It is then when the dogs were bred to be smaller in size- the Dachshunds became about 10 pounds lighter in this transition. While originally developed to be used for hunting, in the 1800s, Dachshunds moved from hunters to cherished and pampered pets. Interestingly, the smooth-haired type of Dachshund is believed to be the oldest of the tree, with the wiry and long-haired variants being developed later in the breed’s history. The smaller Dachshunds were used to hunt hare and rabbits, while the larger ones caught smaller animals like otters and foxes. As well, its large and paddle-shaped paws made digging efficient and its loose skin ensured it wouldn’t tear as the dog tunneled into tight burrows. Its short legs let it burrow deep into the badgers’ dens and its long, sturdy tail gave the hunters a “handle” they could pull to retrieve the burrowing dog out from the den. The Dachshund was engineered for this hunting activity and it is directly reflected through its unique body shape. Books from that era describe certain dogs named “Dachs Kriecher” (meaning “badger crawler”) or “ Dachs Krieger” (“badger warrior”), and it is largely believed that this is when the Dachshund breed was actually developed as such- the previous mentions were more general and referred to all types of dogs fulfilling the role of badger hunting rather than a specific breed.īred to track and hunt badgers, this breed was developed with the specific sport in mind. Some sources place the origin of the breed as far as the 15th century, but a more likelier number is late 17th to early 18th century, when first concrete mentions of a dachshund-like breed can be found. The Dachshund can trace its origins hundreds of years ago to Germany. You may know it as the “Weiner Dog,” but its actual breed name is Dachshund. If you’re looking for a happy addition to your family, you can’t go wrong with a Dachshund – it always has a friendly look on its face. Another distinguishing characteristic is its long ears that are soft to the touch. Its eyes are either brownish black or deep red. The only difference between the three is size and coat description the distinct build is the same in any of the types.īoasting a regal and intelligent expression on its face, the Dachshund has a long head with protruding and arched eyebrows, a long muzzle with a scissor bite and very strong teeth. Known for its long, stretched-out appearance and short legs, there are three types of Dachshunds: long-haired, wired-haired and short-haired.
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