TECKEL
Although the teckel is practically a bloodhound, it is about a breed that has its own group and nomenclature, as defined in the DCI and in every federation concerned with it. The American Kennel Club only acknowledges a single teckel breed although it admits six varieties, and the same federation in England is under the impression that there are six different breeds. During international competitions, that include tracking tests, this group-breed is included in the tracking bloodhound category.
Being it a burrow hunting dog breed, its jaws are strong, its teeth are solid and well placer, the body is long and the legs are short and vigorous. It is especially apt for luring badgers, rabbits and to clean a field from moles. Although it has a small size, it is brave to the point of boldness and very capable of facing animals much larger than it.
TECKEL In Germany is also called Dackel or Dachshund, which means “badger dog”, since there was no better dog to drive badgers out of their burrows. There is where this dog was selected towards the XIV century. In the Middle Ages, the breed evolved after several crossings, to adapt it for hunting underground, to the point of making it essential in burrow hunting for its ease when entering them, due to its short legs and long and flexible body; it is also very efficient in tracking hunt chasing wounded preys. The teckel breeders are associated in the Dcustche Teckel Klub, a German club founded in the year 1888.
PHYSICAL TRAITS of the TECKEL
Three of the teckel varieties differentiate for their size: standard, midget and miniature, and the other three because of its fur, the short or kurzhaar, the long or langhaar and the hard or rubhaar. The first teckel known, originated from a probable cross of the pinscher with a bloodhound. The Jura Bruno type, is the short haired, that in turn originates another two varieties. The long haired teckel has smooth, glossy and straight fur, longer in the chest, belly, ears and limbs. The hard fur and the short hair are told apart only in the fur, much rougher, wire type, in the first and smoother and shinier in the second. In both cases it is very short, dense and flat against the skin. The sizes are also told apart, the heaviest weighing no more than 9 – 10 kg, the midget is 4 – 5 kg and the miniature is 3.5 kg. The head is elongated, moderately convex skull, the eyes are oval shaped and oblique opposition, with an intelligent and lively gaze, and rounded ears, medium and flat against the neck. Its principal trait is the length of the body, very long in proportion to the size of its legs.
TEMPERAMENT AND ADAPTATION of the TECKEL
The long haired variety is docile, cheerful, playful and absolutely adequate as a pet, although any teckel can be a magnificent company dog. They have such an acute intelligence that, sometimes, astounds those who don’t know it well and, of course, they immediately feel the home’s guardian, to which they easily adapt.
The teckel is familiarly known as “wiener dog”, and the German hunters call it the “badger dog”.
It is said that the hard haired teckel the best hunter, and the short haired dog is the liveliest and the long haired dog is the one that has the most serene temperament.
EXERCISE AND CARE required for a TECKEL
Except for a deep and periodical brushing, it doesn’t need much care. Every now and then, and especially the long haired, it should be bathed. Due to its body formation, it can suffer vertebrae hernias, reason for which, along with their tendency to gain weight, it should care for its diet and provide long daily walks so it can run around freely.
