Insights into operating, parading and maintaining of the legendary variable geometry multi-role hunter hound. a short note on the journey to Australian Champion with ‘Oro’ by Damon Craig FRVAHJ, esq, etc.

I had wanted to have a Dachshund in our family for a long time. In my university years we were blessed with a loving rescue pup who passed a few years ago having lived a full innings; sometime God sends us a Guardian Angel to help us through and luckily our paths met.

My fascination with the Dachshund was born from a series of media adverts and story books and I had to see what the fuss was all about. I read the breed specification and started registering my interest with proven breeders. Now showing was a distant concept from where I stood but it was certain folly to acquire a pup from any line that was not doing there checks, not only for the soundness of my new friend but for the sustainability of the global gene pool.

We were over the top excited when a breeder had identified a pup for us, and whilst not keen to become breeders we were looking for a girl dog. It was in hindsight a bit like young Master Potter standing in Ollivander’s Wand Shop; after all the wand closes the Sourceror.

Our dog had a mission ahead of her, maybe she knew this, maybe not, but I suffer from the lingering mental health load of proudly serving my country as a Naval Officer. We are a dynamic young family and whilst all her needs were met, she also had a very noble role in my integration with society. She was a CV19 pup so missed a lot of early socialisation but this had a great long term effect, it allowed her to really tune in her ‘idiot radar’ and without exception if her spider sense triggers to an environment, it is a clear cue we all need to work our exit plan. otherwise if she is in her ‘walnut eyes’ mode and want love, then we find ourselves parked in a busy footpath waiting for pats and attention from random but approved dogs and there owners. 

So her secondary role was showing. this obviously fed into my recovery as I had to organise the entry and make sure I was clean and well presented for the show and there on time with her looking her best. My first show was a muddle, mud, inappropriate choices of clothes and whilst her meals were pre packed I had to portage my house to get a pizza ring side to keep me going. we got better at this both in modifying her show setup and as we gre in confidence we pooled with other exhibitors for real estate, coffee runs and shared snacks.

Now we did wander down the obedience training path in her first year. The local club was a lovely bunch of people but fixated on larger breeds that could sit/stay etc for extended periods of time until released by the master. We are still members but are not progressing well, I am sure you will understand that Dachshund are not known for obedience. They have no interest in doing things on my terms and their schedule is prime. In showing, I can make her desire to have a fun walk work for me, but in trials stuff, this deal does not cut it for her. I also have a little niggling discomfort with forcing dogs to override their intuition – especially in my case as I rely on her judgments to keep me socially active. If I uninstalled this app in her, it would be to our teams detriment. 

Did I mention the breed specification? Seriously this is a must-read. Not for showing as there is a bunch of nuanced language that might work or not work for your kennel lines and that is the art of becoming a ring master. I have to say it, Dachshunds are hunters. They were breed for a specific purpose and even in modern lines, they only have two brain modes being Tribal or Primal. In tribal they will love and attend to the pack, they are taught to be cautious of strangers but once cleared as friendly they are welcomed whole heartedly. In the Primal brain they are looking for food, that might be scraps in the kitchen, a poorly stacked bin, Laundry or following a sent for food. Now I still have an outstanding bet with a mate that a well trained pack of Dachshunds would successfully overpower a den of small wild game and fill there stomachs – it is just a very unlikely proposition that they would bring any food back to share, if they found there way home at all…

This story would not be complete without a chicken carcass story. We made an error in selecting a treat for her at the markets and the cartridge was firmly lodged at the back of her tongue. I went in for a quick rescue but her primal brain was convinced that I was going to rob her of lunch. I sat her down, revved up a quick Powerpoint™ slide deck explaining her predicament and how I was trying to restore her airway. I quickly printed out a contract assuring her of the return of the meal once I got it clear of her back teeth, she chose blue ink to paw stamp her consent and let me help her. Look, in my view I saved her life so we are now one all and we don’t mention it ever again. 

There is a rule of thumb that a human should put nothing in the ear smaller than an elbow for fear of damage. It must be some link then to small breeds and what they can safely consume. We are a Royal Canin team and that is the basis of her nutrition with some fresh meat and treats added. As for bones I think the only safe solution is blending them raw in a Thermomix or otherwise I believe Pterodactyl is fine if you can find any with current supply chain issues.

So our showing career was ticking along fine. The first 30 or so points were great fun. We celebrated every ‘decade’ with our favourite Pizza from La Lupa. The next 30 or so were a little less fun as the maths started to matter. We knew dogs we could win against and we knew dogs that we would struggle to overcome. I mentioned her ‘Walnut Eyes’ trick where in that if the judge got into her face and made eye contact we were good as love conquers all. But if we were the only exhibit or didn’t get the face time, we struggled to get much further. 

We met one family of exhibitors that I still struggle to understand. The first day was comments like ‘you will never etc with that dog etc’ and other comments on her not being show ready. The most hurtful though was when, knowing that or pup also was my assistance dog, said we should desex her and ‘just do therapy’… my issue is not in any way with her comments about our showing success, but I take great offence at this concept of her role as an assistance dog to a Navy Veteran as being a lower role. In fact I feel that Asst or Th should be approved as another title. More could be said here, but y’all get my point. 

I opened this note with a tag line about multi roles etc. This is a very overt and deliberate nod to one of the greatest Naval Air Assets being the Gruman F-14 ‘Tomcat’. I have lists of references between the design, manufacture, service and refitting of this airframe that link to my story. Our dog does have variable geometry, her ears are constantly correcting for wind angle, noise and mood. Her speed goes from ‘Mach 1 to maybe’ at her complete discretion. Her primary role is up for debate but I offer that she works for me at home and I work for her in the ring; she loves the shows.

I just need to add a small note here on Dachshunds as Assistance and Emotional support animals. They can do this role perfectly, just that in most circumstance the ‘at work’ jacket comes with a ‘don’t pet me’ clause. I am sure this is needed, but for this breed simply put that no-one can understand the “don’t pet me” tag. They crave attention and the media has portrayed them so often that they get mobbed. If your Mental Health situation requires your dog to keep people at a distance from you then this is not an appropriate breed in my view. I actually like the short chats with people, so, if she is happy, I am happy….

We were now within sight of our title, only a few more shows to go. As mentioned, our dog is working for me a lot so we have made the decision to send her to puppy daycare. It allows here to be a dog and for me to get some of the heavy lifting garden and shed jobs done without constantly stopping for a chat with my bestie. One day, on the way to day car our car was in a small but low speed accident. Humans were OK and she checked out at the Vet fine so life resumed normally after a few hours of heightened attention. Our Family decided to keep showing her, she looked and moved fine and she just loves our friends at the shows.

So we finally did it, we achieved a nice little challenge to tip us over the milestone to title. We had two shows that weekend so went back and took a Best of Breed to wrap up the weekend. I Burst on to Facebook to announce her retirement from showing and my pivoting in my career. What this means in effect is I will show her when there is a logistically simple show to go to and our friends are there and I am positioning myself as a Committee member and steward to give back to the sport that has consumed me for so long. 

Words matter. Another competitor said that I would never reach etc etc… another friend said that it would be a long run to the next milestone in 6 point increments. They both meant the same thing but the value I place on them differs wildly. 

A few people noticed that I always had a large comb tucked under my breed number on  my arm, this was obviously not for her, and judging by the various photos no good for me, but I had it on my earliest win and kept it there until she was titled. The point is though that routines work, get equipment and planning that works and try to stick to it.

Grooming is simple for her breed. We always washed her the day before an event. I don’t think it does a lot for her coat but essential out of respect for the Judges, Stewards and other Exhibitors.

As for treats in the ring, I have seen men stash sausage meat in their cheeks and parade in a noble fashion looking like a squirrel. This does take skill to then be able to talk eloquently to the judge with a mouth full of protein. Others. will tuck a little air dried meet under the bra strap, for me I leave all the food and water ringside.

There are two kinds of Dachshunds in the world, those that are struggling with toilet training and this whose owners lie…

Pets can make good show dogs, just make sure you get a collar with embroidered details and pause the use of any dangling tags, all this does is ruin the fur on the chest plate. Simple lesson and one I learned very quickly. Judges see past his but some competitors will pigeon hole you.

Value all the points at the show. The points you get a wonderful, the certificate is, like your dog, one of a kind. Some shows offer ribbons and sponsors products and these great to take home. But some days, the points are not yours, they go to another exhibitor but the points are just as precious for the event as a whole. Respect the points you get and respect the points you miss out on. Occasionally for a complex set of reasons the Judge declares a non award, this again is precious; perhaps not for you on the day but shows that the sport is looking out for the overall sustainability of the pursuit. Usually the fault you can address with diet, exercise and Veterinary support but sometimes it might be a pivot for your dogs career and that is also just a special waypoint. 

I’ll just circle back and wrap this up to say that achieving a Title for any exhibitor team is a huge achievement. if you do it in many small wins, your effort is rewarded. If you get a few good hauls of points then your style is noted. Either way it is a team effort; the dog and handler, family, your breeder, Veterinary team, neutron team, fellow exhibitors, show committees, caterers, equipment suppliers and many more for each team…. 

In closing I would like to than all those that supported ‘oro’ and I to make it to our Champion Milestone. That’s al from me for now, take care and I hope to see y’all ring side soon.

Bestest.
D.
July 2022.