On the architectural excellence of dachshunds
sir – As a dachshund owner, I do not share the veteran Crufts presenter Peter Purves’s concerns that their mobility should be restricted for the sake of their health (report, March 11).
A stair gate keeps them on the ground floor. Sofa-surfing, however, is permitted. I am reassured by Sir Christopher Wren’s observation that “the secret of architectural excellence is to translate the proportions of a dachshund into bricks, mortar and marble”.
Kirsty Blunt Sedgeford, Norfolk
sir – I have had dachshunds almost all my life, from puppies who lived 15 or more years to rescue dogs of all ages. None of these has had a back problem, despite living an active life in a family with children and horses.
Obviously, as they aged we were sensible and stopped them from climbing stairs – but then we live in a bungalow. Our two rescue dachshunds delight in beating us to the best seat on the sofa each evening.
Let readers be reassured that one can live happily with a dachshund – they bring enormous pleasure.
Sally Rowe Umberleigh, Devon
sir – Sophia Money-coutts’s article (March 12) on dog breeds reminded me of the time a friend and I were making a fuss of a young family’s new puppy, out for a first walk.
My friend asked the children what it was – to which the youngest child replied patiently: “It’s a dog.”
Roz Saggers Newport, Essex