MAIN Home Life Pets Dogs & Puppies Dachshunds

The modern dachsund breed is a member of the hound family, first bred in Germany for its innate talent for burrowing out badgers and rabbits in the hunt.

Translated from the German, the dachshund is dachs (badger) and hund (dog) or literally, "badger dog".

Today, the little dachshund is much-beloved for its playful antics, and known by its common nicknames such as "hot dog" and "weiner dog" describing its sleek coat and elongated shape.

Preferred for its small size by apartment dwellers, the dachshund has also been a peculiar favorite among writers and artists including E.B. White, P.G. Wodehouse, Pablo Picasso and Georgia O'Keefe.

Behavior & Personality

Many first-time owners are surprised to discover the soul of a lion residing in the body of the diminutive dachshund.

Its fierce chasing of squirrels and birds, or comical determinaton in borrowing out favorite toys, for example, all hark back to its ancestral roots as a hunting dog.

Playful, courageous, and forever entertaining, the dachshund can be quite stubborn and hard to train as puppies. This may be due to their overdeveloped sense of smell - which quickly has them running off in all directions to find what may lie hidden in a cupboard or an old shoe.

Like the chihuahua and other smaller breeds, the mature dachshund latches on to its owner with ironclad affection and loyalty. Dachshunds often demand much love and devotion in return, however, and despite their short stature can be quite a handful.

Care & Health

Dachshunds often suffer from back injuries due to their elongated spines and may easily be hurt by rough handling, or by falling or jumping accidents. Treatments may include anything from anti-inflammatory medications to more serious spinal surgery to remove a damaged spinal disc.

As they settle into old age, a sedantary or obese dog is at much greater risk, so careful feeding and exercise are imporant in keeping dachshunds healthy throughout a long, happy and mischevious life.

More about dachshunds around the Web:

American Kennel Club - Dachshund - Description of official standards and appearance, breed origins and history, dachshund trivia, photos.

The Dachsund Network - Long-established and popular dachsund fan Web community offering rescue rescources, recommended reading, busy bulletin board, tips on general care, related resources.

Dachshunds - Extensive FAQ for prospective owners with information on dachsund development, temperament, habits & behavior, tips for general care, pictures, related resources.

The Dachsund Rescue Web Page - Listings of available dogs throughout the U.S., plus general information on the breed, advice on their care, tips on adoption, and instructions for member sign-up.

DORG - The Dachshund Magazine On-Line - Current and archived feature stories, guide to dachsund colors and patterns, healthcare and grooming tips, advice on behavior training, breeder information, photo gallery, rescue & adoption resources, listings of dachsund clubs worldwide.

The Dachshund Back Digest - Extensive information on back injuries commonly suffered by the breed with discussions on prevention, available treatments, related surgery, alternative therapies.