The Dachshund - the Long and Short of It

The Dachshund is a small, hound-type dog with a muscular, elongated body, and short legs.  Like the Corgi, the Dachshund can be funny looking because its legs are remarkably short compared to its brawny body.

The “Badger” Dog

The name Dachshund is a combination of two German words – Dachs which means “badger”, and Hund which means “dog”.  Back in the 1600s, Dachshunds were first bred in Germany, where they were used for hunting small animals like rabbits and badgers. Their keen sense of smell and swiftness make them the ideal dogs for digging burrows and chasing badgers.

Because of their appearance, they are also often referred to as the sausage dog or wiener dog. The breed was officially recognized by the American Kennel Club in 1895, listed under the Hound Group.

The Different Types of Dachshunds

There are three types of Dachshunds, classified based on their coats – the short or smooth-haired, the long-haired, and the wire-haired. The coat can either be of a solid color, bi-color, brindle, or piebald. The colors range from tan, chocolate, fawn, or a combination of black and tan, or black and chocolate.

Dachshunds can also be classified based on their size and weight. The standard Dachshund can weigh anywhere from 16 to 32 pounds). There is also the smaller kind – the miniature Dachshund which weights only 11 pounds or less.

Dachshund Temperament

Dachshunds are smart, alert, and playful dogs. Because they’re small, they make great pets even for people who live in apartments. However, like all dog breeds, they need to be socialized and trained from a young age. In Stanley Coren’s Intelligence of Dogs, Dachshunds are ranked 49th, making them an average breed in terms of obedience.

Do you own a Dachshund or would you like to have one? If you’re thinking about getting a Dachshund, seriously consider if this dog breed is right for you. Don’t support puppy mills or buy from pet stores. Adopt a dog from a shelter or animal rescue center.