Dachshund puppies successfully you must not overload them with fat—­give them strengthening food that does not lay on flesh.  Lean, raw beef, finely chopped, is an excellent food once or twice a day for the first few months, and, though this comes expensive, it pays in the end.  Raw meat is supposed to cause worm troubles, but these pests are also found where meat is not given, and in any case a puppy is fortified with more strength to withstand them if fed on raw meat than otherwise, and a good dosing from time to time will be all that is necessary to keep him well and happy.