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\nThe dachshund hasn\u2019t always been the lap dog we know today. It was originally a hunting dog, and its name says it all: \u2018Dachshund\u2019 literally means \u2018badger dog\u2019 in German. Its job? To chase game right into its burrow, particularly badgers, foxes and sometimes even rabbits.<\/p>\n
To carry out this work, every detail of its body has been carefully designed and shaped over generations: its short, powerful legs enable it to dig and move through narrow tunnels; its long, muscular body gives it the flexibility needed to make its way through a burrow; and, finally, its large, drooping ears also serve a very specific purpose.<\/p>\n
When a dachshund is tracking a scent on the ground, its long ears sweep the air and the ground around its muzzle. As they hang down on either side of its head, they help to \u2018channel\u2019 and concentrate the scents towards its nose, much like two small natural funnels. This is a characteristic found in many scent hounds, such as the Basset Hound or the Bloodhound: the longer and more drooping the ears, the more effectively they help to capture scents.<\/span><\/p>\n And that\u2019s not all: when the dachshund burrows into a dark, narrow burrow, its supple ears naturally fold back against its head, protecting them from rubbing against the earth and roots, and from any minor injuries it might sustain whilst making its way through such a confined space.<\/span> So nothing has been left to chance! The dachshund\u2019s physique, including its ears, is the result of generations of selective breeding aimed at a single goal: to make it an unrivalled burrow hunter. And even though today\u2019s dachshunds spend far more time on the sofa than in a burrow, they have retained all of this heritage in their very being!<\/p>\n Ears, but also a means of communication<\/strong> What is less well known is that dachshunds\u2019 ears are also a genuine means of expression. Just like the tail, they are one of the main ways a dog has of letting us know how it is feeling. To draw a simple comparison, a dog\u2019s ears are a bit like a human\u2019s eyebrows.<\/span><\/p>\n Of course, with dachshunds, as with all dogs with drooping ears, these movements are sometimes more subtle than in dogs with pricked ears. The trick is to watch the base of the ear rather than the tip, as that is where the real movements take place.<\/span><\/p>\n Here are a few <\/span>examples of positions<\/b> that you may notice in your dachshund, and what they might mean:<\/span><\/p>\n The ears are slightly <\/span>raised and pointing forwards<\/b> usually indicate that your dachshund is alert, curious or interested in something: a noise, a smell, or your latest trip to the fridge!<\/span> Ears <\/span>pressed back against the head<\/b> can have several meanings depending on the context. When combined with a relaxed posture and a gently wagging tail, they often indicate a soothing behaviour or a cheerful greeting; your dachshund is simply trying to show that it is friendly and not threatening. On the other hand, if they are accompanied by a tense body, an averted gaze or a crouched posture, they may signal fear, stress or discomfort.<\/span> An ear <\/span>one raised and the other relaxed<\/b> (\u201chalf and half\u201d) often indicates a state of curiosity or indecision: your dachshund is analysing a new situation<\/span> Ears <\/span>basses<\/b> When combined with a low tail and a crouched posture, these are usually signs of anxiety or submission; your pet needs to be reassured, never forced.<\/span> The key point to remember is that the position of the ears should never be interpreted in isolation! It must always be considered within the overall context, taking into account the dog\u2019s body posture, the position of its tail and the expression in its eyes. A dachshund that lowers its ears whilst wagging its tail happily is probably just happy, whereas a dachshund with its ears laid back and its body stiff is no doubt feeling uncomfortable.<\/span><\/p>\n Why we avoid accessories that keep the ears upright<\/b> A dachshund\u2019s ears are meant to hang down freely and naturally.<\/span><\/p>\n We do stock snoods, but only when they are necessary or recommended for veterinary reasons: for example, to protect ears that are injured, irritated or healing. In these specific cases, the snood becomes a real asset to the dog\u2019s wellbeing.<\/span> Ears that make them truly unique<\/b> Quand on pense au teckel, on imagine tout de suite sa silhouette si particuli\u00e8re : un long dos, des petites pattes, et bien s\u00fbr, ces grandes oreilles tombantes qui lui donnent tout son charme. Mais avez-vous d\u00e9j\u00e0 remarqu\u00e9 \u00e0 quel point elles sont longues, surtout par rapport \u00e0 la taille […]<\/p>","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":18118,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"inline_featured_image":false,"footnotes":""},"categories":[1],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-18035","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-non-classe"],"yoast_head":"\n
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\n<\/b>It is precisely for all these reasons that, at Lucienne la Parisienne, we are not in favour of accessories that fasten or hold the ears upright solely for aesthetic purposes.<\/span><\/p>\n
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\nUltimately, those long ears are part of what makes our dachshunds so endearing and unique. At Lucienne la Parisienne, we love dachshunds just the way they are: with their long backs, their little legs and their magnificent ears, which sometimes dangle into their food bowl.<\/p>","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"