If you have taken a good, long look into the face of a dachshund, you know they have not only an adorable look but also deep penetrating eyes that could stare into for hours. Fat chance they will let you stare into their eyes very long, for off they go investigating some noise or movement. After all, that is their job.

Lively, devoted, clever, sporty, and courageous are all appropriate descriptions for this bold breed.

The name dachshund is broken up into two parts dachshund is from the German and is broken into two parts: dachs, meaning badgers and hund, meaning hound or dog. The badger is a strong and ferocious fighter. This little dog had the nerves of steel that it took to dive right in a hole after the badger. They were used for chasing out rabbits or other critters from their hiding places.

Most people find one if not all of the three varieties to their liking. There is the short-haired or smooth; the wire-haired; and the longhaired. One thing that surprises most people unfamiliar with this breed is their strength and muscle tone. Hard to believe that something so small can be packaged so tough and strong.

Care and upkeep is easy and make it one of the low-maintenance breeds. However, there are a few things that still need attention and care.

Bath time: Since these dogs tend not to just lay on the sofa looking pretty but have a inquisitive spirit, they will need a bath from time to time. Pollens, carpet fiber and foot traffic areas can dull the coat and cause skin irritations if left on too long. A mild pet shampoo is recommended. Take care to not to get the soap in its eyes. A complete rinsing is important, for the soap residue can cause skin irritations, and may cost you vet bills. Drying before releasing will help prevent the dog from rolling over in the grass, carpet or dirt. Nail trimming and anal gland check should be done monthly.

Short-haired, smooth coated: This breed appeared in Egyptian tombs over five thousand years ago. They were "perfected" at the end of the 19^th Century. Its ancestor was known as the Teckel. If you keep it indoor most of the time, a good hound glove or chamois cloth is handy to use regularly to keep the coat shiny and clean. Carding is helpful if want to cut down on loose hair or shedding. Some people use lava stones or groomer stones to help with this, and they are very effective in keeping loose hair to a minimum. After drying, some groomers will rub a dab of coat gloss onto its coat to give it a nice clean shine.

Long-haired: It is believed that they were developed by crossing the short-haired, smooth -coated breed with the short-legged spaniels, like the Sussex or Field spaniels.

The gorgeous silky hair is long, soft, sleek and shiny. If neglected, the coat will get knots and tangles. Pet groomers call them "mats". A de-matting fee may be assessed. The dog should be brushed or combed out at least once a week. It only takes a few minutes to do this if done properly. Once every month or two, the pads and belly area are trimmed short. The paws are trimmed neatly, so that there is no tuff of hair sticking out between its toes. Some will trim the bottom of the skirt and tail, so that the hair will not drag onto the floor.

Wired-haired: They are so unusual looking and adorable. This breed was created by crossing the short-haired, smooth-coated Dachshund with the rough, wiry-coated pinschers and schnauzers, and Dandie Dinmont terriers.

The hair all over should look short and smooth, except for the bushy terrier eyebrows and beard. It looks almost like an old man. The hair on the body is hand-stripped or carefully plucked to remove the undercoat, so that the dark, richer colors will stand out. This is usually done about two times a year. The hair on the coat feels wiry. The hair on the ears is short and smooth. Some areas are scissored to make it look very neat in appearance.

Check the ears regularly. If it is dirty, clean it out with a cotton ball and an ear cleaner or mineral oil. If it goes in the water (pool, lake, ocean), dry the ears out with rubbing alcohol on a cotton ball. The rubbing alcohol will make the water in the ears evaporate. If you leave the water in the ears, sometimes the moisture will cause the ears to become infected, thus requiring vet care. If the ears have black-brown grainy "dirt" in them, it may be ear mites. Especially if the dog keeps scratching or shaking its head. You can get ear mite medicine over the counter or from the vet. Be sure to put the medicine in its ears at least two times a day for at least two weeks. Do not stop too soon, for the medicine will kill only the mites, not the eggs. The eggs will hatch during the second week, so if you stop too soon, the dog will get ear mites all over again. Change the bedding daily during this time, because the mites are active during the night and will crawl in and out of the ears. Other pets may get ear mites, so you may want to check your other pets' ears.

In Florida, fleas and ticks are a problem. So you may want to get your dog on a preventive program such as Frontline, Advantage, or whatever your vet suggests. If the dog has pests, get it to a reputable groomer to remove them. You may want to treat your yard, home and vehicle while the dog is being groomed. Fleas and ticks can cause allergies, discomfort, and illness or disease.

Be sure to give your dog something to chew on regularly, like rawhide to keep its teeth and gum healthy. Brushing its teeth also helps. Some groomers will do this for you for a small fee. If there's a tarter build-up or a foul odor in it's mouth, then you may want to take it to a canine dentist or a vet.

If you are like most people, you cannot help but bend down and pick them up and give them lots of hugs and loving. This is good for both you and the pet, but be sure to pick them up in a way that supports their back. Never bending it. The same can be said for putting them places where they will jump from heights and harm their disc. Remember, it is a "low maintenance pet" not a "no maintenance pet," and the most important element is love.

Tamara Hollingsworth is the President of Star Academy for Pet Stylists, Inc. The objective of the school is to raise the standard of pet grooming, and to prevent harm and abuse due to ignorance or lack of training. She has given lecturers and worked with groomers from all over the country. She is a lover of animals of all kinds. Star Academy is located in Stuart, Florida (561) 221-9330.