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.
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| 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.
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.
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| 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.
