86 DOMESTICATED HUXTING-DOGS. 



Havinn: concentrated all varieties of the badger dog to one single 

 cliiss — the crook-legged, short-haired dog, with head neither hound 

 nor terrier-like, weight from 8 lbs. to 20 lbs., color black-tan and 

 its variations — we shall still mejt here many varying forms. With 

 some attention we shall soon distinguish the common breed and 

 the well or high-bred dachshund. The first is a stout, strong-boned, 

 muscularly built dog, with large head and strong teeth ; the back 

 not much arched, sometimes even straight; tail long and heavy; 

 fore legs strong and regularly formed ; the head and tail often ap- 

 pear to be too large in the dog; the hair is rather coarse, thick-set, 

 short, and wiry, lengthened at the uudgrside of the tail, without 

 forming a brush or feather, and covering a good deal of the belly. 

 These dogs are good workmen, and are less affected by weather 

 than high-bred ones ; but they arc very apt to exceed 18 lbs. and 

 even 20 lbs. weight, and soon get fat if not worked frequently. 

 From this common breed originates the well and high-bred dog, 

 which may at any time be produced again from it by careful selec- 

 tion and in-breeding without any cross. The well and high-bred dog 

 is smaller in size, finer in bone, more elegantly built, and seldom 

 exceeds 16 lbs. to 17 lbs. weight ; the thin, slight, tapering tail is 

 onij' of medium length ; the hair is very short, glossy like silk, but 

 not soft ; the under part of the body is very thin-haired, rendering 

 these nervous and high-spirited dogs rather sensitive to wet ground 

 and rain. 



In hunting above ground tiie dachshund follows more the track 

 than the general scent {wiitcrung) of the game ; therefore he follows 

 rather slowly, but surely, and with the nose pretty close to the 

 ground. His noise in barking is very loud, far sounding, and of 

 surprising depth for a dog of so small a frame ; but, in giving 

 tongue while hunting, he pours forth from time to time short, 

 shrill notes, which are quickened as the scent gets hotter, and, at 

 sight of the game the notes are often resolved into an indescribable 

 screnm,as if the dog were being punished in a most cruel manner. 



Though not a pack hound, the dachshund will soon learn to run 

 in couples ; and two or tliree of these couples, when acquainted 

 with one another, or forming a little family, will hunt pretty well 



