Dachshund Gene Mutation May Help Humans With Blindness

These aren't your ordinary doggles that this wire-hair is sporting. They're specially designed sunglasses to aid in his vision, as he suffers from dayblindness caused by inherited cone-rod dystrophy (CRD). In a study published online in Genome Research, researchers have identified a novel mutation in a gene associated with CRD in dogs, raising hopes that potential therapies can be developed for people suffering from these eye disorders. Let's go dachshunds! Read more about it in this press release.

Related: Day Blindness in the Wirehaired Dachshund

A Note From Joey and Maggie

We're trying to catch up! Hello, dachshund friends! Holy cow, it's been almost an entire week since we last posted, and we sure have missed you all. Dad got a loaner computer for us to work with, and we were able to save most of our files on disc from the last computer. We're still missing sound, a scanner, and good photo software, but a new computer is coming in a few weeks, so we'll be back up to speed soon. We're not exactly sure where to start posting again, but we'll just throw ourselves into the fire and see what happens. Not much new with us, but we had a nice weekend. We went to a farmer's market and a Chicago street festival. There's so much food on the ground at street festivals, it's just heaven. It's a wonder we don't get sick from what we manage to find. Dad got us some locally grown raw city honey at the farmer's market...he says it's supposed to help prevent us from getting allergies among a bunch of other things. All we know is that it sure tastes sweet on our food. Let's roll.

Technical Difficulties; Please Stand By

So our computer crashed, but we'll be back soon with more dachshund news and culture. Joey is working his tail off on the hardware (imposable thumbs would be SO nice right about now!), and Maggie's paws are doing overtime trying to extract the hundreds of dachshund files that were saved for future posts. You can't cry over spilt milk, but we're hoping the files can be saved. A word of advice: do NOT do a google search for "vintage leather dog collar," no matter how nice it would be to have one. The long and short of it is that you'll get a really nasty virus.

We'll see you soon!

Yours in dachshund love,
Joey and Maggie

Dachshunds in Pop Culture: Richard Barthelmess, Continued

Who? Read all about Richard Barthelmess and see more photos in last month's post: Dachshunds in Pop Culture: Richard Barthelmess. Above, the screen actor, his wife, and their dachshunds arrive at Grand Central Station from California on January 5th, 1936.
We love it when humans travel with their dachshunds; we're so portable. It's no wonder we get upset when we're left at home....we'll be good, we promise! We wish they still made sharp coats like that by the way....the dog coats, not the fur.

Dachshunds in History: Hark! Hark! The Dogs Do Bark!

(click image to enlarge)

While we aren't too thrilled with the abuse we suffered at the hands of a few during the first world war, what a beautiful piece of dachshund history. Thanks to BibliOdyssey for posting and painstakingly transcribing the text of this satirical map, which was published in London in 1914. Here's an excerpt of the text: "The Dogs of War are loose in Europe, and a nice noise they are making! It was started by a Dachshund that is thought to have gone made -- though there was so much method in his madness that this is doubtful. [NOTE FOR THE IGNORANT: The German for Dog is Hund. The English for German is Hun. Dachshund means badger-dog -- and he is sometime more badgered than he likes.] Mated with the Dachshund, for better or for worse, was an Austrian Mongrel. By the fine unwritten law of Dogdom big dogs never attack little dogs. There are, however, scallywags in every community, and, egged on by the Dachshund for private ends, the Mongrel started bullying a little Servian. And the fat was in the fire, for the little Servian had a great big friend in the form of a Russian Bear, and he stood up for his pal. And that was what the Dachshund wanted. He hoped that a big row would ensue, and in the confusion he intended to steal a bone or two that he had his eye on for some time. He got what he wanted -- and a little more. For the Russian Bear had friends too. There was a very game little Belgian Griffon, and there was a great big French Poodle, a smart dandified fellow, and there was a Bulldog.
Read the rest and see more great pieces of history at BibliOdyssey.

Life With Dachshunds

Proving yet again that dachshunds are such an important part of our lives and families, here's a dachshund news roundup on a wet, yet soon to be sunny Friday, August 1st, 2008. Above, they met at a Morrissey concert in Seattle, married, and are moving back to Long Island, New York: meet Melissa and Jason White, son Antonio, and their dachshunds. Read all about their house hunt at the New York Times.



Who's Morrissey? He's our hero. In this video to his 1988 song Suedehead, Morrissey heads to Fairmount, Indiana to fondle some James Dean artifacts. A previous dachshund of ours, Louie (RIP), got to meet Morrissey once, and got a good scratch on the belly from the man.


Jessie Nordstrom, 17, center, helps Kyle Severin, 20, with his miniature dachshund 'DeWALT' Wednesday during the Larimer County Fair parade in Loveland, Colorado. The two rode aboard and walked alongside the Wranglers 4-H Club float with a theme of a bountiful garden. Source.


Red smooth 'Lance,' who hails from Miami, Florida, is a special dachshund who doesn't let his new wheels keep him down. Lance is now a certified therapy dog who visits pediatric patients and the elderly in wheelchairs twice a month. “He gives them so much hope and joy,” his human says.“I don’t think there’s anything more fulfilling than walking down the hospital corridor with this little guy. He is a superhero.” Read all about the wonderdog at the Sun-Sentinel.


Monica and Marcy Bock play with two of their dachshunds in their Yakima, Washington home. The couple will be registering as partners under Washington's new domestic partnership law. In the past year, nearly 5,000 couples have registered as domestic partners in Washington. Read more about the new law at Yakima-Herald.

Fashion designers Traver Rains and Richie Rich with their smooth piebald (click to enlarge). Source.


Ten bloggers. Fifteen dachshunds. One blog. Lots of dachshund life to discuss at the new Who's Your Dachshund?


Finally, while we don't think that 'Beau' was a dachshund, this is a poem that will certainly bring a tear to the eye of any dog lover. The legendary Jimmy Stewart recites his poem Beau on Johnny Carson.
Have a great Friday. Love your Dachshund.

This Dachshund Can Dash

Meet 3-year-old red smooth 'Gage' and his human Alicia Meyer, who hail from Hugo, Minnesota. Gage is now the three-time champion of the annual Dachshund Dash at Canterbury Park in Shakopee, Minnesota, having won again at the race earlier this month. Go Gage Go! Excerpt from Press Publications: In his second race last year, Gage had to come from behind. Alicia didn't hear the start signal and released Gage a little late. But even with the head start, the dozen other dogs couldn't defeat the champion.
At a national race last year in Kansas City, Gage had to settle for a second-place finish. At that track, each dog is placed in a box and the race begins when the box's door opens. Gage got a bit frightened in the box and got off to a slow start.
High gas prices are keeping Gage and the Meyers from traveling back for a second chance at the national title. But Gage will compete at another local race this September during James J. Hill Days in Wayzata.
Read all about Gage's race to fame at Press Publications.

Mighty Dog Commercial with Dachshund

Mighty heroic, indeed.

Dachshunds in History: Hal Haviland

Hal Haviland was a veteran clown performer who began his career in the 1950's and staged shows all over the US, including many television appearances with his dog and pony act. Find out more about Hal Haviland at ClownAlley.net.

Dachshund Relaxation

Yep, it's the dog days of summer, and this red smooth girl knows how to take it easy. 11-year-old 'Virgilia' rests in a shady spot while Obe Farish, left, of Dothan, Alabama, and John Brown of Paris, Texas, enjoy company with family and friends outside their cabin at the Neshoba County Fair in Mississippi. Virgilia belongs to Peggy and Jack Tucker of Hewitt, Texas, and has been coming to the fair since she was an 8-week-old puppy. Source.

Fred's Journey to the 2008 Beijing Olympics

Fred. A Dogumentary Film: Fred isn't just your ordinary every day dachshund. He has big dreams, this is his story...

Enjoy a look at spectacular red smooth 'Fred.' The underwater filmography is downright amazing. Go Fred Go!

Holiday Cards: Help Dachshunds in Need

All American Dachshund Rescue, formerly Southern States Dachshund Rescue, offers up these beautiful holiday cards which you can now pre-order until August 30th for delivery in mid October. One pack of ten 4 x 6 cards printed on glossy cardstock with envelopes is just $10. The more packs you buy, the more you save. Order now. AADR has over 60 dogs in their system right now, and could sure use your help.

Woody's Pawsitive Influence

Our smooth black and tan pal Woody, the Kentucky Wiener keeps on trucking, as he has visited children in over 100 schools and libraries in all of Kentucky's 120 counties on his "Woody Tour." Woof! Woody is seen here at the Laurel County Public Library last Thursday. Read why he's such a good boy at The Times Tribune, or keep up with Woody on his blog.

Related: Dachshunds in Literature: Woody, the Kentucky Wiener

Dachshund News Roundup: Dachshunds on the Go!

It's been another busy weekend for dachshunds all around the country. We couldn't make it to Milwaukee, Wisconsin on Saturday for Germanfest and wiener races this year, but we had fun at a local farmer's market yesterday, and also stopped to visit MidWest Dachshund Rescue at Red Hot Hot Dog Days at Red Dog House in Chicago. There were free hot dogs, and it sure was fun mingling with all the wiener dogs. Sounds like about every dachshund was out and about this weekend, what did you guys do?
Here's a dachshund news roundup on a warm and sunny Monday, July 28th, 2008. Woof! Above, 'Mickey,' a 1-year-old smooth black and tan, enjoys looking out the window when his owner, Maggie Sierras-Trotts, of Indiana, takes the wheel. To protect his eyes from the wind, Mickey is attired in a pair of goggles purchased from a local pet groomer. Source.

Congrats goes out to the busiest dachshund we know, Frankie the Walk N' Roll Dog, for winning the costume contest on Saturday at Germanfest in Milwaukee. How could Frankie NOT win with such a great costume? Watch a great news video featuring Frankie at the festival by clicking here, and also enjoy another fun news video of the wiener races by clicking here.

Smooth black and tan 'Rambo' sat with his top hat next to owner Colleen Russo of La Mesa during the 20th Annual Dachshund Picnic on Sunday at Balboa Park in San Diego, California. There were dog-and dachshund-related vendors, doggie treats, artists and people food. Source.

Logan Seaton of Evansville, Kentucky, gives smooth black and tan dappled 'Silver Speck' a big hug after the dog won the fourth annual Wiener Dog Races at Ellis Park on Saturday. Silver Speck, owned by Seaton's father Dave, placed second in last year's race. Proceeds from the event go to the Riverview School in Henderson, Ky., for special needs children. Read more and see some great pics at the Courier Press.

Enjoy a fun news video from the races at Ellis Park in Henderson.

Madeline Silverstein, 11, of Masonville, Colorado, waits with her wire-hair 'Smoochie' before going into judging for the novice juniors competition during the 4-H dog showmanship and obedience shows Sunday at the Larimer County Fair and Rodeo. Read all about the event at the Reporter-Herald.

Finally, The Fourth Annual West Virginia Hot Dog Festival packed Pullman Square in Huntington, West Virginia, for a pooch parade, wiener dog races, a hot dog eating contest, root beer chugging, a bun stacking contest, and a lot of entertainment throughout the day on Saturday. Read all about it and see over 50 pics at Huntington News.

Have a great Monday! We're sure all the doxies are taking it easy today after such a big weekend.

Dutch the Dachshund Survives Mojave Green Rattlesnake Bite

Sending warm dachshund wishes for a continued speedy recovery to 'Dutch,' who hails from Lucerne Valley, California. Dutch and his doxie sister 'Sarah' were found in the backyard by their human battling a Mojave green rattlesnake, the deadliest rattlesnake in North America. The snake took a bite at Sarah first before the dogs nobly finished off the snake. Dutch immediately became lethargic, and their human rushed them both to the vet. Sarah's thick fur may have protected her from the bite. After 6 days of 24 hour care and a $10,000 vet bill, Dutch appears to be on the mend, although he may have lost his sight. Read about it at the Daily Press. We love how Dutch seemed to get better after his dachshund buddy 'Lee' came to visit him. Please get well soon Dutch.

The Camino Animal Clinic out of Camino, California offers up a great article for dog lovers: Coping With Snakebites.

The Kevin Costner Dachshund Connection

What does actor, producer, and Academy Award-winning director Kevin Costner have to do with wiener dogs? Just a week before the release of Costner's new movie, Swing Vote, artist Moira McLaughlin talks about how her life changed forever when Kevin Costner gave her 'Darby,' McLaughlin's longhair. Read all about it Dog Art Today.

Slightly Related: The Johnny Depp Dachshund Connection

Dachshund Vintage Hot Dog Label Art

It's Friday, let's shop! If you're looking for great dachshund-inspired vintage art, an awesome 2009 dachshund rescue calendar, or a fun way to display your home-grown vegetables, you've come to the right place.
Above, enjoy the newest work from artist Brian Rubenacker. This unique 11 x 8.5 (8 x 10 image area) signed open edition giclee print is just $12.99 at Etsy, and would look great in your kitchen.

Related: One Cool Dachshund

DFW Dachshund Rescue Calendar RSVP

Dallas-Fort Worth Dachshund Rescue is taking RSVP's for their 2009 calendar, which should be available by the end of August. The RSVP's will help them determine how many to order. Don't miss out....if the 2009 calendar is anything like this year's, it's gonna be great. RSVP and reserve yours now.

The calendar is 12" x 18"; pages are printed on high quality glossy paper, on one side only, so the photos may be saved and framed if desired. Each month features a mini-interview with the "Pet of the Month", so you get to know a little bit about each dachshund. All the photos are of DFWDR rescue dachshunds taken by professional photographer and dachshund lover Teresa Berg. Price is just $20 plus shipping, and all proceeds go to rescue.

And who's that handsome dachshund pictured above? Why, it's red smooth 'Ernie,' who was adopted from DFWDR in June. He's now 7 months old and full of energy (like that's not already obvious). The first day in his new home, Ernie explored the back yard, romped with the family's two sons, checked out his new dog bed but decided he prefers to nap on the overstuffed rocking chair, hung out in his new brothers' cool tent, then curled up on the couch completely exhausted. Whew!

Related: Spotlight on Dallas-Fort Worth Dachshund Rescue Foundation

Zucchini Dog

Let your home-grown veggies strut their stuff with zucchini dog. Buy several and stage a harvest-time parade. Set includes head, legs, and tail. On sale for just $4.88 at Gardener's Supply Co. Ahem.

Clever Dog: Meet Sherlock

Besides Toby, the Dachshund Genius, have you ever met a dog that knows how to count? 'Sherlock' the handsome red longhair is well on his way, but that's just half the story. Owners Inge and Jim Chevrier have taught him 24 tricks and stage shows for seniors at 17 different facilities in the state of Washington. Woof! Numbers are Sherlock's best trick, and the seniors always get a big kick out of him. Watch the smart boy strut his stuff in a great little video at Northwest News and Weather.