11 Fun Dachshund Facts: How Many Do You Know?
The Dachshund’s widespread popularity can be attributed to its adorable, courageous, and gregarious nature. If you are a dachshund owner and are still not Dachshund-crazed, then these 11 weird but interesting facts might change your mind.
1. They are known as a badger dog
We all love the wiener dog’s amusing body shape, but the dog wasn’t designed that way to just look cute.
The little dogs were bred 300 years ago in Germany to hunt badgers. They were shaped to allow easy access in and out of badger setts.
The name “dachshund” literally means “badger hound” (dachs means badger, and hund means dog).
2. They come in a wide variety of sizes and colors
Originally all dachshunds were black and tan, but today, they come in 15 colors and 6 marking combinations. Some interesting colors include blue & cream, blue & tan, cream, and wild board. Marking combinations include brindle, brindle piebald, dapple, double piebald, piebald and sable.
Many people prefer miniature dachshunds as companion, and forget that standard size dachshunds exist as well. Varying from 8 pounds to 33 pounds in weight, these dachshunds have coats that are smooth, long, and wire-haired. All three coats are allowed to participate in shows.
3. They are the smallest hunting breeds
The dachshund is the smallest hound, but don’t let that fool you. They are tough cookies adept at tracing and killing preys.
4. They have a long lifespan
Chanel, a dachshund from New York, held the Guinness World Record for the oldest living dog in 2009. She lived until the age of 21(120 in human years), after which the title was transmitted to another dachshund named Otto. In general, dachshunds are known for their longevity.
5. They are the ultimate watch dog
The dachshund is naturally alert, which makes them a reliable watcher. Their sharp and persistent barking will certainly scare away any uninvited guest.
In fact, a study in the 2008 Applied Animal Behavior Science Journal ranked the dachshund as one of the most aggressive breeds towards both people and other animals.
6. They were used in war propaganda
During World War l, the breed was often used to portray Germany in propaganda due to its German heritage, which led to a widespread contempt for the breed. “I like dogs, but not this breed.” One ad read pointedly. It took decades for the dachshund’s popularity to recover.
7. They are one of the most popular breeds in America
Despite its past rocky period, the resilient breed has been welcomed back into the hearts of Americans thanks to some serious PR work. According to the AKC’s ranking, the dachshund was the 13th most popular dog breed in 2016 as well as in 2015. Some fanciers even announced in public, “I like dogs, but only the dachshund.”
8. They were a Queen’s favorite
Queen Victoria was a dog lover who owned many dogs of different breeds, but she was only partial to this breed, saying, “Nothing will turn a man’s home into a castle more quickly and effectively than a Dachshund.”
9. Small size, great appetite
This little breed loves to eat! If you don’t properly regulate your dachshund’s diet and nutrition, he/she is likely to become overweight, which often leads to health issues.
They have only one thought: FOOOOOOOOOOD!
10. They are so stubborn
Although bright and smart, dachshunds like to do things in their own way. In other words, they’re stubborn.
The great writer E.B. White wrote frankly about the breed’s stubbornness, “Being the owner of dachshunds, to me a book on dog discipline becomes a volume of inspired humor. Every sentence is a riot.”
Argue with a dachshund? HA.
11. The first Olympic mascot was a dachshund
The dachshund called Waldie was chosen as the Olympic mascot for the 1972 Olympic Summer Games. The Olympic marathon route of the same year was designed according to the shape of the dog.
