5 Fun Facts You Might Not Know About Dachshunds

5 Fun Facts You Might Not Know About Dachshunds

One look at a dachshund and it’s easy to see why they are one of America’s top breeds. They’re adorable, filled with personality, and some of the most loving dogs you could ever meet.

1. Dachshunds Come in as Many as 15 Colors

Even though you’re used to seeing red, black & tan and dappled doxies, they come in 15 colors and 6 marking combinations. Colors include: black & cream, black & tan, blue & cream, blue & tan, chocolate & cream, chocolate & tan, cream, fawn (also called Isabella) & cream, fawn & tan, red, wheaten, wild boar, black, chocolate and fawn.

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Image source: @tonyalter via Flickr

2. They Are Known As A Badger Dog

Americans called the dog “Badger Dog” during the postwar years to disassociate the breed from his German origins, but the name Dachshund comes from the German “Dachs” meaning “badger” and “hund” meaning dog, which is fitting since the breed was originally created to hunt badgers. This also explains why dachshunds can be so brave – that courage was very necessary when they found themselves in a dark hole with a badger!

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Image source: “Deiker Jagdbare Tiere 1093210″ by Carl Friedrich Deiker – UB Düsseldorf, https://nbn-resolving.de/urn:nbn:de:hbz:061:2-437. Licensed under Public Domain via Wikimedia Commons

3. They Come in Three Sizes

Most people are used to seeing miniature dachshunds, but dachshunds unofficially come in 3 sizes – with standard being the largest (almost triple the size of the mini dachshunds) and “tweenies” being the unofficial third size (called this because they are in between the size of a mini and a standard, so they’re right in between). The mini dachshund is around 11 pounds and hunted small vermin while the larger, 32-pound dog hunted the badger. The unofficial “tweenie” usually weighs around 12-15 pounds.

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Image source: “Jamnik długowłosy standardowy LM 671″ by Lilly M – Own work. Licensed under CC BY-SA 2.5 via Wikimedia Commons

4. They Have 3 Coat Types

The doxie comes in the popular smooth coat as well as a longhaired and a wire-haired. All three coats are acceptable in the show ring. Most people think of the smooth coat when they hear “wiener dog” but longhaired dachshunds have grown in popularity as well. Wire-haired are the least common of all the doxie coat types but of course as just as cute and filled with just as much dachshund spirit as their short and long haired counterparts.

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Image source: @TonyAlter via Flickr

5. Dachshunds Are A Queen’s Favorite

Queen Victoria said “Nothing will turn a man’s home into a castle more quickly and effectively than a dachshund.” If you have ever shared your home with a dachshund, you can probably relate! Queen Victoria has been known for being partial to the breed, and she is credited for the breed’s popularity in Britain as well.

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Image source: “Dachshund”. Licensed under CC BY-SA 3.0 via Wikimedia Commons

The more you learn about dachshunds, the more interesting they become – and there is so much to learn! From their impressive history and their short legs to their amazingly courageous personalities, it’s no wonder why we can’t get enough of them! These short, long dogs are taking the world by storm. We’re all just along for the ride!

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