Below is a listing of terms and abbreviations that are frequently used throughout our site. If you see something missing, or would like additional info, feel free to send us an E-mail . Additionally, to see a flash demonstration of specific Dachshund features and traits, click here. (this goes to another site, but will be easy to come back.)

CD: Companion Dog (the first of several Obedience Titles)

CDX: Companion Dog Excellent (the second level of Obedience Titles)

CERF: Canine Eye Registration Foundation (all breeding stock should have their eyes checked annually and if no problems are diagnosed the eyes can be registered with CERF)

CGC: Canine Good Citizen (a test that shows your dog  is well socialized and well behaved)

CH: Abbreviation for CHAMPION (Show Champion)

Croup: The area of the back directly above the hind legs.

DC: Dual Champion (Field CH and Show CH)

Elbow: The joint of the forearm and upper arm.

Earthdog Trial: Finding a caged rat in a man-made tunnel.(Also called a Den Trial):

FC: Field Champion.

Forearm: The portion of the front leg going from the dog's elbow to its pastern.

Harefoot: An elongated oval paw, similar to the foot of a hare.

Hock: The joint between the second thigh and the metatarsus on the hind legs.

Keel: The projecting longitudinal line that runs along the center of the chest and the bottom of the rib cage.

Knuckling over: A double-jointed wrist that doubles over when bearing the dog's weight; sometimes includes an enlarged, protruding bone.

JE: Junior Earthdog (the first title earned at an Earthdog Trial).

Loin: The side areas between the dog's ribs and hindquarters.

ME: Master Earthdog (the second level title)

Metatarsus: Part of the hind foot.

ML: Abbreviation for Miniature Longhair.

MS: Abbreviation for Miniature Smooth.

MW: Abbreviation for Miniature Wirehair.

OTCh: Obedience Trial Champion (need a CD, CDX and UD and lots of tough completion to earn OTCh).

SE: Senior Earthdog (the most advanced Earthdog title).

SL: Abbreviation for Standard Longhair.

SS: Abbreviation for Standard Smooth.

SW: Abbreviation for Standard Wirehair.

Stifle: The joint of the hind leg; similar to a human knee.

Stop: The place where the skull and nose meet.

TC: Triple Champion having earned titiles in conformation (Ch.), field (FC) and obedience (OTCh.)

TD: Tracking Dog (following a scent-trail).

TDX: Tracking Dog Excellent (following a more complicated scent-trail).

Thorax: The breastplate; the cavity in which the heart and lungs lie.

Tuck up: A shallowness of the body at the loin, causing the appearance of a waist.

UD: Utility Dog (one of the highest obedience titles).

UDX: Utility Dog Excellent (even better the UD).

Upper Arm: Between the forearm and the shoulder blade on the front leg.

VST: Variable Surface Tracking (following a scent-trail over concrete, grass, asphalt, etc.).

Walleye: A blue-or pearl-colored eye caused by a whitening of the iris.

Withers: The highest point of the back, top of the shoulder area above the front legs.