Despite their cute and comical appearance, Dachshunds are incredibly brave little hunting dogs that were bred to chase and flush out badgers.
Often significantly larger and heavier than a dachshund, badgers are a fierce and formidable opponent, yet the tenacious dachshund with its indomitable spirit is a fearless and efficient hunter. Their long, low body is perfect for getting into the dens of rabbit, fox, wild boar, badgers and other burrow dwelling animals that have gone to ground.
The origin of the dachshund is still debated as there are etchings and statues of similar long, low dogs dating back thousands of years, however 16th century German hunters were responsible for selecting and cross breeding dogs to create the dachshund we are familiar with today. The name Dachshund literally means “Badger Dog” in German.
Not just loved by Germans (they are the national dog of Germany and were the mascot for the 1972 Munich Olympics) dachshunds were popular in the Royal Courts of Europe and have been the dog of choice for many famous owners including Queen Victoria, James Dean, Joan Crawford, Pablo Picasso, David Hockney, John Wayne, Clarke Gable, Madonna and Andy Warhol.
Known affectionately as Sausage Dog, Hot Dog, Doxie, Dashie and Weiner, these adorable and amusing companions are now a favourite the world over.