Dog Breeds - Dachshund

Save This Page

Return to Breed List

The Dachshund’s unique elongated torso has earned it many nicknames including hot dog, sausage dog, and most common of all; wiener dog. There are two sizes of Dachshunds; Standard and Miniature. The standard version was originally developed in Germany and used to find and scare badgers out of their burrows. The Miniature version of this breed was used for hunting rabbits. The word Dachshund is of German origin and directly translates to “Badger hound”. The popularity of Dachshunds dramatically decreased during World War I because of it’s German roots and harsh feelings towards the Germans, however after the war popularity soared and the Dachshund is now an extremely popular breed in the US.

Besides coming in different sizes, the Dachshund is a breed with a variety of both color and coat types. There are three different recognized coats; the shiny and lustrous smooth coat, the short and rough wirehaired, and the sleek and elegant longhaired. These coat variations are each unique and really change the overall look of the breed. Dachshunds also come in plenty of different patterns. They may be solid in color, two-toned, dapple, brindle, sable, and wild boar. Dachshunds also come in a range of colors including; fawn, chocolate, black, gray, tan, cream, etc.

Obesity increases the risk of illnesses or accidents for all breeds, but their small size and body form put dachshunds at an even greater risk of serious ailments. Dachshunds have very long spines and short rib cages, which naturally puts them at risk for serious spinal problems. The extra weight an obese Dachshund carries puts added stress on the spine, increasing the risk further. Dachshunds gain weight quite easily and therefore should receive daily exercise and a well portioned diet. Their loyal and affectionate personalities make Dachshunds wonderful pets. While they are good with children, they should be in a household with older more considerate children due to their small size. Dachshunds like to bark. Their natural instinct and love for digging has also not diminished over time. Both of these qualities should be taken under consideration for potential owners of this breed.