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Friday 4 April 2014

A-Z Challenge 2014 - 'D'


D - Dachshund, Dalmatian, Dogs Trust

One of the earliest sightings I remember as a boy was a 'pack' of Dachshunds in a field alongside the River Welland in Rutland between Geeston and Collyweston. It was their excited barks that caught my attention as they hunted down a rabbit trying to stay alive.


They were a lot slimmer that this one which I recently photographed in our village.



Smooth-haired Dachshund
As you can see this dog is short legged with a long back; there are two sizes (standard like the one above and miniature). Coat combinations are smooth, long and wire. Dachshunds can be directly traced back to Germany in the 15th century. It was used for badger hunting as its name implies (Dachs is German for badger.) It has retained its hunting instinct as my early experience showed.

In 1956 Dodie Smith wrote a novel that five years later was made into an animated adventure film. Dodie's novel was 'The Hundred and One Dalmatians.'


Now I may not be able to show you Pongo, Perdita or any of the 99 puppies but we do have a four year-old Dalmatian in our village.



Ellie the Dalmatian
And thanks to YouTube we may see a clip from the film.


It would not be right to leave the letter 'D without mentioning the work of the largest dog welfare charity in the UK. The Dogs Trust, founded in 1891, has 19 Rehoming Centres around the country - all with dogs looking for a new home.You may sponsor a dog from their gallery for £1 a week. The money raised is used to help all dogs in their care. You can learn more about them and their dogs  here. They never destroy a healthy dog - a commitment they are proud of.


14 comments:

NatsBK said...

That was quite informative. And for me, being a dog lover, anything involving dogs is a treat!

http://natasha-pointstoponder.blogspot.in/2014/04/d-for-dalhousie.html

Marc Latham said...

Nice info about dachs, and plug for Dog's Trust.

Anne Young said...

My parents have dachshunds, they are delightful dogs.

Anne Young said...

I meant to mention that my post for the letter D was about dog licence records at http://ayfamilyhistory.blogspot.com/2014/04/d-is-for-dog-licences.html
Regards
Anne from Ballarat

Julie Flanders said...

Oh, I'm so glad I came upon your blog - I LOVE dogs and going through your posts brought me so many smiles.
When I was growing up my dog was half-dachshund and she was such a precious dog. I've loved the breed ever since.

Hilary Melton-Butcher said...

Hi Bob - my grandmother had dachshunds and I love Dalmations .. my mother and I sat and watched one of the films together - she loved it ..!! Interesting history re the Dachshund's name ..

The Dog Trust .. we're lucky people will take time out to look after our animals and strays ... Excellent they've been going so long ...

Cheers Hilary

Jo said...

Nice pix of the breed although that little feller needs to go on a diet.

Didn't know about the dog trust.

SlimDoggy said...

Ooh, that poor little dachshund needs to lose a few pounds. Dog Trust is a great organization, glad you mentioned them.

Bish Denham said...

I have very fond memories of when I first saw the movie 101 Dalmatians with my cousin. It was a matinee, we were to wait at the theater to be picked up. Three showings later we were about on the floor in hysterics. We knew what was coming.

Sharon Himsl said...

Enjoyed the Disney clip. Thanks! Have always liked dachshunds with those cute bellies that tend to hang.
Shells–Tales–Sails

Sharon Himsl said...

Enjoyed the Disney video--an old favorite of mine :)
Shells–Tales–Sails

Kristin said...

I don't know any Dalmatians but a teacher at our elementary school who lived down the street from us had a plan to supplement his income by breeding Dachshunds. I don't believe it worked.

Lisa said...

My sister had a dalmation once and found out that you don't want to take it swimming, because its hair is hollow and it will sink, if it's a puppy! I never knew... My "Mauxie's" father is a short-haired red miniature dachshund while his mother is a Maltese, so he turned out Apricot as did his two brothers...

Anonymous said...

Thanks for sharing the pictures of the Dals. I miss my boy so much. Hopefully, I will be able to get a new Dalmatian puppy when we get a house. Until then, I have a black and white cat to keep me on my toes!