The Paw Report, Episode 406 – All About Dachshunds
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[no dialogue]
>>Kelly Runyon:
This lively, elongated dog dates back to the
15th Century.
Pronounced “daks-hunt,” it means “badger dog”
in German.
Join us for this episode of the Paw Report,
where a special guest talks about her lifelong
friendship with this small, playful breed.
[music plays]
Production for the Paw Report is made possible
by:
Inyart Tire and Auto Center, in Charleston
and Mattoon. Inyart offers complete auto repair.
Inyart Tire and Auto Center cares about our
community and thanks you for being a responsible
pet owner. More information at Inyart.com.
And thanks for joining us for this edition
of the Paw Report.
And we have three very special guests joining
us today.
Well, on my lap here is Rufus, and we have
Shottie over to my left.
And then, also special guest Betty Potts,
who has been raising and breeding miniature
wire-haired dachshunds for more than 50 years.
So, we thank you so much, Betty, for joining
us and bringing your friends.
I think old Rufus here and I are, we’ve made
quick friends.
He’s been giving me lots of kisses, so thanks
so much for coming on and sharing your expertise
on this breed.
You’ve spent a lot of time with these little
dogs.
And w’e’re going to start with, you know,
the meaning of dachshund.
And they date back to, boy, the 15th, 16th,
17th Century.
What is the history behind this wonderful
breed?
>>Betty Potts:
Well, they were originally called badger hounds,
and that’s what the German, of course, is.
And they were long-legged, long-bodied little
dogs.
As we have developed the breed, we have changed
it quite a bit to, still a long body, but
short-legged dog.
And these are miniature dachshunds, as opposed
to the standard.
And these dogs should be 11 pounds or under
to be classified as a mini.
And they’re bred to chase small vermin, like
mice, rats, rabbits.
>>Kelly Runyon:
I’ll bet you they find some in your yard,
don’t they?
>>Betty Potts:
Yes, yes.
>>Kelly Runyon:
Rufus here looks like he might be on the hunt
for anything that’s small and running around
in the vegetation.
Do you find that with your dogs at home?
>>Betty Potts:
Yes.
>>Kelly Runyon:
[laughs]
Well, why do you think the dachshund is one
of the most popular breeds, according to AKC
registration statistics?
I was looking at, you know, just trying to
familiarize myself with the dog, and that
was one thing that I kept running into, is
these little guys are pretty popular.
>>Betty Potts:
Yes, they are.
Yes, because they’re so sweet, and they adapt
well to living in a home.
And they need some exercise, but not a lot.
And they need a yard to run in, and they need
to be walked, but they’re really happy right
no your lap, as you can see.
>>Kelly Runyon:
They are.
I just met Rufus not too long ago, and he’s
palled right up.
So, they are very sweet, they’re very loving,
they like to give kisses.
How were you introduced to this breed?
As we mentioned, you’ve been loving on these
little dogs for more than 50 years?
What was the attraction for you?
>>Betty Potts:
Well, I always loved dogs.
And my husband and I were living in New Mexico,
and we met a couple that had been stationed
in Germany.
And they had brought back a pair of long-haired
dachshunds.
And we loved those dogs.
And when they had a puppy, we bought it, and
that was our first dog.
>>Kelly Runyon:
And to this day, how many do you have at home?
>>Betty Potts:
I have 12.
>>Kelly Runyon:
[laughs]
You have 12 of these little guys.
Do they all get along?
I mean, how do you maintain a household with
12 of these little guys?
>>Betty Potts:
I have, right now I have eight in the kennel
and four in the house, right now.
They get along well, except for the males.
Some of my males get along fine, but others
I keep separate.
>>Kelly Runyon:
What gives you the most joy about these dogs?
>>Betty Potts:
Well, I think probably their companionship.
Because, they’re right there, all the time.
>>Kelly Runyon:
Mmhmm.
What is the difference between, we mentioned
these are mini wired-haired dachshunds, as
opposed to some of the other varieties of
the breed.
Can you talk about the different kinds, and
maybe explain the differences?
>>Betty Potts:
Well, I think probably the smooth dachshund
might have been, the first dachshund might
have had a smooth coat.
And then, they developed the wires to protect
them when they were out in the weeds and in
the brambles and the thorns, and so on.
And then, the long coat probably for the same
reason.
The long coat is pretty easy to groom.
The wire hairs take quite a bit more work.
And of course, the smooths require nothing
but brushing.
>>Kelly Runyon:
Mmhmm.
What is the breed standard for the miniatures?
>>Betty Potts:
Well, it should be a short-legged, long-bodied
dog with depth of chest.
A nice round, oval chest, a fore-chest in
front here.
Tight shoulders, nice long ribbing.
A head with a Roman nose, oval eyes.
That’s pretty much it.
They also should be brash and…
>>Kelly Runyon:
And they’re different colors, too.
>>Betty Potts:
Yes.
>>Kelly Runyon:
I mean, these two are very different.
So, there are different colored standards,
I’m assuming, as well.
>>Betty Potts:
This is a red, and Rufus is a wild boar, which
I think was the original color for dachshunds.
>>Kelly Runyon:
Wild boar.
>>Betty Potts:
Wild boar color, mmhmm.
>>Kelly Runyon:
I wonder, is that because of the animal, the
wild boar, the color of that?
Or is it just…?
>>Betty Potts:
I don’t know.
It was just the color that they developed
first.
>>Kelly Runyon:
Mmhmm.
Mmhmm.
And what other colors are there?
>>Betty Potts:
Black and tan, chocolate, dapple.
The Dachshund Club of America does not approve
of white on a dachshund, but it will allow
a small white spot on the chest.
Therefore, you may see some piebalds, or double
dapples, but that is not something that can
be shown.
That’s disqualified.
>>Kelly Runyon:
What are piebalds?
>>Betty Potts:
It’s a dog that looks kind of like a beagle.
It’s got a lot of white on it.
>>Kelly Runyon:
Uh hun.
And I don’t believe I’ve ever seen a white
dachshund.
How does, does that sometimes happen, just
in the breeding process?
Or how… I’ve just always seen the colors
like you’ve brought today.
>>Betty Potts:
Well, some people breed for color, but that’s
really not a, in my opinion that’s not a good
thing.
>>Kelly Runyon:
Mmhmm.
You’ve been a part of dog shows for a long
time.
In fact, before we began this interview, you
talked about how you were getting ready to
go to another show.
What is that process like, as far as getting
your dogs ready?
And take us through the show process.
And when you get to the show, you know, what
goes on at an event like this.
And how do you get your dogs ready for such
a big event?
>>Betty Potts:
Well, first of all, you teach them to stand
on a table.
And would you like for me to show you how
we do that?
>>Kelly Runyon:
Absolutely!
That would be wonderful.
And I know that you brought your tools there.
That would be interesting, because these little
guys have beards.
There’s your buddy, Rufus.
So, how do you begin to teach them…?
Look at that stance!
>>Betty Potts:
When you get, your puppies are about 8 weeks
old or 7 weeks old, you start teaching them
to stand, just stand.
This is a young dog, and she hasn’t been shown
very much.
>>Kelly Runyon:
Shottie’s how old?
>>Betty Potts:
Sh’e s a year and a half.
>>Kelly Runyon:
She’s a year and a half.
So, when she’s about, you said how old do
you begin teaching them this stance process.
>>Betty Potts:
Well, like when they’re 7 weeks old.
>>Kelly Runyon:
And what kind of, I can only imagine as a
little puppy, they don’t want to have much
to do with that, do they?
Unless you’ve got a pocket full of treats.
>>Betty Potts:
Well, yes, that helps a lot.
>>Kelly Runyon:
So, you begin to teach them how to stand,
and then, I mean, there’s obviously so much
more to it than that.
So, once you begin that process, what’s after
that, and when do you decide it’s time to
start showing?
>>Betty Potts:
You have to teach her to stand when a judge
comes up to her, and the judge will go over
her and check her out, and check the ribbing
and the keel and the chest and all that, and
also check the teeth.
[dog barks]
>>Kelly Runyon:
Ooh, what do you see Rufus?
You wish you were on the table, don’t you?
>>Betty Potts:
And then, you have to teach them to walk beside
you.
[dog barks]
And you know, it takes some time, but that’s
about it.
>>Kelly Runyon:
How many different shows have you–
[dog barks]
It’s okay, it’s okay.
There’s a lot of lights in here, isn’t there?
How many different shows have you been to,
and maybe some of the most memorable shows?
And I’m sure they may have to do with winning
different dogs.
What do you see, huh?
See a lot of TV’s?
>>Betty Potts:
Well, DCA is the biggest show that we go to.
>>Kelly Runyon:
And that stands for…
>>Betty Potts:
As far as our breed goes.
Dachshund Club of America.
And I’ve had a few wins at the DCA shows,
which I think are, it’s very nice because
there’s a lot more competition there.
>>Kelly Runyon:
Mmhmm.
And it’s always…
How does that actually work?
Is it all miniatures, is it all wired-hairs,
or wire-haired?
>>Betty Potts:
Well, it’s all dachshunds.
And the breeds are, they’re divided into smooth,
long, and wire.
And the wires show against the wires, the
smooths against the smooths, and so on.
And then, we have best of breed, where we
have the best wire, the best smooth, and the
best long-haired show against each other.
>>Kelly Runyon:
And you’ve won, you’ve been to that competition
and have taken home some hardware I guess,
if you will.
>>Betty Potts:
Some ribbons, and some points.
>>Kelly Runyon:
Do you judge, as well?
Have you been in that…?
>>Betty Potts:
No, I don’t really care for judging.
>>Kelly Runyon:
You just like to bring the dogs.
How many dogs do you usually take to a competition?
>>Betty Potts:
Well, I was up in Grayslake, Illinois, and
I took three dogs and showed three dogs.
>>Kelly Runyon:
All different colors, all different…
>>Betty Potts:
I showed this one and two others.
>>Kelly Runyon:
And you said that Rufus here has been a winner.
>>Betty Potts:
Yes, he’s a champion.
>>Kelly Runyon:
He’s a champion.
Now, explain what that…
>>Betty Potts:
We have to show until we get 15 points, and
two of those points have to be majors, which
means you have to beat a certain number of
dogs and get at least a three-point major.
it’s pretty complicated, but you have to keep
working until you get to 15 points, and then
AKC gives you a championship.
And then, you show against other champions.
>>Kelly Runyon:
Have you ever in your 50 years of handling
these little guys thought maybe going to a
different breed?
Or is this, is this it for you?
>>Betty Potts:
I’ve thought about other breeds, but…
>>Kelly Runyon:
But they bring you so much joy.
What is your household like on a daily basis?
When you get up and have to tend and care,
and play and talk to, and train all of your
animals?
Take me through the day at the Potts household.
[laughs]
>>Betty Potts:
When you first get up, you take care of the
dogs.
Get dressed, take care of the dogs.
You feed them and put them out, and then you
clean up after them.
And wash down the runs and clean out crates
if you need to.
>>Kelly Runyon:
Mmhmm.
Mmhmm.
Do you think, and you’ve got so much experience
with these dogs, that if somebody out there
was thinking about a family pet, would they
make a good companion?
And if so, why do you think?
I know you talked about why they bring so
much joy, but to somebody that, you know,
is not as close to them, would they be a good
family dog to bring into the home?
>>Betty Potts:
Well, it depends.
Dachshunds don’t do stairs well.
And so, it’s better not to have a house with
a lot of stairs if you’re going to have a
dachshund.
[dog barks]
>>Kelly Runyon:
Your mom’s right over there.
So, not a lot of steps then.
>>Betty Potts:
And it’s better if a household doesn’t have
young children, because young children can
pick them up and drop them, or step on them.
>>Kelly Runyon:
Mmhmm.
Any good stories that you might have from
many of your experiences?
Maybe it was a special, I know you’ve had
so many dogs over the years, but maybe there
was one that just grabbed your heart and just
had you wrapped around their finger.
Any stories of remembrance that you’d like
to share with our viewers about all your four-legged
family members?
>>Betty Potts:
Well, probably Veronica was a really, really
special dog.
She looked kind of like this one; she was
a red one.
And she house trained herself, and we went
to a lot of the shows.
And she did a lot of winning.
And she would sleep with me.
And she was just a very special little dog.
>>Kelly Runyon:
When you show them, talk about when you get
into the ring, and what exactly you have to
do.
And you know, we’ve seen, most of us have
seen dog shows on television, but it’s a process.
>>Betty Potts:
Yes.
It’s just like Westminster, only it’s a smaller
ring.
It’s not that big a ring.
>>Kelly Runyon:
So, you get in, and you have one shot to go
around, well you display them, and then you
have one shot to take them for a walk.
What happens?
I mean, can you sense when dogs have good
days and bad days, when they’re just not feeling
being at a show?
>>Betty Potts:
I think they’re usually up, unless there’s
something else bothering them.
Like if there’s a female in season that’s
bothering them.
>>Kelly Runyon:
Mmhmm.
Do these little guys have any funny habits
that you might have noticed?
That, you know, I’ve been a dog owner all
my life, and I can always pick out funny things
that my dogs would do, just given the breed.
I have labradors, so they’re quite quirky
up until about 3 or 4 years old.
But what about the dachshunds?
Do they do anything that’s a little out of
the ordinary or funny or strange?
>>Betty Potts:
Well, I don’t know about other breeds, but
if facing a toy, the first thing they do is
take the squeaker and the stuffing out of
it immediately.
That’s, toys don’t last very long at my house.
>>Kelly Runyon:
[laughs]
Do you eat a lot of toys, Rufus?
Do they fight with their other family members
over treats and toys, and space and beds,
and all of that good stuff?
>>Betty Potts:
Well, we try not to let them do that.
>>Kelly Runyon:
[laughs]
Well, any, you know, they’re little guys,
any specific health problems that dachshunds
encounter?
You know, labs, and again, I talk about labs
because that’s what I have, but you know,
they have, sometimes they have hip problems.
Or I had a lab that had a torn ACL because
they’re rambunctious.
What about the dachshund?
>>Betty Potts:
Well, dachshunds tend to have IVDD, back trouble.
[dog barks]
Just trouble.
>>Kelly Runyon:
And they like to bark, don’t they?
>>Betty Potts:
Yes.
>>Kelly Runyon:
[laughs]
When you have a house full of 12 dogs, I can
only imagine that that’s a chorus.
>>Betty Potts:
They’re good watchdogs.
>>Kelly Runyon:
They are good watchdogs.
They are good watchdogs.
What about if somebody is out there wanting
to bring a dachshund into their home?
What are some things that they should know,
that they should consider?
And where should they go to find one?
You know, what is the best place to go to
make sure that you get a full-bred dog?
>>Betty Potts:
Well, I think they should try to get in touch
with a member of a dachshund club.
I mentioned DCA, Dachshund Club of America.
That’s the parent club, the big club.
But there are other dog clubs, too, like there’s
the Hoosier Dachshund Club, which I belong
to.
And there’s a list of members on the websites.
And then, there’s Lincolnland Dachshund Club
here in Illinois, which I also belong to.
So, it’s a good idea to contact a dog club
if you want a nice dachshund.
>>Kelly Runyon:
What about other training?
Are they easy–
It’s okay, Rufus.
Are they easy dogs to train?
And you know, you mentioned briefly when you
get a puppy, and you start training them for
show, but not everybody’s going to show them.
So, what about that process, as far as interacting
them with people and house training and that
sort of thing?
[dog barks]
>>Betty Potts:
Well, I think dachshunds have a mind of their
own.
>>Kelly Runyon:
[laughs]
Rufus has a mind of his own!
He keeps singing, yeah!
>>Betty Potts:
And it takes patience.
I sold a dog to a girl from Morton, Illinois,
and she has taken her through all kinds of
activities: agility, and earthdog, and obedience,
and rally, and all kinds of activities.
And she’s got a long string of letters after
the dog’s name.
And I ask her, you know, how did you do this?
And she says, “Patience.”
>>Kelly Runyon:
Mmhmm.
And that’s your advice that you’d give to
all dog owners.
>>Betty Potts:
Yes, but especially dachshund owners.
>>Kelly Runyon:
[laughs]
What’s one funny story that you might have
with your group now of 12?
And how long are you going to continue to
do this?
Is this something that you just cant’ see
yourself doing?
Always having these little dogs around?
>>Betty Potts:
I don’t think I’d get along without a dachshund.
So.
I do try not to get too many, because it’s
a lot of work to take care of them, to keep
them groomed.
>>Kelly Runyon:
Mmhmm.
And do you get a lot of people interested
in maybe coming to see you or to talk to you
just for your advice and your knowledge about
the dogs?
And you know, look to you for guidance and
assistance when they’re bringing a dog into
their home.
>>Betty Potts:
Well, I’m working with a girl right now that
I’ve met in the Charleston dog club who has
a dachshund puppy.
I’m trying to give her some pointers.
>>Kelly Runyon:
That’s nice.
Well, Betty, we so appreciate you coming on
and bringing your two friends, and talking
about your experience and knowledge with the
breed.
It’s always nice, you know, like I said, I’m
familiar with one breed, but it’s always interesting
to learn about others and their history and
their past, and you know, just to meet them
in person and get to play with them.
Right, Rufus?
And share some kisses.
These two, they like to kiss.
That’s the other funny thing about these little
guys.
They like to share the love.
Betty, thank you so much for joining us today.
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[music plays]
Facebook and Instagram can be a great way
to make new friends.
But an Alabama company has come up with a
way for your pets to be social, too.
Liz Cosgrove has the story.
>>Lee Todd:
For those of us who are passionate about animals,
we know there are not many things in life
more personal than the bond we share with
our pets.
>>Liz Cosgrove:
Lee Todd adores his two 16-week-old pugs,
Lily and Piper.
The minute you walk through the door of his
home, you can see the love he has for his
animals.
But finding buddies for Lily and Piper to
play with can be difficult.
>>Lee Todd:
We live our lives here, and sometimes we don’t
even know when there are people five doors
down who are just as passionate about animals
as we are.
>>Liz Cosgrove:
That’s why Todd’s company, Fallen Silo, put
their passion for pets and their technology
background together to create the app called
PetWink.
>>Lee Todd:
Our vision for PetWink is to help foster new
friendships and new relationships, and to
build a strong, vibrant community of pet enthusiasts.
>>Liz Cosgrove:
This app can allow you to post photos of your
pet.
You can also give someone’s pet photo a “wink,”
meaning you like their photo.
And of course, you can make friends with pet
lovers in your hometown, or across the country,
which can lead to…
>>Lee Todd:
Anything from organizing the afternoon dog
walking club, to organizing a major fundraising
event for local pet charities.
Big social media today has a target audience
of everyone.
And while that can be okay, it serves a purpose,
but sometimes you just need a place that’s
more personal, and where you can interact
with people that you know share similar interests
as you.
>>Kelly Runyon:
Have a video or a photo of your pet doing
something funny or absolutely adorable?
We’d love to share it with our viewers here
at the Paw Report.
Email it to weiu@weiu.net, and you can see
it on our show!
Just make sure it’s a video taken by you,
or that you have permission to share it.
Fro more information about how to get that
video or photo to us, email or call 217-581-5956.
Production for the Paw Report is made possible
by:
Inyart Tire and Auto Center, in Charleston
and Mattoon. Inyart offers complete auto repair.
Inyart Tire and Auto Center cares about our
community and thanks you for being a responsible
pet owner. More information at Inyart.com.
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