Dachshund

Unique Origin

The word “Dachshund” is German and means “Badger Dog” or “Badger Hound.” They first appeared on the scene in the 15th Century. Its name is pronounced “Dock-sun” not “Dash-hound.” They were bred to hunt and chase down badgers and to burrow and dig quickly. Dachshunds also would work in packs and bring down deer and boar. They are considered the national dog of Germany; however, they actually lost their popularity in World War I because of their German origin. The first Dachshund dog show was in England in 1859, and they were a favorite of Queen Victoria.

Personality

The Dachshund is playful, clever, brave and determined. They can display independence and be stubborn. Dachshunds usually bond more closely with one individual in the family. It’s their instinct to dig and burrow so you’ll often find them burrowed in blankets and under the covers in your bed! Children and Dachshunds make great companions; however, you must teach them how to properly play with this little dog as they have a tendency to have back problems and it can be exacerbated if they are handled incorrectly. They have a keen sense of smell and will wander off if they pick up an interesting scent. Dachshunds have such a loveable spunk and make great pets. They are very social animals and want to be around their family at all times.

Appearance

According to H.L. Mencken, “A Dachshund is a half-dog high and a dog-and-a-half long” – they are long and low to the ground. They can weigh anywhere between 12 to 32 pounds, and their height averages between 8 to 11 inches. They have the widest range of colors of any other dog with the most common being red and then black & tan. Dachshunds come in three hair types: short-haired, long-haired, and wire- haired. They have four times the sense of smell than a person does.

Interesting Facts

Dachshunds are the 3rd most popular dog registered with America’s Pet Registry Inc. A Dachshund is often called “weiner dog,” “hot-dog,” or “sausage dog.” The long-haired Dachshund is considered the most docile of all the coat varieties. They love to eat, so beware of obesity as it could shorten their lifespan. There is a town in Germany that rents out Dachshunds by the hour for tourists to take walks with.