Clever, lively, courageous, entertaining: that’s the Dachshund. The Dachshund’s name comes from the German words for badger (dachs) and dog (hund), but you might know the Dachshund more informally as a doxie, wiener dog, hot dog, sausage dog, or badger dog.
Dachshunds were originally bred in 15th century Germany to hunt badgers. This dog breed’s long back and short legs made them ideal hunting dogs for scenting, chasing, and flushing out small animals and burrow-dwelling creatures.
Technically, this breed is a scent hound (and you can tell by the way they go after a good smell despite your best efforts to stop them). But they also share some qualities in common with terriers, such as a love of digging and a big personality.
Their uniqueness, combined with their legendary loyalty to their human companions, consistently makes Dachshunds one of the most popular family pets in the United States. Read on for more about this very special dog, and to learn whether this breed is right for you.
Breed Characteristics
Key
- Low
- Medium
- High
- Origin: Germany
- Size:
- Weight: 13-32 pounds
- Lifespan: 12-16 years
- Breed group: Hound group
- Activity level:
- Barking/howling level:
- Good with dogs: yes
- Good with kids: yes
- Good with cats:
- Shedding:
- Easy to groom:
- Easy to train:
- Protective: