Dachshund History & Origin 

The primary purpose for which the Dachshund was developed was to hunt the badger. The Dachshund (translation: Badger Dog)  required specific traits such as courage, stamina & perseverance beyond what is usually expected of any other hunting dog.  The breed's deep sonorous bark is a special advantage, for it enabled the hunter to determine what was going on down in the badger hole.

The authentic origin of the Dachshund as a breed can be traced to Germany during the years 1550-1850 when German foresters, gamekeepers, and sportsmen first selected their dogs because of their affinity to go underground and fearlessly fight the badger, a vicious, saber-clawed antagonists weighing anywhere from 25 to 40 pounds.

The Dachshund first appeared in the United States between 1879 and 1885.  World War I almost spelled the end for the Dachsie.  Anti German sentiment made it uncomfortable to own a Dachshund  but the breed survived only to once again encounter anti German sentiment during World War II.  After the war, the Dachshund Club of America., Inc. carried out a successful educational campaign and the Dachshund has endured enormous popularity ever since.

The Dachshund has something no other breed has: it comes in more sizes,coats and colors than man ever created in his endeavors. The two sizes, Standard & Miniature come in several colors with black, black & tan, and red being the most common. Their coats are distinguished by three varieties: Smooth, Longhaired and Wire-haired.  To learn more about the Dachshund breed, click here.