Breed library

Dachshund

Also known as badger dog, dackel, sausage dog, teckel, wiener dog.

Dachshund photograph.
닥스훈트(단모종) (Dachshund (Short)).jpg - Katemil94. CC BY-SA 4.0. Source: https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:%EB%8B%A5%EC%8A%A4%ED%9B%88%ED%8A%B8(%EB%8B%A8%EB%AA%A8%EC%A2%85)_(Dachshund_(Short)).jpg. License: https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0. License: CC BY-SA 4.0.

Breed overview

The Dachshund, also known as the or , is a German breed of short-legged, long-bodied dog of hound type. It may be smooth-haired, wire-haired, or long-haired, in various colors. It was bred to scent, chase, and flush out badgers and other burrow-dwelling animals. The miniature Dachshund was bred to hunt small animals such as rabbits.

  • Country of origin: GermanyBreed reference country of origin.

Breed facts

  • The Dachshund is a creation of German breeders and includes elements of German, French, and English hounds and terriers.
  • Dachshunds have been kept by royal courts all over Europe, including that of Queen Victoria, who was particularly enamored of the breed.
  • The first verifiable references to the Dachshund, originally named the "Dachs Kriecher" ("badger crawler") or "Dachs Krieger" ("badger warrior"), came from books written in the early 18th century.
  • Prior to that, there exist references to "badger dogs" and "hole dogs", but these likely refer to purposes rather than to specific breeds.
  • The original German Dachshunds were larger than the modern full-size variety, weighing between 14 and 18 kg, and originally came in straight-legged and crook-legged varieties (the modern Dachshund is descended from the latter).

Size and appearance

A typical Dachshund is long-bodied and muscular with short stubby legs. Its front paws are disproportionately large, being paddle-shaped and particularly suitable for digging. Its skin is loose enough not to tear while tunneling in tight burrows to chase prey. Its snout is long. Its ears are disproportionately big and droopy.

  • Height reference: 5 in or moreBreed reference height. minimum.
  • Height reference: Up to 9 inBreed reference height. maximum.
  • Coat length: short
  • Coat length: long
  • Coat texture: wiry
  • Coat texture: smooth

Personality and behavior

Dachshunds can be stubborn and refuse commands, especially if chasing a small animal which they have a propensity for. As Dachshunds were originally used as badger hunters they have a keen sense for chasing smaller animals. Dachshunds are often stubborn, making them a challenge to train. Dachshunds are rated in the intelligence of dogs as an average working dog with a persistent ability to follow trained commands 50% of the time or more. They can have a loud bark. Some bark quite a lot and may need training to stop, while others will not bark much at all. Dachshunds can be standoffish toward strangers. A Japanese study found the Miniature Dachshund to have higher rates of refusing to move whilst on a walk, barking at outside noises whilst inside, barking at strangers visiting their home, separation anxiety, inappropriate elimination (faecal and urinary incontinence), hesitancy to approach unknown humans and canines, and aggression towards family members, highlighting the breed's stubbornness and aggression.

  • Attachment and attention seeking (C-BARQ mean): 2.32 / 4Owner-reported attachment and attention seeking factor mean for US reference population Dachshund.
  • Chasing (C-BARQ mean): 2.25 / 4Owner-reported chasing factor mean for US reference population Dachshund.
  • Dog-directed aggression (C-BARQ mean): 1.44 / 4Owner-reported dog-directed aggression factor mean for US reference population Dachshund.
  • Dog-directed fear (C-BARQ mean): 1.19 / 4Owner-reported dog-directed fear factor mean for US reference population Dachshund.
  • Energy (C-BARQ mean): 1.67 / 4Owner-reported energy factor mean for US reference population Dachshund.
  • Excitability (C-BARQ mean): 2.25 / 4Owner-reported excitability factor mean for US reference population Dachshund.
  • Familiar-dog aggression (C-BARQ mean): 0.71 / 4Owner-reported familiar-dog aggression factor mean for US reference population Dachshund.
  • Non-social fear (C-BARQ mean): 0.97 / 4Owner-reported non-social fear factor mean for US reference population Dachshund.
  • Owner-directed aggression (C-BARQ mean): 0.26 / 4Owner-reported owner-directed aggression factor mean for US reference population Dachshund.
  • Separation-related problems (C-BARQ mean): 0.92 / 4Owner-reported separation-related problems factor mean for US reference population Dachshund.
  • Stranger-directed aggression (C-BARQ mean): 1.08 / 4Owner-reported stranger-directed aggression factor mean for US reference population Dachshund.
  • Stranger-directed fear (C-BARQ mean): 1.08 / 4Owner-reported stranger-directed fear factor mean for US reference population Dachshund.
  • Touch sensitivity (C-BARQ mean): 1.00 / 4Owner-reported touch sensitivity factor mean for US reference population Dachshund.
  • Trainability (C-BARQ mean): 2.17 / 4Owner-reported trainability factor mean for US reference population Dachshund.

Exercise and activities

Some people train and enter their Dachshunds to compete in Dachshund races, such as the Wiener Nationals. Several races across the United States routinely draw several thousand attendees. Despite the popularity of these events, the Dachshund Club of America opposes "wiener racing", as many greyhound tracks use the events to draw large crowds to their facilities. The DCA is also worried about potential injuries to dogs, owing to their predisposition to back injuries. Another favorite sport is earthdog trials, in which Dachshunds enter tunnels with dead ends and obstacles attempting to locate either an artificial bait or live but caged (and thus protected) rats.

Training and enrichment

Care planning: choose one everyday skill to practice and keep a record of each session. Note the cue, the reward your dog enjoys and what went well. Rotate familiar games and new activities, and use your notes to choose the next small step.

Coat and grooming

Care planning: use the coat details above to discuss a grooming routine with your groomer. Record brushing sessions, baths and appointments in the app. Add the tools you use and your preferred schedule so the whole household can follow the same routine.

  • Coat length: short
  • Coat length: long
  • Coat texture: wiry
  • Coat texture: smooth

Health and lifespan

Care planning: keep your dog's veterinary records, health-check dates and agreed care plan together. Add reminders for appointments and record changes you want to discuss at the next visit. Use the linked breed organizations and original references to explore their current health resources.

Living with this breed

Care planning: compare this profile's adult dimensions, coat care and available activity information with your household's routine. Make a shortlist, plan who will handle daily care and save the questions you want to ask a breed club, rescue or breeder.

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Breed history

The name Dachshund is of German origin, and means 'badger dog', from ('badger') and ('dog, hound'). The German word Dachshund is pronounced . The pronunciation varies in English: variations of the first and second syllables include , and , , . The first syllable may be pronounced as by some English speakers. Although Dachshund is a German word, in modern Germany, the dogs are more commonly known by the short name Dackel. Working dogs are less commonly known as Teckel. Because of their long, narrow build, they are often nicknamed the wiener dog in the US and Canada or the sausage dog in the British Isles and Australasia.

Clubs and further reading

Sources

  1. National C-BARQ breed and all-breed means from USA.PLOS ONE / Figshare Retrieved 2026-10-14.License: CC BY 4.0. Bohland, Kyle R.; Lilly, Meghan Leanne; Herron, Meghan E.; Arruda, Andréia G.; O’Quin, Jeanette M. (2023). National C-BARQ breed and all-breed means from USA.. PLOS ONE. Dataset. https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0289356.s003 CC BY 4.0. Selected rows and field names adapted; values unchanged.
  2. Wikidata structured breed dataWikimedia contributors Retrieved 2026-10-14.License: CC0 1.0. Wikidata contributors (CC0).
  3. File:닥스훈트(단모종) (Dachshund (Short)).jpgWikimedia Commons Retrieved 2026-10-14.License: CC BY-SA 4.0. 닥스훈트(단모종) (Dachshund (Short)).jpg - Katemil94. CC BY-SA 4.0. Source: https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:%EB%8B%A5%EC%8A%A4%ED%9B%88%ED%8A%B8(%EB%8B%A8%EB%AA%A8%EC%A2%85)_(Dachshund_(Short)).jpg. License: https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0.
  4. Dachshund - WikipediaWikipedia contributors Retrieved 2026-10-14.License: CC BY-SA 4.0. Adapted excerpts from Wikipedia contributors, Dachshund, revision 1376053316. CC BY-SA 4.0. Formatting, citations and selection changed. Source history: https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Dachshund&action=history
  5. Palipaws everyday care planningPalipaws Retrieved 2026-10-14.License: Palipaws original factual summaries. Palipaws. Original care-planning text, separate from breed measurements and licensed article summaries.
  6. AKC national parent club directoryAmerican Kennel Club Retrieved 2026-10-14.License: Factual reference only. Names and verified external links only. No source descriptions, logos or endorsement reused.