Slovakian Rough Haired Pointer vs Miniature Dachshund - Breed Comparison

The Slovakian Rough Haired Pointer is a gundog from Slovakia. The dog came about by crossing the Cesky Fousek, German Wirehaired Pointers and Weimaraners. Other names for this dog include Slovensky Hrubosrsky Stavac.

Developers were looking for a dog with good stamina – a dog capable of tracking hares and birds. The dog was first introduced into the United Kingdom in 1997.

The Dachshund breed is ancient and was developed in Germany sometime around the 16th century.

It was in 1870 that Dachshunds first came to the United States to be used for hunting. During the 19th century, German hunters wanted smaller dachshunds.

The Dachshund was crossed with toy terriers. The coat comes in three coats – smooth-, long-haired and wire-haired. There is just one size of Miniature Dachshund in the UK and the United States.

The Slovakian Rough Haired Pointer has got some looks from each of the dogs he was derived from. He is a fairly large dog and the coat is short to medium length and harsh and wiry and he has some additional hair around the face area.

Most times the coat is a grey-brown shade. The ears are medium length and floppy and the tail is mostly docked at 50% of natural length, although these days it is often left long. It is carried downwards when at rest but raised when in action.

He stands between 62 – 68 cm in height and he weighs 25 – 35kg.

Temperament:

This is an energetic dog that is going to need a lot of exercise, so he won’t suit living with people who aren't active. He just loves to be outside and will thrive on a farm.

He is good with children and other dogs, but training and socialization should be provided for this dog. He is intelligent and will learn easily.

They’re affectionate dogs and their social nature makes them ideal for lively families. Because he is so active he is best suited for living in the suburbs or the countryside as opposed to living on a small property in the city.

Coming in a range of colors such as red, black, black and tan, cream, chocolate etc, the coat of the Miniature Dachshund can be long or short. Both male and females stand at between 13 – 18cm and weigh between 3 and 5kg.

These dogs are characterized by the long back and very short legs with floppy ears and a long tail. The face is always bright and alert.

Temperament:

The Miniature Dachshund is a small dog and can happily adapt to life in the city as well as in the countryside. This is because with their exercise needs, they don’t require a huge garden but can in fact, exercise indoors.

They’ve always been bred to hunt and are independent and feisty. They’re also intelligent and will do well with training and socialization.

They are also devoted to their families and are known to bark when strangers come near their family. They’ve got a lot of energy and just love being involved with games or going on a walk. Consider him when going on a walk though as his little legs have to take many more steps as compared to your one step.

They can be stubborn, but are friendly, lovable little pets, they aren’t suited for homes with toddlers unless the children have been taught to be exceedingly gentle and kind with animals, especially small, fragile ones like this. They can so easily get hurt.

People who have owned these dogs rave about their loyalty and affection. They’re also intelligent and become very well behaved as they are dogs that also want to please their owners.

They’re gentle dogs too, just wanting to be loved by their human family and craving attention.

They’re also regarded as low maintenance pets and all these positive aspects of this dog make him a splendid choice if you're looking for a wonderful pet and companion

The Miniature Dachshund has lots of qualities which make him such a splendid pet. He is intelligent, brave, bold and loyal with his human family.

He is fun-loving and energetic and thrives on lots of games and walks. He is versatile in nature and also loves to take things easy indoors with his family.

These little dogs form strong bonds with their family and don’t like to be left on their own. When you have one of these as a pet you’re allowing a whole lot of joy into your home.

Your Slovakian Rough Haired Pointer can reach 14 or 15 years of age if he is looked after well but hip dysplasia is a threat for any dog.

Hip Dysplasia:

Any aged dog can be affected and this mobility disease is caused when the hip joint develops abnormally. Although hip dysplasia is genetic, environmental factors can also play a part. The idea is to get treatment from the vet so that your canine friend isn’t in pain.

Dental Problems:

This can cause so many problems in the body and not just the teeth. Have your dog’s teeth checked regularly and have them cleaned.

Discospondylitis:

Your dog can have neck or back pain from this ailment, occurring when the discs and vertebrae of the spine become infected. Provide your dog with healthy food to ensure a strong immune system to fight off diseases like this.

Be very careful with the Miniature Dachshund because of their long backs. You don't want to be allowing him to be jumping off chairs etc as their backs are prone to injury. To solve the problem you can buy special stairs and ramps for small dogs.

They can live to be between 12 and 14 years of age when looked after well.

A disease that is fairly common in the Miniature Dachshund is Intervertebral Disc Disease, a condition where the cushioning discs between the vertebrae of the spinal column bulge or burst into the spinal cord space, pressing on the nerves and causing nerve damage and worse, paralysis.

Symptoms of the disease include among others

• whimpering or whining in agony
• pain in rear legs as well as weakness
• unwillingness to jump and reduction in activity levels
• hunched back
• loss of bladder- and bowel control

Dachshunds can put on weight quickly and you want to avoid this at all costs as extra weight can put strain on the back.

If you feed your Mini Dachshund commercially manufactured dog food, choose the best quality ones, high in vitamins and minerals and avoid some of the cheaper ones that use unwholesome fillers, colorants, sugar and lots of salt, all of which can be toxic for your pet.

Of course home-made food is always best, but not any foods either. It is best with any dog to keep their foods simple and consistent so as to avoid stomach problems. Chopped up boiled chicken, brown rice or pasta and some cooked vegetables such as potatoes carrots and spinach will do wonders for him. Make sure that there is a constant supply of fresh, cool water for him.

Grooming:

A good brush of the coat twice a week will do fine for your Miniature Dachshund. Remember to check him over for fleas and ticks when you brush him and to feel for any unusual lumps. Keep the nails trimmed.

Check both eyes and ears for infection. There are ways to keep the inside of long eared dog breeds clean and dry, but if you’re unsure there are always professional groomers who will do the job for you, and clean their teeth at the same time. You can brush your dogs teeth 2 or 3 times a week to avoid plaque build up, gum infection and tooth loss.