The true story, the full profile and everything you need to know about the breed

Origin - a dog created for working underground

The dachshund comes from Germany. Not out of fashion, but out of necessity. Hunters in Bavaria, Thuringia, Baden-Württemberg and Saxony had a problem. Badgers and foxes dug deep holes, inaccessible to humans. They needed a dog to get in there.

Thus was born the dachshund - a dog with a body like a tunnel, paws like tools, and a character like steel.

The first written records date back to the 15th-16th centuries. Engravings, documents, hunting manuscripts. They were called Dachs Kriecher - badger crawlers. Or Dachs Krieger - badger warriors. The name is preserved - Dachshund. Badger dog.

By the end of the 19th century, the breed had already taken shape. In 1888, the Deutscher Teckelklub 1888 eV was founded in Germany - a club that still exists today.

Types of Dachshunds - Three Sizes, Three Coat Types, One Spirit

Dimensions:

Type	Height	Length	Weight
Standard	20-25 cm	70-90 cm	Up to 9 kg
Miniature	12-15 cm	60-75 cm	4-5 kg
Canine	10-12 cm	50-60 cm	About 3 kg

Sizes are also determined by chest circumference after 15 months of age.

Fur types:

Shorthair - close-fitting, shiny, easy to maintain

Long-haired - soft, smooth, with fringe on the ears and tail

Wirehaired - hard, protective coat, with characteristic eyebrows and beard

Anatomy - a body built for a mission

Long, muscular back

Strong, massive paws, ideal for digging

Long, hanging ears that protect the ear canal

Eyes - alert, clear, often with an expression of self-confidence

Tail - a continuation of the back line, serves as a landmark underground

How the dachshund hunts - the work is simple, but not easy

Finds a trail with its sense of smell

He follows her - calmly, without rushing.

Locates the hole or lair

Penetrates inside - its short body and strong paws give it an advantage

Barks loudly - to indicate where he is

Drives away game or holds it until the hunter arrives

Specialization according to coat:

Shorthaired - underground hunting, dry terrain

Long-haired - cold, thickets, damp places

Rough-haired - prickly bushes, difficult terrain

Character - short stature, high self-confidence

Brave, to the point of naivety

Smart, stubborn

Loyal, to the extreme

Independent but committed

Loud - a bark you can't ignore

With children:

Suitable for families who teach children to respect the dog. Its spine is sensitive. Rough play is not accepted.

With other animals:

If socialized, it gets along with dogs and cats. However, the hunting instinct remains.

Health - what you need to know and check

Most common risks:

Intervertebral Disc Disease (IVDD) - the biggest danger to the breed

Progressive retinal atrophy (PRA) - leads to blindness

Neuronal ceroid lipofuscinosis (NCL) - a serious neurological disease

Patellar luxation - knee dislocation

Dental problems - especially in miniature dachshunds

Required tests:

DNA test for PRA - to avoid crosses between carriers

DNA test for NCL - fatal disease, mandatory checkup

X-ray for the spine and joints - early detection of problems

Screening for dental abnormalities - especially important for miniature lines

Nutrition - control is everything

The dachshund has an appetite, but it should not be overfed.

Food for small breeds with joint support

Dividing food into 2-3 portions daily

Strict weight control - obesity is the enemy of the spine

Limited amount of goodies

Who is the dachshund for - and who is it not for?

Suitable for people who:

They like strong characters.

They know what patience is.

They want a dog that is not a follower, but a partner

Are willing to work and have fun with the dog

Provide a safe environment - no tall furniture and accessible stairs

Not suitable for people who:

They want blind obedience.

They don't have time for training and socialization

Looking for a calm, quiet dog

They cannot control the dog's weight and movements

Stories that remain

Munich Olympics (1972) - the first Olympic mascot in history was the dachshund Waldi. A symbol of endurance and friendship.

Picasso and Lump - the artist and his dachshund. Lump stands next to Picasso, inspects his work, and remains in art history.

Queen Victoria - adored dachshunds. She called them "little dogs with the soul of a lion."

The longest dachshund - Willy - 1.12 meters long from nose to tail.

Obie - the dachshund who lost 20 kg - a story of responsibility and care that traveled the world.

Dachshund parades - Vienna, Berlin, Chicago - hundreds of dachshunds march like proud soldiers, dressed in costumes, but always with dignity.

Celebrities who adore dachshunds

The Dachshund is small in stature, but big in influence. And this is evident in history and in the homes of many world-famous people.

Pablo Picasso

The Spanish artist owns a dachshund named Lump, which means "ball" or "meatball" in German. Lump is not just a pet, but part of the inspiration behind some of Picasso's works. Over the years, he has appeared in many photographs and memories from the artist's studio.

John Wayne

The legendary American actor is known for his rugged looks and cowboy roles, but at home he has a weakness - his dachshund Little Duke, who often accompanies him backstage and on set.

Queen Victoria

The British Queen is not only a historical figure, but also a serious fan of dachshunds. It was she who contributed to the popularity of the breed in England. There are reports that her palace was full of dachshunds, which she personally cared for.

Adele

The British singer and Grammy winner has repeatedly expressed her love for dachshunds. Although she rarely shows them in public, those close to her say that this breed is present in her home.

David Hockney

The world-famous artist often includes his dachshunds in his paintings and photographs. They are a part of his artistic world and his personal life.

Glenn Close

The famous actress who played Cruella de Vil is far from villainous in real life. She is a proud owner and lover of dachshunds, often appearing with them at social events.

Elizabeth Taylor

The Hollywood icon has owned a dachshund for much of her life, describing it as the "most consistent love" in her turbulent personal life.

Andy Warhol

The king of the pop art movement also owned a dachshund - his pet Archie, who was often part of the artistic atmosphere around Warhol.

Marilyn Monroe

Although less well known, the beautiful icon also had a dachshund named Hugo, given to her by a friend. The stories surrounding him are part of Monroe's more intimate, personal world.

Conclusion

Dachshunds don't just unite hunters, artists, and musicians. They unite people with character. Whether it's royalty, a Hollywood star, or a Parisian artist, they've all fallen for the charm of the small but proud dachshund.

Finale - The Dachshund is a big man

This is the dachshund.

It's not just a dog.

This is a small body that carries within itself a hunter, a friend, and a character.

He may be short. But he is never small.

It may be funny. But it is never to be underestimated.

He may bark a lot. But he always has something to say.

The dachshund is a big guy.