Where Do Dachshunds Come From? The Badger Dog That Became an Olympic Mascot (Miniature Dachshund Guide) 🐾
Breedpedia Ep.11 — the Dachshund, the badger dog that became an Olympic mascot, in about a minute.
Quick answer: The Dachshund comes from Germany, where it was bred from at least the 1600s to hunt badgers underground. The name says it all: Dachs means badger and Hund means dog. Its long body and short legs are a design, not an accident, built to slip into burrows. Today there are two AKC sizes: standard (16–32 lb / 7–14.5 kg) and miniature (11 lb / 5 kg and under), in three coats (smooth, long-haired and wire-haired) and a wide range of colors. Dachshunds live 12–16 years, are bold, funny and loyal, and are currently the 5th most popular breed in America. The one thing to protect is the long back.
Where do Dachshunds come from? 🇩🇪
The Dachshund is one of Germany's oldest hunting breeds. German foresters and hunters were breeding low, long-bodied hounds for badger work by the 17th century, and the first written descriptions appear in early 18th-century books under names like Dachs Kriecher ("badger crawler") and Dachs Krieger ("badger warrior"). In Germany the pet is still called a Dackel and the working hunting dog a Teckel. In America it earned the nickname wiener dog, and in Britain, Australia and Hong Kong it is the sausage dog.
The original Dachshund was a serious medium-sized hunter of 30–40 lb (14–18 kg). The smooth coat came first; long-haired Dachshunds were developed with spaniel blood, and the wire-haired variety was the last to be finished in the late 1800s by adding rough-coated terriers and schnauzers. The miniature was created in the 1800s when Germany's rabbit population exploded and hunters needed a dog small enough to follow a rabbit down its hole.
What were Dachshunds bred for? 🦡
Badgers. A badger is a tough, 10–15 kg animal with claws, and it fights back in the dark of its own tunnel. The Dachshund had to go in alone, corner it, and hold it until the hunter dug down. Every part of the dog is built for that job:
- Long, low body to slide through tunnels.
- Big paddle-shaped front paws for digging.
- Deep chest for lung capacity underground.
- A surprisingly loud, deep bark so the hunter above ground could follow the dog's position. That is why a 5 kg Dachshund still sounds like a big dog at your door.
- A fearless, independent mind. No one could help it underground, so it learned to decide for itself.
The German FCI standard still sizes Dachshunds by chest circumference rather than weight, because what mattered was which hole the dog could fit into. The smallest FCI size is literally called Kaninchen, "rabbit."
Queen Victoria's Dachshunds and the "Liberty Hound" 👑
Like the Pomeranian, the Dachshund owes part of its fame to Queen Victoria. In 1845 she brought home a Dachshund named Deckel from Prince Albert's homeland of Coburg, and her favorite, Waldmann, appears in a royal etching from 1840. Kaiser Wilhelm II kept Dachshunds too and buried his beloved Erdmann on an island in a palace park in 1901.
Then history turned. During World War I political cartoonists used the Dachshund as a symbol of Germany, and the breed's popularity in America collapsed. Owners quietly renamed their dogs "Liberty Hounds" to avoid anti-German feeling. It took decades, and one very famous mascot, to win the public back.
Waldi, the first Olympic mascot 🏅
In 1972 the Munich Summer Olympics introduced the first official Olympic mascot in history: a striped Dachshund named Waldi. Designer Otl Aicher modeled him on a real long-haired Dachshund, chose him to represent the athlete's "resistance, tenacity and agility," and even laid out the marathon course in the shape of Waldi, with the head in Nymphenburg Park and the tail in the English Garden. More than two million Waldi products were sold worldwide.
Picasso, Warhol and Hockney all painted this dog 🎨
Three of the 20th century's biggest artists shared a Dachshund obsession. Picasso lived with a Dachshund named Lump for about six years, drew his portrait on a plate the day they met, and painted him into his reinterpretations of Velázquez's Las Meninas. Andy Warhol's Dachshund Archie went to openings and press conferences, and Warhol famously redirected questions he didn't like to the dog. David Hockney set up easels all over his house to paint his Dachshunds Stanley and Boodgie sleeping and eating, and showed 45 of the paintings in his 1995 exhibition "Dog Days."
And no, the hot dog probably wasn't named after the Dachshund. That story is a popular myth.
What is a Dachshund like? Personality 😄
- "Courageous to the point of rashness." That is the official AKC standard wording, and it is accurate. Dachshunds will stand up to dogs ten times their size, so recall training and a leash in open areas matter.
- Clever and stubborn. A dog bred to think alone underground does not take orders blindly. Short, fun, treat-based training works; scolding makes a Dachshund sulk.
- Funny and affectionate. Dachshunds are devoted to their families, love to burrow under blankets and are endlessly entertaining.
- Excellent watchdog. The big tunnel bark means nothing arrives at your door unannounced. Teaching a "quiet" cue early keeps apartment neighbors happy.
- Diggers and sniffers. Digging in the sofa cushions and following a scent for an hour are not bad habits; they are the job description. Snuffle mats and scent games are the best enrichment you can give.
How big do Dachshunds get? Standard vs. miniature 📏
The AKC recognizes two sizes. A standard Dachshund weighs 16–32 lb (7.3–14.5 kg) and stands 8–9 in (20–23 cm) at the shoulder. A miniature Dachshund weighs 11 lb (5 kg) or less at 12 months. Dogs in between are informally called "tweenies." The FCI (Europe and Korea) uses chest measurements instead: standard over 35 cm, miniature 30–35 cm, and the tiny Kaninchen under 30 cm, roughly 3.5–5 kg. If you are importing a puppy, ask the breeder which system the parents are registered under.
Most pet Dachshunds today are miniatures. A "teacup Dachshund" is not an official size; it is simply a miniature at the small end of the range, and health matters far more than tiny numbers.
Dachshund coats and colors 🌈
Two sizes × three coats = six kinds of Dachshund, before you even get to color. Smooth is the classic low-maintenance coat. Long-haired is silky and elegant and needs brushing a few times a week. Wire-haired has a scruffy beard and eyebrows and a bit more terrier attitude. Colors range from the classic red and black and tan to chocolate and tan, cream, blue, brindle, piebald and the spotted dapple. Double dapple (dapple × dapple) is disqualified by the AKC because of linked eye and hearing problems, so a responsible breeder never pairs two dapples.
Dachshund lifespan and health 🩺
Dachshunds are long-lived. A large UK study found an average of 13.2 years, with miniatures averaging about 14, and many reach 16. The breed's one well-known issue is intervertebral disc disease (IVDD), a back problem linked to the long spine that affects roughly one in four or five Dachshunds in their lifetime. The good news is that prevention is simple:
- Ramps and steps for the sofa and bed instead of jumping.
- Keep the dog lean. Extra weight is the biggest risk factor.
- Harness, not collar, and support the chest and rear when lifting.
- Dental care and patella checks, as for all small breeds.
Dachshunds in Korea 🇰🇷
Korea's dog world is dominated by small white breeds, so the Dachshund is a niche breed here, outside the national top 10. That is actually good news for buyers: the few Korean breeders who specialize in Dachshunds focus closely on pedigree and health, and you will see long-haired and wire-haired puppies that are rare in the pet market elsewhere. At Kim's Pups we raise miniature Dachshunds in red, black and tan, cream and dapple, and we check both parents' backs and knees.
Looking for a Dachshund puppy? Browse our available miniature Dachshund puppies, or read how adoption and worldwide delivery work at Kim's Pups. We ship healthy, vet-checked puppies to the US, Thailand, Indonesia, Hong Kong and more.
Dachshund FAQ ❓
Where do Dachshunds come from?
From Germany, where they were bred from at least the 1600s to hunt badgers in their burrows. The name means "badger dog."
Why are Dachshunds so long?
The long body and short legs let the dog slide into badger and rabbit tunnels. The shape is a hunting design, not a mutation that happened by chance.
How big do Dachshunds get?
Standard Dachshunds weigh 16–32 lb (7–14.5 kg); miniatures weigh 11 lb (5 kg) or less. Most pet Dachshunds today are miniatures.
What is the difference between a miniature and a standard Dachshund?
Only size. Both come in smooth, long-haired and wire-haired coats and share the same personality. The AKC divides them by weight; the FCI divides them by chest circumference.
Are Dachshunds good family dogs?
Yes, for families who enjoy a bold, funny, loyal dog and will teach children to lift and carry it safely. They bond strongly with their people.
Do Dachshunds bark a lot?
They have a loud bark for their size because they once signaled hunters from underground. Early training of a "quiet" cue keeps it under control.
Are Dachshunds hard to train?
They are smart but independent. Short, positive, reward-based sessions work well; harsh corrections do not.
Do Dachshunds shed?
Smooth and long-haired Dachshunds shed moderately; wire-haired shed the least. None is hypoallergenic.
How long do Dachshunds live?
Usually 12–16 years. Miniatures tend to live slightly longer than standards.
How do I protect my Dachshund's back?
Keep the dog lean, use ramps instead of letting it jump off furniture, walk on a harness, and support the chest and rear when lifting.
What was the first Olympic mascot?
Waldi, a striped Dachshund, was the first official Olympic mascot at the 1972 Munich Games.
🇹🇭 ดัชชุนด์ เป็นสุนัขพันธุ์อะไร มาจากไหน?
ดัชชุนด์ (Dachshund) หรือ "หมาไส้กรอก" มาจากเยอรมนี ชื่อแปลว่า "หมาล่าแบดเจอร์" ถูกเพาะพันธุ์มาตั้งแต่ศตวรรษที่ 17 ให้มีลำตัวยาวขาสั้นเพื่อมุดเข้าโพรงล่าแบดเจอร์และกระต่าย ปัจจุบันมีขนาดมาตรฐาน (7–14.5 กิโลกรัม) และขนาดมินิเอเจอร์ (ไม่เกิน 5 กิโลกรัม) ขนสามแบบคือขนสั้น ขนยาว และขนหยาบ อายุขัย 12–16 ปี นิสัยกล้าหาญ ฉลาด ขี้เล่น และซื่อสัตย์ เสียงเห่าดังเพราะเคยส่งสัญญาณให้นักล่าจากใต้ดิน ในปี 1972 ดัชชุนด์ชื่อ "วัลดี" เป็นมาสคอตโอลิมปิกตัวแรกของโลก ข้อควรระวังคือหลังยาว ควรใช้ทางลาดแทนการกระโดดและคุมน้ำหนัก
🇮🇩 Dachshund itu anjing seperti apa dan berasal dari mana?
Dachshund, atau "anjing sosis", berasal dari Jerman. Namanya berarti "anjing luak", karena sejak abad ke-17 ia dibiakkan dengan tubuh panjang dan kaki pendek agar bisa masuk ke liang untuk memburu luak dan kelinci. Kini ada ukuran standar (7–14,5 kg) dan miniatur (maksimal 5 kg) dengan tiga jenis bulu: pendek, panjang, dan kasar. Usianya 12–16 tahun. Sifatnya berani, cerdas, lucu, dan setia; gonggongannya keras karena dulu dipakai memberi sinyal kepada pemburu dari bawah tanah. Pada 1972, seekor Dachshund bernama Waldi menjadi maskot Olimpiade resmi pertama di dunia. Yang perlu dijaga adalah punggungnya yang panjang: gunakan tanjakan, hindari melompat, dan jaga berat badan ideal.
🇭🇰 臘腸犬（Dachshund）係咩品種？由邊度嚟？
臘腸犬源自德國，名字意思係「獾犬」。由十七世紀開始，獵人培育佢哋長身短腳嘅體型，等佢哋可以鑽入地洞捕獵獾同兔仔。而家分標準型（7 至 14.5 公斤）同迷你型（5 公斤以下），毛質有短毛、長毛同剛毛三種，壽命 12 至 16 年。性格勇敢、聰明、搞笑又忠心，吠聲特別大係因為以前要喺地底通知獵人位置。1972 年慕尼黑奧運嘅吉祥物「Waldi」就係一隻臘腸犬，亦係史上第一個官方奧運吉祥物。要注意嘅係佢條長脊椎：用斜台代替跳上跳落，同埋保持體重。
