Dolly is a diminutive Dachshund, only about 10 pounds.  Her coloring is fascinating ~ starts out black and brown, turning to blue and white merle down her back.  Really neat!  Now, you're not going to believe this, but Dolly has lived outside for the last year.  According to the person who surrendered her, she wasn't housetrained so they banished her to the outside!  They also complained that she digs and, when the children run around, nips at their ankles.  You think?  How boring must Dolly's life have been?  Oh, we also know that she was hit by a car when she was one year old.  The owner says that she has a bit of a gimp because of it.  If so, it isn't very evident.

OK, I admit it, this background info on Dolly annoys me.  I grew up with Dachshunds.  They are notoriously stubborn, so the housetraining thing, especially in such a small dog (small bladder) does not shock me.  And when we were growing up, we just assumed that everyone's dog nipped at their heels!  And digging?  First, bored dogs dig.  Dachshunds were bred to follow badgers down into their holes, so why would anyone be suprised that a bored Doxie would dig?  Again, I admit it, I found this surrender to be frustrating!  Know the breed you are adopting, recognize the needs of mini-dogs, make sure you have the time to spend with your pet!  Otherwise, this is the type of thing that can happen. 

Dolly is great.  With love and attention, she will be fantastic.  Amanda said that Dolly was very shy when she arrived but she gave her a dog biscuit and they are now best friends.  Yeah, that's a very Dachshund trait too!!!!

7/31 Foster Update:
Dolly needs someone who is home during the day as there is an issue w/housebreaking.  I haven't had a problem during the day as I take her out frequently & since I started crating her at night-no problem there.
She is loveable, but somewhat possessive with her food & toys around my other doxie (not humans).  She loves napping with my Mom in her hospital bed during the day.  She has a stuffed animal in her mouth, suckling it like a pacifier, quite often.  She will fetch, but not necessarily bring a toy back & if the other doxie gets it first she becomes quite vocal with her annoyance & eventually snatches it back!  (So dauschund-like...)

According to www.dogbreedinfo.com, the Dachshund (pronounced dak sund) originated in Germany many hundreds of years ago. "Dachs" is the word for badger. The Dachshund was bred to hunt and follow these animals to earth, gradually becoming highly evolved, with shortened legs to dig the prey out and go down inside the burrows. Smaller Dachshunds where bred to hunt hare and stoat. Dachshunds have many "terrier" characteristics. They are versatile and courageous dogs and have been known to take on foxes and otters, besides badgers. Lively and affectionate; proud and bold, almost rash. Tenacious. Can be willful and clownish. Curious and mischievous, they are very clever and may attempt to train the owner rather than allow the opposite. Devoted to his family, some fanciers feel the long-haired variety is calmer than the other two types. The wire-haired variety is more outgoing and clown-like. All are slightly difficult to train. Dachshunds are good dogs to travel with. They are best with older, considerate children and are moderately protective. These little dogs like to bark (their barks are surprisingly loud for their size) and are compulsive diggers. They are generally okay with other pets, however, they can be jealous, irritable, obstinate and very quick to bite. Sometimes they will refuse to be handled. They should not be over fed, for this breed tends to gain weight quickly. They have a life expectancy of 12-15 years.